There seems to be some confusion by SOME of what Yah'shua (J_sus) means when He says "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies." Even here on this forum there appears to be warfare by insults as well as strife and then they become enemies. Where is the love instead of hate that Christians are commanded to do?
Turning the other cheek does not imply pacifism, nor does it mean we place ourselves or others in danger. Simply stated, its meaning is, that Christians must avoid disputing and striving at all cost.
A word about the âslapâ that Yah'shua says we should endure. Yah'shua here speaks of personal slights of any kind. The slap (or the âsmiting,â as the KJV has it) does not have to involve literal, physical violence. Even in our day, a âslap in the faceâ is a metaphor for an unexpected insult or offense. Did someone insult you? Let him, Yah'shua says. Are you shocked and offended? Donât be. And donât return insult for insult. Turn the other cheek. He addresses the need for true transformation, versus mere rule-keeping. Itâs not enough to obey the letter of the law (either moral which is also torah); we must conform to the spirit of the law as well.
Much of the material surrounding Yah'shuaâs command to turn the other cheek complements the nature of His coming, which was characterized by mercy, sacrificial love, and longsuffering toward sinners. At the same time, Yah'shua affirms the âlast is firstâ principle upon which the kingdom of Yah is based. For instance, He tells us to go the extra mile for someone who abuses us (Matthew 5:41) and to love and pray for our enemies instead of holding enmity against them (verse 44). In summary, Yah'shua is saying we need to be pure inside and out and as accommodating as possible for the sake of a lost world.
Turning the other cheek, does not mean when a criminal breaks into your home, you are to let him harm you, your family, maybe rape your wife or injure your kids and steal your belongings! REALLY? Some "Christains" actually imply that!!!
One example below, even here on this forum states;
prophetic7744 writes -
"In the OT God ordered Israel to kill their enemies many times and God helped them do it. However in the NT J_sus commands, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also." Luke 6:27-29
Yes He did and for good reason, those enemies were wicked, they break Yah's LAW!
So called "Christians" today that teach "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" and do nothing about those that PHYSICALLY harm you are very confused!
The very words of Yah'shua (He IS THE WORD OF YAH you know!) when He said to His 11 Apostles, "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Seems crystal clear to me, we should defend ourselves from PHYSICAL harm, not give the criminal the other cheek! So what IS an enemy really in the context of what Yah'shua was teaching? Is it obvious that He was ONLY speaking of those that VERBALLY persecute, insult you, even call you names (like I have read of others in this Bible topic forum do) that is NOT PHYSICAL harm!
Then prophetic7744 confusion goes on to teach that-
"When you join the military and become a professional killer you must obey all the commands of your commanding officer."
"The only weapons that NT saints may use who follow the New Covenant commands of Jesus is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. A NT saint would not even think of joining the army of any nation and becoming a professional killer or defending himself with a gun."
Really now! Look up the definition of the words "kill" and "murder" to know the difference. Killing in war is not Murder, you do not personally know nor have met the enemy in war. Murder is true hate. Its premeditated most of the time. So really here is the logic that some "Christians" today teach not to kill the "enemy" (which is also a criminal sometimes but NOT in war!) that is trying to harm you and or your family, your country. They teach you should NOT defend yourself, family or others in harms way, even in war because we are commanded not too. Lol! So its safe to say that that same logic and reasoning applies to Police Officers, that they should "turn the other cheek" if they are NT Christians or do good to those that PHYSICALLY harm you even as a Police officer can with a gun! They really need to take the guns away from those evil Police Officers and teach them to know "if someone strikes them on one cheek, turn to him the other also" when on the job! LOL! What about other countries, nations coming over to harm us in war? "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" they would say! How absurd!
Hillarious reasoning but really quite sad that Scripture is misinterpreted in the context of what is really being TAUGHT in the Bible!
Any thoughts on all this reasoning, understanding and study?
Lets look at some important verses about "swords and or clubs" and there purpose, found in - Matthew 26:53-56; Mark 14:48 (the mob comes!); Luke 22:36,38,52; and John 18:6,11,36; 19:10-11.
