Today's gospel lesson...
27. "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28. bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29. "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.
30. "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
31. "And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.
32. "And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33. "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34. "And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount.
35. "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
36. "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37. "And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
38. "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
So...
How closely do you follow what Jesus said?
Peace and kindness,
Fred

How closely do you follow what Jesus said?
Peace and kindness,
Fred

Close enough to say Our God is a God of truth. That Christ, even on the cross was teaching truth in HIS Words (Psalms 22)=(Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34) and that we have been foretold all things.

We are not to seek man or think that man can save us. We are not to seek things of this world. Because that was exampled on the cross as the spunge of vinegar man will give you when he thinks you thrist.

We instead are to eat and drink of one body and blood, and we live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. In full faith of the spiritual Rock that was laid down for us (1 John 3:16) and who is within us that follow HIM, and that Rock is Christ Jesus.

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, HE expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF.

Refer: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:18-19 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

sndbay,
Thanks much for your answer on this.
It is very good
Fred

Hi, arcura!

I always try to put into practice what Jesus preached. However, it's a hard road to follow...

Thanks!

Close enough that I love Him with all my heart and being, and love Him so much I can hardly stand it at times, and my joy overflows.

John 14:23&24, "If people love me, they will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Those who do not love me
do not obey my teaching. This teaching that you hear is not really mine; it is from my
Father, who sent me."

1 John 2:3-6, We can be sure that we know God if we obey His commands. 4 Anyone who says, "I know God," but does not obey God's commands is a liar, and the truth is not in
That person. 5 But if someone obeys God's teaching, in that person God's love has truly reached its goal. 6 Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived.

I try my best to do that.
Love and Blessing to all, Maggie 3

Clough and Maggie,
Thanks much,
Fred

Today's gospel lesson.....
27. "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28. bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29. "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.
30. "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
31. "And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.
32. "And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33. "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34. "And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount.
35. "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
36. "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37. "And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
38. "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
So....
How closely do you follow what Jesus said?
Peace and kindness,
Fred

I don't following these teachings at all. What's moral about saying love your enemies? I don't love them. Why should I?

I don't following these teachings at all. What's moral about saying love your enemies? I don't love them. Why should I?

Hi, cadillac59!

For one thing, if a person loves their enemies, that person is showing the enemies an example of a way to be in order to get along. People don't have to be enemies forever. Most times, people are enemies due to personal choice.

By a person loving their enemies, that at least sets up the possibility that they might not be enemies any longer.

We can choose different paths...

I would certainly rather love my enemies than hate them. Hate and anger are things that can help to destroy a person physically as well as mentally.

We all know what having the thoughts and feelings of love can do for the mental and physical well-being of an individual who's doing the loving.

Thanks!

cadillac59,
I very much agree with Clough on this.
And I do love my enemies, though at times I may be angry with some or not like them; there is a difference between love and like.
I'll give you a real example of why I love my enemies.
Some years ago I has sitting at a bar next to a person ( a Mr. Fox) who had been an enemy. He was a person I also did like.
It was the only empty seat so I took it.
I began speaking with him.
He abruptly told me to be quite and that he hated me.
I told Fox that I was shocked at that and said that I liked him and mentioned several reasons I liked him.
He was surprised and said that come to think of it there were some things he liked about me.
From that time on we got along with each other quite well.
It is hard for a person who is your enemy to continue to be one if you love him/her.
Keep in mind that love is a choice. You can choose to love or to hate.
I'll take love before hate anytime, anywhere.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

I do not follow the word of Jesus at all, because I never met him. I don't know what he said and neither does anyone else. The bible has been re written by people so many times and through so many changes in belief through one era after another that there is very little evidence that there is any real truth to any of it. Look into the history of the bible and see for yourself.

Now I do believe in a "higher power", be that "god" or whatever you chose to call it. I believe in the general morality taught by the "christian" religion, though I have met very few Christians that practice what they preach.

I am a moral person. I try to live a fair and decent life. I don't lie cheat or steal, I give with the belief that you will get in return what you put out, good and bad both. I am also the type of person that will give into the will of another for the sake of being the bigger person, or as a christian would say "turning the other cheek" you don't have to be christian or follow an organized religion to be a good person.

As far as the loving your enemy. Its just a saying. Like Keep your friends close and your enemy's closer. Its just the sentiment that hatred will get you no where. The same general morals are believed in about all types of religions from Buddhism to Pagan to Christianity to no religion at all.

