Comment
"..they did understand the literal meaning of what He was saying.." I didn't know Jesus' words had a "literal meaning" behind them.Even more astonishing,I didn't know that the Pharisees understood the "literal meaning" of Jesus' words.
But that type of language and tone was certainly not used on His disciples, as it was done for them to later have understanding of what He was applying it to spiritually.
Comment:
Kat,I didn't say Jesus used "that type of language and tone on His disciples."Why tell me this?Are you somehow suggesting i did?
We are certainly to imitate Christ in righteous living, but judging others is a whole other thing.
Comment:
"Judging others" is not a "whole other thing" from "imitating Christ in righteous living," they are not different,Kat.Imitating Christ involves judging,RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT.I must admit though,i am still in limbo regarding:"Judge not,that you be not judged."
A person could not carry on a conversation without speaking literally, of course Jesus spoke things that were literal... that is why the Pharisees hated Him, they knew He was speaking about them, because He was speaking directly to them when He said things like this.
Luke 11:38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.
v. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.
v. 40 “Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?
Was that literal enough, they certainly understood what He was saying, here is their response.
Luke 11:45 Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”
And after He spoke even more in this matter to them, here is their other response.
Luke 11:53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things,
v. 54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.
He spoke enough to the pharisees in a literal manner for them to hate Him and eventually kill Him. Was all what Him in parable form so that they did not understand? Of course not, but all of His spiritual teachings was in parable form, because the Spirit of what He said was reserved for the elect, that was to come later, after He was crucified and raised back up. So yes the spiritual messages that He spoke in front of the world was always in parables, but He did speak literally too.
You quoted Paul from the book of Corinthians.
Could it be possible that 1 Cor 4:5 should read:
"Therefore,stop judging PREMATURELY..," (ISV)
Maybe we should stop judging PREMATURELY.
John 5:30 ".Just as i hear,I judge,and my judgement is JUST."
The chosen are now to judge themselves, but they are not involved with judging the world now, nor was/is Christ.
1Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
John 12:46 “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
v. 47 “
And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
v. 48 “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him IN THE LAST DAY.
v. 49 “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
v. 50 “And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
mercy, peace and love
Kat