"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Jesus (Matthew 6: 19-24)
Where your treasure is... there your heart will be also. Truth! What do you find valuable? How do I spend my time, talent and treasure? Jesus makes it plan (as always), the things you hold as valuable are the things that will take hold of your heart. He is asking me and you to consider where we invest. Take a moment or two and think that through. Where do you spend your days, your evenings, your efforts and your money? The truth behind it all is that if we are honest in our answer, we know what or who owns our hearts.
He gives insight into what most of the world pursues... relentlessly... the things of this world. Wealth, possessions, homes, cars, stuff... that is what the vast majority of people in this nation are focused on. Their hearts are owned by things. I have heard I said that most people love things and use people. God's people love people and use things. He says, "why do you labor for stuff that will either be destroyed or stolen?" He tells us that we can store up treasure that is imperishable, that never fades away. When we consider the options before us, doesn't eternal outweigh the temporary? But none the less, here we go... got to get the new Iphone, must have that new fashion, the latest model car.
Interestingly, Jesus inserts a lesson about the eye in the middle of this discussion. Why would He do that? Why is the eye connected to the treasures we seek? He says, good eye, we are full of light... bad eye, full of darkness. What we see impacts our desires. If we constantly feed our eyes the things of this world, chances are we will want those things. If we are focused on the things in heaven, then we will seek those things. What are you spending your time seeing? What am I feasting my eyes on? He calls us to look to the eternal things, the things that illuminate our lives. (Hebrews 12:1-3; Phil 4: 8-9)
Then He closes out with a truth that should shake us 'til it wakes us. It's either one or the other. It is not both! Sometimes we try very hard to have one foot planted in heaven and one on this earth, but Jesus tells us that only one thing can have our hearts. Both are masters and we get to choose which one is master of our lives. It is a choice that God allows us to make. What we choose will determine what our lives look like, where we will invest ourselves.
I am reminded of a beautiful song by Casting Crowns that deals with the pull of this world... rarely will we make one choice that leads us to choose this world over the next... it's a slow fade... be careful little eyes what you see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Fasting and Jesus' Disciples
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
- Jesus (Matthew 6: 16-18)
I haven't fasted in a while, so I begin this blog with personal repentance. I know I should fast, but I don't very often. What makes it even worse... eating a biscuit from Hardees while I am trying to write this blog :-P. Anyway, I will hope to learn something as I study and write... and eat my biscuit.
Jesus begins this section with "And when you fast". Not "if you fast"... "when you fast". So, clearly His expectation is that His followers, His disciples will fast. This isn't a television fast or a cell phone fast, this is about food. Specifically, this is setting aside a period of time to focus on something spiritual and demonstrating your seriousness by doing without food. There is something different about doing without food, some mental/ physical change that occurs. Back to fasting in minute...
In my favorite movie, Driving Miss Daisy, Hoke is hired by Boolie (Miss Daisy's son) to drive Miss Daisy. She is not happy and lets Hoke know it. At one point she asks how much her son is paying him. His reply is the same throughout the movie, "that's between him and me". It was a private matter and Hoke kept it that way. What does that have to do with fasting... read on.
Jesus is calling on His followers to be different than the religious leaders of His day. Evidently, when they fasted, they demonstrated outwardly what they were doing. He says they "disfigured their faces". I can imagine the grimaces and frowns that they used to show others how much pain they were in while not eating. The point of it all was to be seen by others as "holy" people. They were interested in what others thought and not focusing on the purpose of the fast. Jesus says they get their reward here and now... attention/ recognition by people.
He calls on His disciples to fast secretly. It is between them and Him. They were to wash their faces, fix their hair and act normally. No one else was to know, only their Father who is in secret. Fasting is meant to be done privately. It is not a Christian discipline that anyone else should ever see us do. Can a group join together and all do it "privately"? Sure, but make certain that the group understands the basic principle that it is between them and their Father. As with the other truths that He is teaching in the Sermon, Jesus is telling us that this is a heart issue. It is not about outward obedience, it is about a changed heart.
He promises a reward for those that conduct themselves this way. I don't know what that is and neither do you. He doesn't say, but if it is a reward from God... I want it. If it is from the Giver of every good gift, bring it on!
