I know quite a few born again Christians who have divorced and remarried many times and yet judge other people who are not born again.  Do the 10 commandments no longer apply?  Or do they only apply to the non born agains?
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What Jesus said about "divorce and remarry" would apply to everyone.  But the Ministers just look the other way, why?  Because if they enforced what Jesus said, they would have very few at their meetings, & there would be no money coming in.\n\nDIVORCE AND SEPARATION\n\nGod, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate—and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry.\n\nIn addition, the Bible’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?\n\nOne is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life “has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.\n\nAnother is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) “Anyone loving violence [God’s] soul certainly hates.”—Psalm 11:5.\n\nAnother ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer’s spirituality—one’s relationship with God. When a mate’s opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer’s spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate.—Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.\n\nHowever, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or “fornication.”—Matthew 5:32.\n\nThe Bible allows only one reason for getting a divorce that frees a person to remarry, and that is fornication (Greek, porneia, gross sexual immorality). If fornication is committed, then the innocent mate may decide whether to get a divorce or not.—Matthew 5:32.\n\nAfter telling the Pharisees that the Mosaic concession of divorcing their wives was not the arrangement that had prevailed “from the beginning,” Jesus said: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Mt 19:8, 9)
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This may also apply to people born before the birth of Christ, who didn't really have the opportunity to be Christian.  The answer, accoring to some pastors, is that ultimately God sorts it out in the end, makes a list and checks it twice, finds out whos' naughty or nice, etc.
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there is a difference between Christians and born again Christians, maybe it has something to do with being born again. LOL
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I agree with you, I'm a born again Christian too.  However, Muslims rewrote the Bible to accomodate their beliefs.  I once read that the Koran is a collection of passages "lifted and twisted" from the Bible ... no offense to any Muslims out there, but I guess the truth hurts.
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Divorce - leviticus 21 discusses not marrying a divorced woman, deuteronomy discusses not divorcing one's spouse as well as what grounds there are for divorce.....\n\nPiercing/Tattoos - leviticus also addresses tattoos, and I don't recall any scriptural reference to piercing exactly although leviticus does address "cutting" yourself.  However this was in reference to those who were marking their bodies for other god's.  So personally I don't think this means that current day "trendy" tattooing or piercing is against God.  (Unless your tattoo or piercing is done in worship of another god).\n\nJealousy - numbers discusses making offerings for jealousy, so it would be assumed by these verses that it is displeasing to God.  However the bible does give plenty of indication that God is a jealous God when his creation is bowing in worship to other false Gods.  Specifically there is a verse in Psalm 78 & 79 about it.\n\nRemarriage - see divorce response as this was addressed in leviticus and dueteronomy.\n\nSuicide - there is no direct mention of suicide in the bible, however some denominations consider suicide a form of self murder and therefore it is a sin b/c murder is a sin.  This is debatable and frankly open to interpretation.  Personally I don't believe in the whole "go to hell if you commit suicide" camp.  There is nothing scripturally to back that up, therefore I don't buy it.\n\nFalse Teachings - we are told to beware of false prophets and false teachings in several books of the bible including:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Micah.\n\nWitchcraft - is mentioned throughout the OT as being against God, specifically found in the books Dueteronomy, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicals, Micah, Nahum and Galations.\n\nSpiritual Gifts are addressed in many forms, sometimes specifically (1 Corinthians) and other times in the mentioning of "talents" given by the Lord to accomplish specific tasks. Such as those who were responsible for building the tabernacle (Exodus)\n\nUnconditional Love -   will have to think on this more.\n\nHomosexuality - God clearly states that he abhors it.  this can be seen in the story of Soddom and Gahmorrah and in a few other places where it addresses men laying with men, women laying with their kind, etc.  HOWEVER, this does not give room for us to hate gays.  We should still love them, because we are commanded above all things to love.  Love the sinner, hate the sin.\n\nThe Trinity - We can see the first address of the pluralism of God in genesis when God says "let US create man in OUR image".  This definitely indicates more than one.  Then through out the bible we see references to God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus says that he was with the father in the beginning, he uses the name I AM which is also the name God used in the OT, etc.  \n\nDrinking Alcohol - Jesus made water into wine... and frankly it was a common drink of the time ... water was generally dirty and not good for consumption.  So wine would have have been used and even drunk by children.  Not uncommon.  However, the bible does address drunkeness and moderation. Genesis addressed Noah being drunk, Lots daughters get their dad drunk, etc.  In these instances being drunk leads to not so great things and is obviously displeasing to the Lord.\n\nPre-marital sex... Exodus discusses the pentaly to for sleeping with a virgin, this is a prime example of it not being favored by God otherwise there would not be a penalty for it.  Levitcus 21:13 clearly states the woman he marries must be a virgin.  Dueteronomy also addresses the importance of virginity.\n\nOther religions - or false Gods (taking interpretation of your question here) is addressed in Psalms, Jeremiah, Romans, 1 Corithinians, 1 Timothy, and more.  God clearly doesn't like us turning to false Gods, bowing to idols, etc.  In fact the first commandment we have is that there shall be no o