My belief is; to each his or her own. Do what is right to you and live by the basic rule... Make your life happy as you can and don't run anyone over on the way there. It's that simple. The nicer you are to others the nicer they will be to you. Keep to your own business and be kind. Follow the boy scout rules. Its almost the same.

Proudmom,
I trust the bible (the many widely accepted versions of it) for they are essentually the same with a few variations in word traslation.
It has not been REWRITTEN many times. To says so is a falacy that ahs been around for many years.
A person can easily verify that by comparing bibles publish earlier with those of recent times.
In fact it surprises many who have compared the very earliest publications with those of today that they are so very much the same.
If you don't believe that you can check it out for yourself. All it will take is a lot of time and study to do a good job of it.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

Is that so? Who made the choice of what did and did not go into the bible? I would presume Jesus said many more things in his lifetime than what is written in the bible. I'm sure there were entire conversations where a phrase or two has been taken out, and here we read it today as the "gospel" Having no way of knowing what else was said that day or even moment. It is not difficult to misconstrue the meaning of words, especially when you didn't hear them yourself. Just as you may have written the words in your response with utter kindness, I read some hostility in it because I challenged your belief. How do you know that "Jesus" said those things? Have you ever played telephone? What is the earliest version the bible you've seen? Are you aware of how old the bible is. It has indeed been written over and over again... If I say today, wow what a cool car... and 2000 yrs later, that is repeated, should I believe that a person 2000 yrs later knows what I really meant? And how do we know the person repeating it is saying it the way I said it? I see and hear people misinterpret verbal words everyday as they are coming out of someone's mouth. Perception is individual. What we are experiencing and feeling at the moment we hear things... What society and life has taught us to believe at the moment we see and hear things... How do you know what someone was hearing or feeling that long ago? I read words but see no facial expression or body language. Do you know who and how the words in the bible were chosen and for what reason? People thought differently back then. We have no genuine way of proving Jesus said anything. And if your Bible is correct and Jesus is currently being amused by my words, he will no doubt laugh with me and smile for using the free will "our father" so gratefully gifted me.

Look, I'm not knocking your religion or anyone else's. You asked a question and I answered, honestly. I believe in being a good person. I am non judgmental. I am opinionated, but let others believe as they chose. I don't try and convince anyone to follow what I decided for myself. I live a moral uncorrupted life that is no worse than people who claim a religion. There is a lot more history to the bible and religion than what your taught in a church or a religious college. I have never met a person of religion who didn't insist their religion what the right one. Yet they all follow different beliefs and all from the same bible.

P.S. you said...
"In fact it surprises many who have compared the very earliest publications with those of today that they are so very much the same."

Exactly what company published the original writings of the bible? I am fairly certain that when the words of the bible were spoken, there were no publishing companies in existence yet.

Just one more thing... you asked a question and I did in fact answer with my honest opinion. But it is as yours, just an opinion. I am not debating your belief or trying to say anyone should not believe the words in the bible. It is a choice. And those who believe in it and find peace of mind and soul, then they should continue down that path. I personally find that particular path to be unconvincing.

You told a true story as an example... let me tell you one to explain why I see things as I do... I have a stack of court papers from my sons father in front of me. In these papers are several untrue accusations of things I said and did. None of which are true, yet signed under penalty of perjury by him. Your logic is telling me that if I handed you these court papers and you had them published it makes the words with in it true.

I think people find peace in the bible for the sake of personal growth and because they are having troubles in their life. The bible is big, long, and full of contradictions. It is easy to find the words you need to hear at the moment somewhere in the bible.

Well said Proudmom2.
You answers are all answered honestly and true.

Thank you Golden Girl.

proudmom2
The first published bibles were done by hand. It took much time for the monks to published one volume so they were quit expensive.
They were checked and rechecked to make sure that each one was accurate.
The books in the bible were selected by a group of men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so.
So if you have a complaint about the bible I suggest that you complain to the Holy Spirit.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

proudmom2
The first published bibles were done by hand. It took much time for the monks to published one volume so they were quit expensive.
They were checked and rechecked to make sure that each one was accurate.
The books in the bible were selected by a group of men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so.
So if you have a complaint about the bible I suggest that you complain to the Holy Spirit.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

How do you know these men were inspired to do anything? Checked and rechecked for quality control, huh? Ahem. Whatever.