Matthew 26:53-56 (KJV)
53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55. In that same hour said Yah'shua to the multitudes (the chief priests mob!), Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves (or with clubs - as you would a robber) for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Yah'shua is very clear here by telling us that THIEFS and ROBBERS will harm you! How is that? Because he COMPARES the chief priests mob that came to get him packing swords and clubs for a purpose, to LIKE that of any normal person that would have a "sword or club" on a MISSION to protect himself, family or others in harms way! So why is it some "Christians" today teach not to
STOP (or kill if need be) the "enemy" (which is also a criminal) that is trying to harm you and or your family? Makes no sense, does it?
Also if Yah'shua wanted to fight, His Father could send or "give me more than twelve legions (more than 80,000!) of angels" to save Him from harm! So what happened to the DOCTRINE teaching of "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" that some teach today?
Mark 14:48 (KJV)
48. And Yah'shua answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief (or robber), with swords and with staves (clubs) to take me?
Yah'shua here is simply giving himself up to fulfill prophecy. But He also clearly knows we should protect ourselves from thieves and robbers, CRIMINALS! That's the purpose of a sword or club! Common sense!
Luke 22:36,38,52. (KJV)
36. Then said He unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
38. And they said, Yah'shua, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
52. Then Yah'shua said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief (or robber), with swords and staves (clubs)?
Here Yah'shua clearly states "he that hath NO sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." To do what? To PROTECT and DEFEND yourself and others from CRIMINALS! The diciples said here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough." meaning what? Yah'shua is saying that is plenty of swords to do the job, to FIGHT for Him but what they did not understand was,
that He KNEW he would give Himself up to fulfill prophecy! The "swords" have no purpose or need here, unlike what we need today against REAL CRIMINALS!
John 18:6,11,36; 19:10-11. (KJV)
6. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am (âI AMâ) He, they went backward (drew back, lurched backward), and fell to the ground.
11. Then said Yah'shua unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
36. Yah'shua answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews (the legalistic Judeans): but now is my kingdom not from hence.
This Scripture here is HUGE in information and reasoning of WHAT "swords" are for. When Yah'shua told them who He (âI AMâ) was, they fell to the ground by His holiness, His perfection in keeping the Torah LAW perfectly! He NEVER broke it once! He surrenders then and tells Peter to put his sword away.
NOW don't miss this! Yah'shua says "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants FIGHT" for Him and He would welcome it. So where is the "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" don't FIGHT them logic
of the supposedly "New Covenant Law" in the NT as some today teach when Yah'shua clearly teaches that His servants WOULD fight for Him IF His kingdom were of this world? Clearly He is saying "swords" have a purpose but not NEEDED when He willfully gives himself up!
Finally 19:10-11.
10. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee (execute on the pole or stake), and have power to release thee?
11. Yah'shua answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin (and guilt).
Here again Yah'shua is stating that Pilate would have NO power against Him unless it was given from above by His Father! Yah'shua COULD pray to His Father, and He would send more than twelve legions (more than 80,000!) of angels to fight for Him! But Prophecy would not of been fulfilled then if he did. So AGAIN I ask, what happened to the teaching of the "New Covenant" of the
NT of LOVE you hear today, to "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" as some teach today???
Obviously a wrong teaching to the entire context of the Bible on the subject, correct?
Thank you for your post. I did manage to read through it on my phone - the writing is very very small!
I am really happy you posted! If I may offer a suggestion? I'd really like to see some good discussion here like it used to be. I can testify first hand that people will not read and discuss long posts - they like short ones. Long post essentially shuts down communication.
As to your content:
From a Jewish perspective what Y'shua was teaching was mercy trumps law. In other words; (don't be so "litigious").
As for what is happening here in this section is called "as much or little as is needed". It's not about turning the other cheek or insults or revenge or love or hate. >It's about effecting a change so that it is an enjoyable place for everyone< Rather than letting one person bully everyone chasing them off.
