Just some thoughts...

The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it, because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obligated to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in this world?

Soren Kierkegaard

Here is a list of some of the harder teachings of Jesus from Matthew 5 alone:
*Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
*Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven
*For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
*I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
*Anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
* I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
*If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
*And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
* I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress
*Anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
*Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
*Do not resist an evil person.
*If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
*If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
*If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
*Give to the one who asks you,
*Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
* Love your enemies
*Pray for those who persecute you
*Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


More to come...