By the way, how do I stop getting emails sent to me every time someone posts on this thread?

cadillac59,
When you visit a thread, then if something is posted later yiu are notified.
To stop getting notices to a particular thread don't visit it.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

cadillac59,
When you visit a thread, then if something is posted later yiu are notified.
To stop getting notices to a particular thread don't visit it.
Peace and kindness,
Fred

But once you visit it you keep getting notices. I'm trying to listen to Led Zepplin on YouTube and I keep getting these little email clicks every time someone posts. But it doesn't do it on every thread I've on, just these two.

Hi, cadillac59!

arcura is correct, to a point. In order to stop the emails, you unsubscribe from the thread and don't post anything on the thread anymore.

Thanks!

Nice, what wonderful discussion this question has inspired. Thank you Arcura. Though I still stand by my "opinion". I'm glad to see you do as well. I do not have a complaint about the bible, just an opinion. Again, to each his/her own. I still don't believe that the words were "inspired". It was told to us through hand me down stories that it was "inspired". There really is no way of knowing until we meet our maker weather it be "god" or the dirt beneath our feet. I do believe that there are mysterious and miraculous things that happen in the world, unexplained by pure science. There really is no way of knowing if the words and teachings of Christianity are correct any more so than Buddha, Allah, the or heck even Gandhi. The fact is, I believe you don't know any more than I do and can't know until it happens. Maybe in the end it is all the power of our own beings pushing against one another that makes this world go round. :)

P.S. I am inspired by the fact that you are able to be inspired by this "bible" and such a deep belief in something you can't see or hear. Not because you will ever convince me to follow anything other than my own intuition and opinion, but because you stick to your guns regardless of my opinion or anyone else's and your not afraid to say so. That is, in it self, inspirational; especially in today's world of sheep.

Hi, cadillac59!

arcura is correct, to a point. In order to stop the emails, you unsubscribe from the thread and don't post anything on the thread anymore.

Thanks!

Thanks Clough. I wouldn't mind unsubscribing to the thread because I'm not interested in the topic but I don't want to unsubscribe to the entire board. I really have no interest in religion of any kind, as everyone can tell, but that doesn't mean I don't want to discuss the subject once in a while in certain ways.

cadillac59
OH!!
Well then I guess I don't know the answer to that toy help you.
Sorry,
Fred

cadillac59, ON the right side of this thread is a place that says unsubscribe to this thread 2nd one under thread tools). That should stop any emails for this discussion but leave you still subscribed to those you are interested in. Hope that helps. :)

Arcura, I am curious, what makes you think that monks checked and rechecked the words they, ehem, copied? I would say it is safe to presume you were not present at the time therefor are only repeating what someone told you, which someone told them, and so on and so on. No one today can say that anyone paid any attention to what was put in the bible. Nor can anyone say that the priests who decided what to put in the bible and what to toss out was correct, but chosen by what they wanted people to believe.

Thanks Clough. I wouldn't mind unsubscribing to the thread because I'm not interested in the topic but I don't want to unsubscribe to the entire board. I really have no interest in religion of any kind, as everyone can tell, but that doesn't mean I don't want to discuss the subject once in a while in certain ways.

Hi again, cadillac59!

You're welcome!

If you unsubscribe to a particular thread, it doesn't mean that you're unsubscribed to an entire forum topic area or "board", as some might call them. But, I do think that by unsubscribing to an entire forum topic area, that that will cease any kind of email notifications about them.

I subscribe to many forum topic areas. I do that, because of interest, and also because I'm one of the Moderators and in order to have become one, I did need to show an interest in certain forum topic areas. I receive email notifications when new threads are started on them, but not about new posts on any particular thread, unless I've posted on the particular thread.

When I'm not interested in the new thread that has been started, I just delete the email. If I had a program that was automatically informing me of new emails, then I would turn off that function in the email program.

It's a matter of what you want your computer to be able to and do for you.

I never open my emails directly on my computer before checking what they are, on the server first. Doing it that way, is much safer!

Thanks!

proudmom2,
I go by written history.
Also by faith in the Holy Spirit.
There are still some copies of original hand published bibles.
They have been compared with each other.
It became obvious that the monks were diligent in there work for the bibles' wording was very much the same.
Those same bibles are still available to recognized scholars to study.
Would you like to give it a try.
If so contact the Vatican for permission.
Peace and kindness,
Fred