So hard to be good (Jesus' rules)

 

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.