Saturday, November 1, 2008

Jesus’ Commands - Sin

Hello y'all. Here is my fourth and final section on the Commands of Jesus. Again these Commands were found in JH Smith, 'New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge', entry for 1 John 2:3.


 

John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments


 

IV. Sin - Commandments enjoining / Guard Against:

  1. Commandments forbidding:

Adultery, Mt 5:27. 19:18. Mk 10:5-9 (And Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 7 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."), 5:19. Lk 18:20.

Anxiety, Mt 6:25-34. 10:19-23. Lk 12:11, 22-32 (And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.). Jn 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.).

Casting pearls before swine, Mt +*7:6 (Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.) [J MacArthur Study Bible - This principle is why Jesus Himself did not do (TEW note – many) miracles for unbelievers (Mt 13:58). This is to be done in respect for what is holy, not merely out of contempt for the dogs and swine…]

Covetousness, Lk 12:15 (And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.)

Desecration of church edifices by worldly business, Mt 21:12, 13 (And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."). Lk 19:46.

Despising little ones, Mt 18:10.

Divorce, Mt 5:32. 19:9. Mk 10:11, 12. Lk 16:18.

Doubt, Lk 12:29 (And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.). add – Lk 21:34 (But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.)

Drunkenness, Lk 12:45-46 (But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful). 21:34 (But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap).

Exercise of lordship over brethren, Mt 20:25-28 (But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26
It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."). 2 Co +*1:24 (Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.).

False witness, Mt 19:18. Lk 18:20.

Falsehood, Mk 10:19. Lk 18:20.

Fear, Mk 5:36 (But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."). Lk 8:50 (healing of Jairus' daughter: But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.).

Fellowship with the wicked, Mt +*15:14 (Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.")

Fraud, Mk +*10:19 (You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.)

Going house to house, Lk 10:7 (instructions to 72: And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.).

Going into the way of the Gentiles or entering any city of the Samaritans, Mt 10:5.

Heed to false teachers, Mt +*15:14 (Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."). Mk +*4:24 (And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.).

Inconsistency, Mt 7:3-5 (Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.). 23:3 (The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do.). Lk 6:46 (Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?). Jn 7:23 (If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well?).

Indecision, Lk 9:62 (Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.")

Idle words, Mt 12:36. (I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.")

Ingratitude, Mt 18:28-32 (But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.). Lk 17:17 (Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?").

Injustice, Mt +*23:23 (Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness).

Instability, Mt 6:24 (No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.).

Jesting, Mt 12:36 (I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,).

Murder, Mt 5:21 ("You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.). 19:18 .

Murmuring, Jn 6:43 (Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.).

Ostentation in giving, fasting, or prayer. Mt 6:1, 5, 6 (Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven…And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.), 17, 18 (But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.)

Profane swearing, Mt 5:34-36 (But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 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 take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.)

Resistance, Mt 5:39 (But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.).

Retaliation, Mt 5:38-42 (You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.)

Saluting men on the way, Lk 10:4 (Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.)

Theft, Mt 19:18. Lk 18:20.

Troubling others doing good work for Christ, Mt 26:10 (But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.). Mk 14:6.

Uncharitable judgments, Mt 7:1-5 (Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.). Lk 6:37, 42 (Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven…How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.)

Uncharitableness, Mt 18:10 (See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.)

Unrighteous anger, Mt 5:22.

Vain repetitions in prayer, Mt 6:7, 8.

Worldliness, Mt 6:19 (Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal).


 

  1. Commandments which are implied: Enjoining an exact conscience, Mt 6:22-24 (The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.)

    Against self-righteousness, Mt 7:3 (Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?).


     

    1. Commandments warning against: Anger, Mt 5:22.

    Covetousness, Lk 12:15 (And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.)

    False teachers, Mt 7:15. ("Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves)

    Lawsuits, Mt 5:25, 26 (Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.).

    Looking back, Lk 9:62 (Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.")

    Lust, Mt 5:28 (But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.)

    Oaths, Mt 5:34, 37 (But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, …37 Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.)

    Offending, Lk 17:1, 2 (And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin).

    Offending little ones, Mt 18:6 (but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.). Mk 9:42.

    Revenge and vengeance, Mt 5:39 (But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.).

    Sadness, Mt 6:16 (And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.); Lk 24:17 (And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.)

    Self-deception, Lk 11:35 (Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.)

    Sinful indulgence, Lk 21:34 (But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.)

    Stealing, Mt 19:18. Mk 10:19. Lk 18:20.

    Strife, Mt 12:25 (Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.)

    Unfaithfulness, Lk 12:46 (the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.); 16:11, 12 (If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?).

