Anderson Hills

The Old Testament did not really say to hate your enemy, but it did teach to "love your neighbor as yourself,” and it taught that kindness was to be shown to your enemy. Choosing to love and pray for those who persecute or mistreat us mystifies unbelievers, and yet this is the lifestyle to which we are called by God. We are to love all people regardless of how they treat us. Although some may set themselves up as enemies against us, they are people in need of a saving relationship with Jesus and an understanding of His Lordship in their lives. The Word of God instructs us to love them, praying that they might enter His kingdom

“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” This statement is from the Mosaic laws and was given to guide the priests in meriting out proper punishment. The scribes and Pharisees had interpreted these statements to justify personal retribution and applied them by frequently taking matters of revenge into their own hands, just as many people do today. Jesus taught about the righteous of the kingdom by proclaiming two principles: do not resist an evil person and react to the evil being done by doing good. We are not to take vengeance into our own hands; vengeance is the Lord’s

“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” This statement is from the Mosaic laws and was given to guide the priests in meriting out proper punishment. The scribes and Pharisees had interpreted these statements to justify personal retribution and applied them by frequently taking matters of revenge into their own hands, just as many people do today. Jesus taught about the righteous of the kingdom by proclaiming two principles: do not resist an evil person and react to the evil being done by doing good. We are not to take vengeance into our own hands; vengeance is the Lord’s

Kingdom relationships are governed by truthfulness. Having integrity of speech by doing what you say, means that God is reigning in your heart. The emphasis of the commands of God regarding oaths in the Old Testament was on truthfulness and faithfulness. A person must be truthful when swearing an oath; one must truly mean it. Our word should be enough. When we say yes, that should be as binding as a vow. When we say no, someone should be able to take that to the bank, because our word is good.

Kingdom relationships are governed by truthfulness. Having integrity of speech by doing what you say, means that God is reigning in your heart. The emphasis of the commands of God regarding oaths in the Old Testament was on truthfulness and faithfulness. A person must be truthful when swearing an oath; one must truly mean it. Our word should be enough. When we say yes, that should be as binding as a vow. When we say no, someone should be able to take that to the bank, because our word is good.

Jesus also addresses the commandment: You shall not commit adultery. He says that to even look at a woman lustfully (or women, to look at a man lustfully) is to be guilty of adultery in our hearts. "To lust" means to have a strong desire for, to possess and dominate completely. So serious is "lusting," Jesus goes on to say what we should do with respect to the lustful eye or any other stumbling blocks. We need to be utterly ruthless with sin. The battle between righteousness and sin is fought in our longings

Jesus also addresses the commandment: You shall not commit adultery. He says that to even look at a woman lustfully (or women, to look at a man lustfully) is to be guilty of adultery in our hearts. "To lust" means to have a strong desire for, to possess and dominate completely. So serious is "lusting," Jesus goes on to say what we should do with respect to the lustful eye or any other stumbling blocks. We need to be utterly ruthless with sin. The battle between righteousness and sin is fought in our longings

Jesus expanded on the true meaning and heart behind some of the commandments God passed on through Moses, opposing what the religious leaders had done by adding their oral traditions and their loop holes. He starts with murder. He said that not only is murder wrong, but the emotions which often lead to murder are wrong as well. Jesus was saying that being angry with a brother or insulting a brother makes someone just as guilty and liable to judgment as actually murdering someone. Unresolved anger can lead us to harbor unforgiveness and bitterness which is one of the most self-destructive forces in the world.

Jesus expanded on the true meaning and heart behind some of the commandments God passed on through Moses, opposing what the religious leaders had done by adding their oral traditions and their loop holes. He starts with murder. He said that not only is murder wrong, but the emotions which often lead to murder are wrong as well. Jesus was saying that being angry with a brother or insulting a brother makes someone just as guilty and liable to judgment as actually murdering someone. Unresolved anger can lead us to harbor unforgiveness and bitterness which is one of the most self-destructive forces in the world.

Jesus felt it was important to disarm critics who might complain that He came to abolish the Law and the Prophets, explaining that He came to fulfill them. He emphasized the importance of keeping the Law in the spirit in which it was meant to be kept. The scribes and Pharisees had an outward obedience but inward deadness; God was not reigning in their hearts. We must have an inward righteousness that results in outward obedience. In keeping the Law in this manner, we will be great in the kingdom of heaven