Letter: Why not post the Beatitudes in public?
Why do conservative evangelical Christians always cite to the prophets and kings of the Old Testament in justifying their actions or the actions of others? Rarely do they mention the New Testament, even though they are Christians. Why would they not first turn to the words of Jesus Christ himself?
Evangelicals are most adamant about posting the Ten Commandments, as delivered to Moses, in all public buildings. Has anyone ever heard of their demanding that the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes — the words of Jesus Christ in the gospel of Matthew — be posted anywhere?
Are they unable to find any comfort in the New Testament?
Scott Newton, Jasper
Good point. I never thought about it.
Regarding Moses. There is great debate whether or not he was real. No one knows for sure.
Scott the reason why the Ten Commandments are offered is because the Law is written on every man and woman’s heart (Romans 2:12-16). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus correctly interprets the law from being something that you physically commit to even something that you premeditate in your heart (Matthew 5:28).
Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Meaning God’s law was given so that all people could know their sin. No one can be right with God by his own keeping of the law. So what is the solution? We need someone to pay our fine for us. That solution is accepting what Christ accomplished for us on the cross. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
The Ten Commandments points us to our need for a solution to our sin problem and “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel all evangelicals are commanded to share.
Here are two additional Beatitudes from the Holy Spirit written in Romans 4:7-8
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Have a wonderful Easter and praise God for His mercy and grace.
Daryl Hensley, Jasper
Amen! That was great, Daryl!
Daryl,
I can tell you’re coming to this as a true believer. I’ve never achieved such status, despite eight years with the nuns, during which time we studied nothing BUT the New Testament to the total exclusion of the Old Testament.
But I’m still confused as to why evangelicals, followers of Jesus Christ, never use the words that Jesus Christ uttered. My best guess is that there is nothing there to support the positions they have taken.
Actually, Jesus speaks in the Old Testament at least 10 times. He first approaches Hagar in Genesis 16:7-15, and with Joshua in Joshua 1:1-9. He appears 8 more times before his birth thousands of years later. Isaiah 53 describes in detail the crucifixion of Christ. More than 300 prophecies of Christ are mentioned in the Old Testament. He fulfilled all of them. Jesus had 4 goals to accomplish on earth.
1. Fulfilling those prophesies proving his deity, performing more than 39 miracles described by many witnesses also proves his deity.
2. Transition us from the law in the Old Testament to grace in the new testament. “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17. Christ judged only the religious leaders who had the people captured under new laws and religious tradition.
3. Teach us how to live. Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40. He offered grace to all who came to Him in faith.
4. Provoke the religious leaders to make him the propitiation for the sins of men and crucify him on the cross. The resurrection of Christ is the greatest miracle of all. Christ was seen by more than 500 people after his resurrection. His two brothers became believers because of the resurrection and the Apostle Paul (the Christian killer) became a believer after seeing Christ on the road to Damascus.
So many people have NOT made that transition from the law to grace. The law (religion) is a burden but grace is freeing. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Scott, if you’re in town this weekend come join us at First Presbyterian Church. We meet at 10:00 AM on Sunday. I’m sure you can find us 🙂
Daryl Hensley, Jasper
Daryl,
What did Jesus have to say about converting coal to diesel? And what are Jesus’s current thoughts on coal to diesel?
Sounds like you have a bone to pick with Christianity more than anything. They use the 10 commandments because they are basic, universal laws of morality for the most part. I’d you don’t agree with that philosophy, well living in western civilization must be difficult.