Jesus lists the "ten commandments," but his list has only six, and the sixth is not one of the ten. The
commandments given by Jesus are secular, not religious, in nature. 19:18
Jesus quotes Lev.19:18: "Love thy neighbor as
thyself." This is by far the best verse in Leviticus, and one of the best in the entire bible.
22:39
"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in." 25:35
"All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." 26:52
When Jesus lists the "ten" commandments, he only mentions five -- the humanistic ones that make no mention of
God. He also gives one that is not included in the so-called ten commandments: "defraud not." Just where he got this one is
anyone's guess. 10:19
Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely. 3:14
Love you enemies; do good to those who hate you. 6:27
The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. 6:31-34
"Love your enemies." Well, it's a nice thought. But it seems strange coming from someone who damns his
enemies to hell. (Mk.16:16) 6:35
"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Well I'm glad Jesus thinks we should be merciful.
But the Old Testament God is a strange role model for mercy! (See 1 Sam.15:2-3 for an
example of the OT God's mercy.) 6:36
Don't judge or condemn others. Forgive those who have offended you. 6:37
Jesus warns against hypocrisy. The Christian right should pay more attention to this verse. 6:41
Jesus tells those who'd like to stone to death an adulteress that whoever among them that is without sin should
"cast the first stone." Good advice -- but it directly contradicts the teachings of the Old Testament
(Lev.20:20). If that
wasn't a good law then why did God make it? Has he since changed his mind? Shouldn't it then be removed (along
with most of the OT) from the bible? 8:7
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another." If this is what it takes to be a Christian, then count
me in. Unfortunately, Christians often take Jesus' commandment to mean that Christians should love other, like
minded, Christians, and to hell with everybody else. 15:12, 17
Pilate asked Jesus a very good question: "What is truth?" 18:38
Don't fight, be humble, and look after the needs of others. 2:3-4
"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
4:8
"Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies." If we follow this advice we would ignore
most of the Bible -- especially the genealogies found in Gen.10,
1 Chr.1-9, Mt.1, and Lk.3. 1:4
Paul says to "refuse ... old wives' fables." What about old husbands' fables? Old Bible fables? 4:7
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 6:7
Help others that are in need; don't just wish them well. This is good advice, though it's unfortunate that James
restricted this help to "brothers". Did he mean by this that you only need to help fellow believers?
2:15-16
James ridicules those who say salvation is by faith alone. He says the devils believe in God. Will their faith
save them? 2:19
"Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It
is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (All we are is dust
in the wind.) 4:14
"For all flesh is as grass."
Life is ephemeral. Enjoy it while you can. 1:24
Avoid evil, malice, hypocrisy, and envy. Don't speak badly about others. 2:1
Be compassionate and courteous. Don't seek revenge when you are harmed by another. Speak kindly of others.
Do good and avoid evil. 3:8-11
Peter says that Christians should be ready to explain why they believe what they do. This is a good verse to
remember when Christians refuse to debate you. 3:15
Be hospitable to one another without grudging. 4:9
Don't murder, steal, do evil things, or interfere needlessly in the lives of others. I wish Christians would follow
Peter's advice here, especially the "busybody" part, and stay out of the beliefs and sex lives of nonchristians.
4:15
Paul's epistles are hard to understand. And that those who try to understand them, as with the
other scriptures, do so "unto their own destruction. 3:16
New Testament: Good Stuff
Get the SAB