This is a good question:

I don't think Jesus wanted us to be a door mat. That we should love our enemies but also stand up for ourselves. What do you think?

I think Paul answered that in Romans 12:

Romans 12:18-21     (NASB)
18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
20  "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This last Sunday, I had an experience that qualified as standing up for myself in a loving way.

Why did God hate Esau?

This phrase is really taken out of context.  In Malachi, where the phrase originates, the book refers to the Hebrews as "Jacob", and the Edomites as "Esau".  It's a statement of God's view of the Edomites, and the way they have treated the Hebrews.  Not that Esau didn't have problems, too.

Esau, as oldest son, had the responsibility to look after his family when his father grew too old to do so.  That's why the father in ancient societies would single out his most capable son to get most of the inheritance.  Normally, the oldest son got that favour by birthright.  When Esau sold his birthright for soup, he was turning his back on his family obligations.  Even so, this isn't what the verse in Malachi is saying in context.

At the time of Malachi, Jacob's descendants had obviously multiplied immensely to become the Hebrews.  Esau's descendants had multiplied immensely to become the Edomites.  The Edomites rejected their brother's the Hebrews in a number of ways.  They wouldn't let Moses and the hebrews travel through their land (which even distant relatives should have done).  Edom even sent an army to keep Isreal out (Numbers 20).  Edom was involved is selling Hebrews as slaves (Amos).

Another thing to keep in mind is how the word hate is used in Malachi 1:2-3.  The Lord's words there are statement of comparison: I loved Jacob (i.e. Israel), but I hated Esau (i.e. Edom.  That statement was a way of saying the Israel was favored in comparison to Edom.  God loved Esau as well, and made a great nation of him (the Edomites were known as men of learning and wisdom).

Malachi 1:2-3    (Amplified)
2  I have loved you, says the Lord. Yet you say, How and in what way have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? says the Lord; yet I loved Jacob (Israel),
3  But [in comparison with the degree of love I have for Jacob] I have hated Esau [Edom] and have laid waste his mountains, and his heritage I have given to the jackals of the wilderness.(A)

I think we should not be hot-headed as the world seems to be.  But, I also agree with JessIAm, that we are not to be doormats and that we do have to take up for ourselves.  Good blog, Doyle.

I also think we do not have to keep all of the 613 commandments, in Old Testament--but all of them we do "because we want to" is honorable.  I am not trying to be legalistic.  But, since we've mentioned "He came not to destroy the law".

I think that, as much as I trust KJV above all others, those scriptures you have are the very reason why I can't read from the KJV! lol  I consult it for studying purposes.

  We are to be doormats to a degree, and I believe that, but we are not to be silent when injustices are happening to innocents, I think.  There have been vocal Christians who have taken a stand for righteousness' sake, and if we remain timid, nothing may change.

   Solomon was "wise" but his weakness was women; we all have at least one.  Even the apostle Paul...I believe he really had to struggle with pride (who doesn't?).

Oh, and the fulfillment of the law is love...and the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; against such there is no law.

 I am kinda brain dead tonight, so no questions, though I probably have plenty. 

Howdy Ashley,

I love your question.  Here's how it's put in John 3:16 and 17:

John 3:16-17
16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

There's nothing about religion mentioned in these verses at all.  When Jesus was on the cross, there were two other men on crosses - both were thieves.  One of the thieves trusted Jesus.  Jesus told him he would dine with Jesus in Paradise.  That thief didn't have a chance to get baptised, to lead anyone to Christ, to save any whales, or even to vote conservatively!  He just trusted Jesus.

The word for believe in Greek means to believe, trust, and rely on.   That's more than just accepting something as fact, which is what some people mean when we they say "believe."

Believing, trusting and relying are all part of how we view our friends.  Sometimes our friends ask us to not do certain things, or to do other things.  We respect that because they are our friends.  Jesus calls us His friends.

Some people do what Jesus says as though He was just giving us a set of rules to follow.  When I have done this, I did what I understood Jesus told me to do, hoping He would somehow like me more.  If I follow Jesus and do what He says because I respect him as a friend, I believe that Jesus accepts me already, and that He wants me to do something because its good for me or other people.

I'd rather do what He says out of respect for Him, than trying to make Him like me.  I think that's part of what people mean when they say following Jesus is a relationship, rather than a religion.

Jesus is every believer's friend, but He's also God.  For me, that means when Jesus asks something of me I don't agree with, I make a choice to do things the way He wants over the way I want.  As God, He knows more about me than I do.  I trust that He knows what's best for me and other people better that I do.  I think this is part of what it means for Jesus to be my Lord, in addition to Him being my friend.

Can someone who isn't part of a religion still go to heaven?  I don't think religion is what determines if anyone goes to heaven.  I think the Bible says there's only one thing that determines if I go to heaven: do I believe, trust and rely on Jesus?

Howdy again Ashley,

I wanted to ask you a question.  I've heard people mention the Bible contradicts itself a lot.  Do you have an example?

Howdy Loren,

This is another situation explained by their culture.  Young jewish boys went to a school until their coming of age at 11 years old.  When they turned 11, if they performed exceptionally in their  schooling a rabbi would call them to be his disciple.  If no rabbi called them, they would learn their father's trade.

The disciple would live with the rabbi, and learn from him, much as Jesus' disciples did.  There was one difference, though, because the rabbi would teach a curriculum that was set down by previous rabbis.

When Jesus called his first four disciples, they were working in their father's trade.   That meant rabbis hadn't found them to be exceptional enough to call them previously.  In the eyes of the rabbis, these guys didn't have what it took to become rabbis themselves.  Jesus saw what He could make of them, and called them.

This tradition also puts a new spin on what Jesus said in the Upper Room.  When He said "You didn't call me, but I called you", He was saying He saw potential to be his disciples that they didn't recognize.  Since He was just about to die, and soon after that leave them, He needed to encourage them.  To me, what He was saying was "I know you don't believe in yourselves.  I choose you because I know You believe in Me in you." 

Here's my question.  What context does the phrase "when two or more are together in my name I will be there also" apply to?  Does that mean Jesus won't hear my prayer unless I'm praying with another believer?  Does that mean Jesus won't be there unless I'm with another believer?

I have an opinion, but I'd like to hear what other people say first before sharing it. 

Reverand Deborah, I think you gave away your answer! Thanks, cause I was honestly stumped. I had never thought about it before! All I know is there really is power in agreement. 

 Also, I believe that, not only does unforgiveness hinder our prayers, but Jesus said the Father won't forgive our sins if we don't forgive others...so to me that means, if we aren't forgiven, then we ain't making it to heaven.  Woa boy. Hope I don't get attacked for this one. 

Lara, my day always goes better when I invite God into it.  I just pray "Lord, please fill me with Your Spirit." 

Well, since this is a question blog: what does this mean?

when the Spirit is strong within us

For me it's when I decide to let follow the leading of the Spirit, which is the same as deciding not to follow the leading of my sinful nature. 

They may both be correct:  Judas hung himself as described in Matthew, then, after the body decomposed, the body fell on the rocks as described in Acts (or was disposed of by people throwing the body over a cliff).

Acts 1 indicated Jesus was hanging out for 40 days after raising from the dead.  That's mentioned before anything about Judas in Acts.