What Wouldn't Jesus Do?

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I.O.U

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I need to ask this question about the overall nature that defines the Christian.

Was Jesus teaching ultimately focused on transforming the believer into a pacifist by nature?
 

Aunty Jane

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I need to ask this question about the overall nature that defines the Christian.

Was Jesus teaching ultimately focused on transforming the believer into a pacifist by nature?
When Jesus told his apostles to buy swords before his arrest, it wasn't to use them to defend Jesus, because when Peter did, Jesus rebuked him and told him to put the sword away....that "all who live by the sword would die by the sword". Substitute the word gun (or any weapon there) and you get the point.

He was transforming his disciples into "peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) which is not the same as "peacekeepers". We know that "peacekeepers" carry weapons and sometimes drive tanks and kill people. That is not what Jesus was advocating.

He had given his disciples this counsel: “You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.” (Matthew 5:38, 39) Here Jesus was not teaching pacifism or denying the right of self-defense from bodily harm, but he was teaching that a Christian does not need to pay back blow for blow, retaliating, taking vengeance. (Romans 12:17-21) He was inculcating the principle of avoiding quarrels by not replying or reacting in kind. A slap on the cheek is not intended to injure physically but only to insult or to provoke into a fight. Jesus did not say that if someone strikes a Christian on the jaw, he should get up off the floor and hold the other side of his face for a target. What Jesus was saying was that if anyone tried to provoke a Christian into a fight or argument by either slapping him with an open hand or stinging him with insulting words, it would be wrong to retaliate. This is in harmony with the statements of the apostles, giving further emphasis to this principle. (1 Peter 3:9)

A "Peacemaker" is one who creates peace by being peaceful in his approach to all things. Jesus demonstrated how he maintained his peace even when the most awful things were said and done to him after his arrest. He took his peace to the grave with him, even after the most agonizing death.
 

I.O.U

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When Jesus told his apostles to buy swords before his arrest, it wasn't to use them to defend Jesus, because when Peter did, Jesus rebuked him and told him to put the sword away....that "all who live by the sword would die by the sword". Substitute the word gun (or any weapon there) and you get the point.

He was transforming his disciples into "peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) which is not the same as "peacekeepers". We know that "peacekeepers" carry weapons and sometimes drive tanks and kill people. That is not what Jesus was advocating.

He had given his disciples this counsel: “You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.” (Matthew 5:38, 39) Here Jesus was not teaching pacifism or denying the right of self-defense from bodily harm, but he was teaching that a Christian does not need to pay back blow for blow, retaliating, taking vengeance. (Romans 12:17-21) He was inculcating the principle of avoiding quarrels by not replying or reacting in kind. A slap on the cheek is not intended to injure physically but only to insult or to provoke into a fight. Jesus did not say that if someone strikes a Christian on the jaw, he should get up off the floor and hold the other side of his face for a target. What Jesus was saying was that if anyone tried to provoke a Christian into a fight or argument by either slapping him with an open hand or stinging him with insulting words, it would be wrong to retaliate. This is in harmony with the statements of the apostles, giving further emphasis to this principle. (1 Peter 3:9)

A "Peacemaker" is one who creates peace by being peaceful in his approach to all things. Jesus demonstrated how he maintained his peace even when the most awful things were said and done to him after his arrest. He took his peace to the grave with him, even after the most agonizing death.
Today you have become my daughter.
 

Aunty Jane

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Actually I am 250 year's old.

In dog year's.
That makes me 504.....
old
You're just a young'n....
whistling
 

bbyrd009

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might be pertinent to point out that flipping over some tables and whipping some butt was on the menu at least sometimes

dont you guys sleep? :)
 

I.O.U

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might be pertinent to point out that flipping over some tables and whipping some butt was on the menu at least sometimes

dont you guys sleep? :)
I slept at a railway station for about 3 hours during the early afternoon, I am fine to go till the early morning.
 

Aunty Jane

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I slept at a railway station for about 3 hours during the early afternoon, I am fine to go till the early morning.
LOL...we are Aussies mate....different time zone.

ETA: why are you sleeping at a railway stations? You homeless?
sad
 

Aunty Jane

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might be pertinent to point out that flipping over some tables and whipping some butt was on the menu at least sometimes
Jesus expressed what is called 'righteous indignation' at the audacity of merchants extorting money for sacrificial animals right in God Temple.
He whipped the animals to drive them out.....he didn't whip the merchants, who would have been scurrying after their scattering livestock.
 
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bbyrd009

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Jesus expressed what is called 'righteous indignation' at the audacity of merchants extorting money for sacrificial animals right in God Temple.
He whipped the animals to drive them out.....he didn't whip the merchants, who would have been scurrying after their scattering livestock.
15So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle.

well whaddya know, hmm
i kinda liked the version in my head better! :)
 
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I.O.U

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15So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle.

well whaddya know, hmm
i kinda liked the version in my head better! :)
Try and do that at any Christian book store today, and you'll be sent off to see a judge or a rubber room.
 
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Aunty Jane

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Needed to de-stress.
I could think of quieter places to de-stress.....:confused: Do you have no natural settings in which to de-stress? I have taken to watching YouTube relaxation videos with the sounds of running water and birds...it’s a wonderful de-stressor. :) You can forget that the ugly part of the world exists.....
 

I.O.U

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I could think of quieter places to de-stress.....:confused: Do you have no natural settings in which to de-stress? I have taken to watching YouTube relaxation videos with the sounds of running water and birds...it’s a wonderful de-stressor. :) You can forget that the ugly part of the world exists.....
Me thinks you wrote this post, to assure yourself rather than me.