Hi Eisheba,the bible certainly is a mixture of many different views concerning God and his way for us to live. For me the new testament with the teachings of Jesus is what I must try to understand and follow. I don't spend much time with the old testament although there are specific parts that back the way that Jesus taught to live. And then you see Jesus even contradicting the old testament ways to some extent as when he said "you have heard it said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I say to you Love your enemies etc." So I personally concentrate on his instructions which essentially cover, Unconditional Love, Compassion, Equanimity, Forgiveness, Non-violence and Helping those in need. This for me is the way to live our life and it takes all our effort to achieve with the challenges that life gives us. And I believe this is the way to heaven.There may be some translations that seem odd, as some others have explained here but their true meaning that Jesus will always intend will be to lead us to true Love. The only thing Jesus wants us to hate is sin. So I recommend continuing developing this unconditional Love that Jesus has given us the example of. Then over time the other spiritual aspects of your nature will grow and the bible may gradually become a greater source of clear support with guidance from the Holy Spirit or a fellow Christian with deeper understanding. But if we all stay close to the basic way of life that Jesus gave us then any parts of the bible that seem out of step with Jesus' teachings we can put to one side for now. Concentrate on the foundations first then you will be guided by the Holy Spirit I am sure. May the Love of Our Lord be with you always,christopher
here are some other things jesus said
Matthew 5: 29-30
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 5: 11
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Matthew 8:21-22
21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead
Mark 11:12-14, 20-22
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
and here is the whole saying in which you say you follow
Matthew 5: 38-44
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine 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;
following this kind of gives a slave mentality if you ask me and thats being kind