tagless writes:
I always get a very different feel from the message that JC had concerning our lives, the treatment of other people, etc when compared to the message that the old testament had and definitely even the message that Paul gave....which always struck me as a fanatical/fundamental version of what JC taught.
Hey, Tagless! In my opinion, Jesus was always easier on common folk than common folk are on each other! The message of the O.T. was written for whoever reads it, as any good book is, but it was written TO the Jews. The message of the Gospels was also written TO the Jews as a fullfillment of their Messianic Kingdom.
God in His foreknowledge knew that Israel would reject their Messiah, so the message expanded when Paul was knocked off his high horse and converted. His message, directed at a new group of people known as the Body of Christ, was a mystery that was only unveiled at that time. It was a message unknown by any Prophets before, but known by God. Paul was human, and his message was fanatical because he was fanatical. It is not a judgemental message of rules, however.
Keep in mind that church folk are human and therefore very imperfect. The church is harder on its own than they need to be. We all were "smokers" at one point in our lives, and were it not for the Grace of God and that alone, we would still be "smokers"!
When Jesus speaks words of judgement, they are always directed at pompous Church folk who arrogantly assume divinity status.(Be they Pharisee of T.B.N. windbags.) Its not about trying to do all the right things, although doing good works will come naturally to a believer. It is about trusting the source of your inner spirit. The source originates with the Father, brought through the Son by The Holy Spirit into your heart.
People get mixed up when they assume that they can just do good things and still keep their own self will.(You cannot serve two masters.}
A believer is not a religious person, necessarily. A believer is one who has undergone a transformation of sorts. They do good things just because they feel an inner joy and unction to do so! That is God in us!
A common cliche? Christianity is NOT a religion. Man in his imperfection has tried to make it so. Christianity is a relationship, with the living Spirit that yearns to be within us.
Its not usually the people with the plastic haircuts and faithful churchgoing that have this Spirit. It is the common folk that shine like a light without trying to keep you in the dark!
This message has been edited by Phatboy, 03-17-2005 10:54 AM