One so-called preacher said he would break the skulls of those who criticize him. And he asked the crowd to respond with Amen, and the crowd shamelessly did. How low have the churches fallen from their spiritual, moral, and holy status? Violence, bloodshed, and destruction are not in the toolkit of a Christian. Vengeance belongs to God; He will repay those who are wicked, and it is His prerogative. (Romans 12:19)
Model of Jesus: Neither he prayed for the breaking of skulls of his enemies, nor John, who was standing beside the cross, responded with an Amen. Rather, the Lord pleaded to the Father to forgive them as they acted out of ignorance. (Luke 23:34) Stephen also made a similar prayer. (Acts 7:59)
Law of Moses: The exiles in Babylon were bitter in their spirits. They had been taken as slaves from their homeland, the Promised Land. Hence, they did not want to sing songs of Zion in Babylon and desired that they be doomed, destroyed, repaid, and their little ones dashed against a rock, that they be brutally murdered. (Psalm 137:8,9) The Mosaic law prescribes equal punishment for a crime. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. (Exodus 21:24) The captives prayed based on this judgment. Nevertheless, the New Testament saints have a higher call to forgive people, including enemies.
Fire from heaven: James and John wanted to bring fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans. (Luke 9:54) The Lord did not accept such an idea. Perhaps, they wanted to do what Elijah did to the soldiers sent by a wicked, unbelieving king. (II Kings 1:10,12) God, in his mercy, later, the Lord used John to bring fire from heaven so that the Samaritans were baptized in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8: 17)
Use of a sword: Peter used a sword to cut the ear of Malchus. The Lord healed him and warned Peter not to pick up a sword. (John 18:10-11) The Lord taught his disciples that one who takes the sword will perish by sword. (Matthew 26:52)
Do I ask the Lord to give me grace to love my enemies?