We must never try to sanitize Christianity.
Gentle Jesus meek and mild? Come on - don't give me that. It just ain't true. Gentle maybe but meek and mild? Forget it. He was a long way from meek and mild and as tough as they come when propagating the Gospel of His Father's Kingdom. Most folk will grant that he was a lovely chap who seemed to do a few good things with a bit of healing thrown in for good measure but then they leave it there. However, when they read in the Gospels or are told what he really taught in clear, unyielding language, then come the difficulties. Here are just a few of the many uncompromising things He said and meant and there are many more..
Jesus told us that the world will always hate Christians. – John 15.18-20 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
Look after the poor, or be damned to Hell. – Matthew 25.41-46 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Be aware, there is such a place as Hell. – Matthew 13-41-43 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
I guess we have no choice but to turn the other cheek, plus more besides. – Matthew 5.38-42 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Our choice. God or money. – Matthew 6.24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
It's make your mind up time. Jesus is the ONLY way to God. John 14.6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
We must forgive 70 x 7 for the same sin if necessary, otherwise we will not be forgiven. Matthew 6.15 But if you refuse to forgive others their transgressions against you, your Father will not forgive your sins.
The alternatives are made abundantly clear. Accept what He says or turn away from Him. They are the only options He left open to us. He never intended it should be otherwise.