It is ironic how many western Christians take no issue with referring to the Old Testament when speaking about not oppressing the orphans, widows and the poor (Exodus 22:22; Proverbs 14:31, 22:16, 22; Jeremiah 7:6; Zechariah 7:10; Micah 2), but take issue with referring to the Old Testament when speaking about usury (Ezekiel 18:13).
Such hypocrisy is really very very clear. They are all too happy with referring to the Old Testament when talking about not oppressing orphans, widows and the poor. They use it extensively to justify their stance. Yet, when it comes to the issue of usury, they snarl up, and attack aggressively, all under a false guise of politeness and gentleness. They seem very deceptively gentle when making their rebuke of those who referring to the Old Testament verses about usury (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Ezekiel 18: 8, 13, 22:12, Psalm 15:5; Jeremiah 15:10; Proverbs 22:7; 28:8). However, their lips and manner of spirit are full of aggression and hostility. Beware of such people, who rebuke people for their sins, not for their good, but their own self-preservation. Such people are a snare to the soul and an encumbrance to running the race (Hebrews 12:1).
Usury is sin as the Bible makes it very clear (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Ezekiel 18: 8, 13, 22:12, Psalm 15:5; Jeremiah 15:10; Proverbs 22:7; 28:8) and is written on the hearts of all people so that they are without excuse (Romans 2:14-15). This includes the true Christian. He has no excuse in avoiding the issue of usury just because he is under grace. As Romans 6:1-2 says:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
You may ask how is Romans 6:1-2 relevant here, and think that you do not believe that a true follower of Christ should be lax about sin when he is saved. However, many of you have precisely the attitude and manner of spirit of one who thinks that a true follower of Christ can be lax about sin when it comes to the issue of usury. You suppress the truth by your unrighteousness and fleshliness that still remains in you that usury is a sin.
Usury is theft. It takes from others what is theirs, in the sense of being under their stewardship. However, not only is usury theft. It is a perversion for it uses the indebtedness of others as an excuse for theft, all falsely justified on the basis that a borrower owes one money. Therefore, to claim that usury is not sin, which many in the modern western Church do, including the conservative, orthodox evangelical Christian, is utter blasphemy. It is abominable, despicable, disgusting, evil, wicked, wrath-deserving blasphemy.
Such hypocrisy is really very very clear. They are all too happy with referring to the Old Testament when talking about not oppressing orphans, widows and the poor. They use it extensively to justify their stance. Yet, when it comes to the issue of usury, they snarl up, and attack aggressively, all under a false guise of politeness and gentleness. They seem very deceptively gentle when making their rebuke of those who referring to the Old Testament verses about usury (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Ezekiel 18: 8, 13, 22:12, Psalm 15:5; Jeremiah 15:10; Proverbs 22:7; 28:8). However, their lips and manner of spirit are full of aggression and hostility. Beware of such people, who rebuke people for their sins, not for their good, but their own self-preservation. Such people are a snare to the soul and an encumbrance to running the race (Hebrews 12:1).
Usury is sin as the Bible makes it very clear (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Ezekiel 18: 8, 13, 22:12, Psalm 15:5; Jeremiah 15:10; Proverbs 22:7; 28:8) and is written on the hearts of all people so that they are without excuse (Romans 2:14-15). This includes the true Christian. He has no excuse in avoiding the issue of usury just because he is under grace. As Romans 6:1-2 says:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
You may ask how is Romans 6:1-2 relevant here, and think that you do not believe that a true follower of Christ should be lax about sin when he is saved. However, many of you have precisely the attitude and manner of spirit of one who thinks that a true follower of Christ can be lax about sin when it comes to the issue of usury. You suppress the truth by your unrighteousness and fleshliness that still remains in you that usury is a sin.
Usury is theft. It takes from others what is theirs, in the sense of being under their stewardship. However, not only is usury theft. It is a perversion for it uses the indebtedness of others as an excuse for theft, all falsely justified on the basis that a borrower owes one money. Therefore, to claim that usury is not sin, which many in the modern western Church do, including the conservative, orthodox evangelical Christian, is utter blasphemy. It is abominable, despicable, disgusting, evil, wicked, wrath-deserving blasphemy.
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