Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Have you ever noticed that children don't always do as their parents forever them? Obedient children do as they are told, but defiance arises and the willful child goes her own way. Jesus commands His disciples to love their enemies that they may "be children of your Father in heaven." This implies that children do the will their Father. (Note: Nowhere in the Law of Moses does it say to "hate your enemies". The phrase came from either rabbinical teaching or a popular attitude in Jesus' day.)
Another way to read this verse is love your enemies so that you "may become" or you "may show yourselves to be" children of your Father in heaven. The point here is that the act of loving those who do not love us, and are cruel to us, is the kind of love God gives to all, both the right and the wrong. To love like God is to grow in God's love. Practice loving those who hate you and your life will become more like Christ. Love your enemies and you will be known as a child of God, because you will reflect His perfect love.
According to the apostle John, perfect or complete love drives fear out of a disciple's heart. What fears keep me from owning a perfect love? Prejudices are a form of fear based loathing. We tend to dislike that which causes us discomfort. We share this world with so many different races, faiths and languages. Another culture that is different from our own can be hard to understand. It takes effort to connect. Rather than face the difficulties of the effort to communicate and relate, we take the comfortable road and only associate with those who are like us. The truth is many times we don't like sharing because we're afraid there won't be enough for us, or that we are losing something.
The Egyptians loathed the Hebrews, so they enslaved them and treated them harshly. Listen to the fear in their prejudice.
Exodus 1:9-10, 12-13 NIV
“Look,” he (Pharaoh) said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” But the more they (The Hebrews) were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.
Prejudice is a powerful force in our world. Wars are fought over centuries old grudges. The Hatfields feuded with the McCoys for generations. They even forgot the reason why. They were raised in a family that taught to hate and even kill the other. Today racial prejudices and the loathing of the sexually different is pervasive. Such fears drive unkind thoughts, stereotyping, and sometimes violence.
The church is a congregation of forgiven sinners living by the power of transforming grace. The recipients of the Spirit of the Lord have divine power available to them, at only a prayer's utterance. Yet the church struggles to be known as children of God. Instead we are depicted as the opposite because of hostile rhetoric and even violence, like attacks against workers at abortion clinics. This should not be. Jesus commands His disciples to love generously, as our Father in heaven loves.
God gives the rain to those who love and obey Him, as well as to those who despise and rebel against Him. How can we rightfully withhold the amazing, life changing love God has freely given to us? Perhaps it is because we have not allowed the fullness of God's love to take hold of us. We are at some level hiding from God, like naked and ashamed Adam.
Practice loving your enemies. Be kind to those who are cruel and pray for their souls. Do not wait for them to change, but believe in their divine potential and trust God's grace to be at work. Your heart will change. You will possess more and more the fullness of God's love. When you love those who despise you, you will show yourself a child of your Father in heaven.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Matthew 5:38-42
Matthew 5:38-42 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Of all the teachings in the Sermon on The Mount, many find Jesus' teaching here to be unconscionable. Exposed to a steady diet of violence in entertainment, everybody knows that only way to fight violence is with violence. "A strong defence is a stronger offence. Put the hurt on your enemies and they will back down. Stand up to a bully and they will find someone else to pick on." These are the things our culture teaches. American military efforts, while concerned with just treatment of enemies and especially the protection of the civilian population, nonetheless exists to slap the offender in the cheek. Our government has at times turned the other cheek, but depending on who's in office that consideration is not often considered. To not do anything in response to an attack on our sovereignty sends a message of weakness, or so we are led to believe.
Jesus offers a different response. It seems naive and asking for more abuse. Jesus would say that the way of His disciples is the way of the kingdom of heaven. Do you think there will be war and fighting in heaven? If we want an end to war, then our methods to reach such a goal ought to reflect that end. Our means should be consistent with the values of the future we are working toward.
Jesus knows that to turn the other cheek keeps violence from elevating. Except in the case of profound evil, many perpetrators will cool their anger and forcefulness when meet with a compassionate level headed response. There are many stories of the success of nonviolent approaches to injustice. Martin Luther King Jr. and his civil rights methods is America's great history lesson. He took his ideas from Ghandi. Both men gave their lives for the liberation of their people. Both won victory through a dedication to nonviolent response to brutality. Integrity, compassion, courage, righteousness, truth, faith and love are weapons of the kingdom solider.
How do we ween ourselves away from the violence model of the world and live into the compassion model of Jesus? We first must acknowledge that, while violence may bring short term gain, it ends up doing more harm and creates more enemies. If we want a better world, we must sacrifice for it. If you want a better world you must be ready to suffer as you labor to that end.
If someone steals from me, do I pursue them if I can? It is likely that I would, but might I ask what does the offender's life look like? What has driven them to steal or do violence? How might their needs give me an opportunity to minister in the love of God? Am I free enough from my worldly possessions to give them away freely? Do I acknowledge that God's love and His kingdom are all that is worth anything?
Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 12:15, 32-34 NIV
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When I am convinced that the Kingdom of Love is worth anything and everything I am and possess, then I will be free to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me. Then I can freely give to the one who steals from me, begs from me, or does me harm. When the riches promised in heaven outshine the things of this world, then I will be free to give of myself and my possessions with confidence that every good deed is laying up for me heavenly treasures that never rust, fade or wear. Only when I am convinced that the promises of God are true, will I be able to extend the kind of gracious generosity portrayed in Jesus' teaching.
