Lord Jesus Christ: “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.” Matthew 5:22 (KJV)
Tough words but true and the Scripture that precedes and follows gives the context. Best to avoid even thinking that word. If it keeps popping into one’s mind, we know that it is not of God and needs dealing with before our offering of sacrifices of praise to God.
Sometimes, I’ve tried to justify my sinning by thinking “He’s not my brother in any sense of the word.” Then Jesus’ answer regarding who is my neighbor comes to mind and I begin to smarten up; He is warning against all forms of murder and the hate that preceeds all forms of murder, among many other things.
If ANYBODY is to be benefited from these labored FR threads, we Christians need to consider one another more and in a more peaceable manner than we have. We MUST show love for one another if we are to heap coals on the heads of our antagonists who do not know love as we do.
1 John 4:7-10 King James Version (KJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
There are distinct differences in beliefs by Catholics and by non-RCC Christians that aren’t going away until individuals are persuaded and convinced of the Truth which is the Good News of Jesus Christ and what He has done for whosoever believes in Him. AND WONDERFULLY SO, He finished His work for OUR benefit while WE were still living in sin. That’s unsurpassed love of the greatest possible magnitude.
That is a good post. The 1 John vss have been made into a chorus, and it was running through my mind all day yesterday. Such a blessing to see it quoted today!
Here is another passage that may enhance our discussions, from Philippians, chapter 2 vss 3-4:
“3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.”