6th March 2008

Argh. The more I read into His word, the more I realize how much I am falling way short of His standard. I really need to redouble my efforts, and must surrender to Him my wicked self.

I gotta cool it with my temper, that's a start. As for reconciling with my brother before offering my gift on the altar, I know too well how guilty as charged I am. My intentions alone, not the action itself in many situations are liable for judgment. It is not to be supposed that Christ intended the dismemberment of limbs and gouging of eyes to be taken literally, but abandoning our dearest objects that causes us to sin is so much harder than thought. Self-denial and sacrifice is impossible without divine aid.

Do not take oaths, that sounds easy enough. But letting a yes be yes, a no be no is going to take a very very long time to apply. Aha, so someone who wants to sue me and take my tunic should be offered my cloak. That's easy to say. Going two miles for someone who forces me to go one mile sounds easy; I walk quite a lot to Houggang Mall just for fun. However, I doubt it would be easy to do that for someone without mumbling five words for every step I take.

There are like so many beggars around the world, where can I find all the money to give them all? I think I'm really gonna be in big trouble if some guy wants to borrow the piano in my house for use elsewhere. If it's at my house, I'll gladly oblige, but how am I supposed to dismantle such a big object to fit through my narrow door to be towed away...
But of course, I too doubt that the passage meant this; here is e-sword's explanation.

This is the general rule. It is better to give sometimes to an undeserving person than to turn away one who is really in need. It is good to be in the habit of giving. At the same time, the rule must be interpreted so as to be consistent with our duty to our families and with other objects of justice and charity. It is seldom, perhaps never, good to give to a person who is able to work. To give to such is to encourage laziness, and to support the idle at the expense of the industrious. If such a one is indeed hungry, feed him; if he needs anything further, give him employment. If a widow, an orphan, a man of misfortune, or an infirmed man, lame, or sick, is at your door, never send any of them away empty. So this is true of a poor and needy friend that wishes to borrow. We are not to turn away or deny him. This deserves, however, some limitation. It must be done in consistency with other duties. To lend to every worthless man would be to throw away our property, encourage laziness and crime, and ruin our own families. It should be done consistently with every other obligation, and of this everyone is to be the judge. Perhaps our Saviour meant to teach that where there was a deserving friend or brother in need, we should lend to him without usury, and without standing much about the security.

But, it's still hard to be perfect; the only way is to look for help from someone who is already perfect, our heavenly Father. His blessings are great and the rewards stored in heaven. Of course, I don't wanna give the impression that I'm doing all these for reward points, but my human nature remarks that they might give my efforts a little boos, hahas. :-)

So much to abandon, even more to learn, God Bless!