Israel
BANNED
Jesus addressed this rather pointedly.
And you may see how he upset more than a few apple carts.
You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.…
That's just a relatively well known example.
But consider, if you can, or will, how he taught, and taught those raised on Moses.
Here he comes, and in this, and many other places, he appears to be saying something (at least further), if not at first glance, contradictory, to what they "knew".
He hasn't stopped.
Yes, man is prone to justify anything "of himself", for himself, and it is not unusual for the believer to discover "he" has even used the notion of service to God to justify...unkindness....even to the extreme of cruelty.
You may say religion is the fault, and I could not disagree.
But self justification is not limited to the "god" conscious...it is endemic to man.
When our desires (or fears, if you prefer) exceed our integrity , well, I don't think you are unfamiliar with the consequences.
Yes, it can be hypocrisy to the extreme, no doubt, when the name of Jesus is invoked to usurp by power of lies, deceit, or bullets...but where you may see the hopelessness of those so entangled, I see in Jesus the only hope for any of us.
I know this because I see grace, to one who very much needs it.
Grace is the one wonderful thing that has let me see some of myself, without despair, but hope.
He has come for the sick.
And you may see how he upset more than a few apple carts.
You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.…
That's just a relatively well known example.
But consider, if you can, or will, how he taught, and taught those raised on Moses.
Here he comes, and in this, and many other places, he appears to be saying something (at least further), if not at first glance, contradictory, to what they "knew".
He hasn't stopped.
Yes, man is prone to justify anything "of himself", for himself, and it is not unusual for the believer to discover "he" has even used the notion of service to God to justify...unkindness....even to the extreme of cruelty.
You may say religion is the fault, and I could not disagree.
But self justification is not limited to the "god" conscious...it is endemic to man.
When our desires (or fears, if you prefer) exceed our integrity , well, I don't think you are unfamiliar with the consequences.
Yes, it can be hypocrisy to the extreme, no doubt, when the name of Jesus is invoked to usurp by power of lies, deceit, or bullets...but where you may see the hopelessness of those so entangled, I see in Jesus the only hope for any of us.
I know this because I see grace, to one who very much needs it.
Grace is the one wonderful thing that has let me see some of myself, without despair, but hope.
He has come for the sick.