Matthew 5:21 - 22
ESV - 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Question: Wasn't Jesus angry when He used a whip and overturned tables in the Temple at those buying and selling? Or is this considered righteous indignation at a wrong being done. Isn't that still anger, Jesus had to hate what was happening in the Temple to do what he did, right? What makes it different?
Ex: I love my husband and now know he is emotionally sick, but I get angry and frustrated with his abuse when nothing I do or say is ever good enough and I am punished whenever I say, or don't say, what he expects or likes. Nor does he participate in therapy or do as counseled. Is my anger, frustration, and longing to escape from it a sin?
Jesus was just proving we are all sinners. Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. ALL, not some, but all.
Jesus was telling them that we are all sinners, and have need of a savior. He was their savior but they rejected Him and based their salvation on keeping the law.
He made it impossible to be saved by what we do or do not do, because in our sinful state we cannot be made perfect.
We are not saved by keeping the law or doing good works. We are saved because we cannot keep the law and good works never saved anyone.
John 3:16-18. For God so loved the world, (us sinners) that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, should not perish but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. How long does everlasting life last? Forever.
And it is the GIFT of God, not by what we do. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, (we have already learned sin brings forth death) But the GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE.
The GIFT of God is eternal life. Not a reward for good behavior, but a free gift.
A gift is paid in full by the GIVER. Jesus paid the penalty for sin for everyone in the world. First John 2:2.
So anyone who would believe He did it for them would be saved. Christ died for my sins. All of them forever. John 3:18 I can not longer be condemned. Jesus paid it all and I paid 0.
Romans 3:26-28 For He is the just and the justifier of them that BELIEVE in Jesus. Where is boasting then? You cannot boast in a free gift that we did nothing for.
The GIFT of God is eternal life because no one can earn heaven.
Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, and imputed His perfect righteousness to our account.
Romans 4:5-8. And our sin debt is paid in full so we can never be condemned again. John 3:18 Jesus gets all the glory and we get heaven.