And in James 3:
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
There is a point in Scripture where Christ had said some hard things that resulted in many who had been following Him departing and the He asked the 12 if they would depart too.
As you point out Matthew 19:4 would cause many to stumble these days ... but Romans 1:18-32 also applies because rather that stumbling and openly departing ... which though bad could be worse ...people these days seem eager to stumble and then on to expounding their churchiness despite terrible doctrine and unrepentance ... which is about the worst.
It is certainly a good thing to cling to the Lord on the actual terms offered by the Lord (as the disciples said, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life) ... but wearing a proverbial Jesus Mask that hides a spiritual wolf beneath it doesn’t do anyone any good.
There is a point in Scripture where Christ had said some hard things that resulted in many who had been following Him departing and the He asked the 12 if they would depart too.
As you point out Matthew 19:4 would cause many to stumble these days ... but Romans 1:18-32 also applies because rather that stumbling and openly departing ... which though bad could be worse ...people these days seem eager to stumble and then on to expounding their churchiness despite terrible doctrine and unrepentance ... which is about the worst.
It is certainly a good thing to cling to the Lord on the actual terms offered by the Lord (as the disciples said, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life) ... but wearing a proverbial Jesus Mask that hides a spiritual wolf beneath it doesn’t do anyone any good.