There are many examples of fasting in the New Testament. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights (Matt 4: 1-9). The Antioch church fasted before they sent out missionaries. (Acts 13: 1-3) The Galatian church fasted before they selected elders. (Acts 14: 21-23) Fasting was a mark of Paul's ministry. (2 Cor 6: 4-10) And Paul taught that fasting was to be a part of our lives. (1 Cor 7: 5) In Luke 2, we meet Anna who was blessed through her fasting and in Acts 10 we learn that Cornelius was fasting when he was told to send for Peter. Fasting is found throughout the scriptures.
It was a part of the lives of the God's people in the Old and New Testament and it is to be part of the lives of His disciples now. Jesus calls on us to deprive ourselves of our desires to demonstrate our seriousness to the Father. There is something special that happens when we fast and pray. Something "supernatural"! We are more in touch with our spiritual side when we set aside the physical. Do you feel that your prayers lack passion and depth, try adding a time of fasting and see if God responds. Want to see a change in your own life, fast and pray. Want to see things change in other's lives, fast and pray. But, wash your face, fix your hair and put a smile on your face. ;-)
Fasting... that's between Him and me!
- Jesus (Matthew 6: 16-18)
I haven't fasted in a while, so I begin this blog with personal repentance. I know I should fast, but I don't very often. What makes it even worse... eating a biscuit from Hardees while I am trying to write this blog :-P. Anyway, I will hope to learn something as I study and write... and eat my biscuit.
Jesus begins this section with "And when you fast". Not "if you fast"... "when you fast". So, clearly His expectation is that His followers, His disciples will fast. This isn't a television fast or a cell phone fast, this is about food. Specifically, this is setting aside a period of time to focus on something spiritual and demonstrating your seriousness by doing without food. There is something different about doing without food, some mental/ physical change that occurs. Back to fasting in minute...
In my favorite movie, Driving Miss Daisy, Hoke is hired by Boolie (Miss Daisy's son) to drive Miss Daisy. She is not happy and lets Hoke know it. At one point she asks how much her son is paying him. His reply is the same throughout the movie, "that's between him and me". It was a private matter and Hoke kept it that way. What does that have to do with fasting... read on.
Jesus is calling on His followers to be different than the religious leaders of His day. Evidently, when they fasted, they demonstrated outwardly what they were doing. He says they "disfigured their faces". I can imagine the grimaces and frowns that they used to show others how much pain they were in while not eating. The point of it all was to be seen by others as "holy" people. They were interested in what others thought and not focusing on the purpose of the fast. Jesus says they get their reward here and now... attention/ recognition by people.
He calls on His disciples to fast secretly. It is between them and Him. They were to wash their faces, fix their hair and act normally. No one else was to know, only their Father who is in secret. Fasting is meant to be done privately. It is not a Christian discipline that anyone else should ever see us do. Can a group join together and all do it "privately"? Sure, but make certain that the group understands the basic principle that it is between them and their Father. As with the other truths that He is teaching in the Sermon, Jesus is telling us that this is a heart issue. It is not about outward obedience, it is about a changed heart.
He promises a reward for those that conduct themselves this way. I don't know what that is and neither do you. He doesn't say, but if it is a reward from God... I want it. If it is from the Giver of every good gift, bring it on!
There are many examples of fasting in the New Testament. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights (Matt 4: 1-9). The Antioch church fasted before they sent out missionaries. (Acts 13: 1-3) The Galatian church fasted before they selected elders. (Acts 14: 21-23) Fasting was a mark of Paul's ministry. (2 Cor 6: 4-10) And Paul taught that fasting was to be a part of our lives. (1 Cor 7: 5) In Luke 2, we meet Anna who was blessed through her fasting and in Acts 10 we learn that Cornelius was fasting when he was told to send for Peter. Fasting is found throughout the scriptures.