It is when we receive the foretaste of the riches of God's grace through the Spirit, that we understand what real treasures await the faithful. When the blessings of heaven touch our hearts, we are in a better place to open our hearts and our hands toward others. But don't let a spiritual experience keep you waiting to do as Jesus commands. Practice this compassionate response to violence and injustice. You'll find that spiritual treasures are waiting on you to discover them in those you serve.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Of all the teachings in the Sermon on The Mount, many find Jesus' teaching here to be unconscionable. Exposed to a steady diet of violence in entertainment, everybody knows that only way to fight violence is with violence. "A strong defence is a stronger offence. Put the hurt on your enemies and they will back down. Stand up to a bully and they will find someone else to pick on." These are the things our culture teaches. American military efforts, while concerned with just treatment of enemies and especially the protection of the civilian population, nonetheless exists to slap the offender in the cheek. Our government has at times turned the other cheek, but depending on who's in office that consideration is not often considered. To not do anything in response to an attack on our sovereignty sends a message of weakness, or so we are led to believe.
Jesus offers a different response. It seems naive and asking for more abuse. Jesus would say that the way of His disciples is the way of the kingdom of heaven. Do you think there will be war and fighting in heaven? If we want an end to war, then our methods to reach such a goal ought to reflect that end. Our means should be consistent with the values of the future we are working toward.
Jesus knows that to turn the other cheek keeps violence from elevating. Except in the case of profound evil, many perpetrators will cool their anger and forcefulness when meet with a compassionate level headed response. There are many stories of the success of nonviolent approaches to injustice. Martin Luther King Jr. and his civil rights methods is America's great history lesson. He took his ideas from Ghandi. Both men gave their lives for the liberation of their people. Both won victory through a dedication to nonviolent response to brutality. Integrity, compassion, courage, righteousness, truth, faith and love are weapons of the kingdom solider.
How do we ween ourselves away from the violence model of the world and live into the compassion model of Jesus? We first must acknowledge that, while violence may bring short term gain, it ends up doing more harm and creates more enemies. If we want a better world, we must sacrifice for it. If you want a better world you must be ready to suffer as you labor to that end.
If someone steals from me, do I pursue them if I can? It is likely that I would, but might I ask what does the offender's life look like? What has driven them to steal or do violence? How might their needs give me an opportunity to minister in the love of God? Am I free enough from my worldly possessions to give them away freely? Do I acknowledge that God's love and His kingdom are all that is worth anything?
Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 12:15, 32-34 NIV
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When I am convinced that the Kingdom of Love is worth anything and everything I am and possess, then I will be free to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me. Then I can freely give to the one who steals from me, begs from me, or does me harm. When the riches promised in heaven outshine the things of this world, then I will be free to give of myself and my possessions with confidence that every good deed is laying up for me heavenly treasures that never rust, fade or wear. Only when I am convinced that the promises of God are true, will I be able to extend the kind of gracious generosity portrayed in Jesus' teaching.
It is when we receive the foretaste of the riches of God's grace through the Spirit, that we understand what real treasures await the faithful. When the blessings of heaven touch our hearts, we are in a better place to open our hearts and our hands toward others. But don't let a spiritual experience keep you waiting to do as Jesus commands. Practice this compassionate response to violence and injustice. You'll find that spiritual treasures are waiting on you to discover them in those you serve.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Matthew 5:33-37
Matthew 5:33-37 NIV
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
I've often found this teaching to be strange. I wonder why Jesus brought it up. Was there a problem with going overboard with oaths? Today we say things like, "I swear to God", "I swear on my mother's grave", "If I'm lying, I'm dying." According to Jesus' teaching here, all these colloquialisms are from the devil. We are assuming a role of authority that we do not possess.
I suspect Jesus' teaching is to distinguish Christian disciples from the religious and secular people of His day. It is a common notion that the tradition of the Pharisees was hyper-legalistic. They created laws to assure they kept Moses' law in every conceivable situation. Perhaps it became common to overdo swearing by oath as a good intention.
According to Bible.org, "In the Old Testament, oaths were to be sworn in God’s name only; they were to be used for affirming important matters, not trivial matters, and they were to be true.
Oaths were used to resolve disputes, to seal agreements or covenants, or simply to affirm the truthfulness of important declarations.
Hebrews 6:16 speaks of the first purpose of oaths, saying that with men, 'an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.'”
So it's possible Jesus' teaching is meant to keep His followers from taking the Lord's name in vain, to swear in the authority of God on some trivial matter.
I think that this teaching reveals the condition of our hearts, our reverence for the Holy One, or lack thereof. For example, to swear by God's name is to assume you have the authority to include God as insurance that you will keep your oath. We don't have that kind of authority. We can't bind God to a personal promise or contact. It's unlikely we've received clear direction from God when we make a statement like, "I swear to God."
Consider James' teaching.
James 4:13-16 NIV
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
When sworn in as a witness during a court trial, it was the custom for some time to place a hand on the Bible to swear to tell the truth. In this case one is not swearing in God's name, but rather acknowledge oneself as accountable to God should one give false witness.
