Quote Originally Posted by natureisawesome
Jamstigator, you are right in that Jesus taught pacificm, that we are not to retaliate when others try to hurt us or take advantage of us, period. It's not right for us to stand up and say " this is too far. I know what Jesus said but this is just too far". No, it's not too far. Jesus gave the word and we must obey. And those who disobey will recieve the consequences.

But as far as the commandment "thou shalt not kill", it's clearly speaking of murder, of taking a life without just cause. When the Israelites put someone to death, it was because someone broke the laws that God had given them. Therefore it was not them taking action into thier own hands, only carrying out God's ordinances. And if they did not keep justice, they recieved severe discipline from God.
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But God has given us a new commandment since that old levittical law has been abolished (not the 10 commandments mind you) saying we must not repay evil with evil period. But rather we should do good to all men, and do kindness to those who persecute us.

Jdmarcus,

that's not what is meant by judge when Jesus says that. Go study it in the Greek.

If you want to talk about judging, judging is when you retaliate on another, even if he has done something wrong to you. That's real judging. You judge him guilty and carry out the consequences by hurting him or some other way, taking things into your own hands. We have the freedom to have an opinion, to speak out against wrong, and not live in ignorance.

When it comes to judging, I don't vote for that reason. Besides the fact that this country was founded upon rebellion, and that the us.. is preserved by the same principle, voting is outright judging of others. You excercise power over another through your ballot to do what you think is right. That's judging.

Now judge yourself so you will not be judged, and follow after the spirit and righteousness, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I see a lot of flesh in this thread, and I wish there was more Spirit.
in matthews ch. 7 jesus teaches about criticizings others He tells us to examine our own MOTIVES and conduct instead of judging others, as in removing the plank out of are own eye, my point was that are dear friend here should not judge my faith, but first take a look at his own heart first. it was a simple statement, not one to be taken out of context.Jesus statement "do not judge" is against the kind of hypocritical judgemental attitude that tears others down in order to build one self up, as in you are not a christian because ect......like I said before this was a simple statement, one that should not be taken out of context. and I think we are clear on this. it is not somthing to argue over. peace