Excellent point Duncan, but we must also keep in mind that opposition is not an 'on-off' thing. Everything in our physical universe works in scales of varying amounts between the two extremes. It is these graduated scales that enable us to forgive and live in harmony with each other as we don't immediately hate someone due to a single minor flaw in their character or behavior. Suffering with purpose is a teacher, without purpose it is only a mindless torture. It is the purpose that is the lesson to be learned and unfortunately, as in my case, that purpose is not always readily seen.
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"And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Tim. 2:24-26
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