Jesus' teaching is more about humility before God than anything else. Guard your words and honor God. When you speak the name of God it should be for His glory, not your personal agenda. When someone swears on their mother's grave, the implication is that one has the authority to decide the eternal destination of their mother's soul. None of us have that kind of authority. Only God does.
It dishonors God to assume authority He has not given. It's true that Christ has given authority to His church, but that authority is not given carte blanche. His authority is given to empower the church to continue His redemptive ministry. It is not given for us to use His name for self-serving matters that have little to do with building the kingdom of heaven on earth.
So if you honor God, honor God in all things. Guard you mouth from speaking obscenities, curses and trivial oaths in God's name. Even if you do not say God's name, you belong to His name. As a Christian you carry the name of Jesus wherever you go. You have a duty to honor His name in all you do and say.
Ephesians 4:29; 5:4 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
James 3:10-11 NIV
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
These apostolic teachings show the kind of duty we have as God's children to keep watch over what we say. It all comes down to where our hearts are. If our hearts long to please God, we will not speak falsely and carelessly.
I worked at blending in with my peers. When cursing and obscenities were common, I did it too. Now in my adult life I've found it extremely difficult to keep from uttering obscenities. I grew accustomed to using it around my peers. It saddens me really, that I formed a habit that dishonors Christ, the Name I bear.
What's interesting is that I can seem to control this in public, but not in private at home. I need to remain God conscious and seek not to offend, but honor God with all of my speech. The same effort I made to get comfortable with obscenities, needs to be applied to praising God and honoring Him with all I say and do. The inner life is where this battle is fought. My heart needs healing, cleansing and transformation with divine grace if I am to conquer this foul habit.
For most of my life I've placed this sin low in my priorities. There were bigger things to attend to. But Jesus' words today remind me that it's the little things that add up. If I am obedient in small things perhaps I'll have the grace needed to effectively minister in even bigger issues.
Since I don't have the power to turn my hair black or white, I know I am utterly dependant upon the grace of my Lord. It takes grace to do anything that lasts for God's Kingdom. Therefore I must practice the means of grace like worship, prayer, the Lord's Supper, bible study, fasting, serving and other spiritual disciplines. These keep me connected to Christ, the fountain of grace. By His grace I am being made new, pure, and like Christ.
Lord, May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto Thee. Amen.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
I've often found this teaching to be strange. I wonder why Jesus brought it up. Was there a problem with going overboard with oaths? Today we say things like, "I swear to God", "I swear on my mother's grave", "If I'm lying, I'm dying." According to Jesus' teaching here, all these colloquialisms are from the devil. We are assuming a role of authority that we do not possess.
I suspect Jesus' teaching is to distinguish Christian disciples from the religious and secular people of His day. It is a common notion that the tradition of the Pharisees was hyper-legalistic. They created laws to assure they kept Moses' law in every conceivable situation. Perhaps it became common to overdo swearing by oath as a good intention.
According to Bible.org, "In the Old Testament, oaths were to be sworn in God’s name only; they were to be used for affirming important matters, not trivial matters, and they were to be true.
Oaths were used to resolve disputes, to seal agreements or covenants, or simply to affirm the truthfulness of important declarations.
Hebrews 6:16 speaks of the first purpose of oaths, saying that with men, 'an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.'”
So it's possible Jesus' teaching is meant to keep His followers from taking the Lord's name in vain, to swear in the authority of God on some trivial matter.
I think that this teaching reveals the condition of our hearts, our reverence for the Holy One, or lack thereof. For example, to swear by God's name is to assume you have the authority to include God as insurance that you will keep your oath. We don't have that kind of authority. We can't bind God to a personal promise or contact. It's unlikely we've received clear direction from God when we make a statement like, "I swear to God."
Consider James' teaching.
James 4:13-16 NIV
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
When sworn in as a witness during a court trial, it was the custom for some time to place a hand on the Bible to swear to tell the truth. In this case one is not swearing in God's name, but rather acknowledge oneself as accountable to God should one give false witness.
Jesus' teaching is more about humility before God than anything else. Guard your words and honor God. When you speak the name of God it should be for His glory, not your personal agenda. When someone swears on their mother's grave, the implication is that one has the authority to decide the eternal destination of their mother's soul. None of us have that kind of authority. Only God does.
It dishonors God to assume authority He has not given. It's true that Christ has given authority to His church, but that authority is not given carte blanche. His authority is given to empower the church to continue His redemptive ministry. It is not given for us to use His name for self-serving matters that have little to do with building the kingdom of heaven on earth.
So if you honor God, honor God in all things. Guard you mouth from speaking obscenities, curses and trivial oaths in God's name. Even if you do not say God's name, you belong to His name. As a Christian you carry the name of Jesus wherever you go. You have a duty to honor His name in all you do and say.
Ephesians 4:29; 5:4 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
James 3:10-11 NIV
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
These apostolic teachings show the kind of duty we have as God's children to keep watch over what we say. It all comes down to where our hearts are. If our hearts long to please God, we will not speak falsely and carelessly.
