Bumper Sticker Song (Original)

"THE BUMPERSTICKER SONG"

ORIGINAL SONG 1998: (5:09) When Jesus said, "Love your Enemies," I Really Think He Meant, "Don't Kill 'Em" Words and Music by Linda K. Williams

WHEN JESUS SAID, “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES,”

I REALLY THINK HE MEANT “DON’T KILL ‘EM!”

Well, when Jesus said, "Love your enemies," (Matt. 5:44)

I think He probably meant, "Don't kill 'em!"

And when He said, "Blessed are those who work for peace," (Matt. 5:9)

that sounds to me like "Study war no more." (Isaiah 2:4)

I’d say everything Jesus taught, and how "God in flesh" lived

is 180 degrees opposite of what is done in making war. (Dale Aukerman)

Oh, fighting to kill is not God's way, ‘cause God's way is love; (David Radcliff)

fighting to kill is not God's way, ‘cause God's way is love.

Well, “an eye for an eye” doesn’t mean “revenge is sweet”; (Exodus 21:24)

it was God’s call to start limiting payback!

And throughout the Old Testament, God’s people learned more

of their Heavenly Parent’s great love for them.

Then God sent Jesus to tell the new, improved version of God’s love,

and people were confused to learn that God loves all---

no “chosen people,” no “them” and “us”---just unlimited love.

Jesus taught God’s love includes even enemies as our neighbors,

and He calls us to love them as ourselves.

Jesus taught God’s love includes even enemies as our neighbors,

and He calls us to love them as ourselves. (Luke 10:29-37; Matthew 22:39)

It seems to me the New Testament makes it crystal clear---

we’re to turn the other cheek, repaying no one evil for evil, (Luke 6:29, Rom. 12:17)

and we’re to bless and pray for those who mistreat and persecute us,

overcoming evil with good. (Matt. 5:44, Rom. 12:14, Romans 12:21)

Oh, the early Christians got the message, and were pacifists---no war for them! (Dale Aukerman)

Well, the ways of the world have changed how most Christians act,

But Christ’s message hasn’t changed, and never will!

So, I’ve got to agree that “All war is sin;” God’s circle of love draws all in.

Yes, I’ve got to agree that “All war is sin;” God’s circle of love draws all in.

(Church of the Brethren Ann. Conf. Statement, 1934; re-affirmed several times since then)

BRIDGE:

And I’ll be non-confrontational {non-confrontational}

But un-apologetic {yes, un-apologetic} (Tom Hurst)

About my views---- Like, when Jesus said, “Love your enemies,”....... (RPT. V. 1)

END WITH

And yes, when Jesus said, "Love your enemies,"

I think He also had in mind {---likely also had in mind}

that if we love our enemies--- {---truly love our enemies}

---we won’t have any! {---won’t have any real enemies} Amen!

Song recording, stories, photos available: BetterWorld-Resources.com Bumperstickers and T-Shirts available: BrethrenPress.com

Scriptures and Church of the Brethren sources quoted or paraphrased are included above in parentheses.

The concept of the Bible containing the progression from “unlimited retaliation to limited retaliation to limited love

---and, finally, with the coming of Jesus, to unlimited love” came from a Pacific South-West District Peace Camp.