OK,no one took the bait.I guess the post was way too long,and it was all Bible quotations,so I should just assume most people would have thought that with as much as I put down,I could have meant anything.
But,here is what I meant:"BASED SOLELY{ except for the 'Ten Commandments' at the very beginning of the post}ON 'NEW TESTAMENT' TEACHINGS,I AM FOR 'GAY MARRIAGES'!
Let me explain.I believe The Bible to be the living-breathing word of God.It is not etched in stone{well,again,except the 'Ten Commandments'}.It is supposed to be our guide book between choosing the right or wrong path on our way towards God.
Life changes.Twenty first century life is way different then,say,back in the time of Jesus.The human condition isn't,but the advances and back steps we have possibly taken have forced changes into our modern society.
I have chosen 'New Testament' teachings,because I feel,as a Christian,that I do not base my faith on 'The Law',but on 'FAITH'.We are all condemned by the law,but saved through the death of Jesus,and it's in our faith in Christ and his love and mercy that we only can achieve the Kingdom of Heaven.
This faith is what I perceive to be as God and his holy son,Jesus Christ.They,and The Holy Spirit are our ultimate arbitrator's.Jesus died and was raised again to show us that is is not the law we should use to judge,but God's love.
This is ultimately why I am for Gay Marriage.We should be basing our laws on God's love for us,not laws that maybe antiquated.If two people wish to be married in the eyes of God,I feel that I should think long and hard before I try to stop them.
As I said before,The Bible,in my opinion,is the living,breathing will of God.In it is our best option for making the best life choices we can make.We can not live easily without it.But since we live in faith and not through the law,I feel we would be putting God's word to best use not by using it's 'laws',but by using it's text in a far different way:By using it as the means to become closer to God.WE can do this,I feel,by using The Bible while loving our God with our whole hearts,and also by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
I will now attempt to show how some New Testament laws are now easily being misused,ignored,or discarded by many if not all Christians because our Christian based society has chosen to'outgrown' them...and,perhaps,in some cases,rightfully so.
Ironically,these discarded laws,show us not that The Bible is wrong,but just the opposite,that they maintain their importances because they show just how much as Christians we have grown.Also,some day some of these laws may come back in vogue as we as believers continue to grow.
I will write in {the small Trebuchet bold red font to add new comments'.}
{Here are the The Commandments as given in Genesis.Notice that there is nothing anti-gay in them.}
I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain
Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day
Honor your father and your mother
You shall not kill
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods
{Now,how many of these laws have you,or someone you know,broken?Are you and they still not accepted into God's church? }
with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,10
the unchaste, practicing homosexuals, 5 kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching,11
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.12 Children, obey your parents (in the Lord), for this is right.{These verses would seem to undo the homosexual's argument,but it also seems to 'undo' allot of other sinners that Christ came into the world to specifically save}2
"Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise,
3
"that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth."
