THE BASICS

Both for the Christian and to to curious, the contents here might be an eye-opener to some. Let us start with two themes that in ways are connected, but might not have got the most attention.

 

Materialism

“…and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.” – Jesus. Mark 4:19.

 “I do not receive honor from men.” – Jesus. John 5:41.

These two verses are very powerfull when combined. First; the deceitfulness of riches. The world is deceived by riches and people use much of their time, lifestyle and energy to compete or keep track of their “competitors”. Why? As long as we take honor from men, this will continue. Some consequences we would reap by following this advice would be;

– Be more in harmony with ourselves and our surroundings.

– Have plenty of time and money for things of real value.

– Save the environment from being exploited by creating things we don´t need.

Food

It is not what you eat, but evil that is born in your heart, that makes you unclean.

“Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:14-23.

The Door to Salvation

The main message from the Bible is that Jesus came to the world to become a sacrifice for all, so that you and I can be cleansed from our sins, and have access to the Kingdom of God; both in this life and after; in Heaven.

 “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus. John 14:6. 

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” – Jesus. John 10.9.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” – Jesus. John 3:16-21.

Warfare

From this scripture we can see that Jesus do not ask soldiers to end their career, but instead guide them to not take advantage of the civilians they would meet as the invaded new territories.

Then some soldiers asked Him, “And what should we do?” He replied,”Don´t extort money and don´t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.” Luke 3:14.

Dealing with sin

Jesus is clear about the consequences of sin, but still, there are forgiveness for the mistakes that we do.

“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger. When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” And again He bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”“No one, Lord.” she answered. “Neither I do condemn you.” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.” John. 8:1-11.

Non-violence

The New Testament, is exactly what it became when Jesus arrived at the scene. A New Testament with a new beginning. Both as a living example and during His teachings, Jesus was very clear that non-violence is the way of God. These teachings are probably some of the most revolutionary of His teachings, as it so very clearly goes against the nature of how man normally will feel tempted to act under certain circumstances. As a first example; see Jesus reaction when He was about to be betrayed by Judas and taken away by the soldiers and high priests.

“While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.” Luke 22:47-51.

And here, some of the teachings from “The Sermon on the Mount”.

“You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also…” – Jesus Matt. 5:38

“You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?” – Jesus Matt. 5:43-47.

Being “born again”

By receiving Jesus as your personal Saviour, a miracle takes place; you are born again. Meaning; you receive the Holy Spirit, and are cleansed from all sins. Also, in your new life, if living a life close to God, you can sometimes be led by the Holy Spirit to act in different ways. A person to visit. A place to go. A project to start.

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  John. 3:3-8.

 

Prayer

“At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” – Jesus. John. 16:23-27.

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. “ – Jesus. John 9:31. 

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” – Jesus. Mark. 11:25-26.

Faith

 “And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” – Jesus. Matt. 17:14-20.

False prophets

“Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Jesus. Matt. 7:15-20.