I worked at blending in with my peers. When cursing and obscenities were common, I did it too. Now in my adult life I've found it extremely difficult to keep from uttering obscenities. I grew accustomed to using it around my peers. It saddens me really, that I formed a habit that dishonors Christ, the Name I bear.
What's interesting is that I can seem to control this in public, but not in private at home. I need to remain God conscious and seek not to offend, but honor God with all of my speech. The same effort I made to get comfortable with obscenities, needs to be applied to praising God and honoring Him with all I say and do. The inner life is where this battle is fought. My heart needs healing, cleansing and transformation with divine grace if I am to conquer this foul habit.
For most of my life I've placed this sin low in my priorities. There were bigger things to attend to. But Jesus' words today remind me that it's the little things that add up. If I am obedient in small things perhaps I'll have the grace needed to effectively minister in even bigger issues.
Since I don't have the power to turn my hair black or white, I know I am utterly dependant upon the grace of my Lord. It takes grace to do anything that lasts for God's Kingdom. Therefore I must practice the means of grace like worship, prayer, the Lord's Supper, bible study, fasting, serving and other spiritual disciplines. These keep me connected to Christ, the fountain of grace. By His grace I am being made new, pure, and like Christ.
Lord, May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto Thee. Amen.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Matthew 5:27-32
Matthew 5:27-32 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
When I was a little boy I used to watch an afternoon creature feature after school. The Nashville, Tennessee station played sci-fi films from the 50's and early 60's. There were aliens and monsters and creepy mad scientists.
One movie was called X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes. The brilliant scientist Dr. Xavier performs experiments on his eyes to increase his capacity to see spectrums of light not natural to human abilities. This turns out to be a horrific experience. The scientist is driven mad by visions he can't stop. He sees through His eyelids and can't sleep. He accidentally kills a colleague and is on the run. He drives out into the desert and wanders into a religious tent revival. He tells the evangelist that he is beginning to see things at the edges of the universe, including an "eye that sees us all" in the center of the universe. The pastor replies that what he sees is "sin and the devil" and quotes the Biblical verse, "If thine eye offends thee... pluck it out!" The whole congregation chants, "Pluck them out! Pluck them out!" Xavier chooses to blind himself rather than see anything more. Ghastly stuff for an elementary aged boy.
Jesus says if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. If you have wondering eyes, looking lustfully at another, you are guilty of adultery in your heart, assuming you are married. If you are single and look upon another with lust, you are guilty of fornication in your heart. Pornography is a multibillion dollar industry. There is an immense amount of lust going on. Every married man who consumes porn is guilty of cheating on his wife in His heart.
Since pornography has become commonplace and accessible with the click of a computer mouse, what is a disciple to do? Remove that which has causes you to sin. I'm not suggesting mutilating your body in order to avoid sinful temptation. I do not read Jesus's instructions here literally, but prophetically. There have been those in the church who have read Jesus's teachings here literally. For instance the early church father Origen castrated himself. We can take a less abusive, but no less effective approach. Remove the ability to access porn so easily, by using filters or web browsing services that eliminate such material. Does that make one less lustful? No, but it is a beginning.
Why do we commit adultery? What causes such high divorce rates? Half of every marriage ends in divorce, whether Christian or not. My opinion is that we are looking for fulfillment of spiritual needs from sexual relationships. Such behavior is a form of idolatry. Whether we are aware of it or not, when we seek the pleasure of sexual immorality, we are replacing God with a short-term experience.
The basic definition of idolatry is to exchange the glory of the creator for a created thing. Read the apostle Paul in his opening to the letter to the Romans.
Romans 1:21-25 NIV
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
What is worship? It is to place someone or some thing, even some idea or activity, high is esteem within our hearts and minds. Take a look at your spending habits, you'll get an indication of what you esteem. Take a look at your time budget. Where and how do you spend your time? What are you day dreaming about? Fantasizing about? This points to your heart's desire. We all have this tendency to choose created things that give a short term satisfaction, but avoiding the deeper spiritual need.
The solution is to remove the idol from our sight, and from our clutches. Instead turn your eyes upon Jesus and turn your heart to the One who gives life and gives it abundantly. Train your heart and hands to reach for God.
When you notice that you run too quickly to the short-term thrill or comfort, bypassing prayer and searching the scriptures, that's a good indication that it's time to pluck out and cut off the parts of you (metaphorically speaking) that cause you to avoid God. Search your heart. Use your spiritual eyes to see the truth about what or whom you worship, and if there is need for change, pray for grace and self discipline. Admit to yourself that no person, place, thing or pleasure will fulfill your spiritual needs. You were meant for an intimate relationship with your creator, made possible only through Christ. Pursue Him only and the rest will fall into its proper place. Then you will be free to enjoy the delights of creation in the blessings of the Lord.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
When I was a little boy I used to watch an afternoon creature feature after school. The Nashville, Tennessee station played sci-fi films from the 50's and early 60's. There were aliens and monsters and creepy mad scientists.
