Mike's Question About Commandment "8"

Mike asks;
8. Do not steal. OK, steal what? Items? Time? a kiss? plagiarism? cheating on a test (stealing an answer). Where is the line drawn on this one?

Scripture says;

Exodus 20:15 NKJV  You shall not steal.
Stealing / theft is the unlawful acquiring of another's goods or assets, monetary value is of no consequence unto God.  Theft disturbs the right to ownership of property.  The legal acquisition and protection of personal property is a fundamental  principle for societal stability.  Commandments five to nine all deal with issues of community, respect and personal standing (position).  While God doesn't want us to steal "stuff", the urge and quest to obtain "stuff" is another problem altogether.

As usual, my Brother Mike is more in tune with God's meaning than most.  "Steal what" he says and then lists several things - which God would say to Mike; You are correct!  This commandment forbids us to rob ourselves.  How?  By sinful (over) spending, or of the excessive need of comfort at my neighbors expense.  Not only robbing others by invading our neighbor's rights, taking of their goods, or house, or land, forcibly or clandestinely, but also over - reaching in bargains, not restoring what is borrowed or found, with - holding just debts, rents or wages; and, which is worst of all, to rob the public of taxes.  JUST GREAT ERNIE - I was fine until you mentioned taxes!  You are such a fun-sucker.

God's view of theft is cut and dry.  I am going to add just a few scriptures from the book of 1 Corinthians.  I preface it by saying that he (Paul) is writing to believers!?  (Mike, you might find this refreshing Brother)

1Corinthians 6:5-6 NLT
(5) I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? (he is talking about law suites)
(6) But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!  (ouch, that smarts!)

(8) Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers. (DOUBLE WHAMMY)

(9) Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
(10)  or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Paul just got through verbally spanking these ignorant, worldly, finger-pointing, backstabbing believers!  Uh, wait a minute, I think he was talking about me...

But he is not done;

1Corinthians 6:11 NLT     Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Thank God for His Grace towards me.  Those verses were to bring correction to the believer and HOPE to the unbeliever not condemnation!

Mike, I am truly sorry for those of us (myself included) that have misused the precious Grace God has given us towards people who don't believe - SHAME ON ME!  However, God's Grace still Saves and is great.  I hope you receive it one day Brother.

GRACE is; God's Riches at Christ's Expense!

Only two more.
Blessings
ernie

Mike's Question About Commandment "7"

Mike asks;
7. Do not commit adultery. Fine, but again, this is different for all religions. What about the Mormon man who has 5 wives? What about that tribe in Africa where the more wives you have the more respected you are?

Scripture says;

Exodus 20:14 NKJV  You shall not commit adultery.

You say that this is different for all religions?  As far as Christianity goes, it is rather straight forward as you eluded to "Fine".  As for Mormonism, it is a cult and not Christianity!  Refer to; Mormonism by GotQuestions.org.  Jesus said;

John 14:6-9 NLT
(6) Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.
(7) If you had really known Me, you would know who My Father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him!"
(8) Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
(9) Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father! So why are you asking Me to show Him to you?

Many "religions" use the same lingo (names, words, terms) as Christianity but use a different dictionary?  If they have a false view of Jesus then the have a false father - satan is that impostor and loves false religions!

I came back from South Africa a few weeks ago (small country inside a LARGE Continent) and didn't come in contact with any "African" that had multiple wives.  Who wants multiple mother-in-laws?  Sorry Kathy, I love you very much!!!  (I'm in trouble)

Blessings
ernie

Mike's Question About Commandment "6"

Mike asks;
6. Do not murder. Well, most can say they've never done this. But this is one of the ones I have the biggest problems with. How many stories of war are there in the bible? And is murder only restricted to people? What about animals that are eaten? What about killing the plants that you eat? What about swatting that mosquito that is biting you? Does the bible specify what, if anything, is ok to kill?

Well as usual Brother, you ask some deeeeeep questions and start with some truth that a lot of Christians miss.  Let us see what scripture says first;

Exodus 20:13 KJV   Thou shalt not kill.

The above scripture is the King James Translation (I can hear the other questions already, Brother) and when we use a "concordance" for the word "kill" it tells the word is;

"raw-tsakh'"

A primitive root; properly to dash in pieces, that is, kill (a human being), especially to murder: - put to death, kill, (man-) slay (-er), murder (-er).

Simply, it is murder which is limited to humans only - as is most law around the world.  Not sure for Hindu's which hold animals (cows) sacred?  For all the law we know or have known it has always been limited to people.  God does however address animal abuse though.  I am impressed that you got the most important part right Brother!  Now some are saying is there really a big difference between the two - YES!

Since both Mike and myself are retired Law Enforcement we know there is a difference between murder and justifiable homicide (killing).   Although war crimes do occur which can be charged as murder, as a whole war is killing.

There are several cases of war in the Bible, as a matter of fact the Bible is all about "war" you could say.  The Bible outlines the war for our souls and His plan to Redeem (save) us from it!  We as the "creation" often don't understand the Creator - which, think about it, how could we?

Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
(8) "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
(9) For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Think about it for a minute, this has to be true, if you believe in God of course.  He doesn't just know history, He writes it!  That is His unique only to Him.

Isa 46:9-10 NKJV
(9) Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
(10) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

As far as food goes, prior to the "fall" (Adam sinning), Adam and Eve ate from the garden, but there was no death (animal food) until Adam sinned.  Which brings us to a boat load of cool questions about a pre-flood earth.

Lastly, the Bible does talk a lot about food and by the way, there will be food in Heaven (thank God), not that we will need it though!?  Mosquitos and wasps are dead meat around me - I can't stand either one...

Blessings
ernie