The Teachings of Jesus (TOJ)

I'm very interested in seeing Jacko's jibing, but HB is rushing me, so I will go ahead and share the next TOJ that lead off the Sermon on the Mount.

TOJ #9: Blessed are Believers. [MT 5:3-12] Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (MT 5-7) begins with a series of blessings called the Beatitudes. (The verb “beatify” means to bless or make happy.) Believers have the Faith implied by “because of me” (v.11). Peter’s confession {MT 16:16-17} showed his Faith in Jesus as Messiah/Christ/Son of God. Although Believers experience many blessings in the midst of earthly troubles, God’s ultimate blessing is eternal life in heaven (TOJ #154), which is the proper reason or motivation for obeying God’s will, beginning with TOJ #7 & #8 {JN 13:17}. (See TOJ #198.) The Beatitudes might be viewed as one general teaching comprised of eight specific examples of ways all true Believers will be blessed, but we will consider each beatitude separately.

TOJ #10: Believers are humble/teachable. [MT 5:3//LK 6:20] The term “poor in spirit” is associated with being contrite or repentant (in IS 57:15). It is the opposite of the sin of pride that precedes a fall from Eden (GN 3:23-24) to destruction (PR 16:18). It does not refer simply to physical poverty, because nowhere does the Bible teach that destitution is a virtue, merely that reliance on wealth can be tempting. The equivalence of humility and willingness to learn is indicated later by Jesus (TOJ #81; also see TOJ #31).

TOJ #11: Believers are comforted (by God’s Holy Spirit). [MT 5:4//LK 6:21b] The means of comfort is stated by Jesus in John 14:26-27. God’s comfort was prophesied in Isaiah 61:2 and Revelation 21:4. Paul also found comfort in the realization that our grief is brief (1CR 7:29-30)! The term “mourn” connotes grief in response to the death of a loved one, but Paul connected “comfort” with suffering due to various troubles (in 2CR 1:3-7), and Peter tied the blessing of comfort to suffering for what is right (1PT 3:14) and for the sake of Christ (1PT 4:13-14) as in the eighth beatitude (TOJ #18). Ultimately, Believers will rejoice in heaven with the beggar, Lazarus {LK 16:25}.

TOJ #12: Believers are meek. [MT 5:5] Although the OT passage Jesus seems to have in mind (PS 37:9-34) probably envisioned an earthly fulfillment of this prophecy, the ultimate promised land (NM 14:16) will be heavenly (JN 14:2-3, RV 21:1-3). Meekness describes a moral quality akin to love rather than a personality type, such as introversion. It is also related to humility (TOJ #10) and peacemaking (TOJ #16).

TOJ #13: Believers’ craving for righteousness will be satisfied. [MT 5:6//LK 6:21a] Luke’s wording appears to refer to physical hunger. They will be filled with “good things” (PS 107:9) or the Holy (Righteous) Spirit {LK 11:13}. TOJ #15 is a significant restatement of this truth, and a major component of righteousness is the subject of the next beatitude.

TOJ #14: Believers manifest Faith by showing mercy. [MT 5:7] This teaching is stated in other words {in MT 6:14-15, 9:13, MK 11:25, LK 6:36-38, 17:3-4} and negatively in James 2:13. Jesus illustrated this principle with the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant {MT 18:21-35}, and He exemplified it while on the cross with a prayer for forgiveness {LK 23:34}. Mercy can be appropriated only by those who repent of their wrong attitudes and actions (MT 18:15-17). See TOJ #114. Reflecting God’s love is the normative sign of saving Faith (TOJ #148). The distinction between love and mercy parallels that between Faith and faithful works. Showing mercy does not mean allowing anarchy (RM 13:4b); there is a time for leniency and a time for logical consequences (ECC 3:3; cf. TOJ #30).

TOJ #15: Believers will become pure/righteous. [MT 5:8] Purity is synonymous with moral perfection, which is a goal not attained in this lifetime (PHP 3:12-16) except vicariously by spiritual union with God’s perfect Son, the author or source of salvation (HB 2:10, 4:14-15, 5:8-9, TOJ #21). However, those who were with Jesus did see God the Son {JN 14:8-10}. The process of becoming perfect or like Christ is called sanctification. {JN 17:17}. In heaven all saints will be pure and behold Him in His Shekinah or glorified body (PS 11:7, 15:1-2, 24:3-5, RV 22:3-5).

