Why is it that most Christians don't follow the teachings of the sermon on the mount?

Question

Was Jesus of Nazareth only just kidding that day when he said what he did?

Kiki, I am not an atheist.
And, I know very much what I am talking about. :)

*Sigh* Why don't you just answer my question instead of trying to find fault with the it?
Believe me when I say, I do what I am talking about.
I am not the type of person to spout off things I know nothing about..
But I guess some of you would rather reply with a smart-alecky reply and gain a mere ttwo points then to try and help someone who is searching and looking to genuinely learn...

***know***

Answer 1

Unfortunately it seems the latest political ideology regarding the Christian faith has baited you--- no!!

"Some" Christians do not abide by the sermon on the mount because they mistakenly believe that faith is supposed to be guided by politics, or that politics are supposed to guide faith. Politics needs to stay out of religion, and also the other way around.

I sometimes ask myself this as well: Why is it that so many Christians have trouble being charitable, being open-minded, compassionate (goodness knows Jesus was), self-sacrificial, and live out what they say by actions? Not because the sermon was a "joke" but because those PEOPLE are jokes.

I hardly doubt Jesus would want any of us sitting around arguing about stupid political debates or telling one another that they aren't "Christian" enough. He said for us to love our enemies and neighbors as we love ourselves-- even to THIS day, doing such a thing is a hard thing, and even a scandal at times. To put it simply, there are people out there who would rather be Christians in name only than to live out their faith. It's much easier to go around telling everyone you are a Christian rather than putting it into practice and taking the time to show compassion towards those who are your enemies.

Answer 2

It's another part of Christian teaching which can be interpreted according to what kind of lifestyle you wish to follow. If you follow it to the word, you will probably be miserable, but that is a small price to pay for salvation. Then there is the 'pick 'n mix' version which is used by most of the Christian population today. I have yet to find a Christian who can justify interpreting certain parts of the Bible and taking other parts literally. Jesus did actually walk on water, but he didn't mean everything he said in the Sermon on the Mount. The mind boggles.

Answer 3

A lot of them think that they're "saved" and go to heaven whether they follow it (the Sermon on the Mount) or not. I guess they think Jesus liked to hear himself talk, so he gave the Sermon on the Mount.

I'm on the opposite end, I try to follow Jesus' morals, but I don't believe he was some kind of messiah.

I've noticed several Christians where I live who openly display their piety, exactly as Jesus told them not to do; I've seen several Christians on this site who openly judge others, which Jesus condemned; and I've seen very few who would actually help out the less fortunate, as Jesus commanded (all of these things, I might mention, are in the Sermon on the Mount).

I hear many Christians talk about following the Sermon on the Mount, I've met very few who actually do. It kind of reminds me of what Gandhi said: "I'll become a Christian when I meet one." Gandhi visited Europe and other places; he still died a Hindu.

Answer 4

We are people and as such sinful and forgetful. We forget in our day to day life what is really important and get lost in the business of our lives. Those who belong to Wesleyan denominations you will find to be more focused on these. There is an interesting book called practicing the presence of God by brother Lawrence. It is several hundred years old. The basic concept is that in everything he did he kept in mind Jesus was right beside himas he did it. Maybe if we practiced that more we would be closer to acting out the sermon on the mount. I notice that your comment about sarcasm came at about the same time as I left my message. I am sorry if any of it came out sarcastic I meant to be sincere. My apologies.

Answer 5

Because the christian faith is not only faith and relationship with god but its a process of spiritual and mental change. change takes time. people expect a christian to immediately be doing everything in the bible, but everyone is at a different stage in their faith. we are all born flawed and with negative traits and every single christian is still working on things, some trying harder than others. It can be very difficult to change things about ourselves and some of the changes i've made to the christian life have taken many years but I'm working on them.

Answer 6

No, he wasn't kidding.

The problem is, that "doing" Christianity properly is quite difficult. Many Christians try and sometimes fail, and some others just pay lip service to Christianity but never really try. It takes all sorts.

Answer 7

More to the point, what of the last two commandments Jesus urged all believers to obey, essentially to love God with your whole heart and your neighbour as your self?

Answer 8

Christians have to answer the question? My question has to do with the teachings of Jesus, how he said to help the poor, feed the hungry heal the sick, give clothes and shelter. He also talks about the rich & their need to share their wealth. He also talks about welcoming the stranger to their land/home. Well, in the USA, the poor have been demeaned and blamed for the problems in our country by the Right Wing politicos/pundits/preachers and elite fundamentalists follow. God told people in Revelations that he would destroy those who destroyed the earth. Look at whom the elite fundamentalists follow. Right Wing politicians who support the corporations who destroy the earth, the water and the air. Look at what has happened in the last ten years! I would bet it isn't easy to follow the teachings of your Christ, but unfortunately too many are disregarding him/God and following their political choices instead. I am not joking, just observing. .

Answer 9

You seem to know a lot about Christians. What do you mean by most? Or have you conducted a survey down at the church of Sermon on the Mount's not 4 us inc?

Answer 10

No, He was not kidding.

We do the best that we can. No one is perfect. No one can follow this to the letter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon_on_the_Mount

It is hard not to reply when you all make fun of us, call us stupid, criticize everything we say and do, admonish us to sell all that we have and go live in the desert, tell us we are idiots, hypocrites, and ask endless questions attacking our beliefs.

It's very hard indeed, especially when you ask us to respect and accept your beliefs while at the same time disrespecting ours.