Matthew Chapter 5…whatever
Posted on August 16th, 2007 by Reformed Pope into the Reading Matthew categoryI thought I would be able to cruise through the book of Matthew but I keep getting stuck; sorry this is taking so long. In this next section of Matthew Jesus talks about Oaths, Taking an Eye for and Eye, Loving your Enemies, and Giving to the Needy…lets see if I can make it through all of that:
Matt 5:33-37 Oaths - Same deal as before here. You have heard it was said…yada, yada, yada…but I say:
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes' be ‘Yes,' and your ‘No,' ‘No; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.(v36-37)
It's a great statement because its so true. We control nothing, God controls everything so let's not make any promises that we may not be able to keep. Also, I get the feeling that God is really into people keeping their words…
By the way, if you are ever in court and want to piss the judge off, refuse to "solemnly swear" when you take the stand…judges hate that.
Matt 5:38-42 An Eye for an Eye - This could be some of the most difficult scripture to follow. It's one we all know and learn in Sunday School, but when the time comes to apply it how many of us choose to ignore? And how seriously are we to take this?
If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (v39)
What if they are absolutely kicking your ass? At what point should you try defending yourself?
Furthermore, the title of this paragraph (according to my NIV Study Bible) is An Eye for an Eye, but it really should be called An Eye for an Eye…pause (you know what a pause is)…NOT.
Matt 5:43-48 Love for Enemies - This follows rather closely to the whole Eye for an Eye bit and, imho, helps answer the question of what the New Testament example of Love is:
…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (v44)
Sounds good…not easy…but good.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (v45)
The note in my Bible says here "God shows his love to people without distinction". Love does not mean callously pointing out sins to those who you see as beneath you; instead treat everyone with the same respect that you show your friends…God can still convict "your enemies" of their sins…without you making an ass out of the church. Again, IMSLTHO (slightly less than).
Matt 6:1-4 I love the next few verses on Giving to the Needy and fortunately they are rather simple.
Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (v1)
Ok, now to sum up…Don't make any promises…Love your Enemies…Do good acts in secret…got it?
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August 16th, 2007 at 9:41 am
:-)
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:36 pm
RP are you going to continue your Matthew study….Hmmmmmm…
September 5th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Will you guys quit begging people to come over here and talk to you its kind of sad.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Finally S.P please go take a nap. It’ll do ya good.
RP .. Just how angry do judges get when you won’t “solemnly swear”?
Re: Oaths…that would apply to the promises/vows we are asked to repeat during weddings perhaps?….
September 5th, 2007 at 9:39 am
My father was very involved with the “Rescue Movement” (that would be a group of people opposed to abortion). Because of this involvement he was often arrested for “tresspassing” (blocking the doors to an abortion clinic so patients could not get in). Because of these arrests he spent a lot of time in court rooms in front of a judge. Because of Matthew 5:36-37 he would refuse to solomnly swear to tell the whole truth. Because he would refuse the judge would often get upset and hold him in contempt.
It got to the point where there were enough Pro-Lifer’s getting arrested that we all got to know the different Portland judges, there were those that we liked and those that we didn’t like. The judges also got to know us…i think they eventually came up with a new plan and stopped making my Dad swear on the Bible. I don’t exactly remember, maybe Catalyst can shed some light.
September 7th, 2007 at 1:50 am
Wow, that’s some interesting stuff. It’s pretty amazing all the things we as Christians have individually gone through, and how it has, subconsciously even, shaped who we are today. I’d like to hear more when you (and Cat) have the time.
-joebib