TOJ #16: Believers are peacemakers. [MT 5:9a] All souls should strive for peace (RM 12:16-18) and unity (EPH 4:3). An application of this teaching is made by Jesus later in His sermon. {MT 5:23-24} This attribute should not be equated or confused with antinomianism (not having criminal laws) or pacifism (not resisting aggressor nations), but it does correlate with TOJ #14 & #29. Slogans advocating peace should always include a reference to freedom and justice. (Also see ECC 3:8 & RV 12:7, 19:11.) The opposite of this truth is TOJ #157.

RA,

I am glad you found the article interesting and I am curious which part(s) you especially liked and whether you want to comment on anything.

[/QUOTE]


Basically love God, love each other…

So what if my job calls for me to work on the sabbath by way of example..

No, no comment. I'd just encourage others to read it; very eye-opening.

Then according to the OT Sabbath law you should be put to death, but according to the NT law of love it wouldn't matter.

The key to jibing these different teachings is a third teaching found in MT 9:13 = HOS 6:6, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."

Harmonizing Scripture in this manner utilizes the method of synthesis made famous by the philosopher Hegel: When contemplating thesis a and antithesis b, the resolution is synthesis c.

In this case the logic involves viewing the Sabbath law as part of the OT sacrificial system that was instituted for the purpose of keeping Israel separate from the Gentiles until it provided Messiah for the "mercy" of everyone.

Of course, a five-year-old cannot understand this adult level of reasoning, but that is not necessary for them to understand that Jesus loves them even when they disobey their parents and will forgive them if they are sorry and will try to do better.

I suppose you mean well, however, IF you truly seek a comprehensive survey/record of the teachings of Jesus:

Purchase a KJV Red Letter Edition. The words printed in RED are the teachings of Jesus.

Scripture tells us to "study the word." I don't remember it telling us to study the TOJ.

(just saying)

You said:

It would seem prudent to accept the Bible’s authenticity until and unless there is very good reason to question a portion, such as Mark 16:9-20, which most versions question. I humbly offer my commentary, which incorporates logic as well as teachings found elsewhere in the Bible, hoping that it is inspired sufficiently enough to be helpful rather than contribute to confusion

IF you are expecting mans logic to reveal the Truth of Scripture, you have already missed the mark. As well, and even more important: If you "question" a portion of Scripture, you must question ALL of Scripture, for if one is a lie, it is ALL a lie! Your example of which should be questioned is alarming,..

19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

If you question the truth of this, then I find it hard to accept that you identify as a Christian simply because the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the "core" proof that Jesus IS who He said He IS!

There are Scriptures that support these two from Mark.

1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 10:12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Yes, my saying that I humbly offer my commentary, hoping that it is inspired sufficiently enough to be helpful rather than contribute to confusion, should lead one to suppose that I mean well, and I will assume you also mean well.

Yes, the red letter editions were helpful for enumerating the TOJ, and margin notes and parallel versions were helpful for ascertaining which TOJ were duplicates.

Not sure what you mean by drawing a distinction between Scripture and the TOJ.

Apparently you don't think it is prudent to accept the Bible’s authenticity until and unless there is very good reason to question a portion, such as Mark 16:9-20, which most versions question.

Also apparently you do not view human logic or reasoning ability as a gift from God that enables souls to evaluate claims of truth.

Finally apparently you do not realize that the original sin was NOT questioning God about what that snake was saying so that He could teach them the truth.

After the Sermon on the Mount, here are the next three TOJ.

TOJ #17: Believers are spiritual children of God. [MT 5:9b] Paul (in RM 8:15-17) and John (in 1JN 5:2) called Christians (including Messianic Jews) the children of God, and Moses described the Israelites by this phrase (DT 14:1). The writer of Hebrews said, “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.” (HB 2:11-14)

TOJ #18: Believers may be persecuted. [MT 5:10-12//LK 6:22-23, JN 15:18] Jesus’ crucifixion is the paradigm (1PT 2:21), but Believers also may be martyred because of their faith. History teaches that persecution may occur in some nations and eras more than in others. {MT 24:9-10&12//MK 13:9//LK 21:12-13} It may be in the form of ostracism or excommunication (cf. TOJ #102) by family. {MT 10:35-36//LK 12:52-53, JN 16:2a} The persecutors may threaten physical harm or death. {MT 10:21//MK 13:12//LK 21:16}

If possible, Believers should “flee”. {MT 10:23} (See TOJ #63.) Of course, Believers should not be intolerant persecutors when they are the majority or in powerful positions. Although all Believers have the hope of heaven whether or not they suffer persecution, it may be that those who experience greater suffering develop an increased capacity for enjoying the good life both on earth and in heaven. This would be comparable to the fact that those who have studied a subject such as art or mathematics have a deeper appreciation for artistic or mathematical endeavors than those less experienced or knowledgeable.