It was a part of the lives of the God's people in the Old and New Testament and it is to be part of the lives of His disciples now. Jesus calls on us to deprive ourselves of our desires to demonstrate our seriousness to the Father. There is something special that happens when we fast and pray. Something "supernatural"! We are more in touch with our spiritual side when we set aside the physical. Do you feel that your prayers lack passion and depth, try adding a time of fasting and see if God responds. Want to see a change in your own life, fast and pray. Want to see things change in other's lives, fast and pray. But, wash your face, fix your hair and put a smile on your face. ;-)
Fasting... that's between Him and me!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Prayer
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
- Jesus (Matthew 6:5-8)
God wants us to pray! That is an important thing to understand before we proceed. He wants you to talk to Him! To Him! Jesus said, "And when you pray"; not "if you pray". He has the full expectation that His disciples will pray. That being said (that His people will be a praying people), He gives very specific direction about our prayer lives; direction that we must understand and practice if we are to be pleasing to Him.
Jesus uses a term here that He will repeat over and over throughout the remainder of the Sermon. Hypocrite. The word translated hypocrite is "hupokrites". This was a theatrical term that meant a play actor. Someone who pretended to be someone else on stage. Jesus uses this term to describe those that were doing the right things for all the wrong reasons or someone that says do as I say, not as I do. (check out Matthew 23:2,3) So, that is His direction, pray, but not like the hypocrites.
He gives us a clear picture of what He means... "they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others." Their prayers were all about themselves. Their posture, their words, their location was all about being seen by others. They wanted the attention and the praise as being holy people. Jesus tells us not to be like them. I am sure that caused a ruckus as He is specifically dealing with the Jewish leaders of His day. Their regularly scheduled prayers had become a time for them to demonstrate their religiousness. They would stand with their hands raised (1 Kings 8:22; Psalm 28:2; Luke 18:11-13) and lift their voices loudly to be heard by others. (I am not saying it is wrong to lift your hands when you pray, that seems to be a practice of God's people, both Old and New Testament, 1 Timothy 2:8)
Jesus is telling us that the problem comes when it is all a show. The way we stand, the way we speak, the words we say... if it is our intention to bring honor to ourselves, we are hypocrites. Pure and simple. He calls on His people to pray with the pure purpose of talking to their Father in Heaven. Our hearts are to be oriented towards Him. Our words are directed to Him. Our focus is on Him. He is not dealing with public prayer in our assemblies here, not specifically, but we can learn about that also. When we lead a public prayer, it should not be with different words than we use in our daily speech. There is no "holy language"; all of our speech is to "seasoned with salt" (Col 4:6). We are not to use repetition of words... "guide, guard and direct us". We are to speak from our hearts! God already knows what we need and what we are thinking, so just say it.
Jesus is calling on us to engage our hearts when we talk to God. Genuine words always mean more to the hearer and that is also true of our Father. Just say what you mean. Give Him honor and glory in your prayers. He tells us that there is a reward for that kind of prayer. I don't know what that reward is, but I know that if it comes from Him... I want it! Take a moment and pray... right now. Talk to your Father like a father wants to be talked to by His children. That will honor Him and He will honor you.
Wise or foolish?
- Jesus (Matthew 6:5-8)
God wants us to pray! That is an important thing to understand before we proceed. He wants you to talk to Him! To Him! Jesus said, "And when you pray"; not "if you pray". He has the full expectation that His disciples will pray. That being said (that His people will be a praying people), He gives very specific direction about our prayer lives; direction that we must understand and practice if we are to be pleasing to Him.
Jesus uses a term here that He will repeat over and over throughout the remainder of the Sermon. Hypocrite. The word translated hypocrite is "hupokrites". This was a theatrical term that meant a play actor. Someone who pretended to be someone else on stage. Jesus uses this term to describe those that were doing the right things for all the wrong reasons or someone that says do as I say, not as I do. (check out Matthew 23:2,3) So, that is His direction, pray, but not like the hypocrites.