One movie was called X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes. The brilliant scientist Dr. Xavier performs experiments on his eyes to increase his capacity to see spectrums of light not natural to human abilities. This turns out to be a horrific experience. The scientist is driven mad by visions he can't stop. He sees through His eyelids and can't sleep. He accidentally kills a colleague and is on the run. He drives out into the desert and wanders into a religious tent revival. He tells the evangelist that he is beginning to see things at the edges of the universe, including an "eye that sees us all" in the center of the universe. The pastor replies that what he sees is "sin and the devil" and quotes the Biblical verse, "If thine eye offends thee... pluck it out!" The whole congregation chants, "Pluck them out! Pluck them out!" Xavier chooses to blind himself rather than see anything more. Ghastly stuff for an elementary aged boy.
Jesus says if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. If you have wondering eyes, looking lustfully at another, you are guilty of adultery in your heart, assuming you are married. If you are single and look upon another with lust, you are guilty of fornication in your heart. Pornography is a multibillion dollar industry. There is an immense amount of lust going on. Every married man who consumes porn is guilty of cheating on his wife in His heart.
Since pornography has become commonplace and accessible with the click of a computer mouse, what is a disciple to do? Remove that which has causes you to sin. I'm not suggesting mutilating your body in order to avoid sinful temptation. I do not read Jesus's instructions here literally, but prophetically. There have been those in the church who have read Jesus's teachings here literally. For instance the early church father Origen castrated himself. We can take a less abusive, but no less effective approach. Remove the ability to access porn so easily, by using filters or web browsing services that eliminate such material. Does that make one less lustful? No, but it is a beginning.
Why do we commit adultery? What causes such high divorce rates? Half of every marriage ends in divorce, whether Christian or not. My opinion is that we are looking for fulfillment of spiritual needs from sexual relationships. Such behavior is a form of idolatry. Whether we are aware of it or not, when we seek the pleasure of sexual immorality, we are replacing God with a short-term experience.
The basic definition of idolatry is to exchange the glory of the creator for a created thing. Read the apostle Paul in his opening to the letter to the Romans.
Romans 1:21-25 NIV
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
What is worship? It is to place someone or some thing, even some idea or activity, high is esteem within our hearts and minds. Take a look at your spending habits, you'll get an indication of what you esteem. Take a look at your time budget. Where and how do you spend your time? What are you day dreaming about? Fantasizing about? This points to your heart's desire. We all have this tendency to choose created things that give a short term satisfaction, but avoiding the deeper spiritual need.
The solution is to remove the idol from our sight, and from our clutches. Instead turn your eyes upon Jesus and turn your heart to the One who gives life and gives it abundantly. Train your heart and hands to reach for God.
When you notice that you run too quickly to the short-term thrill or comfort, bypassing prayer and searching the scriptures, that's a good indication that it's time to pluck out and cut off the parts of you (metaphorically speaking) that cause you to avoid God. Search your heart. Use your spiritual eyes to see the truth about what or whom you worship, and if there is need for change, pray for grace and self discipline. Admit to yourself that no person, place, thing or pleasure will fulfill your spiritual needs. You were meant for an intimate relationship with your creator, made possible only through Christ. Pursue Him only and the rest will fall into its proper place. Then you will be free to enjoy the delights of creation in the blessings of the Lord.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Matthew 5:21-26
Matthew 5:21-26 NIV
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca*,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
I'm a Star Wars fan. The Jedi Master Yoda once said to a very young Anakin Skywalker, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
In Jesus' teaching on anger he connects the feeling to the act of murder. I've often thought of His teaching in this way: "If you are angry with someone, you have committed murder in your heart."
My difficulty with this teaching is that anger is natural feeling given to us for our own good. Anger, in and of itself, is not sinful or evil. Anger has its healthy purpose, but it also has a dark side.
Feelings are like sensor readings on a car dashboard. They tell us what's going on inside the system. If the oil temperature readout on your car dashboard goes into the high zone, you know you've got a problem that needs attention. In the same way feelings are pointing to something you need. Give feelings your attention so that you can satisfy your needs.
When you feel happy, your needs are being met. When sad, you have lost something or someone. You need restoration, either the returning of what was lost or the restoration of yourself through a grieving process. If you are afraid, you think you are threatened somehow. What you need its security, to feel safe again. When angry, you need justice for some wrong committed.
Life is unfair, wouldn't you agree? We're going to feel anger, but what are we going to do with that anger? The bible has some direction on the topic.
Psalm 4:4 HCSB
Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.
Ephesians 4:26-27 HCSB
Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity.
James 1:19-20 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Proverbs 29:22 NIV
An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
As you can see anger comes with warnings in the Bible. It's a hot potatoe kind of feeling that needs to be dropped quickly.
I appreciate that the Bible acknowledges that anger is a part of being human. Jesus Himself felt anger. He would get angry with His disciples at times when they were so slow to learn about mercy.
Mark 10:13-14 NIV
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
And of course we all know Jesus drove the moneychangers from the temple. He overturned their tables! That seems almost violent, but the Bible commends this action as an appropriate zeal for God's house.
There's no question that anger is a part of being human. God made us this way. And it serves a good purpose, the pursuit of justice, to right what is wrong, to make fair again what has become unfair. But how we respond to this feeling is everything. We can feel angry about injustice, but when we personalize the anger toward someone and begin hating them, we are moving down a path toward violence.
