Malachi 1:1-2:7 and Matt 10:1-11:30

[BenAvraham]

MAL 1:1-2:7

The prophet speaks and writes through the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), “Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated”. You ask, “Isn't God love?” Isn't God all about love? Why does he “hate poor Esau?” The word “hate” has the same meaning as “reject”. YHVH, who is “all knowing,” knew even before Esau was born that he would reject HIM, so YHVH rejected Esau! Even in Hebrews 12:16 speaks about "the godless Esau, who, for a single morsel of food, gave up and despised his birthright."

Polluted offerings, corrupt priests. No wonder God is fed up with Israel, they have gone “the way of Esau” offering God the “left-overs” and not offering with “pure hearts”. It is like today, if we serve the LORD with less than our best, or only with “half a heart” or just because we feel we “have to” then, we are offering “polluted offerings”. We should serve GOD with all we have, with the best we have, or not at all!

He has given all believers the gifts of the Spirit, the abilities to serve God while we are on Earth. Are we using those to serve, or, are we like the servant who buried the master's talent in the ground? Let's use our "talents of spiritual gifts" wholeheartedly as faithful sons and daughters of the Most High.

MATT 10:1-11:30

Yeshua sends out the twelve talmidim (disciples) to teach the Torah and to share the word that Yeshua is the Mashiach, who has fulfilled all the prophecies of the Torah. First, to the “lost sheep of Israel,” remember that Israel has been scattered to many different countries, many being absorbed by the nations, yet still remember their identity, but even in Israel, there are those who need to know the truth about Yeshua as Messiah, prophesied by Moshe and the prophets

The work and ministry of sharing/teaching the WORD of God is not a lone undertaking; it is to be shared by many, and ALL who have that calling. Even Yeshua, God in human form, could not be in all places at the same time, so he sent out his followers to fulfill the “Great Commission”.

Today, we are equipped with the “gifts of the Spirit” to fulfill this great task, and today we have the internet to help spread the “Good News,” whereas hundreds of years ago, only papers and books were available to those who took up that task. We are living in exciting times; let's take advantage of everything that is available to us today. Use all things to the glory of God.

ROM 9:6-13

Very interesting verses; “For not everyone from Israel is truly part of Israel. Indeed, not all descendants are from the seed of Abraham. From the Hebrew New Covenant, it says, “Lo kol asher heim mi-Yisrael gam Yisrael” (not all of them who are from Israel also Israel).

If we remember, Abraham had two sons from the womb of Sarah, Ishmael and Yitzchak, even though both were his sons, the promise was in Yitzchak. The descendants of Ishmael are now the Arab countries. Can we say that they also have the same interests that all believers have? Are they not following another religion? Even though quite a few are born-again believers.

In Israel today, we see quite a few cultures and people groups, not all are direct descendants of Abraham. But let’s go a step further and say, “Not all have the faith of our father, Israel,” and many in “Israel” have little or no faith at all, so how can we have the faith of “Israel” and thus be part of “Am Yisrael?”

It is through the “Yeshua Connection” that we are connected to the “Truth.” "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" (John 14:6)

So, to be a real part of “Am Yisrael” to be part of the “Covenant of Abraham” it doesn’t depend on blood relation, but “Spirit” relation. One can be a physical descendant of Abraham and be lost and going to hell, but one can turn that relationship around and be “heaven-bound” through a personal relationship with Messiah Yeshua, the hope of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Shalom, Happy Thanksgiving

 

[aChristian2]

if we serve the LORD with less than our best, or only with “half a heart” or just because we feel we “have to” then, we are offering “polluted offerings”.


nice to see you extrapolated this from Malachi

we do not bring lambs and such as offerings we bring ourselves

Romans 12
we present ourselves a living sacrifice with the transforming of our minds
and yes I would preach that anything less than our best is polluted bread.