**JESUS SAYS NEVER MAKE AN OATH, AND LOVE AND FORGIVE ALL YOUR ENEMIES**
In the OT God ordered Israel to kill their enemies many times and God helped them do it. However in the NT Jesus commands in Luke 6:27-29: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."
Matthew 5:43,44: Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said, {in the OT} 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you. love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!!"
Whereas in the OT in Leviticus 26:7,8: God said to Israel, "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the **SWORD** before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the **SWORD** before you!"
Numbers 25:16,17" The Lord said to Moses, "Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them!"
Numbers 32:20,21: Moses said to them, "if you will do this--if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies out before Him!!"
Deuteronomy 6:18,19: Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord has promised on oath to your ancestors, **THRUSTING OUT ALL YOUR ENEMIES BEFORE YOU**, as the Lord said!
Deuteronomy 23:14: For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you!
Deuteronomy 28:7 The Lord will grant that your enemies who go up against you will be defeated before you!
Deuteronomy 30:7: The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you!
Another OT command in Exodus 21:23-25 "If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."
This was also changed by these NT commands by Jesus:
Matthew 5:38,39: Jesus commands, "You have heard that it was said {In Exodus 21:23-25 above}, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also!"
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:27-30: Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if someone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:33-36: Love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your **REWARD** will be great and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful!"
Matthew 18:21,22: Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister {or wife} who sins against me? Up to 7 times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you not 7 times but 77 times!" {Also can be translated 70 times 7 times!}
I Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called that you may **INHERIT A BLESSING**!
Matthew 5:9: Jesus the **PRINCE OF PEACE** says, "Blessed are the **PEACEMAKERS**, for they will be called the **CHILDREN OF GOD**!"
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we live in the world, **WE DO NOT MAKE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES**! The weapons we fight with **ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD**. On the contrary, they have **DIVINE POWER** to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God!
Ephesians 6:17: Take the helmet of salvation and the **SWORD** OF THE SPIRIT** which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
I Peter 2:20-23: If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.... When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges Justly!
I Peter 3:8,9,11: Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. **DO NOT REPAY EVIL FOR EVIL** or insult with insult. On the contrary, **REPAY EVIL WITH BLESSING**, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For... "They must turn from evil and do good; they **MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT**!"
Romans 14:17-19: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, **PEACE** and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God an receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do **WHAT LEADS TO PEACE**!
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort **TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH EVERYONE**!
Matthew 5:43-45: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {As per the OT}. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!"
Matthew 6:14,15: Jesus says, "If you forgive other people who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins!"
John 18:36: Jesus says, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest. But now My Kingdom is from another place!"
Luke 23:33,34: When they came to the place of the Skull, they crucified Him there... Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!"
Romans 12:19-21: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!
I Peter 4:8-10: Above all, **LOVE** each other deeply, because **LOVE** covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms!
Colossians 3:12-15: As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on **LOVE**, which binds them all together in perfect unity! Let the **PEACE OF CHRIST** rule in your hearts. since of members of one body, you were **CALLED TO PEACE**!
Isaiah 9:6,7: For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** there will be no end!!
Ephesians 4:31,32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with **ANY FORM OF MALICE**. Be kind and compassionate to one another just as in Christ God forgave you!!
What is the OT command concerning *VOWS* and *OATHS*?? Numbers 30:2: Moses said, "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a *VOW* to the Lord or takes an *OATH* to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said!"
But what are the NT commands concerning making *VOWS* and **OATHS*??
James 5:12: "ABOVE ALL, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.!!"
Matthew 5:33-37: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to your people long ago {Numbers 30:2 above}, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' BUT I tell you, Do not swear at all....Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one!!"
Federal law requires everyone who enlists or re-enlists in the Armed Forces of the United States to take the enlistment **OATH**!
The **OATH** of enlistment is administered by any commissioned officer to any person enlisting or re-enlisting for a term of service into any branch of the military.
The military **OATH** of enlistment (re-enlistment) is fairly straightforward for most military personnel. It's administered by a superior officer, and carried out like most traditional oaths, with the officer reading the oath and the person being sworn repeating it.
