Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 5
The speaker says loving the enemy is “the way to win the enemy” and also “an unconditional…witness,” even if the enemy is never won; how does that challenge common evangelical instincts about effectiveness, results, and “closing the deal,” and what changes if God—not you—decides the outcome?
Another way to ask: If loving an enemy is a witness even when it doesn’t “work,” how does that challenge the urge to focus on results and “closing the deal”? What changes when you trust God to decide the outcome, not you?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript challenges effectiveness-driven instincts by making enemy-love faithful witness rather than a technique to secure conversion or compliance. If God decides the outcome, your task shifts from “closing the deal” to offering unconditional love that reflects God’s love while leaving results to Him.
- The speaker says the way to “win the enemy…is to actually love the enemy.”
- He immediately qualifies: “Whether they are won by that love or not is up to God.”
- Enemy-love is described as “an unconditional…way to give witness to…the love of God.”
- He roots it in God’s prior love: “While we were yet sinners, God loved us.”
- Earlier, he stresses nonviolence “doesn’t always work” by worldly measures, reinforcing that obedience is not outcome-based.