I have been reading a lot of posts here, yet have a hard time engaging
any longer, have changed my avatar ( as a sign of a new attitude) and I hope only to be encouraging from here on in, if I partake.

peace

 

[tablet123]

MAL 1:1-2:7

The prophet speaks and writes through the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), “Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated”. You ask, “Isn't God love?” Isn't God all about love? Why does he “hate poor Esau?” The word “hate” has the same meaning as “reject”. YHVH, who is “all knowing,” knew even before Esau was born that he would reject HIM, so YHVH rejected Esau! Even in Hebrews 12:16 speaks about "the godless Esau, who, for a single morsel of food, gave up and despised his birthright."

Polluted offerings, corrupt priests. No wonder God is fed up with Israel, they have gone “the way of Esau” offering God the “left-overs” and not offering with “pure hearts”. It is like today, if we serve the LORD with less than our best, or only with “half a heart” or just because we feel we “have to” then, we are offering “polluted offerings”. We should serve GOD with all we have, with the best we have, or not at all!

He has given all believers the gifts of the Spirit, the abilities to serve God while we are on Earth. Are we using those to serve, or, are we like the servant who buried the master's talent in the ground? Let's use our "talents of spiritual gifts" wholeheartedly as faithful sons and daughters of the Most High.

MATT 10:1-11:30

Yeshua sends out the twelve talmidim (disciples) to teach the Torah and to share the word that Yeshua is the Mashiach, who has fulfilled all the prophecies of the Torah. First, to the “lost sheep of Israel,” remember that Israel has been scattered to many different countries, many being absorbed by the nations, yet still remember their identity, but even in Israel, there are those who need to know the truth about Yeshua as Messiah, prophesied by Moshe and the prophets

The work and ministry of sharing/teaching the WORD of God is not a lone undertaking; it is to be shared by many, and ALL who have that calling. Even Yeshua, God in human form, could not be in all places at the same time, so he sent out his followers to fulfill the “Great Commission”.

Today, we are equipped with the “gifts of the Spirit” to fulfill this great task, and today we have the internet to help spread the “Good News,” whereas hundreds of years ago, only papers and books were available to those who took up that task. We are living in exciting times; let's take advantage of everything that is available to us today. Use all things to the glory of God.

ROM 9:6-13

Very interesting verses; “For not everyone from Israel is truly part of Israel. Indeed, not all descendants are from the seed of Abraham. From the Hebrew New Covenant, it says, “Lo kol asher heim mi-Yisrael gam Yisrael” (not all of them who are from Israel also Israel).

If we remember, Abraham had two sons from the womb of Sarah, Ishmael and Yitzchak, even though both were his sons, the promise was in Yitzchak. The descendants of Ishmael are now the Arab countries. Can we say that they also have the same interests that all believers have? Are they not following another religion? Even though quite a few are born-again believers.

In Israel today, we see quite a few cultures and people groups, not all are direct descendants of Abraham. But let’s go a step further and say, “Not all have the faith of our father, Israel,” and many in “Israel” have little or no faith at all, so how can we have the faith of “Israel” and thus be part of “Am Yisrael?”

It is through the “Yeshua Connection” that we are connected to the “Truth.” "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" (John 14:6)

So, to be a real part of “Am Yisrael” to be part of the “Covenant of Abraham” it doesn’t depend on blood relation, but “Spirit” relation. One can be a physical descendant of Abraham and be lost and going to hell, but one can turn that relationship around and be “heaven-bound” through a personal relationship with Messiah Yeshua, the hope of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Shalom, Happy Thanksgiving

What you write is true.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

A Gentile when saved is a Jew inwardly and belong to the commonwealth of Israel.

People who think the Church replaces Israel is wrong for Israel is the Church.

Paul said God has not cast away His people Israel and all Israel shall be saved when salvation is no longer available to the Gentiles.

God said if the ordinances in heaven are in affect then His covenant is still with Israel and they will never cease to be a nation.

Which a peace treaty in the Middle East will pave the way for all Hebrews to go to Israel for the Gentiles will cause it to happen.

Which God will send 2 witnesses to Israel to turn them to the truth.

Which will probably be Moses the law giver and Elijah of the prophets who was with Jesus when He transfigured.

At the New Jerusalem the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of the Lamb is written there.

From Abraham to David to Jesus to the New Jerusalem it is Israel all the way.

And both covenants given to them.

