So Hard to be Good (Jesus'
rules).
Christians are
supposed to do the things Jesus wants them to do.
For one thing, Jesus
doesn't want them to get angry at others.
Anger jeopardizes their salvation--
Matthew 5:21 You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, "Raca," [Arabic word of contempt] is answerable to the court.
He doesn't want them to
call anybody a fool.
One
view says the word is likely rebel.
Then Christians shouldn't say non-Christians rebel against God. They risk hell
fire when talking that way--
Matthew 5:22 And anyone who
says, "You fool! [rebel]" will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Men cannot look with lust
at women.
Or else they break the commandment
against adultery.
Matthew 5:27 You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
A divorced woman is off
limits.
A Christian had better not marry
one.
Matthew 5:32 Anyone who marries
a divorced woman commits adultery.
He warns them against
making oaths.
Don't promise anything while saying
"as heaven is my witness."
Don't say "I swear on my
mother's grave." Or "as sure as I'm standing here."
Don't make those kinds of oaths--
Matthew 5:34 I tell you, do
not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth,
for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city
of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one
hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply
"Yes" or "No"; anything beyond this comes from the evil
one.
One wonders if the wedding vow is
evil, too.
You know, one part goes, "Do
you, (John or Mary), solemnly swear to take this ..."
Don't resist bad people's
behavior.
If a bad man slaps you or makes
demands of you, you're supposed to overlook it--
Matthew 5:39 I tell you, do not resist an evil
person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek
also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over
your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two
miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who
wants to borrow from you.
Few Christians are like
that.
See your way clear to
love your enemies.
Matthew 5:44 I tell you, love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in
heaven.
Your store of patience
isn't just for Christians. It's for everybody.
Be nice to everybody, everywhere.
Matthew 5:46 If you love those
who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing
that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than
others? Do not even pagans do that?
Forgive others when they
act like creeps.
Matthew 6:14 [I]f you forgive other people when
they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you
do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Act in those ways, although they
sound hard to practice with sincerity. You'll need to be perfect.
Don't build up a big bank
account or indulge in expensive tastes.
Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... 24 You cannot serve both God and money.
Don't worry about eating
smart or wearing fine clothes.
Matthew 6:25 I tell you, do
not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what
you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than
clothes? ...
28 [W]hy do you worry about clothes?
See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you
that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is
here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe
you--you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, "What
shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we
wear?" 32 for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly
Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Do for others what you'd
like for yourself.
Matthew 7:12 [I]n everything, do
to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the
Prophets.
That's a tricky one as others might
not seek what you seek.
You won't enter the
kingdom of heaven if you don't do what Jesus asks.
Matthew 7:21 Not
everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
...
24 Therefore everyone who hears
these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built
his house on the rock. ... 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on
sand.
It appears as though most Christians
don't do what Jesus wants.
So, they haven't reserved a seat on the
bus to heaven.
Be scared of God, because
God can send you to the bad place.
Luke 12:4 I tell you, my
friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can
do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has
been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you,
fear him.
Admit you're Christian
even when it's putting you in danger.
Luke 12:8 I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
You had better watch
everything you say.
Your lies and careless words denote
that you're evil.
Matthew 12:35 The good man brings
good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil
things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to
give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For
by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Your careless and dishonest speech
condemns you, and the condemned lie outside of salvation.
Christian spokespersons say they
know what God thinks about. But they don't really know. That's careless speech.
They say something is very clear in
the Bible, although it's controversial. So they promote their relative view
without saying it's a relative view. That's careless, too.
So they haven't reserved a ride on
the bus to heaven, either.
Jesus want them to sell
what you have and send the proceeds to the poor.
Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for
your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell
your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for
yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted,
where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
If you foul up and sin,
forgive anyone who sins against you.
That way you get straight with God.
Matthew 6:14 If you forgive men when they sin
against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not
forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Get right with God by
confessing your sin.
Strange that Jesus doesn't say this
one.
But, elsewhere, the New Testament
says--
1 John 1:9 If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.
If you aren't good in these ways,
you don't belong to Jesus.
Fact is, you won't be so good. So
you won't belong to Jesus, anyway.
Those who always do what Jesus wants
are few.
