Watch the video below by Steve Mcvey, it’s a bout Christian Religion Lie #87 “We Should Do Everything Jesus Said“ and my comments follow…
There’s a new movement called “red letter Christians” who follow everything that Jesus said. You know the Bibles that have Jesus’ words in red letters? They claim to follow His words exactly…
So should you follow all of Jesus’ words — to the T?
Nope!
What does the Bible say?
The Bible says we should “correctly handle the word of truth” in 2 Timothy 2:15. What does this mean?
This means knowing:
- Who the author of Bible passages was…
- Who they were speaking to…
- What they were speaking about…
- The culture and times of the period, so you have context…
- And other contextual things to get the full MEANING of the passage…
Most Christians don’t realize that Jesus wasn’t speaking directly to YOU but was speaking to specific people at a very specific time in a very specific place…
Also, more important to born again Christians is that Christ was talking to people who were still under the Old Covenant. Because Christ hadn’t died and been resurrected yet (establishing the New Covenant), the people in that time were still under a different covenant and therefore had a different relationship to God than Christians today.
Christ told a lot of whoppers!
I don’t mean Jesus told lies, but the custom of the day was to use the most outrageous examples and most colorful language to make a point. And He had certain points He was trying to make… he made a lot of exaggerations to prove a lot of points…
For instance, Christ said if your eye causes you to sin you should pluck it out (Matthew 18:9)…
He said if your hands or feet cause you to sin you should cut them off (Matthew 18:8)…
Do you really think He was serious? No. He was making a point. Just like you and I aren’t serious when we say “it’s flooding out there!” when it’s just a really hard rain. We (and Jesus) use figurative/exagerrative language to make a point.
To be extremely literal, Jesus even told his disciples to wash each other’s feet like He did (John 13)
When was the last time you washed someone’s feet?
This is another example of things Jesus said being meant for a particular group of people, at a particular point in time, in a particular situation. Not for you and I.
What’s wrong with believing this lie?
1. You’re not supposed to do everything Jesus said. Many things He said don’t apply to you now that Christ has established the New Covenant.
And 2. You can’t do it all those things anyways. And what happens when you fail? You feel bad, self-condemnation sets in, you re-dedicate you life and start all over again.
What’s more, this is another lie that keeps you focused on yourself… on what you are doing… instead of focusing on Christ, instead of focusing on God.
This is bad, this is not what authentic, true Christianity is about. Christianity is about your relationship with God, your relationship with Christ — and enjoying and growing in that relationship every single day.
So don’t believe this lie anymore that you should do “everything Jesus said”. It’s not possible, it’s not your duty and it’s not a good way to live anyways.
With Love 
Caleb
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Jessica 09.19.08 at 6:42 pm
So how can someone pick out what they should believe and what they shouldnt? Since some of the things we are meant to follow and some not.
Mom 09.25.08 at 8:26 am
That is a big question! Having been a Christian for over 40 years, I have wondered what to believe at times also. One thing that has always answered that question if the Bible. I do believe the Bible is the Word of God and is for us today. (2Timothy 3:16).
Beleiving that Jesus was crucified, buried, risen from the dead, and coming again is the most crucial belief. This is the basis of the Christian faith as you know.
Church and Sunday School are another great way to understand the Bible. You can learn about the history and customs of the Old and New Testaments and see how society has changed in our times, as Caleb said above.
Example: We know in the Old Testament that men had many wives. This is illegal today, so we don’t do it! I agree with what Caleb said about cutting off our hand or plucking out our eyes. That is extreme but it does drive home the point Christ was making about sin.
Reading the Scripture and asking God to show us what He would have us know is another biggie. I have asked the Lord to show me His truth before starting to read the Scripture and when He does it is totally awesome.
In my life I have learned to listen to my conscience, which is really the God guiding me. When I don’t listen and do what He says, things usually don’t turn out so well
If there is any doubt about what you believe or should believe, it is a great thing to talk to your Pastor, Sunday School teacher, or another Christian. I have found these to be helpful through the years if I am confused or doubtful about things.
I hope this helps.
God Bless
Janice
Becca 03.12.11 at 10:13 pm
Word. Frickin word.