Reading Through N T, January 8, 2015 Matt. 5-7 In Matt.5:1-48 it appears that Jesus left the multitudes in the valley and went to the mountain where only His disciples came to Him which at this time was substantially more than the twelve. Those who are blessed or fortunate are the opposite of what the world admires. A poor spirit rather than a proud spirit, those who mourn sin and selfishness instead of bragging about it and the meek trained for obedience to God instead of self promotion. Blessed are those who crave God and His righteousness, who show mercy instead of revenge and who have pure hearts and attempt to make peace. Disciples of Christ can expect to be persecuted and lied about because of their association with Christ and their righteous lifestyle nevertheless we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world and are encouraged to let our light shine. Jesus didn’t come to destroy the O T Law but to fulfill it. Nothing shall be deleted from the Law until it is all fulfilled but nobody will enter Heaven by legal righteousness as was practiced by the religious leaders of Israel or for that matter by many religious leaders of today. The righteousness that will get you to Heaven is the righteousness of Christ obtained through faith that His death paid the sentence passed by God on Adam and his descendants so agree with your accuser while you have opportunity and accept the payment that Christ has paid for you. The standard of the Disciples of Christ is higher than that of the letter of the Law because it is prompted by the Holy Spirit and the heart where sin originates. It is foolish to cut off the hand or pluck out the eye that acts only at the prompting of the mind and heart, but it does make sense to remove the temptation or to flee it. Self control and care for others is a mark of the Disciples of Christ. The way to lose your heavenly reward for prayer and ministry given in Matt. 6:1-34 is to give with fanfare so men recognize you as generous, pray openly for the recognition of men. In such cases you have received your reward which is the recognition of men. To receive your heavenly reward you are to give anonymously and pray in the closet by yourself. This does not mean that public prayer is wrong when prayed in the right spirit in the right setting. A prayer outline is given in 6:9-13; it is to the Father in recognition of His holiness with His kingdom in mind and His will here on earth in our lives and in general. Notice the requirement for forgiveness is that we forgive other people. Is what you value the most material things of earth or the promises of God? Is your life focus on God’s Word and things in heaven or are you focused on the things of the darkness of this world? Have you trusted Christ so you have hope beyond this life? You cannot serve God and wealth. Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV In Matt. 7:1-6 Judge not, is not meant as an excuse to sin but rather a reminder that we should be slow to condemn since we all fall short. In 7:7-12 we are reminded that the answer to prayer may require seeking, knocking and asking but God will answer with good gifts. In 7:13-14 we are urged to enter the strait or narrow gate that leads to life. The word translated strait implies that it is narrow because of many obstacles and obstructions around it and the word narrow, 14 implies tribulation on the road that leads to life. In 7:15-23 Jesus pointed out that there many false teachers claiming to be of His flock but will not be allowed in the Kingdom of Heaven and we can know them by their fruits. The wise man will hear and build his house on Jesus the rock but the foolish will fall. Comments by Charles R. Haxton
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 03:50:54 +0000
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