Today our group discussed about the passages from Matthew 5: 13-37.
Salt and Light
Jesus Christ is our salt and light. He is the special ingredient that adds flavor to our existence. Without him our lives would have been so bland, meaningless, pointless. He is also the light in the darkness. When we our lost in the dark, he is the light that shines to catch our attention. The light that leads us, guides us to the right path.
The Fulfillment of the Law
In this passage, we believe that Jesus was talking about following the 10 commandments strictly yet be more righteous than the authorities who observe them. The 613 commandments of the Jews was mentioned and that all of them points back to loving God, and loving your neighbor. The rest of the commandments follow through if we put loving God and our neighbor into actions. We, us human beings, could not be as perfect as Jesus. Even though we could follow the 10 commandments strictly by memorizing them and putting them into practice, it is through knowing them by heart and fulfilling them with a righteous intent that we become better individuals. This way we may enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
The action itself is a sin, this we all know. But the mere thought of committing it is also a sin even though it is not our intention to do so. It is easy for us to just think of killing someone who did us harm or even killing ourselves when we go astray and lose control of our own life. It might not be a well thought out plan nor do we intend to commit murder nor suicide, but the fact that it came across our mind, is as if we have committed it. A clean mind equates to clean intentions, and clean intentions gives us a clean heart and a clean soul. Evil thought could lead us to do evil actions, which then lead to sin.
Adultery
This passage must not be taken literally. One should not cut off his hands or pull out his eyes, but what it means is adultery must be avoided else you burn in hell. The pain of cutting off one's hands or pulling out one's eyes because of adultery is righteous and more enduring than going to hell.
A question was brought up about how men just check out women by instinct, is this considered adultery? If a man looks at a woman lustfully and creates an image of her in his mind, his thoughts already committed adultery. Dirty thoughts is very likely to lead to dirty actions. The possibilities are high even if a really unattractive married guy is lured by a hot sexy woman. The devil is everywhere and he can cause one to sin easily with a little temptation regardless of looks. On the other hand, if this man is single then he did not commit adultery.
Pornography was also brought up in this sense. Does it also cause adultery? We believe that it does. Since pornography brings up fantasies and ideals that a married man cannot have, it is another way for the devil to communicate with man to committing adultery. What is seen in pornography is most likely not the same as what the married man is experiencing in real life and that could tempt him to get and experience was is seen in pornography. This could then lead to adultery. The thoughts or imaginations of being in a scenario similar to what is influenced in pornography is also considered adultery.
Divorce
We know that Christian faith do not exercise divorce. As what is mentioned in Matt. 19: 3-6 "what God has joined, no one must separate." It was believed that Moses created divorce because of possible interferences between two married individuals. But in this case, if divorce happens, a certificate of divorce must be given to the woman to remarry. In cases of divorce caused by infidelity, the divorce woman cannot remarry thus causing adultery.
In our discussions, it was also mentioned that divorce takes 6 mos. while annulment takes 3 yrs. This is because "what God has joined, no one must separate." Differences and conflicts between two married couples can often times be resolved. When it comes to infidelity, the partner should be able to forgive her/his spouse. If God could forgive us, why can't we forgive them too. Everything between a married man and a woman can be resolved. God does not give us challenges we cannot face and resolve ourselves. That's why couples that are about to be married in the church are required to attend pre-cana seminar so they may be pre-conditioned on the challenges that married life will bring and to point out to the couples about the importance of having God in their married lives. God is what strengthens the marriage of a man and his wife. Without God, the marriage could fall apart.
Oaths
Saying "I swear to God" is a big no no! Saying you swear to anything that pertains to God (the earth, the heavens, Jerusalem) including swearing to yourself is considered wrong. Simply answering yes or no is good enough. In terms of our current times, when brought to court you are asked to swear, this is to take your word so you may be punished when answering the questions untruthfully. Over all, Christians are expected to be honest that swearing is deemed unnecessary.