TOJ #19: Believers teach the value of LGW and obeying GRFS to the world. [MT 5:13-16] Whereas salt seasons and preserves food, Believers (who manifest the beatific attributes) make the world a better place to live and save converts from moral corruption. {MK 9:49-50//LK 14:34-35} Believers not only are blessed but also are a blessing to others. However, the possibility of becoming “no longer good for anything” implies the need for perseverance (1TM 1:18-20).

“Light”, which symbolizes God (PS 27:1, 1JN 1:5), is reflected by Jesus (JN 9:5) and Believers (EPH 5:8-9). Just as the purpose of lighting a lamp is to illuminate a room, so the reason Believers remain in this world is to provide spiritual light {LK 11:33, 12:35}. This TOJ is almost the same as #65. The light symbol is found also in TOJ #39 & #171.

yeah, I’m not buying this one

I have always believed that criticism should be constructive, so although I don't understand what you aren't buying I also would like to know what ARE you buying?

We need more responses like this. Setting a good example.

I’ve read I read through the first 10 and all the other ones make sense to me.

Cool! Not sure what that speed bump was about.

Hopefully everyone is keeping up so I will present the next two.

TOJ #20: Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant. [MT 5:17-18] This fact was emphasized by Luke. {LK 16:17, 18:31, 22:37, 24:25-27&44-47} An apparent purpose of the writer of Hebrews was to explain how this fact laid the foundation for the New Covenant (HB 1:1-2, 3:1-6, 7:22, 9:15). The reason God chose the Jews (OT) was to prepare the way for all people to choose Jesus as Messiah/Lord (NT). (See TOJ #177; IS 40:3//MT 3:3.)

TOJ #21: GRFS is moral perfection. [MT 5:19-20&48//LK 6:32-34] And no one is perfect (RM 3:22; Adam & Eve were created merely innocent/good). The Pharisees were criticized by Jesus for being self-righteous hypocrites (TOJ #134), who did not practice what they preached, which was a superficial and legalistic understanding of God’s will that stressed traditions and laws over loving relationships (TOJ #87). The way to achieve perfection or purity (TOJ #15) or the “fullness of Christ” is explained in Romans 3:21-5:1. The key is Faith in Jesus (God as revealed) or repenting of the Sin of unbelief, which are opposite sides of the same coin (cf. TOJ #8)

What is GFRS

God's requirement for salvation--a phrase I use frequently on this and the Kerygma threads.

Your comment on blessings 9 confirms what I believed earlier, when we have faith in the Bible and the word to be truth, Some of what is promised is not to be received in this lifetime on earth.

For example Jeremiah 29:11…

A new future can be in heqven right?

Right. Although we may experience a taste of heaven on earth, eternal life without pain or struggle will begin upon our graduation from this earthly exam, during which we rejoice despite enduring a taste of hell also.

Now we come to the "thou shalt not" commands of Jesus in MT 5.

TOJ #22: Do not rage. [MT 5:21-24] The TOJ against rage or unrighteous anger combines lessons from the Beatitudes: the meek allow God’s love to conquer rage, the merciful replace rage with forgiveness, and the peacemakers try to resolve the rage in others. Jesus taught that rage is as wrong as murder because it leads to murder and is morally equivalent to murder (JM 2:10). Paul spoke of righteous anger in Ephesians 4:26, and Jesus expressed it in John 2:13-16. Jesus wants conflicts between Believers resolved before presuming to worship God (ASAP). The correct way to resolve conflicts is indicated by TOJ #100.

TOJ #23: Avoid lawsuits. [MT 5:25-26//LK 12:58-59] Paul found the fact that two Believers would go to court to be an extreme embarrassment to the gospel of peace (1CR 6:1-9a), even though the civil legal system should be an extension of the divine moral command to rebuke and isolate sinners. This is another application of TOJ #16.