**OATH** for US Armed Forces except for the National Guard after raising their right hand:
I, (NAME), do **SOLEMNLY SWEAR** that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. **SO HELP ME GOD**.
And so anyone who **SOLEMNLY SWEARS**.. **SO HELP ME GOD** and who **KILLS HIS ENEMIES** is breaking two New Covenant Commands of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, even Armed Forces Medics and Chaplains have to take this **OATH**!
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, "**ALL AUTHORITY** in heaven and **ON EARTH** has been given to **ME**. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to obey **EVERYTHING** I have commanded you and surely I am **WITH YOU ALWAYS**, to the very end of the age!!"
Matthew 10:27: Jesus says, "What I tell you in the dark, **SPEAK** in the daylight; what I whisper in your ear **PROCLAIM FROM THE HOUSETOPS**!!"
'"Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;" (and their comments very long)
"To me; salvation is found in believing and following Christ and doing his teachings."
"The teachings of Jesus did not even make one change in the OT LAW!"???
**BUT WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY**??
**JESUS MADE MANY AMAZING AND TOUGHER CHANGES TO OLD TESTAMENT MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE LAWS**!!
Matthew 5:27,28,31,32 Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already **COMMITTED ADULTERY** with her in his heart. {This sin of adultery is not mentioned in the OT!!}
This would include pictures or videos of a woman on Television or the Internet or in pornography!!
Matthew 19:3-9: Some Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," Jesus replied, "That at the beginning the Creator made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therfore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Why then the Pharisees asked, did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because **YOUR HEARTS WERE HARD**, but it was not this way from the beginning. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery!"
I the Old Testament you could divorce your wife for almost any reason by just giving her a certificate of divorce as per Deuteronomy 24:1,3. Actually it is almost impossible in the New Testament to divorce your wife if she is a believer, since Jesus also said in Matthew 18:22 that you should forgive your brother or wife not 7 times but 77 times which can also be translated 7 times 70 times!!
And according to I Corinthians 7:12-15 you can only divorce an unbelieving wife if she leaves you even though you have been a good husband.
I Corinthians 7:12,13,15: If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, **HE MUST NOT DIVORCE HER**. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, **SHE MUST NOT DIVORCE HIM**!... But if an unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances. God has called us to live in peace!
Deuteronomy 24:1: If a man marries a woman who becomes **DISPLEASING TO HIM** because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and **SENDS HER FROM HIS HOUSE**!
Where as Jesus commands that you can only divorce your wife because of sexual immorality and a man must also forgive his wife from that sin 77 times or 7 times 70 times. And then if the woman is **WILLING TO LIVE WITH HIM** HE MUST NOT DIVORCE HER!!
And Jesus says in Matthew 19:8: "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because **YOUR HEARTS WERE HARD**!!"
In the Old Testament King David had 8 wives and Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines??? But in the New Testament you can have only **ONE WIFE**!!As per I Corinthians 7:2; ! Timothy 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6.
While **SAD**lup teaches that Jesus didn't even make one change to OT Law????
"Matthew 5:27,28,31,32 Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said,..."
Did you get that?
Are you reading with comprehension??
You were a missionary to Israel???
"YOU HEARD IT SAID...."
Jesus is addressing the Oral Torah!
Not the Tanakh. (Old Testament)
You were a missionary to Israel and you do not know these things????
PROPHETIC7744
"Matthew 19::3-9: Some Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," Jesus replied, ...."
Are you seeing it yet?????
"Haven't you read...."
Jesus is correcting the Pharisees using the Written Torah - the first 5 books of the Old Testament.
You were a missionary to Israel and you do not see this??????
PROPHETIC 7744
Did you even read Deuteronomy 24:1-4 ???????
ITS NOT ABOUT DIVORCE!
It's about passing your wife around using legal loop holes - you can't remarry her after she becomes another's wife. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 mentions divorce but doesn't give instructions about divorce.
PROPHETIC7744
"In the Old Testament King David had 8 wives and Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines???"
Prophetic7744
I've explained this to you REPEATEDLY!
