If we search the Sermon on the Mount; there are several layers to the meanings. General statements of those persecuted being blessed; along with peacemakers; etc. could certainly be applied to people such as Ghandi and others who were clearly not of the Christian faith IF we take only the surface level to this. The higher concept is that only the love of Christ allows us to love our enemies unconditionally; and this is at least partly due to the fact we realize in true faith that we all were once enemies of God reconciled by the cross at Calvary as the atonement for our sins.
How many out there have been told you're a "good person". My unbelieving Aunt said that to me in regard of the care I gave to my mom and now my dad who is in a Memory Care facility; and not too happy about it. He says that I am crazy; have him imprisoned there; etc. My relatives understand that to care for him and for his safety I had to get him placed there; but this is something my unbelieving Cousin had to do for her mom who is now in Hospice Care. God did give me strength to do things but I have no inherent goodness. My Christian friend also said not to be too hard on myself and thinks highly of me. I take it as the same as being told I am a hypocrite as my mom would say to me when she was still alive; or those who cursed me when sharing the scripture with them from someone in my High School in 1982 to those on the street witnessing a few years back.
I say all this; hopefully to prove a point; that we as believers have a responsibility to care for our families but also Christ has to be our top priority. Thus; I see the very real risk of losing touch with my whole mom's side of the family who is Jewish as I don't have the heart to attend my Aunt's funeral since she isn't a believer. "let the dead bury their own dead". ( Luke 9:60).
To study scripture with open eyes we have to believe ALL scripture and not cherry pick
Multiple meanings.
If we search the Sermon on the Mount; there are several layers to the meanings. General statements of those persecuted being blessed; along with peacemakers; etc. could certainly be applied to people such as Ghandi and others who were clearly not of the Christian faith IF we take only the surface level to this. The higher concept is that only the love of Christ allows us to love our enemies unconditionally; and this is at least partly due to the fact we realize in true faith that we all were once enemies of God reconciled by the cross at Calvary as the atonement for our sins.
How many out there have been told you're a "good person". My unbelieving Aunt said that to me in regard of the care I gave to my mom and now my dad who is in a Memory Care facility; and not too happy about it. He says that I am crazy; have him imprisoned there; etc. My relatives understand that to care for him and for his safety I had to get him placed there; but this is something my unbelieving Cousin had to do for her mom who is now in Hospice Care. God did give me strength to do things but I have no inherent goodness. My Christian friend also said not to be too hard on myself and thinks highly of me. I take it as the same as being told I am a hypocrite as my mom would say to me when she was still alive; or those who cursed me when sharing the scripture with them from someone in my High School in 1982 to those on the street witnessing a few years back.
I say all this; hopefully to prove a point; that we as believers have a responsibility to care for our families but also Christ has to be our top priority. Thus; I see the very real risk of losing touch with my whole mom's side of the family who is Jewish as I don't have the heart to attend my Aunt's funeral since she isn't a believer. "let the dead bury their own dead". ( Luke 9:60).
To study scripture with open eyes we have to believe ALL scripture and not cherry pick
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