4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. {I add this not as a law that should be thrown away or discarded,but as a way of showing how we should love.To me,showing The Lord's love is very important.}Slaves,be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,in sincerity of heart,as to Christ
not only when being watched, as currying favor, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7
willingly serving the Lord and not human beings,8
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.9
Masters, act in the same way toward them, and stop bullying, knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven and that with him there is no partiality. {I don't know about you,but I think most Christians now believe that slavery is wrong.However this can apply to your job,or just about anything...a good first example.}
Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones,4
no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving.5
Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6
Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. 2 {Yeah,like there aren't any gossips or greedy people in any Christian churches.Ignore this one at your own risk.Another fine example of fault being absorbed by Christian charity.}
And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,{Saturday night partiers go to church on Sunday don't they....?As they should.}
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.23
For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body.24
As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her26
to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,27
that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.28
So (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.29
For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church,30
because we are members of his body. {Though this passage has been somewhat misrepresented,it is the most obvious reading where growth in Christianity has almost made this anti-productive and silly.Where would most churches-the Catholic church included-be without the precious value of the ladies.This,in my opinion,is a prime example of why The Bible should be viewed as a breathing,living tool...only then,with women as Christian leaders and worshippers can this passage be put into a proper context....In the world with ever changing role models...go with your strengths in love and compassion...though I am still a sucker for a fine romantic movie where the heroine is swept off her feet by the hero,I know in some areas my wife,Robyn,is just better suited then me.It would be silly not to go with your strengths.}
No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.{Boy,if they adhered to this one,most churches wouldn't survive.}I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person. {and mission work would then be....?!?}4 Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head.5
But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved.6
For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil.7
5 A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.8
For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;9
nor was man created for woman, but woman for man;10
for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority 6 on her head, because of the angels.11
7 Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord.12
For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God.13
8 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled?14
Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him,15
whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been given (her) for a covering?16
But if anyone is inclined to be argumentative, we do not have such a custom, nor do the churches of God.{OK,this one is simply outdated.While I was growing up woman always wore hats...but not anymore.Are all these woman doomed to hell?Why aren't they kicked out of church?Because faith has made this law irreverent.A good example of why we should now allow Gay Marriage.It's an idea whose time has come.}
As in all the churches of the holy ones, 10
34
women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.35
But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church.{I know it seems like I am picking on you woman,but I am not.The Bible is:-)I am simply trying to continue on with my point.Again,changing times and faith has made this law irrelevant.Does it make the whole Bible wrong or irrelevant?Come on!Some Christian churches still use this-their prerogative-but I see this passage as a tool to show that laws within the church SHOULD BE questioned when faith over rides the law.That being said,the context of these verses take on a much newer and deeper meaning:once again,faith and love of God and his children before the law.}
Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?{Perhaps,in the beginning,this had to be true of Christians,and still,one way of looking at this is like saying that if you are a recovering addict that you should avoid your old party friends.Like most N.T. stuff,it can mean more then it says..or less.God and the Holy Spirit should /can be our interpreter.}
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.19
Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.22
Slaves, 9 obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.23
Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,24
knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ. {This is an out and out case for why we should allow Gay Marriage.}
Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.8
But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation.9
For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. 2
11
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.12
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you,13
and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.14
We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.15
See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good (both) for each other and for all.16
Rejoice always.17
Pray without ceasing.18
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.19
3 Do not quench the Spirit.20
Do not despise prophetic utterances.21
Test everything; retain what is good.22
Refrain from every kind of evil.23
4 May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.25
Brothers, pray for us (too).26
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 5 {I just love these verses.It makes me feel like a soldier in Christ.W.W.J.D.?}
do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. 4 She must be quiet.13
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. {Do you see my theme here,yet?Or am I beating it into the ground?What if all these verses said GAY instead of woman?}
deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,9
holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.10
Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.11
Women, 5 similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything.12
Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well.13
Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. {WoW!?! Just who can be a Deacon?How many deacon's today fit all of these?And should someone who is overly qualified be denied this job because he/she drinks?}
Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God.10
And whoever enters into God's rest, rests from his own works as God did from his.11
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.{Rest on the sabbath? Now-A-days???}
For he who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not kill." Even if you do not commit adultery but kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. {Yes,we ALL transgress.Who can save us?Thank God for Jesus Christ}
Adulterers! 3 Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God.5
Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks without meaning when it says, "The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy"?4
6
But he bestows a greater grace; therefore, it says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 5
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation. 5
13
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise.14
Is anyone among you sick? 6 He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord,15
and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. 7 {Opps...these still hold up today.Allot of The New Testament does.}
Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander; {Ditto.}
Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct2
when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior.3
Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes,4
but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God.5
For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands;6
thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.7
Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 2 {Redundent,yes,but I bet you are really accepting the idea of Gay Marriage better now.I am beginning to know,now,why no one replied the first time.}
Do not love the world or the things of the world. 7 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {Amen.}
43
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, 10 into the unquenchable fire.
45
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.47
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,48
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'49 {Whoa!Say what?Hey,how come no Christian churches actually do this...I mean,hey!It's in The Bible!}
so as not to spend what remains of one's life in the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God.
3
For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry.
4
They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you;
5
but they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.