    Vindictiveness, Lk 9:55, 56 (And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.)

    Worry, Mt 6:34 (Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.)


     

    1. Miscellaneous Commands against Sin:

    Ambition, selfish. Mt 20:22 (Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?) Mk 10:38

    Mt 23:8 (But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.)

    Lk 22:24-27. ( A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.)

    Hypocrisy, Mt 6:1-5, 16. Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven…And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrite… Lk 20:46, 47 Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.

    Watchfulness against covetousness, Lk 12:15. And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

    Covetousness - Sell what you have, Mk 10:21 (And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."). Lk 12:33, 34.

    World, avoid entanglement - Dead to bury the dead, Mt 8:22. Lk 9:60.

    Dust, shake off feet, Mt 10:14. Mk 6:11. Lk 9:5.


     

    I an grateful to have completed this eye-opening task. Before I started, I completely relied on the Holy Spirit for my personal growth, without any self direction or awareness of how I wanted to grow. And so this exercise has helped me to see the vast number of ways believers can show their love and gratitude to Jesus for what He has done on the Cross for us. One verse that has stuck with me is the verse in Matthew 5:39, the turn the other cheek verse. It seems to me that there is more than one way to apply this verse in my life. And with this, I hope you will consider the Commands of Jesus and gratefully grow in your obedience to our Lord and Savior. For God's Glory, /s/Tom

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."), 5:19. Lk 18:20.

Does this mean it's okay for non-Christians to divorce? How about people who only had civil ceremonies?

My point here is that marriage existed long before anyone had ever heard of the Christian god. Marriages exist today that are independent of the Christian god.

Tom, you have expressed dismay over me lumping Christianity in with other religions, yet the evidence to support doing so is legion. The rules regarding marriage illustrate two such pieces of evidence:
1) Taking credit: Nearly all religions lay claim to all things good and wonderful.
2) Sexual control. Psychologists have long understood that if you control a persons access to sex, you have gone a long way to controlling the rest of their lives as well. Again, almost all religions have had an intuitive grasp of this as far back and memory persists. Christianity goes to great lengths to control the behavior and attitudes of its adherents.

When all, or nearly all religions operate on the same premises and have such similar motivations and tactics, why wouldn't one lump them together? How has Christianity set itself apart?
~E~

Anonymous said...

3 More Issues...

1)
Anxiety, Mt 6:25-34. 10:19-23. Lk 12:11, 22-32 (And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Every child who starves puts the lie to this collection of hypocrisy. Propaganda Fail.

2)
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.).

And yet, if I just retreat to a mountaintop and wait for things to be delivered to me, I will be told "tempt not the lord thy god" then I will starve. Contradiction Fail.

3)
Casting pearls before swine, Mt +*7:6 (Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.) [J MacArthur Study Bible - This principle is why Jesus Himself did not do (TEW note – many) miracles for unbelievers (Mt 13:58). This is to be done in respect for what is holy, not merely out of contempt for the dogs and swine…]

This sounds more like blustering apologetics in a lame attempt to explain why miracles don't happen more often.

What if I went to a bank for a loan, and they ask me if I have collateral, and I say, "I have it, but you're not worthy of seeing it, just give me the money!"

Will I get the loan? Now run through the same scenario except god comes to me asking for my soul, offering vague and unproven promises of payment later on. Do you see my problem?

BONUS ISSUE:
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful). 21:34 (But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap).

When faced with such direct evidence of why Christianity is based not on love, but on guilt and shame, all I can do is quote Monty Python:

"Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being repressed!"
~Dennis the Peasant, age 37~

Pax,
~E~

tom wolff said...

Ed,

In response to your first question, is it “okay for non-Christians to divorce?”, the answer depends completely on the individual circumstance of the married couple. By this I mean that if there is something like infidelity by one of the married people then divorce is permitted, but not required (See, Matthew 5:32).

But your statement that al religions are the same is what I find even more curious. Perhaps it reveals more of your lack of understanding of what Christianity is, compared to other religions. What do you think of the following statement: “Religion is the story of men seeking after gods; but Christianity is the story of God seeking men.”?

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Thanks,
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tom wolff said...

Hi James,

send me your email address, and I can send it to you as a Word document. My email is tewolff@aol.com. Thanks for your interest. /s/Tom Wolff

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Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing the link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at tomwolff.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?


Cheers,
James

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tom wolff said...

Hi Jules,

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Anonymous said...

Greetings,

Thanks for sharing this link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at tomwolff.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?


Cheers,
John

Anonymous said...

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tom wolff said...

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