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@3RU7AL
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(IFF) this is your primary guiding statement, if this is the foundation of your idea of morality and law (THEN) you're the most radical pacifist, peacenik, tree-hugging, kumbaya singing, doormat hippie I've every met.It is not self-seeking?
Do you believe that love should seek its own way over that of those it holds dear?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
I believe this tells me not to take the law into my own hands and to be compassionate to those who offend you instead of seeking revenge. God will repay for vengeance is His. He will judge justly. That is not up to me.
[ Self-denial on Behalf of Others ] Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”
Matthew 5:3-11
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It keeps no record of wrongs?
Those who cannot forgive are like someone who has indigestion. It is not not what they have eaten but what is eating them. It is a piece of baggage those who hold a grudge carry with them. The other person may not even know of the grudge but it eats the person holding it up with hatred or resentment.
Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive [i]others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
After God has forgiven me my debts, my sins, how would it be if I did not do the same to others? Thus, if I have a grievance against a loved one I should settle it before I go to sleep. That is a good principle to live with.
I'm not seeing anything in there that would justify killing felons or protesting abortion.
That would be something the government did for it is not for a citizen to take revenge but for the state to apply justice (except in cases of self-defence or protecting others from wrong). And love is just. A good judge will not wink at wrongs. He will punish them or else there would be no justice. Without the state/government applying justice there would be anarchy. People would do whatever evil they liked without any consequences.