That is why a Gentile belongs to the commonwealth of Israel when saved.

Israel was the only nation to do it right before God with the offices also.

No Gentile nation did that for while they may have acknowledged the God of Israel they still had heathen ways about them.

Babylon believed in many gods and had heathen ways about them but king Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed the God of Israel as the greatest God and the rode on eagle's wings.

But his son blew it and the eagle's wings were plucked.

America acknowledges the God of Israel but they allow the practice of all religions including Satanism and the occult.

And engage in much worldliness and sin.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Concerning not all Hebrews are of Israel if they did not abide by the Old Covenant the laws and statutes they were cut off.

God warns the Gentiles if they do not continue in His goodness they will also be cut off.

If we remember, Abraham had two sons from the womb of Sarah, Ishmael and Yitzchak, even though both were his sons, the promise was in Yitzchak. The descendants of Ishmael are now the Arab countries. Can we say that they also have the same interests that all believers have? Are they not following another religion? Even though quite a few are born-again believers.

Gen 16:1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

Gen 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Gen 16:3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

Gen 16:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes

Gen 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

Gen 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

Gen 16:15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Gal 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Concerning Ishmael he is not Sarah's son but the son of a bondwoman Hagar who was an Egyptian.

Gen 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

Which Ishmael went on to become the Arab nations.

Which we see this scripture does define them and they are against Israel as Ishmael was against Isaac.

 

[aChristian2]

you said
"Which will probably be Moses the law giver and Elijah of the prophets who was with Jesus when He transfigured."

I hear a lot of Christians preach this

however I am of the mind set that they will be arise from earth here.
As The Bible proclaimed that Elijah would come before the Day of The Lord. & when the disciples asked JESUS about this HE said Indeed Elijah has come. then they realized He spoke of John the Baptist. interestingly enough John himself did not seem to recognize this..

but John The baptist said he was not that prophet , yet he said he was one proclaiming Make the way of THE LORD Straight. JESUS said he came in the spirit of Elijah.

from this I gather GOD THE FATHER WILL raise up the two witness that are already alive at the time. when I think about this, it just seems to make perfect sense to me.

yet I digress, who knows such things? & certainly not something I wish to argue about, just food for thought! there is no changing my mind unless... ( JESUS gets involved,, haha)

fyi all written from memory, so if I quoted something wrong you know why, haha

in peace

 

[tablet123]

you said
"Which will probably be Moses the law giver and Elijah of the prophets who was with Jesus when He transfigured."

I hear a lot of Christians preach this

however I am of the mind set that they will be arise from earth here.
As The Bible proclaimed that Elijah would come before the Day of The Lord. & when the disciples asked JESUS about this HE said Indeed Elijah has come. then they realized He spoke of John the Baptist. interestingly enough John himself did not seem to recognize this..

but John The baptist said he was not that prophet , yet he said he was one proclaiming Make the way of THE LORD Straight. JESUS said he came in the spirit of Elijah.

from this I gather GOD THE FATHER WILL raise up the two witness that are already alive at the time. when I think about this, it just seems to make perfect sense to me.

yet I digress, who knows such things? & certainly not something I wish to argue about, just food for thought! there is no changing my mind unless... ( JESUS gets involved,, haha)

fyi all written from memory, so if I quoted something wrong you know why, haha

in peace

Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Zec 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Zec 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

Zec 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zec 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

The 2 witnesses stand before God so they are with Him and are sent from heaven to earth and do not arise from the earth.

It would not be an angel to preach for an angel was never in human form preaching to people for that job is for humans.

So who could it be.

Who would be the 2 most important people to preach.

It would seem like it would be Moses who gave the law and Elijah representing the prophets.

Love God and love people are the 2 greatest laws and all the law and prophets hang on those 2 laws.

Who would be more important than Moses and Elijah to be the 2 witnesses and stand before the God of all the earth.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Is that why Moses and Elijah were there because they are the 2 anointed ones that stand before the Lord of the whole earth.

It makes the most sense for them to be the 2 witnesses.