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It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.\n(Matthew 5:3,32)\n   \n\nAnd the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.\n--Mark 10:2-12 \n And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart,, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, 0 wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, 0 man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.\n--I Corinthians 7:1-17 \n\n\nNow, for those who are married I have a command, not just a suggestion. And it is not a command from me, for this is what the Lord Himself has said: A wife must not leave her husband. But if she is separated from him, let her remain single or else go back to him. And the husband must not divorce his wife." I Corinthians 7:10-11, TLB\n\n\n"Why has God abandoned us?" you cry. I'll tell you why; it is because the Lord has seen your treachery in divorcing your wives who have been faithful to you through the years, the companions you promised to care for and keep. You were united to your wife by the Lord. In God's wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in His sight. And what does He want? Godly children from your union. Therefore guard your passions! Keep faith with the wife of your youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says He hates divorce and cruel men. Therefore control your passions—let there be no divorcing of your wives." Malachi 2:14-16, TLB\n\nDo not lose heart, for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  II Corinthians 4:17\n\n\nIf Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.            I Corinthians 15:17-22
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Divorce- \n" 'It has been said, "Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce."[ref. Deut. 24:1] But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.' "  \n - Matt. 5:31-32 \n\nHomosexuality - \n\n"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.\n\nTherefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.\n\nBecause of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."\n\n- Rom. 1:21-27\n\n\nDouble-standard? I don't think so. Are there certain actions that are not condoned? Certainly. But in a true Christian setting all people will be welcomed. They are in my church & my circle of friends. How can we expect Christ to forgive us for our shortcomings when we won't forgive others? The problem is some judge instaeda of giving & find fault instead of accepting.\n\n\nUpdate - \nMy opinion on why? Because the church has adopted the world's ways rather than relying on the Bible and made excuses for itself. We sin - we make mistakes. But 50% is not mistake - that's the culture.
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I am reminded of the old Nazareth song.\n\nLove Hurts....\n\nTo answer your questons, yes our society has changed the laws to "fit" their emotions.  \n\nHere's a way to look at it from a church point of view.\nDivorce is sin in God's eyes, when you sin can God forgive you?  Saul of Tarsus wrote most of the New Testament.  The Blood line of Jesus consists of\n\n1. Murderer (David)\n2  Harlot  (Rahab)\n3. Exibitionist (Bathsheba)\n\nYou see where this goes?  God takes the bad and makes it good.  And I'm not even a super religious person!\n\nYes love can conquer all, if you and your partner will allow it to.
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Fantastic question!  Take the Christian belief that each of the 10 commandments are all equally as bad as the other and that all you have to do to get to heaven is repent for all of these sins.  That would mean that if people like Charles Manson on their death bed simply prayed for forgiveness and truly felt that what they did was wrong, then he would go to heaven.  Yet if a person disliked their parents who beat them and called the police, got them thrown in jail and never had contact with them again, even if the parents tried to apologize, and the person never felt bad about it, they would be denied entry into heaven because they weren't sorry or repentant for breaking the commandment of "Honor thy Father and thy Mother..."  This, by the way, is the same god that a good chunk of Christians believe will not allow a child into heaven if the parents did not have him/her baptized.  I think at some point we have to ask ourselves if there is a God, is he simply ticked off that somewhere, someone made up rules and stories of things they claim he said to do and that to this day millions of people hold those beliefs and spread them, that perhaps he's allowing the world to suffer a bit to get them to stop being sheep, following blindly, spreading hate and intolerance for others (I'm talking here about those like the "Christians" who protest at private funerals for our millitary personnel killed in Iraq by saying that God is punishing us for allowing homosexuality).  \n\nThink about this:  The 21st ecumenical council was announced by Pope John XXIII on January 25, 1959.  This council said that \nit was acceptable for woman to pursue pastorate positions because there was a shortage of priests at the time. Many parishes then allowed female pastorates and they rapidly gained popularity. However in 1994, the Pope John Paul II wrote a letter of decree banning further talk of ordaining women as priests.   Many women took demotions to comply with the writings of one man, who with one letter simply changed what had been acceptable for nearly 40 years.  \n\nHistory is full of "rules" that have changed in the Roman Catholic church, simply on the whim of the Pope and changing societal beliefs.  Who knows, next thing, maybe there will be degrees of heaven and hell and we'll all have to pay money to improve our lot in life.  In that case, the consequences for lying might be 3 hours a day in hell, the rest in heaven....\n\nSo, I'm thinking if there is a God, he's just ticked off that everyone is missing the basic message of be good to each other and do your best to be a good person.  And until people stop interpreting supposed facts and happenings in ways that suit them at the time, we're all in big trouble.