6
For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead 2 that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, {Hmmm,I am beginning to wonder why gays would want to get married.}32
and all the nations 15 will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'37
Then the righteous 16 will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?38
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'40
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' {To me,this is important.It is possible that we will be judged on how we treat others.Why would we not invite every one?}
And early in the morning He came again into the Temple [see "My Father's House"], and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them.
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?"
"This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him."
"But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground."
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."
"When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?"
"She said, No man, Lord."
"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." {This passage is probably the one most used in condemning gays."Go and sin no more."How can gays consider themselves Christian when they openly-according to scripture-continue to sin?This is a good point.Defying the law can be considered defying God.But,don't we all do this?From woman not wearing hats in Church to drunkereds,to soldiers killing?This is exactly why Jesus came into this world.TO SAVE US ALL!!!}
When he saw the crowds, 2 he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2
He began to teach them, saying:
3
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, 4 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4
5 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5
6 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 7 for they will be satisfied.
7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, 9 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12
10 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13
11 12 "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
15
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
16
Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
17
13 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
18
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
19
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 14
20
I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21
15 16 "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.'
22
17 But I say to you, whoever is angry 18 with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
23
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
24
leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
26
Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
27
19 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'
28
But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29
20 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
30
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
31
21 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.'
32
But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33
22 "Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.'
34
But I say to you, do not swear at all; 23 not by heaven, for it is God's throne;
35
nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36
Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
37
24 Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one.
38
25 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
40
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
41
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, 26 go with him for two miles.
42
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
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27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
46
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors 28 do the same?
47
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 29
48
So be perfect, 30 just as your heavenly Father is perfect. {Jesus at his best.He makes my arguement for me,here.}
There was a scholar of the law 11 who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"26
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"27
He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."28
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."29
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"30
Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.31
12 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.32
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.33
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.34
He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.35
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.'36
Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"37
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."38
{In closing,I used this story of The Good Samaritian...substitute the word,'Samaritian' with the word GAY and,again,my point is made.This story is the exact passages that made up my mind on this issue.I hope,I,at least,gave you something to think about.Whether you agree with me or not,may God be with you.}
But,here is what I meant:"BASED SOLELY{ except for the 'Ten Commandments' at the very beginning of the post}ON 'NEW TESTAMENT' TEACHINGS,I AM FOR 'GAY MARRIAGES'!
Let me explain.I believe The Bible to be the living-breathing word of God.It is not etched in stone{well,again,except the 'Ten Commandments'}.It is supposed to be our guide book between choosing the right or wrong path on our way towards God.
Life changes.Twenty first century life is way different then,say,back in the time of Jesus.The human condition isn't,but the advances and back steps we have possibly taken have forced changes into our modern society.
I have chosen 'New Testament' teachings,because I feel,as a Christian,that I do not base my faith on 'The Law',but on 'FAITH'.We are all condemned by the law,but saved through the death of Jesus,and it's in our faith in Christ and his love and mercy that we only can achieve the Kingdom of Heaven.
This faith is what I perceive to be as God and his holy son,Jesus Christ.They,and The Holy Spirit are our ultimate arbitrator's.Jesus died and was raised again to show us that is is not the law we should use to judge,but God's love.
This is ultimately why I am for Gay Marriage.We should be basing our laws on God's love for us,not laws that maybe antiquated.If two people wish to be married in the eyes of God,I feel that I should think long and hard before I try to stop them.
As I said before,The Bible,in my opinion,is the living,breathing will of God.In it is our best option for making the best life choices we can make.We can not live easily without it.But since we live in faith and not through the law,I feel we would be putting God's word to best use not by using it's 'laws',but by using it's text in a far different way:By using it as the means to become closer to God.WE can do this,I feel,by using The Bible while loving our God with our whole hearts,and also by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
I will now attempt to show how some New Testament laws are now easily being misused,ignored,or discarded by many if not all Christians because our Christian based society has chosen to'outgrown' them...and,perhaps,in some cases,rightfully so.