 

[4urenlightment]

MAL 1:1-2:7

The prophet speaks and writes through the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), “Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated”. You ask, “Isn't God love?” Isn't God all about love? Why does he “hate poor Esau?” The word “hate” has the same meaning as “reject”. YHVH, who is “all knowing,” knew even before Esau was born that he would reject HIM, so YHVH rejected Esau! Even in Hebrews 12:16 speaks about "the godless Esau, who, for a single morsel of food, gave up and despised his birthright."

Polluted offerings, corrupt priests. No wonder God is fed up with Israel, they have gone “the way of Esau” offering God the “left-overs” and not offering with “pure hearts”. It is like today, if we serve the LORD with less than our best, or only with “half a heart” or just because we feel we “have to” then, we are offering “polluted offerings”. We should serve GOD with all we have, with the best we have, or not at all!

He has given all believers the gifts of the Spirit, the abilities to serve God while we are on Earth. Are we using those to serve, or, are we like the servant who buried the master's talent in the ground? Let's use our "talents of spiritual gifts" wholeheartedly as faithful sons and daughters of the Most High.

MATT 10:1-11:30

Yeshua sends out the twelve talmidim (disciples) to teach the Torah and to share the word that Yeshua is the Mashiach, who has fulfilled all the prophecies of the Torah. First, to the “lost sheep of Israel,” remember that Israel has been scattered to many different countries, many being absorbed by the nations, yet still remember their identity, but even in Israel, there are those who need to know the truth about Yeshua as Messiah, prophesied by Moshe and the prophets

The work and ministry of sharing/teaching the WORD of God is not a lone undertaking; it is to be shared by many, and ALL who have that calling. Even Yeshua, God in human form, could not be in all places at the same time, so he sent out his followers to fulfill the “Great Commission”.

Today, we are equipped with the “gifts of the Spirit” to fulfill this great task, and today we have the internet to help spread the “Good News,” whereas hundreds of years ago, only papers and books were available to those who took up that task. We are living in exciting times; let's take advantage of everything that is available to us today. Use all things to the glory of God.

ROM 9:6-13

Very interesting verses; “For not everyone from Israel is truly part of Israel. Indeed, not all descendants are from the seed of Abraham. From the Hebrew New Covenant, it says, “Lo kol asher heim mi-Yisrael gam Yisrael” (not all of them who are from Israel also Israel).

If we remember, Abraham had two sons from the womb of Sarah, Ishmael and Yitzchak, even though both were his sons, the promise was in Yitzchak. The descendants of Ishmael are now the Arab countries. Can we say that they also have the same interests that all believers have? Are they not following another religion? Even though quite a few are born-again believers.

In Israel today, we see quite a few cultures and people groups, not all are direct descendants of Abraham. But let’s go a step further and say, “Not all have the faith of our father, Israel,” and many in “Israel” have little or no faith at all, so how can we have the faith of “Israel” and thus be part of “Am Yisrael?”

It is through the “Yeshua Connection” that we are connected to the “Truth.” "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" (John 14:6)

So, to be a real part of “Am Yisrael” to be part of the “Covenant of Abraham” it doesn’t depend on blood relation, but “Spirit” relation. One can be a physical descendant of Abraham and be lost and going to hell, but one can turn that relationship around and be “heaven-bound” through a personal relationship with Messiah Yeshua, the hope of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Shalom, Happy Thanksgiving

Throughout the Bible that it shows things that are detestable or abomination to God. That we are not to love those things. Like a sinner is someone that loves sin. But those who repent from their sin aren't sinners. It's because their souls dislike what they have done.
Like if your spouse had cheated on you. But they begged for forgiveness with tears to you when caught, saying it was an awful mistake that will not happen anymore. But inside of their heart they love every minute of it. That's a sinner.
But if someone who done the dirty deed and felt guilty afterwards without being caught in the act isn't a sinner.
And so, what makes God holy is that He dislike anything that's not good. So, He's not a sinner.

God don't judge us on what we do in the natural, but He only hear our heart that judges us on the things we have done in the natural.
Like king David, he taken the sacred bread from out of the temple that wasn't supposed to be touch and gave it to his soldiers because they were hungry. But God heard David's heart and didn't judge him.