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Foresaking does not mean totally leaving and forgetting them...it just means that you have a responsibility of your own now, and that is your wife/husband and kids, and that you have to rank them as your priority...but it never said anything about totally dropping off your extended family and friends either.\nOne of the 10 commandments is to honor the father and mother. So it has to be understood in context.
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BRAVO! BRAVO!!\nYou got it that right, for sure!  I have spent the last 15 years of my life in Bible study and enjoying that relationship with God, \nand studying prophecy, etc - even the Biblical languages --BUT:\nI do not attend any church. Why?  Because the churches are so steeped in the traditions of man, and church systems that they are biblically illiterate.  If they knew what the Word really says, and lived by it, they would not be judging anybody to hell.  They  make a divorced person sit in the back pew and treat them as a second-class christian, for example, when the Bible does not declare divorce a sin - adultery is the sin, not divorce.  And,\nupon repentance it is wiped away-gone- God doesn't even want it brought up again in prayer.  And, a person is free then to re-marry.  Salvation isn't free, it was bought with an awesome price,\nso that with repentance we could be free in Christ.  Sometimes I wonder where they do get some of their nonsense from - I can tell you - it certainly isn't from God.  Mans traditions make void the Word of God.  God states that a Christian who acts "holier than thou" is like a smoke in his nose - do you know what you do when smoke gets in your nose? You get rid of it.
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Paul writes to Timothy about overseers and deacons that, among other things, they should be the husbands of one wife. (I Timothy 3:2, 12) These are people who are supposed to be an example to the flock, so it is especially important that they really do things by the Book.\n\nFor that matter, while back in Old Testament times the patriarchs did often have more than one wife, God instructed the kings of Israel (whether they obeyed Him is another matter, but still...) that they were not to have multiple wives. This is so their hearts would not be led astray. (Deuteronomy 17:17)\n\nBut as far as we 'ordinary people' are concerned, in Matthew 19:3-6, Jesus takes a very strict view of Genesis 2:24, basically indicating that we should live strictly by the following: leave father and mother, cleave to wife, become one flesh. In this instance, He interprets that to mean no divorce (because that is the matter under discussion). Using the same kind of thinking, it would also mean having only one spouse of the opposite sex.
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He never approved of many wives.\n\nThe Bible says that God’s original intention was for one man to be married to only one woman, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Mankind quickly perverted the concept of marriage to allow for multiple wives (Genesis 4:19). The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of polygamy until the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:2), but that does not mean God approved of polygamy before.\n\n \n\nWe see in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, that the kings were not supposed to have multiple wives. Ultimately the case can be made from Genesis 2:23-24, 1 Timothy 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6 that nobody should have multiple wives. Although the New Testament passages relate to elders and deacons we can apply it to all Christians men because these are worthy standards for all men and we should all seek to be Holy as God is Holy (1 Peter 1:16), and if these standards are holy for elders and deacons then they are holy for all.\n\n \n\nUltimately, everyone who had more than one wife was in sin and against God's will. However, God does not constantly admonish us for all sins in the same way. Everyone sins every day and sometimes we do not see the immediate response in relation to that sin. I can speed and not have a direct chastising from God, although I would certainly have conviction. In the same manner I can commit other sins and not feel the response of God, however I should always know that God hates sin and that as a Christian I know that Jesus bore my sins on the cross and I do not want to multiply those sins. I can also sin and see that God is responding immediately to cause me to stop my rebellion, repent and return to Him. It is God's decision how and when He admonishes His children and those who are unsaved.
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No.\n\nFor Christians, Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses.\n\nChristians are not held to the ceremonial parts of the Mosaic Law concerning of dietary purity and temple worship.\n\nChristians are held to the moral law of God, some of which is expressed in the Ten Commandments.\n\nHowever Jesus took the Ten Commandments to the next step summarizing them into the two Great Commandments:\n+ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.\n+ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.\n\nAnd teaching things like\n+ Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.\n+ Everyone is our neighbor including our enemies.\n\nTherefore we have to go much farther than the original recipients of the Ten Commandments ever dreamed.\n\nWith love in Christ.
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SINCE %57 OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES END IN DIVORCE. I WOULD SAY THAT MOST  DON'T CARE BECAUSE THEN THEY TURN AROUND AND REMARRY. Mark 10:11,12\n11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. \n12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
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Praise God that He took you out of that dead end life.  Praise God, praise God.\n\nThere wasn't one "moment" when I would say I was born again.  It took time...I was in a bible study and over the years, I came to know Him and understand that the bible is God's word.  It's been ten years of bible study, and I am a new person because of the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
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Becoming "born again" is necessary for one to be resurrected to heavenly life. Only 144,000 humans have the heavenly hope, so the vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are not "born again", although some are.\n\nNote that Jesus described this heavenly group as a "little flock" compared with the much larger group of "other sheep" with the hope to live forever on a restored paradise earth.\n\n(Luke 12:32) “Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom\n\n(John 10:16) “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.