Perhaps the better way to talk about this is a grudge, meaning to willfully hold onto anger. Resentment is a bitter poison to your soul. Unchecked anger will lead you to foolish and even harmful behavior. Anger that festers inside can lead to depression and even physical illness. There are studies that reveal a connection to heart and lung disease from chronic anger. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2104758/) So it is best, for your own sake, to follow the sage advice the Bible gives. Love your enemies. (Mat 5:44) Do not hold a grudge, but love your neighbors as yourself. (Lev 19:18)
Jesus says to be quick to reconcile with your adversary. Not only is this good for you, it's what people who love do. They have concern for all, including their adversaries. They want good for them, because they are God's beloved children. Each person has divine potential, for all humans are made in God's image. Honor their sacred worth and love them as you would love yourself. Treat them as you wish to be treated.
If you curse someone under your breath, if you villainize them in your heart, you are in danger of God's righteous judgment. Jesus warns that contempt for another puts you in danger of the fire of Hell, or Gehenna. Gehenna was the trash dump outside the walls of Jerusalem in the Hinnom Valley. There anaerobic bacteria digested the organic decaying matter producing pockets of methane gas. The gas ignited and burned with fire and smoke. Flies lay their eggs and maggots devour the organic matter. This is the picture of hell. It is a place where the fire is not quenched and the worm never dies. It is a place outside of the holy city where God dwells with his people. It is a place of death and devouring.
Festering resentment is a Hell of its own. Free yourself by calling upon the Saviour for grace to forgive, heal, and love. For if you expect God to forgive you, you must forgive others from your heart. (Mat 6:14-15; 18:34-35)
Footnote:
*Strong's Definitions: ῥακά rhaká, rhak-ah'; of Chaldee origin (compare H7386); O empty one, i.e. thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification):—Raca.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Matthew 5:17-20
Matthew 5:17-20 NIV
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
This passage has always perplexed me. Jesus says every bit of the law stands as authoritative for the church until all is accomplished. The early church struggled with the liberty the apostle Paul declared was ours in the new covenant in Christ. One issue was that of circumcision. Paul felt that circumcision was no longer necessary. (Gal 5:6) Yet the Law says that circumcision is an everlasting covenant. (Gn 18:13-14) In fact many of the restrictions and observances of the law were cast aside for gentiles. Gentiles eat pork, shrimp and other dietary foods restricted under Moses.
I live in a time when Christians basically pick and choose what parts of the bible will have authority over their lives. Most churches look the other way on many behaviors the bible labels as sin, for instance divorce and remarriage. Some churches ordain women, which I wholeheartedly support, but traditionally was restricted by the church, citing biblical teachings from Paul. (1Ti 2:12) So if every bit of the law of Moses is authoritative for the church, according to Jesus in Matthew, then why did Paul say that Christ put an end to the law?
For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4)
The Greek word translated as "end" means finalized, to reach conclusion, to fulfill purpose, or accomplish goal. So what's really being said in Romans 10:4 is that the law has become inconsequential in comparison to the righteousness obtained through faith in Christ. Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses and its purpose of holiness. He was fully the righteousness envisioned in the law. Not once did He sin. He kept the law perfectly.
When Jesus says he did not come to "abolish" to law, that could be read as destroy, end or, bring to nothing and render the law as vain or inconsequential. Jesus makes it clear He will not destroy the law, but fulfill its purpose. The notion of fulfilling the law means to fill to the brim, to perfect the law, to accomplish the law through complete obedience to God's will.
The teachings that follow this passage in the Sermon on the Mount give several examples of Jesus' ideas on how the church's righteousness will exceed the righteousness of Pharisees, who teach the law and stringently live it out. Righteousness is an inward disposition not gained simply by outward behavior. One can abstain from murder, but still have violent and hateful inclinations in their hearts. One can keep from cheating on their spouse, but that doesn't mean they haven't thought about it. The righteousness that comes from faith in Christ means a transformed heart, one in which Christ has taken residence. Therefore, through faith in Jesus, the believer's heart is empowered by Jesus' heart. When we are led by the Spirit of Christ, we love like Jesus and live like Christ from His own pure and holy motives.
I'm not sure my exegesis to this point has satisfied my questions over this passage in Matthew. I have shown the difference between keeping the law outwardly and living by a righteousness gained through faith. Still, Jesus said not one bit of the law will disappear, meaning lose its authority, until all is accomplished. What does He mean? He says until this current created order is ended, the law will still have authority, every bit of it. I thought perhaps when Jesus says upon the cross that "it is finished", that might be the same word used here in Matthew for "accomplished". They are not the same word, plus Matthew doesn't tell us that Jesus said anything like that in his version of the crucifixion. John's gospel is much later and very different from Matthew's gospel, so I can't draw any conclusions from comparing these sayings from Jesus. What then is accomplished that will bring the law of Moses to its fulfillment and conclusion? What will surpass the law rendering it vain?
I've already pointed to the answer. It is the righteousness that comes by faith through the new covenant in Jesus Christ. Only after the death and resurrection of Jesus did the church begin to see and understand what had occurred and is still happening. A new creation was born in Christ. A new humanity was formed in Christ. A new era in history had arrived. The resurrection changed everything.
