Don't be like the "publicans"

Matthew 5:43-48 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)


It's a funny thing that now we have RePublicans - doing the same thing - encouraging people to only accept those who are like themselves and to hate people outside of their group. And at the same time insisting that they are more moral - because they do so.

But the real problem with the Publicans was that they were tax collectors and collaborators with the Roman occupiers. They were those seen as sort of all purpose lowlifes.

So Christ was saying that you can't take any extra pride for being nice to people you already know. even people you consider lowlifes do that!

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

"collaborators with the Roman occupiers" as well. At least they are the ones defending/trumpeting the US occupation of the Middle East.