Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/691

242* it with his sanctimoniousness commits a crime against the people who desire to take his way.

(:Jesus used the way of love even when it seemed to be to his disadvantage. When the Samaritans refused him, he was more concerned about their souls than his personal prestige, and did good to them who thought evil of him. If we are his disciples, we love our enemies, forgive their evils and pray for them, being more concerned about their souls than our bodily safety. All this is contrary to the way of the sword. The whole test of a Christian comes to this: is he willing to love his enemies?:)

For, if the Christians believed in this commandment of love, and accepted it among themselves, the sword would immediately fall from their hands, all conflicts and wars would cease among them, no one would threaten another with a sword, but gracefully do good for evil; and should they be hurt and oppressed by others, they would not strike back with their sword but patiently suffer all evil, being more worried about spiritual than physical harm. Put the world knew not our Saviour nor is it accepting his exalted teaching. For the sword keeps on punishing transgressions. It kills people in war and otherwise.

Wars and other kinds of murder have their beginning John 1:10.