YOU are such an EVIL JERK for continuing to post this when you know the truth!
"In that event, you must appoint as king the one whom ADONAI your God will choose..........he is not to acquire many horses for himself or have the people return to Egypt to obtain more horses,.....Likewise, he is not to acquire many wives for himself,....."
"To me; salvation is found in believing and following Christ and doing his teachings."
"The teachings of Jesus did not even make one change in the OT LAW!"???
**BUT WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY**??
**JESUS MADE MANY AMAZING AND TOUGHER CHANGES TO OLD TESTAMENT MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE LAWS**!!
Matthew 5:27,28,31,32 Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already **COMMITTED ADULTERY** with her in his heart. {This sin of adultery is not mentioned in the OT!!}
This would include pictures or videos of a woman on Television or the Internet or in pornography!!
Matthew 19:3-9: Some Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," Jesus replied, "That at the beginning the Creator made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therfore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Why then the Pharisees asked, did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because **YOUR HEARTS WERE HARD**, but it was not this way from the beginning. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery!"
I the Old Testament you could divorce your wife for almost any reason by just giving her a certificate of divorce as per Deuteronomy 24:1,3. Actually it is almost impossible in the New Testament to divorce your wife if she is a believer, since Jesus also said in Matthew 18:22 that you should forgive your brother or wife not 7 times but 77 times which can also be translated 7 times 70 times!!
And according to I Corinthians 7:12-15 you can only divorce an unbelieving wife if she leaves you even though you have been a good husband.
I Corinthians 7:12,13,15: If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, **HE MUST NOT DIVORCE HER**. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, **SHE MUST NOT DIVORCE HIM**!... But if an unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances. God has called us to live in peace!
Deuteronomy 24:1: If a man marries a woman who becomes **DISPLEASING TO HIM** because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and **SENDS HER FROM HIS HOUSE**!
Where as Jesus commands that you can only divorce your wife because of sexual immorality and a man must also forgive his wife from that sin 77 times or 7 times 70 times. And then if the woman is **WILLING TO LIVE WITH HIM** HE MUST NOT DIVORCE HER!!
And Jesus says in Matthew 19:8: "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because **YOUR HEARTS WERE HARD**!!"
In the Old Testament Abraham had 2 wives, King David had 8 wives and Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines without any **ANY PENALTY**??? But in the New Testament you can have only **ONE WIFE**!!As per I Corinthians 7:2; ! Timothy 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6.
While **SAD**lup teaches that Jesus didn't even make one change to OT Law????
âPropheticâ you need to deal with your own false interpretations before accusing others.
You follow cults and other isms by denying Jesus is Co-equal with God and the Holy Spirit. And what is it that you do with the âholy spiritâ???? You lie about him and say he is not God!!
Fix you own stuff first, youâre obviously not qualified to teach biblical doctrine or rebuke others
Little David: You should try using the Living Word of God like all good Bible theologians rather than your own human reasoning. I have never called Cupcakeme and Needs a friend liars. I always use the Word of God to prove my points.
**JESUS SAYS NEVER MAKE AN OATH, AND LOVE AND FORGIVE ALL YOUR ENEMIES**
In the OT God ordered Israel to kill their enemies many times and God helped them do it. However in the NT Jesus commands in Luke 6:27-29: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."
Matthew 5:43,44: Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said, {in the OT} 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you. love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!!"
Whereas in the OT in Leviticus 26:7,8: God said to Israel, "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the **SWORD** before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the **SWORD** before you!"
Numbers 25:16,17" The Lord said to Moses, "Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them!"
Numbers 32:20,21: Moses said to them, "if you will do this--if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies out before Him!!"
Deuteronomy 6:18,19: Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord has promised on oath to your ancestors, **THRUSTING OUT ALL YOUR ENEMIES BEFORE YOU**, as the Lord said!
Deuteronomy 23:14: For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you!
Deuteronomy 28:7 The Lord will grant that your enemies who go up against you will be defeated before you!
Deuteronomy 30:7: The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you!