He gives us a clear picture of what He means... "they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others." Their prayers were all about themselves. Their posture, their words, their location was all about being seen by others. They wanted the attention and the praise as being holy people. Jesus tells us not to be like them. I am sure that caused a ruckus as He is specifically dealing with the Jewish leaders of His day. Their regularly scheduled prayers had become a time for them to demonstrate their religiousness. They would stand with their hands raised (1 Kings 8:22; Psalm 28:2; Luke 18:11-13) and lift their voices loudly to be heard by others. (I am not saying it is wrong to lift your hands when you pray, that seems to be a practice of God's people, both Old and New Testament, 1 Timothy 2:8)
Jesus is telling us that the problem comes when it is all a show. The way we stand, the way we speak, the words we say... if it is our intention to bring honor to ourselves, we are hypocrites. Pure and simple. He calls on His people to pray with the pure purpose of talking to their Father in Heaven. Our hearts are to be oriented towards Him. Our words are directed to Him. Our focus is on Him. He is not dealing with public prayer in our assemblies here, not specifically, but we can learn about that also. When we lead a public prayer, it should not be with different words than we use in our daily speech. There is no "holy language"; all of our speech is to "seasoned with salt" (Col 4:6). We are not to use repetition of words... "guide, guard and direct us". We are to speak from our hearts! God already knows what we need and what we are thinking, so just say it.
Jesus is calling on us to engage our hearts when we talk to God. Genuine words always mean more to the hearer and that is also true of our Father. Just say what you mean. Give Him honor and glory in your prayers. He tells us that there is a reward for that kind of prayer. I don't know what that reward is, but I know that if it comes from Him... I want it! Take a moment and pray... right now. Talk to your Father like a father wants to be talked to by His children. That will honor Him and He will honor you.
Wise or foolish?
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Heart of Giving
"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Jesus (Matthew 6: 2-4)
The question is "Why?". It isn't what or when or even where, it's why. Jesus, once again is talking about the "heart" of the matter. There is a "why" behind every action. I go to work, why? I want me family to eat. I spend time with my wife, why? I love her and I want her to know it. I attend church every opportunity, why? I love God and His people and I want to be with them every chance I get. I sing songs to God and His people, why? It expressed my feelings and uplifts my spirit. I pray, why? It is the only way that I have to speak directly to my Father. I give an offering, why? That is the question Jesus asks of us today? Why do we give our offerings? What is our motive?
Let's take a look at a story that Mark includes in his gospel... And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
The poor widow's offering was different than the others. They had plenty and giving a little was no sacrifice to them. They still had their fine chariots and lavish homes. They still had their refrigerators full of food and their closets filled with the latest fashions. She made the decision to give everything she had to live on. How do you do that? How do you decide that eating today is optional when you have the opportunity to give to others? Certainly, we see the difference. We understand that one is given out of excess and the other is given from the heart.
When Jesus encountered the rich young ruler, who undoubtedly gave at the Temple as commanded, He called on him to give everything. (Matthew 19:16-30) The young man was very sad because he had great possessions (or better yet, many things possessed him).
Jesus calls on His disciples to give. The New Testament doesn't say how much. (that may surprise some of you) The tithe was an Old Testament command and just as with other commands, had been distorted and abused. So, the heart was to be engaged when the amount to give was being considered. Paul tells the church in Corinth, Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7) No longer was the giving out of compulsion. Now, each of us is called on to give "as he has decided in his heart". The widow decided to give everything, from her heart. The rich had decided to give out of their excess. Jesus saw the heart of both and praised the widow for her heartfelt decision.
He tells us that our giving should be between us and God. It is not for show. It is not to get praise from others. It is a private matter and is to be a heart decision. I can imagine the rich of His day, parading their gift down the street with a band announcing their arrival. All eyes on them and what they were giving. The attention was theirs. Meanwhile, the widow arrives without notice and slips here coins into the plate without any notice. But He noticed! The One that counts... noticed. And He says, "She will get her reward from the Father". The rich, with their band playing got their reward from the people. There is a clear difference.
What about you? This Sunday when you bring your offering to the LORD, where is your heart going to be? Will you quietly give as you have been prospered? Will you give only from your excess funds? Or, will you bring the offering that your heart is telling you to bring? When you place your gift in the basket, will you be filled with joy or will you be thinking about what you could have done with those funds? New pair of shoes? Pocketbook? New motorcycle? New___? You fill in the blank. Jesus sees the heart. He knows our intentions. God doesn't need our money. It is for our benefit that we can give. Think about that for a moment.
Wise or foolish?