Ironically,these discarded laws,show us not that The Bible is wrong,but just the opposite,that they maintain their importances because they show just how much as Christians we have grown.Also,some day some of these laws may come back in vogue as we as believers continue to grow.
I will write in {the small Trebuchet bold red font to add new comments'.}
{Here are the The Commandments as given in Genesis.Notice that there is nothing anti-gay in them.}
I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain
Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day
Honor your father and your mother
You shall not kill
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods
{Now,how many of these laws have you,or someone you know,broken?Are you and they still not accepted into God's church? }
with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,10
the unchaste, practicing homosexuals, 5 kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching,11
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.12 Children, obey your parents (in the Lord), for this is right.{These verses would seem to undo the homosexual's argument,but it also seems to 'undo' allot of other sinners that Christ came into the world to specifically save}2
"Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise,
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"that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth."
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Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. {I add this not as a law that should be thrown away or discarded,but as a way of showing how we should love.To me,showing The Lord's love is very important.}Slaves,be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,in sincerity of heart,as to Christ
not only when being watched, as currying favor, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7
willingly serving the Lord and not human beings,8
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.9
Masters, act in the same way toward them, and stop bullying, knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven and that with him there is no partiality. {I don't know about you,but I think most Christians now believe that slavery is wrong.However this can apply to your job,or just about anything...a good first example.}
Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones,4
no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving.5
Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6
Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. 2 {Yeah,like there aren't any gossips or greedy people in any Christian churches.Ignore this one at your own risk.Another fine example of fault being absorbed by Christian charity.}
And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,{Saturday night partiers go to church on Sunday don't they....?As they should.}
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.23
For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body.24
As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her26
to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,27
that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.28
So (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.29
For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church,30
because we are members of his body. {Though this passage has been somewhat misrepresented,it is the most obvious reading where growth in Christianity has almost made this anti-productive and silly.Where would most churches-the Catholic church included-be without the precious value of the ladies.This,in my opinion,is a prime example of why The Bible should be viewed as a breathing,living tool...only then,with women as Christian leaders and worshippers can this passage be put into a proper context....In the world with ever changing role models...go with your strengths in love and compassion...though I am still a sucker for a fine romantic movie where the heroine is swept off her feet by the hero,I know in some areas my wife,Robyn,is just better suited then me.It would be silly not to go with your strengths.}
No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.{Boy,if they adhered to this one,most churches wouldn't survive.}I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person. {and mission work would then be....?!?}4 Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head.5
But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved.6
For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil.7
5 A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.8
For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;9
nor was man created for woman, but woman for man;10
for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority 6 on her head, because of the angels.11
7 Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord.12
For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God.13
8 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled?14
Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him,15
whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been given (her) for a covering?16
But if anyone is inclined to be argumentative, we do not have such a custom, nor do the churches of God.{OK,this one is simply outdated.While I was growing up woman always wore hats...but not anymore.Are all these woman doomed to hell?Why aren't they kicked out of church?Because faith has made this law irreverent.A good example of why we should now allow Gay Marriage.It's an idea whose time has come.}
As in all the churches of the holy ones, 10
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women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.35
But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church.{I know it seems like I am picking on you woman,but I am not.The Bible is:-)I am simply trying to continue on with my point.Again,changing times and faith has made this law irrelevant.Does it make the whole Bible wrong or irrelevant?Come on!Some Christian churches still use this-their prerogative-but I see this passage as a tool to show that laws within the church SHOULD BE questioned when faith over rides the law.That being said,the context of these verses take on a much newer and deeper meaning:once again,faith and love of God and his children before the law.}
Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?{Perhaps,in the beginning,this had to be true of Christians,and still,one way of looking at this is like saying that if you are a recovering addict that you should avoid your old party friends.Like most N.T. stuff,it can mean more then it says..or less.God and the Holy Spirit should /can be our interpreter.}
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.19
Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.22
Slaves, 9 obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.23
Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,24
knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ. {This is an out and out case for why we should allow Gay Marriage.}
Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.8
But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation.9
For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. 2
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Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.12
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you,13
and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.14
We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.15
See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good (both) for each other and for all.16
Rejoice always.17
Pray without ceasing.18
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.19
3 Do not quench the Spirit.20
Do not despise prophetic utterances.21
Test everything; retain what is good.22
Refrain from every kind of evil.23
4 May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.25
Brothers, pray for us (too).26
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 5 {I just love these verses.It makes me feel like a soldier in Christ.W.W.J.D.?}
do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. 4 She must be quiet.13
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. {Do you see my theme here,yet?Or am I beating it into the ground?What if all these verses said GAY instead of woman?}
deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,9
holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.10
Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.11
Women, 5 similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything.12
Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well.13
Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. {WoW!?! Just who can be a Deacon?How many deacon's today fit all of these?And should someone who is overly qualified be denied this job because he/she drinks?}
Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God.10
And whoever enters into God's rest, rests from his own works as God did from his.11
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.{Rest on the sabbath? Now-A-days???}
For he who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not kill." Even if you do not commit adultery but kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. {Yes,we ALL transgress.Who can save us?Thank God for Jesus Christ}
Adulterers! 3 Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God.5
Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks without meaning when it says, "The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy"?4
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But he bestows a greater grace; therefore, it says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 5
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation. 5
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Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise.14
