Was Jesus not encouraging praying against human enemies in Luke 12:49-53?

Thank you very much for your question, it shows you want to know.

Luke 12:49-53 reads “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

It’s important to note that these are the very words of Jesus Christ.

And you will agree with me that Jesus cannot contradict Himself. For Himself spoke in the following scriptures:

Matthew 5:43-48 : "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But 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; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

And when Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment He responded that:

Matthew 22:35-40

“Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Do you think the same Jesus will be saying on one hand that you should love and in the other hand saying that he came to bring division especially among family members?

So, what is Luke 12:49-53 saying?

For better understanding, we must read it in context at least from Luke 12:41 down to 53.

For verse 49, it was a conclusion of God’s ultimate Judgment that will be melted out to those people (servant, vs 41-49) who rejected the saving grace of God.

While verse 50, is a figure of speech that talks about Jesus’ death, which was yet to come at this time.

Verse 51 down to 53 speaks of the division that comes to the human races between those that accept Jesus Christ as Lord verses those who reject him.

One of Jesus’ primary mission is to bring peace and He offers peace to those that receive Him…

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:14

“Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." Luke 7:50

"The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all—“ Acts 10:36

"But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' "And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.” Luke 10:5-6.

For if Jesus has not come, there won’t be room for God’s judgment.

I hope you get my response clear?

I am always open to help with any further question?

Blessings.

Pst.Gavin Aleogho

THE GREAT APOSTATE

By Gavin Aleogho

The Lord Jesus Christ warned us to, “Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them” Luke 21:8. It is important to note that this scripture is still being fulfilled at our very eyes. The question then is this, “are you a victim unknowingly”?

The warning that we should be careful that “no man deceives us” is spelt out on several places in the New Testament, ranging from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Apostles (Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:5, Ephesians 5:6).

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,” 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

2 Thessalonians 2:3, speaks of the “falling away” otherwise known as the “Great Apostate” which will be experienced in our days before the return of Christ. The “Great Apostate” speaks of believers’ defection from the truth, falling away, forsaking or departing from the way because of the level of deception which will be propagated by the antichrist (the devil) and his agents.

The question to you then is this, “are you being deceived unknowingly” Or, “have you departed from the faith unknowingly”?

You might say no, but before you exonerate yourself from this, you must understand what the “the faith” means.

Jude 1:3 speaks of “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”. It is the pure and undiluted doctrine which was handed over to us whose foundation is on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Are you still sticking to this pure gospel? I am not asking if your Church is still sticking to the pure gospel. I am asking you as an individual, because on that final day, before the Judgment Seat of God, it will be an individual thing and not a denominational or corporate thing.

It is important for the present Church of Jesus Christ not to take lightly this warning that was given by the Lord Himself. For the great deception is already going on presently. Many Disciples of Christ are being deceived by those that claim to be Christ or of Christ.

It will be an irony, having started well, if we become prey to these agents of darkness. We must be on our guard, fully equipped with the belt of truth which will help us to discern deceptions.

Question and Answer on 2 Timothy 4:14

2 Timothy 4:14 reads, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:”

Here, Apostle Paul was only speaking as a man, wishing for divine justice to be done upon Alexander. There is nothing in that scripture that suggest that Paul wished Alexander evil, just like Alexander did evil to him. Because if Paul wished him the same evil, then Apostle Paul would be contradicting the very Words he himself (Paul) wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in Romans 12:17-21. And you will agree with me that the scripture doesn’t contradict itself. 

Note that 2 Timothy 4:14 is not addressed to God but to Timothy. So we cannot say that that is a prayer from Paul to God, but a letter from Apostle Paul to Timothy his mentee.

To me, 2 Timothy 4:14 is not cursing neither is it a blessing, but only a WISH from a mere man called Paul.

I am always open for further discuss on this topic or any related topic.

God bless you.

Pst. Gavin Aleogho