The question is "Why?". It isn't what or when or even where, it's why. Jesus, once again is talking about the "heart" of the matter. There is a "why" behind every action. I go to work, why? I want me family to eat. I spend time with my wife, why? I love her and I want her to know it. I attend church every opportunity, why? I love God and His people and I want to be with them every chance I get. I sing songs to God and His people, why? It expressed my feelings and uplifts my spirit. I pray, why? It is the only way that I have to speak directly to my Father. I give an offering, why? That is the question Jesus asks of us today? Why do we give our offerings? What is our motive?
Let's take a look at a story that Mark includes in his gospel... And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
The poor widow's offering was different than the others. They had plenty and giving a little was no sacrifice to them. They still had their fine chariots and lavish homes. They still had their refrigerators full of food and their closets filled with the latest fashions. She made the decision to give everything she had to live on. How do you do that? How do you decide that eating today is optional when you have the opportunity to give to others? Certainly, we see the difference. We understand that one is given out of excess and the other is given from the heart.
When Jesus encountered the rich young ruler, who undoubtedly gave at the Temple as commanded, He called on him to give everything. (Matthew 19:16-30) The young man was very sad because he had great possessions (or better yet, many things possessed him).
Jesus calls on His disciples to give. The New Testament doesn't say how much. (that may surprise some of you) The tithe was an Old Testament command and just as with other commands, had been distorted and abused. So, the heart was to be engaged when the amount to give was being considered. Paul tells the church in Corinth, Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7) No longer was the giving out of compulsion. Now, each of us is called on to give "as he has decided in his heart". The widow decided to give everything, from her heart. The rich had decided to give out of their excess. Jesus saw the heart of both and praised the widow for her heartfelt decision.
He tells us that our giving should be between us and God. It is not for show. It is not to get praise from others. It is a private matter and is to be a heart decision. I can imagine the rich of His day, parading their gift down the street with a band announcing their arrival. All eyes on them and what they were giving. The attention was theirs. Meanwhile, the widow arrives without notice and slips here coins into the plate without any notice. But He noticed! The One that counts... noticed. And He says, "She will get her reward from the Father". The rich, with their band playing got their reward from the people. There is a clear difference.
What about you? This Sunday when you bring your offering to the LORD, where is your heart going to be? Will you quietly give as you have been prospered? Will you give only from your excess funds? Or, will you bring the offering that your heart is telling you to bring? When you place your gift in the basket, will you be filled with joy or will you be thinking about what you could have done with those funds? New pair of shoes? Pocketbook? New motorcycle? New___? You fill in the blank. Jesus sees the heart. He knows our intentions. God doesn't need our money. It is for our benefit that we can give. Think about that for a moment.
Wise or foolish?
Monday, August 26, 2013
Practicing Your Righteousness
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." - Jesus (Matthew 6:1)
In Chapter 5, Jesus tells His disciples that they are the light of the world; they are a city on a hill, a lamp on a stand to be seen by others to bring glory to God. Then He pivots and says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Now, I know you see the difference. One is pointing to God and the other is pointing to ourselves. Jesus wants His followers to know the difference and practice the kind of righteous acts that give Him the glory.
He has already warned us back in 5:20 that if our righteousness doesn't exceed that of the Pharisees, we won't see heaven. The Pharisees were righteous, but they were righteous for there own glorification. They wanted the best seat in the Temple, they wanted to be noticed while praying and they wanted everyone to see them give their offerings. Jesus is holding them up and saying, "Don't be like them, don't act righteous... be righteous... all the time!" Not external... internal!
This short section is an introduction to the sections to follow on giving, praying and fasting. Jesus is calling on His followers to have their hearts right as they consider these acts of worship. Just as He called them (and us) to heart obedience in Chapter 5, He wants us to be less concerned with outward appearance and more concerned with inward righteousness. If our hearts are right, then right actions will follow. Our righteousness must flow from a heart filled with love for God, His Son and the Spirit.
His warning is one that should stop us in our tracks. The result of that kind of righteousness, the kind that is for show is the forfeiture of our reward. That is serious business. We can spend our lives acting righteous and be seen by everyone around us as a dedicated Christian, yet God sees our hearts and says... no reward! He isn't saying this to the wicked. He isn't saying this to those that have never heard of Him. He is saying this to His followers. He is saying this to those that know God, those that have made the decision to be His disciples. He says "Beware" and "no reward" with the intent of waking us up and calling us to religious activities that are from a sincere heart.
