“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” - Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus continues
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Life in concentration camps was very hard. The SS Guards had tortured, raped, starved and killed inmates, as well as working them to death. The inmates were mainly Jewish, but there were also gays, gypsies, communists and Christians. Notably, following liberation, groups of female survivors forgave their guards, praying they would come to know God and not face persecution by secular authorities. Prosecutors even worried that prosecution would be undermined by the act. The survivors said that they needed to forgive so as to move forward with their lives.
Jesus’ instruction is also wise. We need to forgive. We still retain a responsibility through secular authority to prevent abuses, but we need to forgive. And it is those who have wronged us who need to be forgiven. You don’t need to forgive those who love you. But you should love them.
https://rumble.com/ve2fvb-bible-quote-feb-9th-matthew-543-45.html
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