“You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift. Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison. I say to you in all seriousness that you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last penny. “You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery. But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell. “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. “Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord. But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne. You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:21-37, CEB)
Ok, so this is Jesus expanding on the Ten Commandments.
I mean aren’t the Ten Commandments hard enough to keep on their own?
Ok well, not murdering, or is it killing, and yes that makes a difference but that is for another discussion. But wouldn’t killing an animal for food also fall into this?
And I have never committed adultery according to the original commandments…
But if you think bad thoughts about someone, you have killed them in your mind.
If you think thoughts that could lead to adultery about someone then you have committed adultery with them in your mind. And we know a lot more people have done this than there are people walking around with one eye or one hand.
Jesus just made it impossible for any human to ever keep the commandments. And my friends that is the point. You can’t do it. God can. God does it.
You are included because God loves you. You can’t earn it, God just gives it to you.
Now go and love like God loves you.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 