Finally got to the NT, and have some thoughts. I read the King James version, if that matters to anyone.
Matthew 1:16
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Funny how it talks about the of Joseph, but since he isn’t Jesus’s father, he’s married to Jesus’s human mother instead of begetting Jesus. Maybe it’s to show that bloodlines aren’t everything.
Matthew 5:22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
This I feel is largely ignored. It feels like people will quickly make excuses to be upset at others, most of said excuses wouldn’t fly pass God. From just not liking someone and wanting to be upset at them to using their physical traits or birth as justification, people want to hate others.
Matthew 5:43-47
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
But this one takes the cake for me. This one is straight up calling out echo chambers and how just because you’re nice to people in your echo chamber, doesn’t mean you’re a good person. This is a lesson that people need to learn, but refuses to in order to not have to acknowledge their own flaws. It’s easy to be kind to those who like you, but hard to be kind to those who hate you.