Proverbs 6:16
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

Matthew 12:11
He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?

 

[homwardbound]

MAL 1:1-2:7

The prophet speaks and writes through the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), “Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated”. You ask, “Isn't God love?” Isn't God all about love? Why does he “hate poor Esau?” The word “hate” has the same meaning as “reject”. YHVH, who is “all knowing,” knew even before Esau was born that he would reject HIM, so YHVH rejected Esau! Even in Hebrews 12:16 speaks about "the godless Esau, who, for a single morsel of food, gave up and despised his birthright."

Polluted offerings, corrupt priests. No wonder God is fed up with Israel, they have gone “the way of Esau” offering God the “left-overs” and not offering with “pure hearts”. It is like today, if we serve the LORD with less than our best, or only with “half a heart” or just because we feel we “have to” then, we are offering “polluted offerings”. We should serve GOD with all we have, with the best we have, or not at all!

He has given all believers the gifts of the Spirit, the abilities to serve God while we are on Earth. Are we using those to serve, or, are we like the servant who buried the master's talent in the ground? Let's use our "talents of spiritual gifts" wholeheartedly as faithful sons and daughters of the Most High.

MATT 10:1-11:30

Yeshua sends out the twelve talmidim (disciples) to teach the Torah and to share the word that Yeshua is the Mashiach, who has fulfilled all the prophecies of the Torah. First, to the “lost sheep of Israel,” remember that Israel has been scattered to many different countries, many being absorbed by the nations, yet still remember their identity, but even in Israel, there are those who need to know the truth about Yeshua as Messiah, prophesied by Moshe and the prophets

The work and ministry of sharing/teaching the WORD of God is not a lone undertaking; it is to be shared by many, and ALL who have that calling. Even Yeshua, God in human form, could not be in all places at the same time, so he sent out his followers to fulfill the “Great Commission”.

Today, we are equipped with the “gifts of the Spirit” to fulfill this great task, and today we have the internet to help spread the “Good News,” whereas hundreds of years ago, only papers and books were available to those who took up that task. We are living in exciting times; let's take advantage of everything that is available to us today. Use all things to the glory of God.

ROM 9:6-13

Very interesting verses; “For not everyone from Israel is truly part of Israel. Indeed, not all descendants are from the seed of Abraham. From the Hebrew New Covenant, it says, “Lo kol asher heim mi-Yisrael gam Yisrael” (not all of them who are from Israel also Israel).

If we remember, Abraham had two sons from the womb of Sarah, Ishmael and Yitzchak, even though both were his sons, the promise was in Yitzchak. The descendants of Ishmael are now the Arab countries. Can we say that they also have the same interests that all believers have? Are they not following another religion? Even though quite a few are born-again believers.

In Israel today, we see quite a few cultures and people groups, not all are direct descendants of Abraham. But let’s go a step further and say, “Not all have the faith of our father, Israel,” and many in “Israel” have little or no faith at all, so how can we have the faith of “Israel” and thus be part of “Am Yisrael?”

It is through the “Yeshua Connection” that we are connected to the “Truth.” "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" (John 14:6)

So, to be a real part of “Am Yisrael” to be part of the “Covenant of Abraham” it doesn’t depend on blood relation, but “Spirit” relation. One can be a physical descendant of Abraham and be lost and going to hell, but one can turn that relationship around and be “heaven-bound” through a personal relationship with Messiah Yeshua, the hope of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Shalom, Happy Thanksgiving

One person at a time, personally decides to believe God or not. That begins for each person if and when Eph 1:13 happens in them, Those that will not quit Col 1:21-23. These become thankful to God beyond measure, to me at least, who to this day am not perfect, God is in my place and the whole world at hand forever.. I see to continue to stand in trust to God in risen Son, where I remain forgiven by God above all I have done wrong. learning by trust to let go of harming anyone ever, have learned and still axailableto learn more. Not ever to take this for granted as did in past, now taking day by day in thanksgiving and praise . Otherwise I have no chance, seeing under Law Annihilated me
Just look at another with lust in my eye, I have then committed Adultery. My Hand sinned, I stole, better to cut that off and go to heaven with a maimed body, than to hell in a whole body. You think?
Thank you Lord of my Lord Jesus

 

[BenAvraham]

The phrases "to cut off one's hand" and "pluck out one's eye" were not to be taken literally, even in ancient times. It would have meant. If there is a temptation to steal, stay away from that store! and "if your eye offends you, then, don't look at porn, don't watch movies with sexual scenes, stay away from streets where prostitutes hang out, etc..

