This is my fourth post; making three of the four entries occurring in the month of October. Hopefully in the near future entries can be more frequent (just trying to keep it real). 😺
So much to say...least I'm not trying to do this on Twitter.
Let's start out with something light. Hmmm. How about the moral relevance of the Bible.
POINT #1: Typically, when dealing with a subject of such magnitude it needs to be recognized there will be multiple factors and issues to address that impact the subject.
Is the Bible outdated? Are Christians hateful people?
Matthew 5:43-45 (NASB) Jesus says...
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sonsof your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust...'"
WOW! This is a lot to "unpack". First, we have to separate what is being said in the Bible with how well Christians are displaying what is being said in the Bible; then put it back together.
So, not just "love your neighbor" but also love your enemies. Someone please tell me where the "hate" is located in what Jesus said. I know, I know there are hundreds of other pages to address; but it is fair to say, this is a major theme. "Bless those who curse you..."; where's the hate? By the way, to avoid confusion; Strong's Concordance (a Dictionary of words in the Bible) love (agapao - Greek) verb: wish well to, take pleasure in, long for, denotes the love of reason, esteem.
Now, how well are Christians applying this? Well, there simply is no way to grade this. The Christians you are exposed to are different from the ones I'm exposed to, and both are different from what we see on TV/internet. So, be discerning; don't take one persons behavior and apply that to a whole group (where have we heard that being asked before!)
I know this is a short response to a huge subject, but I needed to get started somewhere.
Till next time, can any one hear me?
