| Sunday, May 06, 2007 |
| Fast Food From the God Box: "Pride vs. Peace" |
I don't understand. A 17-year-old girl was murdered about a week ago for disgracing her family.
The stoning, performed by men from her family (and possibly others also) trying to regain their honor, was a brutal slaying. The girl was dragged into the crowd of angry men by her neck and thrown to the ground. The men then began to throw stones - which were more like jagged pieces of broken cement than rocks - and kick her until she finally died. According to a video of the murder that was briefly available on youtube yesterday until it was removed for its graphic content, it took the girl about 30 minutes to die
Growing up nearby many Amish communities it was very interesting to see how they applied "Biblical" doctrine to their culture and colonies. Yes, the Bible does recommend such honor killings - but that is in the Old Testament, or if you rather the "old law of the land."
The New Testament brings to us Jesus and the Christians. Yes, He stopped the stoning of the prostitute by saying, "He who is without sin cast the first stone." He also spoke of the Honoring Sabbath law by asking, "Who here would let his sheep fall into a crevice and not fetch him out on the Sabbath?"
In the Old Testament, people would have to sacrifice animals to atone for their sins. Blood was spilled on the behalf of family pride. Islam being birthed through Abraham are still locked into the "old law of the land."
Jesus came not to abolish the old law but to fulfill it. If blood must be spilled for man/woman to be atoned, and forgiven - He would be the lamb without blemish - perfect, and sinless to be sacrificed and take the hit for us. Why? Because God so loved the world. (John 3:16)
Returning to the Amish, who are very conservative. They have embraced the good news of the New Testament and Jesus. Every man is their brother and every woman their sister. Their children are allowed to make their own spiritual decision and choices at whatever time they are ready. They are allowed to go out into the world to sow their oats and will always be welcomed home as prodigal sons and daughters. This gives their family pride because it gives their Lord pride - no matter what they've done.
Self pride and vanity is mentioned many times in the Bible, in the Old and New Testaments. It's not a good thing. For a Christian to be born again it is the first thing they must dispose of. One must humble themselves and understand that they've made mistakes. To be sincerely sorry for them and understand that harming others is not the way to peace. Nor the way to God.
Who here wasn't touched or moved by the Amish last year after the school slayings. When they mourned and welcomed the family and children of that awful man that did these awful things to them? There was no talk of revenge or anger - great sadness, yes and of course.
But did you witness and sense the humble peace and unconditional love?
 Labels: Fast Food From the God Box |
Stumble It!
.......posted by Margaret @ 1:50 PM   |
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| 6 Comments: |
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Hi Dahling
Quoting:"Jesus came not to abolish the old law but to fulfill it" I think you must be careful here dear. Context is everything my dear. When Jesus was asked if he was the Son of God he kept quiet and he said I came to ADD to the law. He said this while in fear of his life. Never forget the test of a true Christian is whether or not they accept that Jesus was a man. Just like you and me. Its crucial to understand that aspect of our Lord. He calls us brothers and sisters. When you add something to anything my dear you CHANGE it. Our dear Lord therefore CHANGED the law period. And, he told us to have nothing to do with evil! Nothing. Mary Magdelene was not evil. She was committing sin but not an evil murderer. Did Jesus criticise the punishment metered out to the murderer on the cross with him? NO! It was a just punishment one can conclude. At least this murderer repented. How many of these criminals repent? How many people today can judge at all. How many? None at all. Most have sold their Lord down the river for cash. Its what allows these men to behave in a brutish way just like what they did to Jesus. Nailed him to a cross! Have we matured? Have we grown up? Looks like we have not. Bring on the golden calf so that the world can bow down to it - at least that would be honest!
God Bless
Hanlie
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Yes, context is very important. (Matthew 5:17) "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."
He fulfilled, satisfied and completed the requirements of the law by being obedient to it. Through His death and atonement - when He declared "It is finished" upon the cross - a New Testament was born.
I mentioned the Amish due to their unadulterated lifestyle in regards to the New Testament, or if you rather - law. Their religious practices are not my own, for I am admittedly too spoiled with material ways. However, nobody can place blame on the Amish for contributing to Global Warming, World Wars, dependence on oil, money or selling their Lord down the river.
Neither are they "perfect" or without hardship. They do cite, “And be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) as their cultural attitude.
Last September a madman entered their peaceful school house killing and injuring 11 girls. Being true to the New Testament law the Amish responded not with revenge or honor killings - but with forgiveness.
I am touched by this response, because they did indeed prove what is good, acceptable and perfect will of God. God as I know Him Biblically.
I am saddened, to see the response of the Kurdish family who stoned that young girl who was happy in love with another. The news reports of this read of a Horrified modern version of Romeo & Juliet.
To conclude, it gives us all something to think about concerning our ways. All of our ways. Especially if we seek true peace with one another.
Shalom,
Margie
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Margie, good post and interesting comments. The Amish impressed me lasat year as well.
You've been tagged, friend. Check out the rules on my blog.
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Very well said. As Christians we abhor the way certain cultures handle things. What purpose does it serve to kill as in your story. Honor? More like conceit to me. I prefer to think of love each for who they are. None of us is perfect. We have no right to cast stones
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Hi Dears
Been so busy - yes you are all right and allright sisters!
Prayers are all we finally have so lets pray for those ignorant fools. And then lets get dressed up as Stephen King clowns hop onto a plane fly down there and scare the shit out of them :)
Ag shame the Amish are just too much. I really don't think Jesus expects us to be just like him - how can we. We are supposed to resist evil are we not. So I think that their philosophy is a bit tweaked. One has to ask if this sort of thinking is harmless - does God expect us to let ourselves be overrun by evil? I don't think so!
Just my five cents
Love you Margs!
Groetenis
PS my site has some new pics for you to check out (just posted my gallery) so come and enjoy. In case you have forgotten its bokkiebam dot kwazulunatal dot com.
XXX
Hanlie
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Praise the LORD that we are now under grace and that He was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice.
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Hi Dahling
Quoting:"Jesus came not to abolish the old law but to fulfill it" I think you must be careful here dear. Context is everything my dear. When Jesus was asked if he was the Son of God he kept quiet and he said I came to ADD to the law. He said this while in fear of his life. Never forget the test of a true Christian is whether or not they accept that Jesus was a man. Just like you and me. Its crucial to understand that aspect of our Lord. He calls us brothers and sisters. When you add something to anything my dear you CHANGE it. Our dear Lord therefore CHANGED the law period. And, he told us to have nothing to do with evil! Nothing. Mary Magdelene was not evil. She was committing sin but not an evil murderer. Did Jesus criticise the punishment metered out to the murderer on the cross with him? NO! It was a just punishment one can conclude. At least this murderer repented. How many of these criminals repent? How many people today can judge at all. How many? None at all. Most have sold their Lord down the river for cash. Its what allows these men to behave in a brutish way just like what they did to Jesus. Nailed him to a cross! Have we matured? Have we grown up? Looks like we have not. Bring on the golden calf so that the world can bow down to it - at least that would be honest!
God Bless
Hanlie