@blankdeblank @Zealist
> The world uses the bible to tear you down
They do, I've often seen this in the church.

@SapientPearwood
> Those verses do not say repeatedly go back and expose yourself to the same people that have already taken advantage of you/abused you

Honestly, I think that is exactly what He said. The examples He gives involve you NOT seeking justice, and repaying evil with good. You say that they "not say repeatedly" is actually adding to the text.


Overall this topic reminds me of a law that says, do not travel more than 3/5th of a mile from your home on the day of rest. The Israelites found this to be too burdensome, so they changed the interpretation to mean, from your possessions. And, started spreading their possessions out over the whole area they wished to be able to travel freely on the day of rest.

Jesus seemed to encounter lots of people who, by the massaging of interpretations thought they were sinless or perfect. He told one to give everything away, and the man couldn't for he trusted in his money more than God. To others Jesus told them, if you lust in your heart, or hate in your heart, then you are as guilty as the adulterer and murderer already.

Once Jesus told them to forgive their brother 7 times, or God would not forgive them. Another time, He increased it to 7 x 70, and the disciples cried out in shock! You can clearly see they didn't think that was possible.

These things shocked the people who heard them! These people who had rationalized and reworked God commandments into things they could easily keep. The security of their own works were stripped away by Jesus' words.

But now? Now people read these verses, and they go "oh, well I am just supposed to do my best! As long as I do my best that will please God!" Now... the very tool used to shock people out of relying upon their works to please God, has been subverted, made into reassurance even. People read the words of Jesus and think "Oh, well he actually meant this, and this, and you can definitely uphold these teaching if you see them from this direction."

And, really, I would not be here belaboring this point, except that it seemed important to Jesus, to disillusion anyone who thought they were keeping God's commandments in a way pleasing to God. So it must be of some consequence.

For if it were at all possible to please God with our earnest attempts, then Jesus would not have needed to die for us.