 

[Burn1986]

Preachin to the choir buddy

 

[Magenta]

But if someone who done the dirty deed and felt guilty afterwards without being caught in the act isn't a sinner.

 

[Burn1986]

The phrases "to cut off one's hand" and "pluck out one's eye" were not to be taken literally, even in ancient times. It would have meant. If there is a temptation to steal, stay away from that store! and "if your eye offends you, then, don't look at porn, don't watch movies with sexual scenes, stay away from streets where prostitutes hang out, etc..

Yeah, common knowledge. Gosh, you forget what level people are at.

“There is now a Level zero” - Kung Fu Panda

 

[4urenlightment]

We're all sinners, that there's nobody here that's without sin. But the only thing God wants from us is repentance, to humble ourselves to let God know we're ashamed of our lifestyle.
But God wants it to be expressed from our hearts but not like the way they've done it in those days by covering themselves with a cheap material like sackcloth that's made from camel hair and they fast. And they lay down in the dirt showing how they're feeling so dirty for what they have done.
John was trying to get the people to humble themselves because it was judgement day according to their Sabbath records. And John wanted them to show God that they were ashamed of their sinful acts.
And so, God just wants to see that we're feeling guilty of our sin. Because only those who are remorseful are his children. But the wicked can't feel guilty because they don't have the spirit of God in them. They just pretend they're ashamed by putting on crocodile tears.

Jeremiah 6:15
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord.

Hosea 4:18
Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways.

Philippians 3:19
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 6:16
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

 

[homwardbound]

The phrases "to cut off one's hand" and "pluck out one's eye" were not to be taken literally, even in ancient times. It would have meant. If there is a temptation to steal, stay away from that store! and "if your eye offends you, then, don't look at porn, don't watch movies with sexual scenes, stay away from streets where prostitutes hang out, etc..

I have to say, how well are others doing this what you just said
Under Law, under a Curse, the Law itself is not the curse, it is the first born flesh that is cursed under Adam the first. When "I" try, I either do or do not do it. What I want to do, I see I can't do it. I need God to lead as God led Jesus first, anyone else?
To be alive in my Soul by God through Son Jesus is done for anyone to believe this is truth, and then become alive in their Soul, dead to first birth and learning that daily. Thus one stays away as you said are. to do, yet if not willingly (the self in the way,) will be trapped in not being able to say no to it. no more having to, freed to now able to choose no and yes righteouslv choosing thanks to Adonai only loving us all, which teaches new at least to me
Example: experienced this
I am an ex-alcoholic, given this from God to me to be humble not prideful or guilty over it anymore
I was working for a company. The boss had need for a client to pay his debt. I violunteered to go and get that payment
I ended up at a bar, where that client worked as a bar-tender. I went in and asked for that person. That person was not working at that time. So I ordered a drink!!!!!!!!!!!!! What?????????? yes,
A Pepsi and Seven-up on the rocks
Then another person entered the bar and sat next to me, and ordered a drink. That person said to me, their Dad died and that he tied one on the night before. That he had been quit for a long time before his Dad passed away, now back on it

I, to this day, do not remember what God said to that person through me. Yet I saw and know when I left, he decided to leave too and not drink that drink
Luke 21:14-14
I am still in process learning Luke 21:14-15

There is a gigantic difference between under Law and upholding Law as good for one, anyone's Soul
God sincerely loves us all, y'all otherwise Son would not have gone to that cross willingly! To save us in his resurrected life for us as reconciled first. It is finished it is done by Son as said by Son John 19:30.New life comes in the risen Son, The gift from Dad, PaPa, Father.Woe is me anyone else?