I will examine "giving" in my next blog entry. What does it look like to give from a sincere heart? Think about that and tune in tomorrow for some scriptures that deal with that topic. Peace.
Wise or Foolish?
In Chapter 5, Jesus tells His disciples that they are the light of the world; they are a city on a hill, a lamp on a stand to be seen by others to bring glory to God. Then He pivots and says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Now, I know you see the difference. One is pointing to God and the other is pointing to ourselves. Jesus wants His followers to know the difference and practice the kind of righteous acts that give Him the glory.
He has already warned us back in 5:20 that if our righteousness doesn't exceed that of the Pharisees, we won't see heaven. The Pharisees were righteous, but they were righteous for there own glorification. They wanted the best seat in the Temple, they wanted to be noticed while praying and they wanted everyone to see them give their offerings. Jesus is holding them up and saying, "Don't be like them, don't act righteous... be righteous... all the time!" Not external... internal!
This short section is an introduction to the sections to follow on giving, praying and fasting. Jesus is calling on His followers to have their hearts right as they consider these acts of worship. Just as He called them (and us) to heart obedience in Chapter 5, He wants us to be less concerned with outward appearance and more concerned with inward righteousness. If our hearts are right, then right actions will follow. Our righteousness must flow from a heart filled with love for God, His Son and the Spirit.
His warning is one that should stop us in our tracks. The result of that kind of righteousness, the kind that is for show is the forfeiture of our reward. That is serious business. We can spend our lives acting righteous and be seen by everyone around us as a dedicated Christian, yet God sees our hearts and says... no reward! He isn't saying this to the wicked. He isn't saying this to those that have never heard of Him. He is saying this to His followers. He is saying this to those that know God, those that have made the decision to be His disciples. He says "Beware" and "no reward" with the intent of waking us up and calling us to religious activities that are from a sincere heart.
I will examine "giving" in my next blog entry. What does it look like to give from a sincere heart? Think about that and tune in tomorrow for some scriptures that deal with that topic. Peace.
Wise or Foolish?
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Love Your Enemies!
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Jesus (Matthew 5:43-48)
Those listening to Jesus on the side of the hill were Jews. They viewed everyone else as "gentile". They were God's chosen (see my blog on that here - http://dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2013/07/unity-among-gods-people.html) and everyone else was not. That could set up some pretty bad attitudes among God's people. Jesus confronts this attitude head on in this section of His sermon.
The teaching of His day was "love your neighbor, hate your enemy". That is what His audience had been taught and that is how they conducted their lives. I imagine that there were some raised eyebrows at this point in His lesson. I have experienced some of that myself when preaching. :-) Jesus looks them in the eye (or in their hearts) and says, "yep, you are to love your neighbor as yourself, for sure, but I say you are to love your enemies also, those that treat you badly, love them too." What? Love my enemy? Love someone that calls me names? Love someone that seeks to harm me? That's right!
He tells us that God provides for those that we "hate" the same as He provides for those we love. God does not withhold His blessings from those that we have bad feelings towards. The evil person gets the same sunshine as the good; the bad people get the benefit of His rain just the same as everyone else. We may not like that. We might wish that the sun would only shine on His followers. But the example is that God loves everyone and so should we. (John 3:16) That doesn't mean that God is happy with everyone, for sure He isn't. But His love is universal. He hates sin, but loves the sinner. He sent His Son to die for everyone, but not everyone will choose to accept His gift... but He still loves them.
His example is what Jesus is calling us to follow. The word "love" needs to be understood here. There are numerous Greek words translated love in English. Unfortunately, the English language is woefully inadequate in the translation of these words. The word here is "agape" and means that we choose to love that person. We seek their best interest. We want good things for them. It doesn't require that we have fond feelings towards them, but it does require that we choose to seek their benefit.
For the Jew that decided to follow Jesus, it meant that those that they had called "dogs" had to be loved. It meant that they would care enough about them to tell them about Jesus. Fortunately for you and me, they listened and obeyed. How else do you explain your faith. They wrote it down. They told their neighbors. They traveled and told everyone they met. They sent missionaries to other nations and along with them, sent the love bathed message of the Savior. We must follow their example, just as they followed the Father's example.