Salt and Light
Jesus Christ is our salt and light. He is the special ingredient that adds flavor to our existence. Without him our lives would have been so bland, meaningless, pointless. He is also the light in the darkness. When we our lost in the dark, he is the light that shines to catch our attention. The light that leads us, guides us to the right path.
The Fulfillment of the Law
In this passage, we believe that Jesus was talking about following the 10 commandments strictly yet be more righteous than the authorities who observe them. The 613 commandments of the Jews was mentioned and that all of them points back to loving God, and loving your neighbor. The rest of the commandments follow through if we put loving God and our neighbor into actions. We, us human beings, could not be as perfect as Jesus. Even though we could follow the 10 commandments strictly by memorizing them and putting them into practice, it is through knowing them by heart and fulfilling them with a righteous intent that we become better individuals. This way we may enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
The action itself is a sin, this we all know. But the mere thought of committing it is also a sin even though it is not our intention to do so. It is easy for us to just think of killing someone who did us harm or even killing ourselves when we go astray and lose control of our own life. It might not be a well thought out plan nor do we intend to commit murder nor suicide, but the fact that it came across our mind, is as if we have committed it. A clean mind equates to clean intentions, and clean intentions gives us a clean heart and a clean soul. Evil thought could lead us to do evil actions, which then lead to sin.
Adultery
This passage must not be taken literally. One should not cut off his hands or pull out his eyes, but what it means is adultery must be avoided else you burn in hell. The pain of cutting off one's hands or pulling out one's eyes because of adultery is righteous and more enduring than going to hell.
A question was brought up about how men just check out women by instinct, is this considered adultery? If a man looks at a woman lustfully and creates an image of her in his mind, his thoughts already committed adultery. Dirty thoughts is very likely to lead to dirty actions. The possibilities are high even if a really unattractive married guy is lured by a hot sexy woman. The devil is everywhere and he can cause one to sin easily with a little temptation regardless of looks. On the other hand, if this man is single then he did not commit adultery.
Pornography was also brought up in this sense. Does it also cause adultery? We believe that it does. Since pornography brings up fantasies and ideals that a married man cannot have, it is another way for the devil to communicate with man to committing adultery. What is seen in pornography is most likely not the same as what the married man is experiencing in real life and that could tempt him to get and experience was is seen in pornography. This could then lead to adultery. The thoughts or imaginations of being in a scenario similar to what is influenced in pornography is also considered adultery.
Divorce
We know that Christian faith do not exercise divorce. As what is mentioned in Matt. 19: 3-6 "what God has joined, no one must separate." It was believed that Moses created divorce because of possible interferences between two married individuals. But in this case, if divorce happens, a certificate of divorce must be given to the woman to remarry. In cases of divorce caused by infidelity, the divorce woman cannot remarry thus causing adultery.
In our discussions, it was also mentioned that divorce takes 6 mos. while annulment takes 3 yrs. This is because "what God has joined, no one must separate." Differences and conflicts between two married couples can often times be resolved. When it comes to infidelity, the partner should be able to forgive her/his spouse. If God could forgive us, why can't we forgive them too. Everything between a married man and a woman can be resolved. God does not give us challenges we cannot face and resolve ourselves. That's why couples that are about to be married in the church are required to attend pre-cana seminar so they may be pre-conditioned on the challenges that married life will bring and to point out to the couples about the importance of having God in their married lives. God is what strengthens the marriage of a man and his wife. Without God, the marriage could fall apart.
Oaths
Saying "I swear to God" is a big no no! Saying you swear to anything that pertains to God (the earth, the heavens, Jerusalem) including swearing to yourself is considered wrong. Simply answering yes or no is good enough. In terms of our current times, when brought to court you are asked to swear, this is to take your word so you may be punished when answering the questions untruthfully. Over all, Christians are expected to be honest that swearing is deemed unnecessary.