Another OT command in Exodus 21:23-25 "If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."
This was also changed by these NT commands by Jesus:
Matthew 5:38,39: Jesus commands, "You have heard that it was said {In Exodus 21:23-25 above}, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also!"
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:27-30: Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if someone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:33-36: Love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your **REWARD** will be great and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful!"
Matthew 18:21,22: Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister {or wife} who sins against me? Up to 7 times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you not 7 times but 77 times!" {Also can be translated 70 times 7 times!}
I Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called that you may **INHERIT A BLESSING**!
Matthew 5:9: Jesus the **PRINCE OF PEACE** says, "Blessed are the **PEACEMAKERS**, for they will be called the **CHILDREN OF GOD**!"
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we live in the world, **WE DO NOT MAKE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES**! The weapons we fight with **ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD**. On the contrary, they have **DIVINE POWER** to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God!
Ephesians 6:17: Take the helmet of salvation and the **SWORD** OF THE SPIRIT** which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
I Peter 2:20-23: If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.... When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges Justly!
I Peter 3:8,9,11: Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. **DO NOT REPAY EVIL FOR EVIL** or insult with insult. On the contrary, **REPAY EVIL WITH BLESSING**, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For... "They must turn from evil and do good; they **MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT**!"
Romans 14:17-19: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, **PEACE** and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God an receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do **WHAT LEADS TO PEACE**!
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort **TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH EVERYONE**!
Matthew 5:43-45: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {As per the OT}. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!"
Matthew 6:14,15: Jesus says, "If you forgive other people who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins!"
John 18:36: Jesus says, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest. But now My Kingdom is from another place!"
Luke 23:33,34: When they came to the place of the Skull, they crucified Him there... Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!"
Romans 12:19-21: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!
I Peter 4:8-10: Above all, **LOVE** each other deeply, because **LOVE** covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms!
Colossians 3:12-15: As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on **LOVE**, which binds them all together in perfect unity! Let the **PEACE OF CHRIST** rule in your hearts. since of members of one body, you were **CALLED TO PEACE**!
Isaiah 9:6,7: For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** there will be no end!!
Ephesians 4:31,32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with **ANY FORM OF MALICE**. Be kind and compassionate to one another just as in Christ God forgave you!!
What is the OT command concerning *VOWS* and *OATHS*?? Numbers 30:2: Moses said, "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a *VOW* to the Lord or takes an *OATH* to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said!"
But what are the NT commands concerning making *VOWS* and **OATHS*??
James 5:12: "ABOVE ALL, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.!!"
Matthew 5:33-37: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to your people long ago {Numbers 30:2 above}, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' BUT I tell you, Do not swear at all....Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one!!"
Federal law requires everyone who enlists or re-enlists in the Armed Forces of the United States to take the enlistment **OATH**!
The **OATH** of enlistment is administered by any commissioned officer to any person enlisting or re-enlisting for a term of service into any branch of the military.
The military **OATH** of enlistment (re-enlistment) is fairly straightforward for most military personnel. It's administered by a superior officer, and carried out like most traditional oaths, with the officer reading the oath and the person being sworn repeating it.
**OATH** for US Armed Forces except for the National Guard after raising their right hand:
I, (NAME), do **SOLEMNLY SWEAR** that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. **SO HELP ME GOD**.
And so anyone who **SOLEMNLY SWEARS**.. **SO HELP ME GOD** and who **KILLS HIS ENEMIES** is breaking two New Covenant Commands of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, even Armed Forces Medics and Chaplains have to take this **OATH**!
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, "**ALL AUTHORITY** in heaven and **ON EARTH** has been given to **ME**. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to obey **EVERYTHING** I have commanded you and surely I am **WITH YOU ALWAYS**, to the very end of the age!!"
Matthew 10:27: Jesus says, "What I tell you in the dark, **SPEAK** in the daylight; what I whisper in your ear **PROCLAIM FROM THE HOUSETOPS**!!"
Both LittleDavid and I showed you enough respect to read and respond to your post. You show us NO respect by just ignoring our specific responses to your posts.