TOJ #24: Do not desire to fornicate. [MT 5:27-30] God intends for sexual union to express marital commitment. Lust is not merely admiring physical beauty. It is possible to admire a flower without wanting to pick its petals. Neither is lust being tempted to fornicate or commit adultery. Jesus Himself may have been tempted in this way (HB 2:18).

Lust is the desire to have extra-marital sexual intercourse, so that you would if you could “get away with it” or not experience negative consequences, such as disease, unwanted pregnancy and divorce. Pornography is that which encourages, recommends or promotes fornication or lust. It is immoral because it subverts happy marriages and family values. Jesus sought to convey the severity of the sin of lust by saying it would be better to lose the offending part of the body. (See the next TOJ.) However, many people seem to view masturbation as worse than fornication or even rape. The misery resulting from sexual immorality includes horrible illnesses, but ungodly people prefer to cure the physical disease rather than their spiritual sickness.

TOJ #25: Do not be complacent about sins. [MT 5:29-30, 18:7-9//MK 9:43-48] A soul who seems apathetic about striving for perfection may be a pseudo-Christian (TOJ #48) or a carnal Christian, who is likely to commit apostasy (TOJ #75). {JN 5:14} If they do, they will be “cut off” {JN 15:2} and “thrown into the fire” {JN 15:6}. Actually, they cut off themselves and jump to their eternal death (RM 1:18-32).

Moral character is the crucial aspect of our humanity {LK 13:27}. It is better to be beautiful morally than physically. An attractive person with an ugly personality is “like a gold ring in a pig’s snout” (PR 11:22).

TOJ #26: You should not divorce. [MT 5:31-32a//MK 10:11//LK 16:18a] Jesus said that the only permissible reason for legal divorce is marital unfaithfulness or when the sin of spiritual divorce signified by adultery has already occurred. {MT 19:6-9//MK 10:6-9} See TOJ #104 on the meaning of marriage.

The divine viewpoint, which all humans need to acquire, is that sexual intimacy should mean marriage, that divorce is a spiritual disaster before it leads to a legal dissolution, and that neither divorce nor a miserable marriage are moral options. This leaves only celibacy or a happy marriage as permissible alternatives.

TOJ #27: Do not remarry except for godly reasons. [MT 5:32b//MK 10:12//LK 16:18b] Jesus probably prohibits remarriage in hope that reconciliation will occur, but understanding this statement as a blanket command that admits no exceptions is very problematic, because it would contradict other biblical teachings. Discerning whether spiritual remarriage is psychologically possible and legal remarriage morally permissible requires harmonizing several biblical passages:

1. Divorce and even adultery are not unforgivable (MT 12:31-32),
2. Not everyone has the gift of celibacy, the ability to live happily very long without a sexual partner (MT 19:11-12, 1CR 7:9).
3. We know that God desires reconciliation (1CR 7:10-11, 2CR 5:18-19),
4. Paul indicated (in 1CR 7:15) that it is permissible for a Christian divorcee (unjustly so) to remarry if an unbelieving spouse was the divorcer (and, presumably, if reconciliation attempts have failed, because the “ex” has remarried or committed adultery/fornication).
5. We also know that many sins including divorce are committed before a person believes the gospel and becomes a mature Believer by LGW and the TOJ. When people repent of Sin and confess their sins, then God forgives them (1JN 1:9) and views them as sharing the perfection of Christ (PHP 3:9).

Thus, my conclusion is that this TOJ is not meant to be a blanket prohibition, but rather that a truly repentant divorcer (and even adulterer) whose former spouse has remarried may also remarry after some period (probably at least a year is reasonable) of counseling, celibacy and spiritual maturation, so that a successful (lifelong and happy) second marriage seems very likely. We must assume God gives the gift of celibacy to such a person long enough to accomplish this goal, because He does not let people be tempted beyond what they can resist (1CR 10:13).

However, if a second try is barely permissible, then serial “marriages” border on legalized lust, which is an abomination that mocks this sacred union. The serial sinner would do well to obey TOJ #24 & #26 or pray for the gift of permanent celibacy.

How I wish if we suffer through trails,, we would be restored in Earth and in this lifetime as Job did.

It’s my opinion, and I bet some believers, drift away because they pray and hang on for something, hope for a better tomorrow, and when it doesn’t turn around, and or to be the way they thought it would, they lose faith, they lose hope, they stop believing.

I think one the only time I witness someone who showed remarkable faith was Natalie Holloway’s mom when her daughter was missing and eventually killed she was she seems so at peace.