Erika, I like you. I might as well say that in case my answers don't relflect that.
I'll make an observation about the way you phrase questions. It seems you are always standing on a double-edge- on one side you ask a really deep and meaningful question that needs to be asked, and on the other side is kind of a test. You phrase things like a complete curveball that sometimes sounds like more of a statement than a question - a declaration? Then you rephrase the question and it makes more sense.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for primarily one major reason. They didn't like mercy. "For God so loved...he gave..." His entire reason for coming to earth was to demonstrate God's mercy, and they were oppossed to the very concept, trying to establish righteousness based upon good works.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made it clear that the kingdom of Heaven is about attitudes, values and priorities, many that conflicted with the Pharisee mindset. They could avoid killing, but couldn't stop hating. Since Jesus equated 'hate' with murder, they were angry at him, because he made them feel guilty. All along they justified hating certain segments of society, and now he's saying, "Love your enemies..."
Jesus never negated the Law. He clarified it. He broke it down into two main parts that he called the "Weightier issues" - Mercy and Justice. "You tithe dill and mint, yet neglect the weightier issues...justice and mercy..."
James later clarifies this further, "mercy triumphs over justice..." meaning of the two, mercy was the better. (Something every Christian needs to learn) If we err, it should always be on the side of being too merciful.
The Pharisees kept placing stumbling blocks in front of mercy. So Jesus pressed the point - not by making it easier- but by making it harder for self-justification. "...if any man looks upon a woman to lust after her, he commits adultery in his heart..."
The point here was to show the self-righteous that they were just as much in need of mercy as everyone else.
Who never covets? Yet, we're told coveting is idolatry. Jesus was never justifying lust or hate, or coveting. Rather, Jesus was demonstrating why we needed a savior, and not just the people conventionally thought of as sinners, but religious people too.
The Pharisees were declaring a certain segment of society was "beyond mercy"- and called them "Sinners". Jesus was implying they needed to be saved from sin as much as the people they called sinners, an offensive thought to them.
Since "Mercy" was actually written into the Mosaic Law, Jesus kept baiting them to force them to see they were actually disobeying the Law. You can actually heal on the Sabbath as much as you could pull an animal out of the well on the Sabbath, without breaking the Law.
The issues you are talking about are very complex. And honestly, there is an answer, but far more complex than can be answered in less than a book.
We can't be flippant about our actions, weakness or whatever. For one, the laws of sowing and reaping are as indiscriminate as the laws of gravity. If we think we can get away with murder (going to the extremes with this to make a point) even if one gets to heaven, they reap all kinds of pain in this life- people won't trust them- people will look at them with scorn- they spend time in jail if they get caught and if not they spend life looking over their shoulders. With premarital sex, people get pregnant, people get diseases, people get hurt. Just from a common sense standpoint, wisdom should make us want to shoot far higher than playing spiritual russian rullette.(sp???)
Hebrews tells us to STRIVE to enter into peace. That sounds like a contradiction, but it isn't. There is a "rest" in faith, but it doesn't come automatically.
If you look at the steps of growth outlined by Peter, "therefore...supliment your faith...with brotherly affection...with love..." Being a Christian is a process, not a steady state. We don't always know what is right to do, and then when we do, we go through the sometimes difficult process of "How in the world do I stop cursing...drinking...smoking...fill in the blank..."
...I'll stop here ...hands hurt
Point being, some of us really care and care enough to answer the toughest questions. I'm certain some of the people here will give less attitude in their answers, even if you just come out and bluntly say what's on your heart, no matter how difficult the question is. I think some people, myself included, aren't always sure what you are asking right off the bat. Then when you spell it out, I feel, "Why didn't I see where you were coming from?"
Nate
erika said:
Let me clarify for everyone. Originally, this was a question of book market's but something that Gravity wrote got to me. My issue now is this whole matter of judging faith based on outward action. How can you do that when that is precisely why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees?
Basically, what I'm hearing is that Christians sin, should feel guilt (conviction) for their sin. But wait, joy is also a fruit of the spirit. So I'm supposed to feel bad about being my naturally sinful self and rejoice in that self-loathing. Is that about right?