This question seems like a no-brainer to me, "of course" I want to say. However, most people like myself for years don't understand the morality of Proverbs well, such as don't be "foolish." Something a bit complex according to Proverbs and often mistaken in this culture for being simple. I can be quick to rush off to biblical foolishness if not careful.
Also, the Sermon on the Mount is honestly very divisive, probably the most divisive thing I know of, if you expect people to live up to it. Something which I do expect for myself. I get that the Sermon on the Mount is practical advise though from Matthew 7:24-27 and Matthew 5:13-20.
I mean what about passion (for sexual immorality) and carousing? Practically death penalty crimes to the New Testament, but they are things quite common in "Christian majority" countries.
I plan with my next thread to go over the other key doctrines of the faith according to the bible. Doctrines that are outside of what we in the West regularly call "morality."
Just remember, ultimately the believer needs to attend to their own self and house before trying to impose right on those who are unGodly.
The voice a believer has is the vote.
The influence believers have is this voice letting elected officials know that if they expect your vote, they need to responsibly respond to your needs
Just want to point out that I think Jesus is not giving commands here, but that He is laying out a vision of a completely different kind of life - a life that obeys the Law naturally - not by the letter, but by the full meaning and intent of the law.
Given my study of the New Testament, that one seems straightforward to me. What does the bible say about the Law in relation to gentiles? This topic being far easier to understand than what Jews are to do after Jesus it seems to me. We get the answer to what gentiles are to do in Acts 16:19-21 as declared by the apostle James himself.
Gentiles are to abstain from:
1. Blood
2. Sexual Immorality
3. Things contaminated by idols
4. Strangled animals
As far as it appears these are the only Old Testament commands still in effect on gentile, New Covenant Believers.
The purpose of abstaining from meat offered to idols and strangled animals was to avoid offending the Jewish people they were trying to reach with the Gospel. It was a matter of testimony, not law keeping.
That would make sense if one of the points conveyed was not fornication. Because of the presence of fornication in the list and because there is no sign of the distinction you speak of in the verses, I do not believe your point is a good biblical interpretation.
As for why gentiles are subjected to these laws it appears to be given in Acts 15:21 because of the use of the word "for." Although, this is still a verse I am trying to make sense of.
There is also the evidence of Acts 15:28-29. If your point were true, then why are these things not told to the gentiles as an evangelistic outreach and instead conveyed as "essentials" as stipulated by the Holy Spirit?
Well my primary concern is that you seem to be adding something to the bible that is not given straightaway. That is unless you are interpreting Acts 15:21 to be that these rules are for evangelistic outreach.
I am not trying to be hard headed or bad with my interpretation. I am only trying to be honest to the text and my conscience. If you can show me bible verses that conflict with my viewpoint, I will likely change it readily, something you should have observed about me.