By what authority will you relinquish inherited ideas or traditions? We are partial to the “truth we already believe” but, at any price? We have been trained to have faith in our truth. Jesus wants us to have truth as the foundation of our faith. If what you believe is not true, do you want to know it?
Jesus came to make corrections to our understanding. Let’s do things HIS way! “Think Red Ink” – What did Jesus say?
"You have heard of old…but, I say…" Do you know that you don't know? Prefer the authority of Jesus over the Bible!
"Turn the other cheek." Obedience; willing to die or willing to kill? We must hold all things in an open hand. It is our job to loose. Jesus suffered wrongfully. Bless them that curse; so that YOU CAN BE CHILDREN OF GOD. When I do good to my enemy I prove my regeneration.
- STRIVE! Christians are EXPECTED to do more than others.
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Chapter 19: The Sermon on the Mount
... You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That you repay not evil: but whoever will smite you on your right cheek, turn to him and offer the other also.
And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat forbid him not, let him have your shirt also. And whoever will compel you to go a mile, go with him two miles.
Give to every man that asks of you, and from him that would borrow of you, turn not away. And of him that takes away your goods ask them not again.
You have heard that it has been said, You will love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love them which love you, what reward have you, what thank have you? Do not even the publicans the same, for sinners also love those that love them? And if you salute your brethren only, if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you, what do you more than others? Do not even the publicans and sinners so? If you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again and your reward will be great, and you will be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Be therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. Take heed that you do not your charity before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do your charity, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does: That your alms may be in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, you will not be as the hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
But when you pray use not vain recitations, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.
After this manner therefore pray: Our Father who is in heaven,...
