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Did Jesus Get Confused?

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
KJV

Jesus commands us to love one another in Matthew 22:39. Yet, notice what He said in Luke 14:26. Cross reference this with Romans 9:10-13. Did Jesus command us to do something and then change His mind? Did God literally hate someone Himself? Was Christ confused? Research and discuss at length your conclusions.


What are the good works? Is it not, in the first instance, that of being holy and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others (Rom 1:16-17)? Did not God desire that all of us would participate in this good work? The only good work possible is accomplished in the righteousness bestowed by God upon acceptance of His Son as Lord and Savior. The only method of obtaining this righteousness is by justification by faith (Rom 3:21-32). Jacob ultimately believes in God (Gen 32:30) and accomplished good works. There is no record of Esau coming to such a believing faith.

In the context of the Old Testament, God has chosen the nation of Israel for His special people. This means, by necessity, He chose Jacob over Esau. However, this choice is clearly not a choice unto salvation for each individual (Rom 9). A distinction exists between physical Israel (Jacob’s descendants) and spiritual Israel (Jacob’s descendants who believe in God). As a result, these verses cannot be about salvation, in and of themselves. They are about the special blessings God provided to Israel as a nation as a part of salvation history.

Israel represents a people called out by God as a group, a corporate, national election. Paul does not discuss the principle behind this calling. Again, the passage is not about eternal salvation but about the privilege of the election.

The discussion is about the promise versus natural choice. Notice Rebecca receives the Word of prophecy from God, not Isaac. In the context of the entire story, this might seem strange considering Rebecca’s later deceit designed to obtain blessings for Jacob. The point is to demonstrate God is in control, not mankind. Our salvation comes "according to election," that is, not because of faith but through faith. Whether the passage speaks to individual salvation or national election, God remains in control.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Jesus was not confused. God is not confused. God loves all men and calls for all of His children to love all men. There must be a degree of understanding in the application of this love, for the manner of pouring love on people will vary from circumstance to circumstance. Some will need salvation love, while others will need the love of comfort. This is the pattern of God’s outpouring of His love throughout the Scriptures and is the pattern the believer is to follow.

 

Likewise, the believer must become a disciple of "meat" and not of "milk." Many Bible passages require more than a passing nod of understanding. They require the meat of spiritual growth and maturity to allow a clear understanding of their teachings. This is the case of the three verses presented in this question. On the surface, the verses may appear to be contradictory or to suggest a great deal of confusion in the mind of God. However, full consideration of the passages demonstrates the proof of 1 Corinthians 14:33. God is never confused. God is never contradictory. If our understanding is confused or contradictory, we must study the more to arrive at a higher level of spiritual understanding.

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