When Christians decide that we have the authority to judge people for sins while embracing a warmongering mindset, the result is widespread human suffering and death. This is the pattern of our world history.
There are 3 ethical violations found in this idea when examining the Sermon on the Mount.
1. We do not have the authority by God to judge sins
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure you measure, it will be measured to you again.” Matthew 7: 1-2
This is reflected in the event of Christ own life journey when the people sought to stone the woman for Adultery and Christ said, “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone,” and then wrote in the sand. Whatever he wrote caused the people to drop all their stones and leave the scene.
2. There are no levels of sin in God's eyes. Break one law, break them all.
“Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven…except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of scribe and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19-20
He then goes on to explain the hypocrisy of a strict Law format for obtaining the Kingdom of heaven comparing murder to calling someone a fool as being on the same sin level in God’s eyes.
3. Christ was sent so the whole world would receive forgiveness
“Ye have heard it said, Thou shalt love they neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that hate you, and pray for them that who despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the Childen of Your Father, who is in heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45
We see this idea revisited in later lessons.
“Wherefore, I say unto you, ALL manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven until men (people).” Matthew 12:31a
He goes on to say the Deceiver of Men, Satan, will not be forgiven for using the Holy Spirit to turn God’s grace into a mockery. Ascribing to Satan the works of the Holy Spirit. Those works of the Holy Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self Control. The Antithesis of the Holy Spirit is Hate, Fear, Wrath, Selfishness, Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Cult-ship, and Violence. These are often known as the Deadly sins because of the Death they bring to the earth and the harm to others. Disguising agendas of power grabs and land grabs under the guise of God’s peace or Will is to speak against the Holy Spirit.
“But whoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, or in the age to come.” Matthew 12:31b
Christ was accused of being a blasphemer of God by religious leaders
If we look at the attitude of the religious leaders toward Christ we can see how he was persecuted and vilified by religious leaders for showing the example of Love and Grace in his own life. They eventually killed him for it.
“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors, and sinners.” Matthew 11:18
Why are the Ethics of Christ so controversial for Christians when we have a living example provided in the Gospels for us to follow?
When Christians lose sight of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and seek to bring violence and destruction to the world and non-believers in God’s name, this action becomes the source of the World Wars and Holy Wars that give Christ a bad reputation as God’s name is abused for power lust and land & wealth grab agendas of nations.
“Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.” Matthew 6:34
Remember the Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
