Re: [TruthTalk] Love your neigbor as yourself

[Wm. Taylor]

----- Original Message ----- From: ShieldsFamily To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 9:06 PM Subject: RE: [TruthTalk] Love your neigbor as yourself   Izzy writes: How do I do it? Well, I guess I like me. J (If I don’t, who else will?) Tell me, how would you get along with Hitler if he lived next door? Or Jeffrey Dahmer?   BT responds: I do not know how I would get along with them. They may not be receptive to getting along. Still I do know this: no matter who moves next door, Jesus' commandment will not change. I am to love them the way I love myself -- or put another way, treat them the way I would like to be treated.   Izzy writes: <SNIP> But then on occasion you run into someone who is a lying, cunning, cheating, person who loves to inflict pain onto others.  Do I think they are worth much more than a hill of beans? Not much. But my opinion is not what matters.  God’s opinion is the ONLY thing that matters.      BT responds: "I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" -- Jesus     Izzy writes: <SNIP>  Furthermore, I believe that respect must be earned.  I don’t believe in rewarding bad behavior with warm fuzzies. If my neighbors start throwing rocks at my house I’m not likely to bake them a cake. BT responds: "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." -- Jesus   Izzy writes: But maybe I’m just a grouchy cat. J Izzy   BT responds: Yeah, maybe.