In a mystical sense the heaven and earth, of the order established in Genesis 1, has given way to a new creation. In a mystical sense heaven and earth have passed away with the coming of the new creation. In a physical sense nothing has changed. The earth goes on as it always has. The seasons come and go. The stars still shine on. The moon waxes and wanes as it always has. But there has been a fundamental shift in human history after the resurrection of Jesus. Governments changed within a few centuries. Historians point to how Christianity changed the world. The worth of human life rose in esteem. Everywhere the light of the gospel has illuminated hearts and minds to a new way, indeed a new world.
The resurrection of Jesus changed the world, and the new community formed by faith in Him is a sign to all that the new creation has arrived. Therefore the law of Moses, having fulfilled its purpose in the appearance of Christ through Israel, no longer has the authority it once held. Christ is the authority. Christ and Christ alone. I'm not talking about reading the red letters in certain publications of the New Testament. I'm talking about the transformation of the heart which occurs through faith. Christ dwells in the heart of believers giving us power to live in God's righteousness.
Romans 8:3-4 NIV
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Matthew's church was made up of Jewish Christians. They maintained their Jewish identity by adhering the law of Moses as they had since childhood. But they now had a new understanding of righteousness, a righteousness that comes through a transformed heart. Now they could live out the law and the peculiarities of Jewish distinction with the sin conquering power of Christ. Today there are messianic communities that are similar to Matthew's church. They both embrace Jesus as Messiah and they observe the law of Moses. Paul, however, thought it unnecessary to burden those who had not been raised under Moses to charge them with keeping the law. Instead he taught them to live by the Spirit of Jesus, which is love. And love fulfills the law. Christlike love will exceed the righteousness of those who keep the law without a transformed heart.
May your heart be ever renewed in the image of the Son of God, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
This passage has always perplexed me. Jesus says every bit of the law stands as authoritative for the church until all is accomplished. The early church struggled with the liberty the apostle Paul declared was ours in the new covenant in Christ. One issue was that of circumcision. Paul felt that circumcision was no longer necessary. (Gal 5:6) Yet the Law says that circumcision is an everlasting covenant. (Gn 18:13-14) In fact many of the restrictions and observances of the law were cast aside for gentiles. Gentiles eat pork, shrimp and other dietary foods restricted under Moses.
I live in a time when Christians basically pick and choose what parts of the bible will have authority over their lives. Most churches look the other way on many behaviors the bible labels as sin, for instance divorce and remarriage. Some churches ordain women, which I wholeheartedly support, but traditionally was restricted by the church, citing biblical teachings from Paul. (1Ti 2:12) So if every bit of the law of Moses is authoritative for the church, according to Jesus in Matthew, then why did Paul say that Christ put an end to the law?
For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4)
The Greek word translated as "end" means finalized, to reach conclusion, to fulfill purpose, or accomplish goal. So what's really being said in Romans 10:4 is that the law has become inconsequential in comparison to the righteousness obtained through faith in Christ. Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses and its purpose of holiness. He was fully the righteousness envisioned in the law. Not once did He sin. He kept the law perfectly.
When Jesus says he did not come to "abolish" to law, that could be read as destroy, end or, bring to nothing and render the law as vain or inconsequential. Jesus makes it clear He will not destroy the law, but fulfill its purpose. The notion of fulfilling the law means to fill to the brim, to perfect the law, to accomplish the law through complete obedience to God's will.
The teachings that follow this passage in the Sermon on the Mount give several examples of Jesus' ideas on how the church's righteousness will exceed the righteousness of Pharisees, who teach the law and stringently live it out. Righteousness is an inward disposition not gained simply by outward behavior. One can abstain from murder, but still have violent and hateful inclinations in their hearts. One can keep from cheating on their spouse, but that doesn't mean they haven't thought about it. The righteousness that comes from faith in Christ means a transformed heart, one in which Christ has taken residence. Therefore, through faith in Jesus, the believer's heart is empowered by Jesus' heart. When we are led by the Spirit of Christ, we love like Jesus and live like Christ from His own pure and holy motives.
I'm not sure my exegesis to this point has satisfied my questions over this passage in Matthew. I have shown the difference between keeping the law outwardly and living by a righteousness gained through faith. Still, Jesus said not one bit of the law will disappear, meaning lose its authority, until all is accomplished. What does He mean? He says until this current created order is ended, the law will still have authority, every bit of it. I thought perhaps when Jesus says upon the cross that "it is finished", that might be the same word used here in Matthew for "accomplished". They are not the same word, plus Matthew doesn't tell us that Jesus said anything like that in his version of the crucifixion. John's gospel is much later and very different from Matthew's gospel, so I can't draw any conclusions from comparing these sayings from Jesus. What then is accomplished that will bring the law of Moses to its fulfillment and conclusion? What will surpass the law rendering it vain?
I've already pointed to the answer. It is the righteousness that comes by faith through the new covenant in Jesus Christ. Only after the death and resurrection of Jesus did the church begin to see and understand what had occurred and is still happening. A new creation was born in Christ. A new humanity was formed in Christ. A new era in history had arrived. The resurrection changed everything.
