Page 887 … to TRULY walk The Way
You then refer to a long slough of verses – all of which actually proving my point in this discussion (which is actually Jesus’ point, of course) – namely, that if you truly want to walk The Way of Christ, and that if you truly want to be sincere in your Love and “Love your enemies” (Mathew 5:43-44) … and that if you truly want to “know what is acceptable” (Proverbs 10:32) … and that if you truly want to forgive “seven times a day” (Luke 17:3-4) … and that if you truly want to “rid yourself of all malice and slander” (1 Peter 2:1) … and “put away all bitterness and wrath” (Ephesians 4:31) … and that if you truly want to “live in the light” (1 John 2:10-11) … and that if you truly want to “love your brothers & sisters” (1 John 4:21) … and that if you truly want to “forgive seventy times seven” (Mathew 18:21:22) … and that if you truly want to “bear with one another” (Colossians 3:13) … and that if you truly want to “put away your former way of life” (Ephesians 4:22) … and that if you truly want to “forgive others their trespasses” (Mathew 6:14-15) … and that if you truly want to “forgive others their debts” (Matthew 6:12) … and that if you truly want to “forgive whenever you stand praying” (Mark 11:25) —- AND if you truly & sincerely want to “cling to what is Good” (Romans 12:9) … and “be devoted to one another in brotherly love” & “honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10) … and “practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13) … and “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15) … and “live in harmony with one another” & “not be proud” (Romans 12:16) … and “not repay evil for evil” & “do what is Right” (Romans 12:17) … and “live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18) … and “Love one another” (Romans 13:8) … and “Love your neighbor* as yourself” (Romans 13:11), THEN you really do need to keep your critically condemnatory mouth shut, my dear Friend – and your Loving Heart wide open!
For indeed my dear Dan, “The hour has come for YOU to wake up from your slumber … The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So put aside your deeds of darkness and put on the day of Light … Clothe yourself with the [the teachings & the commandments of] the Lord Jessu Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the [arrogant] desires of [your] sinful nature.” (Romans 13:11-14) … Indeed, my Friend – in-Deed!
As always, Dan, I am wishing you & yours nothing but the deepest experience of the Peace of Christ; a Peace that comes to all those who have the humility to drop their arrogant judgments of the sins of others, and the courage to reach out to those “neighbors”* instead with acts of sincere & loving Kindness!
*NOTE — Please refer here to the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37 – a tale whose primary teaching makes homosexuals your “neighbors”, my Friend!
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