He tells us that loving only those that love us is human nature. That kind of love has it's reward here and now, but the kind of love He calls us to has an eternal reward attached. He says that perfection follows when we have that kind of love. We will be like our Father! Complete. Mature. Perfect. His call is not always an easy one, but His call is for our benefit... always!
You have an enemy? Love them. Someone treating you badly? Pray for them. In the doing of it, you will be perfected. You will be like your Father. That my friends is an amazing promise. Claim it.
Wise or foolish?
Those listening to Jesus on the side of the hill were Jews. They viewed everyone else as "gentile". They were God's chosen (see my blog on that here - http://dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2013/07/unity-among-gods-people.html) and everyone else was not. That could set up some pretty bad attitudes among God's people. Jesus confronts this attitude head on in this section of His sermon.
The teaching of His day was "love your neighbor, hate your enemy". That is what His audience had been taught and that is how they conducted their lives. I imagine that there were some raised eyebrows at this point in His lesson. I have experienced some of that myself when preaching. :-) Jesus looks them in the eye (or in their hearts) and says, "yep, you are to love your neighbor as yourself, for sure, but I say you are to love your enemies also, those that treat you badly, love them too." What? Love my enemy? Love someone that calls me names? Love someone that seeks to harm me? That's right!
He tells us that God provides for those that we "hate" the same as He provides for those we love. God does not withhold His blessings from those that we have bad feelings towards. The evil person gets the same sunshine as the good; the bad people get the benefit of His rain just the same as everyone else. We may not like that. We might wish that the sun would only shine on His followers. But the example is that God loves everyone and so should we. (John 3:16) That doesn't mean that God is happy with everyone, for sure He isn't. But His love is universal. He hates sin, but loves the sinner. He sent His Son to die for everyone, but not everyone will choose to accept His gift... but He still loves them.
His example is what Jesus is calling us to follow. The word "love" needs to be understood here. There are numerous Greek words translated love in English. Unfortunately, the English language is woefully inadequate in the translation of these words. The word here is "agape" and means that we choose to love that person. We seek their best interest. We want good things for them. It doesn't require that we have fond feelings towards them, but it does require that we choose to seek their benefit.
For the Jew that decided to follow Jesus, it meant that those that they had called "dogs" had to be loved. It meant that they would care enough about them to tell them about Jesus. Fortunately for you and me, they listened and obeyed. How else do you explain your faith. They wrote it down. They told their neighbors. They traveled and told everyone they met. They sent missionaries to other nations and along with them, sent the love bathed message of the Savior. We must follow their example, just as they followed the Father's example.
He tells us that loving only those that love us is human nature. That kind of love has it's reward here and now, but the kind of love He calls us to has an eternal reward attached. He says that perfection follows when we have that kind of love. We will be like our Father! Complete. Mature. Perfect. His call is not always an easy one, but His call is for our benefit... always!
You have an enemy? Love them. Someone treating you badly? Pray for them. In the doing of it, you will be perfected. You will be like your Father. That my friends is an amazing promise. Claim it.
Wise or foolish?
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Turn The Other Cheek
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you." - Jesus (Matthew 5:38-42)
What's this all about? I grew up quoting the "eye for an eye" verse thinking that God had given me permission to extract a little revenge. In the Old Testament, the punishment was to be equal to the damage that a person had experienced. The human tendency is to extract a pound of flesh for an eight ounce wound. Even our modern day legal system still utilizes this concept. The "damages" rewarded to the harmed party is to be based on the actual value of the lose. (supposedly)
Jesus, as with the other sections we have discussed is trying to clarify what God teachs on the subject. Teachers had distorted the truth of God's law and had applied it from a selfish point of view, just as they had anger, divorce, lust and oaths. Instead of the Law protecting, the teachers had perverted into a justification for retaliation. It was used to satisfy man's natural desire for revenge. Jesus would have none of it.