In a mystical sense the heaven and earth, of the order established in Genesis 1, has given way to a new creation. In a mystical sense heaven and earth have passed away with the coming of the new creation. In a physical sense nothing has changed. The earth goes on as it always has. The seasons come and go. The stars still shine on. The moon waxes and wanes as it always has. But there has been a fundamental shift in human history after the resurrection of Jesus. Governments changed within a few centuries. Historians point to how Christianity changed the world. The worth of human life rose in esteem. Everywhere the light of the gospel has illuminated hearts and minds to a new way, indeed a new world.
The resurrection of Jesus changed the world, and the new community formed by faith in Him is a sign to all that the new creation has arrived. Therefore the law of Moses, having fulfilled its purpose in the appearance of Christ through Israel, no longer has the authority it once held. Christ is the authority. Christ and Christ alone. I'm not talking about reading the red letters in certain publications of the New Testament. I'm talking about the transformation of the heart which occurs through faith. Christ dwells in the heart of believers giving us power to live in God's righteousness.
Romans 8:3-4 NIV
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Matthew's church was made up of Jewish Christians. They maintained their Jewish identity by adhering the law of Moses as they had since childhood. But they now had a new understanding of righteousness, a righteousness that comes through a transformed heart. Now they could live out the law and the peculiarities of Jewish distinction with the sin conquering power of Christ. Today there are messianic communities that are similar to Matthew's church. They both embrace Jesus as Messiah and they observe the law of Moses. Paul, however, thought it unnecessary to burden those who had not been raised under Moses to charge them with keeping the law. Instead he taught them to live by the Spirit of Jesus, which is love. And love fulfills the law. Christlike love will exceed the righteousness of those who keep the law without a transformed heart.
May your heart be ever renewed in the image of the Son of God, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:13-16 NIV
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
David Lee Roth of Van Halen tells his audience to "Stay frosty!" This is just another way to say "Be cool". But has anyone ever said to you, "Stay salty"? Jesus follows the opening beattiudes of the Sermon on the Mount with a teaching about good works. His church is salt, providing flavor and preservation.
We use salt to preserve foods like ham or beef jerky. We use salt to bring the flavor out of cooked foods. We add a pinch of salt even to sweets to bring out flavors. Salt is used to melt ice and snow. Salt softens our hard water. Salt is very valuable. In the ancient world Roman soldiers were paid in salt. It's where we get the phrase, "worth his salt".
As a follower of Jesus, are you worth your salt? Jesus paid for you with his own life. He ransomed you from the clutches of sin and death. Now you are His.
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 NIV
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The price paid for us is unparalleled. The Son of God suffered and died so that we could live free of sin, which separates us from God and leads to death. He rose from the grave having conquered sin in His body, now even victorious over death. He promises those who are faithful to Him to share in His resurrection.
So are you faithful to Him? Are you worth the price paid for your freedom? What are you doing with the freedom the Lord gave you? How are you worth your salt? How does your life shine a light that reveals the love of God?
Today, as we worship the Lord in our various congregations, remember that you are part the body of Christ throughout the earth. You belong to Christ as His bondservant. You are connected to the many members of the body through the Spirit of Christ. Our life together is meant to be a beacon to the hopeless and the hurting, the lost and the soul hungry. The church of Jesus should bring delightful flavor to life, not leave a foul taste. We are to preserve life, keeping it from decay through obedience to Christ. Love fulfills the law of God. Love completes God's mission. God is building a kingdom of Love ruled by Christ over His devoted subjects. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let others see. Love them. Serve them. Let them see your good works, so that they praise God.
Stay salty.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
David Lee Roth of Van Halen tells his audience to "Stay frosty!" This is just another way to say "Be cool". But has anyone ever said to you, "Stay salty"? Jesus follows the opening beattiudes of the Sermon on the Mount with a teaching about good works. His church is salt, providing flavor and preservation.
We use salt to preserve foods like ham or beef jerky. We use salt to bring the flavor out of cooked foods. We add a pinch of salt even to sweets to bring out flavors. Salt is used to melt ice and snow. Salt softens our hard water. Salt is very valuable. In the ancient world Roman soldiers were paid in salt. It's where we get the phrase, "worth his salt".
As a follower of Jesus, are you worth your salt? Jesus paid for you with his own life. He ransomed you from the clutches of sin and death. Now you are His.
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 NIV
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The price paid for us is unparalleled. The Son of God suffered and died so that we could live free of sin, which separates us from God and leads to death. He rose from the grave having conquered sin in His body, now even victorious over death. He promises those who are faithful to Him to share in His resurrection.
So are you faithful to Him? Are you worth the price paid for your freedom? What are you doing with the freedom the Lord gave you? How are you worth your salt? How does your life shine a light that reveals the love of God?
Today, as we worship the Lord in our various congregations, remember that you are part the body of Christ throughout the earth. You belong to Christ as His bondservant. You are connected to the many members of the body through the Spirit of Christ. Our life together is meant to be a beacon to the hopeless and the hurting, the lost and the soul hungry. The church of Jesus should bring delightful flavor to life, not leave a foul taste. We are to preserve life, keeping it from decay through obedience to Christ. Love fulfills the law of God. Love completes God's mission. God is building a kingdom of Love ruled by Christ over His devoted subjects. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let others see. Love them. Serve them. Let them see your good works, so that they praise God.
Stay salty.
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