The Scriptures are not a weapon

Luke 6:30-38

30 "Give to everyone who asks you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, don't ask to get it back. 31 Do to others as you want them to do to you.

32 "Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back.

35 "But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. 36 So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy.

37 "If you do not judge others, then you will not be judged. If you do not find others guilty, then you will not be found guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you." (Luke 6:30-38)

I was recently witness to a situation where someone was injured; not physically, but emotionally. The person doing the hurt said that they were showing "tough love". This was done because someone was seen to have broken a rule of the Church. Even though I believe that sometimes tough love is necessary, it did not seem appropriate to me in this case. A single verse was taken from Scriptures and used as justification for the injury.
I don't believe that the Scriptures are to be used to hurt people. When we take a line or passage of the Scriptures out of its context, and use it as a weapon, it is us who have committed a sin against God and also a sin against our brothers and sisters in God.
When Jesus quoted the Old Testament, it was always for a positive purpose. He did not do this to hurt people, but instead to help people, who were themselves being persecuted by the religious leaders.
The message I get from Jesus is that it is never wrong to be merciful to others. It is never right to judge others. Those who tell you otherwise, do not understand the message of Jesus. If you believe that the Scriptures are the word of God, then the message must be positive. If we use Scriptures as examples, we must be careful to avoid beating someone with them. The Scriptures should be used to encourage not to discourage.
The message of Jesus was one of love.

In the words of St. Paul:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails".
(1Cor 13: 3-4)

Use the Scriptures to show love, not as a justification for injuring or judging others.

Peace and Love,

Sue


"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)