What do the Scriptures of Matthew 5:17-20 actually mean in relation to the New Testament?

First, there is a warning at the end of this book about "private interpretation" that curses anyone that tries to interpret this book with their own opinion. The curse is so vile that everyone that is related to you, including yourself, will be eliminated from existence. So trying to interpret the bible is some dangerous ground--but if one wishes to risk the venture--what the heck--too many people on the planet anyway, right?

Secondly, if one reads the narrative of the gospel story we discover that the sacrifice of the messianic Jesus was the "fulfillment" of the law--"it is finished"--and a new command "I give to you, that you love one another. "Personally, I tried from a very young age to live very literally from the words of the book and quite frankly it isn't a very easy ride. Religion isn't the key to world peace, the bible is likely not what it proclaims itself to be other than good literature, but more of a compilation of fascinating writing by multiple authors.Is it the word of a god?

Not likely--but the misinterpretation of the text have at least kept mankind busy killing, fighting, hating and envying one another in the name of god or allah for a very long time.

To me this means that we are predetermined to have freewill; which means everything is predestined but you have freewill to accept or deny it. Everything is as it is for reasons beyond our comprehension. As for the curse answer: good and evil are temporal-centric so the nature of the meaning of "curse" would negate itself, meaning curses don't exist.

I'm sorry I don't have a lot of time right now to write a long explanation but I wanted to touch base on your question. SheliaKay you are partially right in your interpretation of what this scriptural selection is speaking to. I say partial because; yes, the law is still in effect for the world, but no, because anyone who has accepted in their heart the atoning work of Christ on the cross is freed from the law.(Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.) Everyone is guilty of sin because all fall short of the glory of God but the blood of Christ washes us in And to randslam; I would just like to ask what you are talking about when it comes to interpretation?

Of course people are to interpret what the bible says. Otherwise no one would ever know what it says. Also I believe, that is if I'm correct, that your referencing Rev 22:18-19?

If so, it says nothing to do with interpretations, but rather it speaks to "adding" or "removing" from the text specifically. Let me know if I misunderstood the text which you were speaking of. And BTW the Bible is true and accurate, but that's for another day and time...Blessings,Kevin.

Thank you randslam and the goodnewzz for your response. Believe me I am no bible scholar and do consider myself an agnostic. I have been researching the difference between Christianity, and Judaism.

According to Jewish belief, the "Torah" ( first 5 books of the old testament) also known as "Gods law" should not be changed. As stated in Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus did not come to destroy the law, or the prophets but to fulfill it, and he states he who breaks one of the commandants will not go to heaven. This is where my confusion comes in.

Didn't Jesus break the laws himself by healing the sick on the Sabbath, and was the old laws discounted or changed by the teachings of Jesus when it is written "verily I say unto you till all be fulfilled Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law". It is just so hard for me to believe in something that makes no since at all.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.