He called on His followers to be different (as always). They were to handle matters of personal injury with consideration of the other person. (Phil 2:3-4) Of course they were to speak out against evil and injustice, just as He did. But the disciple's speech is to benefit the offender as well as those that are harmed. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn the other cheek. This would demonstrate a generous attitude. Of course we can defend ourselves, that is not the point here. The backhanded slap was a great insult during Jesus' day. This isn't a life threatening assault, rather this is an injury to pride and He calls for a response in love, not vengeance.
Someone wants your shirt, go the next step and offer you coat. Someone compels you to walk a mile with them, walk the second one also. The idea here is that Jesus' disciples were and are to have a generous spirit that responds to personal attacks with kindness. (check out Romans 12:20) Someone has a personal need that they need help with; (need!) the Christian is to help. This is not a license to steal, rather it is a call to generosity. Your brother needs a loan to help him meet a pressing need, if you have the funds.... as they say... help a brother out. (interest free!)
Many say that Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount cannot be lived out in today's world. I strongly disagree! His teaching is just as applicable toady as it was 2000 years ago. Nothing in this sermon is un-doable when the teaching is understood in the context of His day. Knowing what He said and what the people who heard it understood it to mean is very important. If we approach the teaching without any understanding of its' context, His followers would be either dead or naked without any money. That is not the point here, He is calling on His disciples to respond to everything with an attitude of generosity and love; always keeping the other person in mind when we respond.
Can you imagine a world where people lived out the Sermon? It is not unimaginable and in fact that is what He calls on us to do. Live it out, teach others to do the same. Like a virus, this kind of heart change is to spread throughout the entire world, bringing restoration to mankind; bringing humanity back into compliance with the Creator's plan. Try it for a day, then try it for two, then try it for a week. Approach everything with this attitude and see how it goes. Let me know.
Wise or foolish?
What's this all about? I grew up quoting the "eye for an eye" verse thinking that God had given me permission to extract a little revenge. In the Old Testament, the punishment was to be equal to the damage that a person had experienced. The human tendency is to extract a pound of flesh for an eight ounce wound. Even our modern day legal system still utilizes this concept. The "damages" rewarded to the harmed party is to be based on the actual value of the lose. (supposedly)
Jesus, as with the other sections we have discussed is trying to clarify what God teachs on the subject. Teachers had distorted the truth of God's law and had applied it from a selfish point of view, just as they had anger, divorce, lust and oaths. Instead of the Law protecting, the teachers had perverted into a justification for retaliation. It was used to satisfy man's natural desire for revenge. Jesus would have none of it.
He called on His followers to be different (as always). They were to handle matters of personal injury with consideration of the other person. (Phil 2:3-4) Of course they were to speak out against evil and injustice, just as He did. But the disciple's speech is to benefit the offender as well as those that are harmed. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn the other cheek. This would demonstrate a generous attitude. Of course we can defend ourselves, that is not the point here. The backhanded slap was a great insult during Jesus' day. This isn't a life threatening assault, rather this is an injury to pride and He calls for a response in love, not vengeance.
Someone wants your shirt, go the next step and offer you coat. Someone compels you to walk a mile with them, walk the second one also. The idea here is that Jesus' disciples were and are to have a generous spirit that responds to personal attacks with kindness. (check out Romans 12:20) Someone has a personal need that they need help with; (need!) the Christian is to help. This is not a license to steal, rather it is a call to generosity. Your brother needs a loan to help him meet a pressing need, if you have the funds.... as they say... help a brother out. (interest free!)
Many say that Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount cannot be lived out in today's world. I strongly disagree! His teaching is just as applicable toady as it was 2000 years ago. Nothing in this sermon is un-doable when the teaching is understood in the context of His day. Knowing what He said and what the people who heard it understood it to mean is very important. If we approach the teaching without any understanding of its' context, His followers would be either dead or naked without any money. That is not the point here, He is calling on His disciples to respond to everything with an attitude of generosity and love; always keeping the other person in mind when we respond.
Can you imagine a world where people lived out the Sermon? It is not unimaginable and in fact that is what He calls on us to do. Live it out, teach others to do the same. Like a virus, this kind of heart change is to spread throughout the entire world, bringing restoration to mankind; bringing humanity back into compliance with the Creator's plan. Try it for a day, then try it for two, then try it for a week. Approach everything with this attitude and see how it goes. Let me know.
Wise or foolish?
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