Is anyone among you sick? 6 He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord,15
and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. 7 {Opps...these still hold up today.Allot of The New Testament does.}
Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander; {Ditto.}
Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct2
when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior.3
Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes,4
but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God.5
For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands;6
thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.7
Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 2 {Redundent,yes,but I bet you are really accepting the idea of Gay Marriage better now.I am beginning to know,now,why no one replied the first time.}
Do not love the world or the things of the world. 7 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {Amen.}
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If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, 10 into the unquenchable fire.
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And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.47
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,48
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'49 {Whoa!Say what?Hey,how come no Christian churches actually do this...I mean,hey!It's in The Bible!}
so as not to spend what remains of one's life in the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God.
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For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry.
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They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you;
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but they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.
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For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead 2 that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, {Hmmm,I am beginning to wonder why gays would want to get married.}32
and all the nations 15 will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'37
Then the righteous 16 will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?38
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'40
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' {To me,this is important.It is possible that we will be judged on how we treat others.Why would we not invite every one?}
And early in the morning He came again into the Temple [see "My Father's House"], and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them.
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?"
"This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him."
"But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground."
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."
"When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?"
"She said, No man, Lord."
"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." {This passage is probably the one most used in condemning gays."Go and sin no more."How can gays consider themselves Christian when they openly-according to scripture-continue to sin?This is a good point.Defying the law can be considered defying God.But,don't we all do this?From woman not wearing hats in Church to drunkereds,to soldiers killing?This is exactly why Jesus came into this world.TO SAVE US ALL!!!}
When he saw the crowds, 2 he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
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He began to teach them, saying:
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3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, 4 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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5 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
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6 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
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Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 7 for they will be satisfied.
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Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
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8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
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Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, 9 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
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10 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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11 12 "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
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You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
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Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
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Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
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13 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
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Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
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Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 14
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I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
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15 16 "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.'
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17 But I say to you, whoever is angry 18 with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
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Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
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leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
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Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
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Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
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19 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'
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But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
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20 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
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And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
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21 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.'
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But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
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22 "Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.'
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But I say to you, do not swear at all; 23 not by heaven, for it is God's throne;
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nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
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Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
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24 Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one.
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25 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
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But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
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If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
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Should anyone press you into service for one mile, 26 go with him for two miles.
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Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
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27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
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But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
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that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
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For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors 28 do the same?
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And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 29
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So be perfect, 30 just as your heavenly Father is perfect. {Jesus at his best.He makes my arguement for me,here.}
There was a scholar of the law 11 who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"26
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"27
He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."28
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."29
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"30
Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.31
12 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.32
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.33
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.34
He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.35
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.'36
Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"37
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."38
{In closing,I used this story of The Good Samaritian...substitute the word,'Samaritian' with the word GAY and,again,my point is made.This story is the exact passages that made up my mind on this issue.I hope,I,at least,gave you something to think about.Whether you agree with me or not,may God be with you.}
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