Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 9
The speaker rebukes a brotherhood that can picture nonresistance when “someone comes with a gun” but struggles to love those causing suffering inside the church; what forms of “internal enemy-love” are hardest for you (absorbing inconvenience, refusing offense, returning good), and why do you think the early Christians treated this as normal discipleship?
Another way to ask: What kinds of loving your “inside-the-church enemies” are hardest for you (putting up with inconvenience, not taking offense, doing good back)? Why do you think early Christians saw this as normal for following Jesus?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the transcript, “internal enemy-love” is expressed through long-suffering and forbearance—absorbing inconvenience and responding with grace when someone in the brotherhood causes pain. The speaker implies early Christians treated this as normal because it is the same upside-down wisdom of Jesus that defeats evil and makes the church a credible witness.
- He notes Anabaptists can see nonresistance “when someone comes with a gun,” but struggle to love those “causing me to suffer” inside.
- Long-suffering means “to suffer long,” enduring unpleasantness “for a long time.”
- Required mindset: “put others first” and be “here to absorb what’s going on in someone else’s life… pour Christian grace into that.”
- He gives examples of obedience that embody enemy-love: forgive, “choose not to take offense,” “return good for evil,” humility.
- He says if we can’t do this “among ourselves,” we shouldn’t expect it to be easy with external threats.
- He frames it as kingdom wisdom that “turn[s] Satan’s dominion upside down,” making it central, not optional.