[SIZE=medium]America and the World have everything backwards when it comes to Jesus' commandments to his disciples and to all Christians. I will give some scriptural examples to support this truth. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Jesus said not to call any man father, like the Catholics do.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Jesus said not to pray with vain repetition, as the Catholics do with their many "Hail Mary's" prayers. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Jesus said to never swear at all, for any reason. This includes vows, oaths, and pledges to anything or anyone, like the pledge of allegiance or the oaths to defend the constitution. All such things are not of the Christian way.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5:33-37[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]These are Jesus' commandments, and He said those who love him will keep his commandments.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Now we get on with the real controversial stuff. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The New Testament literally means "New Covenant", and it is written for Christians to follow. Covenant is a synonym of Testament. The Old Testament means "Old Covenant," and it was written for the Jews. The Bible says the Old Covenant has been made obsolete. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 8:13[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The only part of the Old Testament that Jesus upheld in His teachings were the ten commandments. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth." Mark 10:17-20[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]This same man in the above passage was also a rich man, and lacking in compassion for others, refused to follow Jesus' commandments for him to sell all he has and give to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven. Jesus also said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:21-27[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]This same calling applies to all rich people living today, they must give their wealth to the poor and only then can they pick up their cross and follow Jesus. For the Bible said the love of money is the root of all evil. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]And now we have the most controversial doctrine of Christianity of all.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"And the soldiers likewise demanded of him (John the Baptist), saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." Luke 3:14[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Jesus taught to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who hate us, and to do good to those that hate us. This includes ISIS terrorists, because no one hates us more than they. Ask yourself what would Jesus do about ISIS? Jesus did not kill his enemies, and neither did his disciples, many of whom were martyred for their faith. Jesus loved his enemies, and loving your enemies is the hardest part of true Christianity, because true Christianity might cost your life. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." Luke 17:33[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:27-36[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]True Christianity in its purest form is almost impossible to follow. It is by far the hardest thing a person will ever do in their life. Faith alone will not save you, because faith without works is dead. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]If you truly have faith in God, you will try your hardest to keep his commandments to the best of your ability, knowing it is not possible to be perfect but it is something we should strive for all our lives. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]God bless you all.[/SIZE]
