Matthew 5
Suffering through trials, trying times, and other difficulties are hard days. Our hearts and souls mourn for relief. Tears run down our face. Pieces of our heart fall away. We want to quit and find the nearest exit out of our situations.
As difficult as these times are, they are the very environment where we grow and build ourselves as God’s children. These are the opportunities to teach us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to them that hate us, pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us, and be obedient to the Father’s will.
Let your light shine. Good works are not expensive and do not require any special gifts or talents.
We live in a time where people are selfish. Like Paul describing the last days to Timothy, his message resonates with us today:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
When we read these scriptures in 2 Timothy, self is an underlying theme. In many ways, we see selfish acts on a daily basis, where actions and motives are based on what a person can receive or take from another person and not what they give.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. —Matthew 13:47-50
In this parable, Jesus is describing the kingdom of heaven. The net is cast into the sea and collects sea creatures of every kind. After coming ashore, the good and bad were separated. In like manner, the kingdom of heaven is shared with many people around the world. And many people will come to Jesus, the church, etc. At the end of the world, the angels will come and separate the just from the wicked.
1. God drew you. The just and the wicked will be separated, but the beauty of this parable is that the just and the wicked are gathered together. The wicked has an opportunity to become just.
How you see your life developing may be different from God’s blueprint.
1. We dream of greatness. Growing up, we often think of being a doctor, nurse, firefighter, or a professional athlete. We dream of being in front of the largest crowds, cheering fans, and living lavishly. As time and opportunities come into focus, some (if not all) of our dreams change…reality sets in.
Matthew 5:38-42 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
1. People hate being mistreated. People want to be treated with respect at all times – to include their time, property, money, and family. They may avoid some people and treat others badly to ensure everybody knows not to mess with them. They will not be taken for a ‘fool’ or be used as anyone’s doormat. They don’t want to be taken advantage of or seem like they’re weak. They want to be strong in the eyes of man, but does that ‘strength’ equate to obedience in God?! No, it doesn’t.
Exodus 36:1-3 – Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded. And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
The Lord brought His Spirit upon Bezaleel, Aholiab, and every wise hearted man giving him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to perform all manner of work in the service of the sanctuary (Exodus 31:1-11). The Lord does the same with us by giving His Spirit throughout the body of believers to accomplish His purpose for His glory. Paul identified spiritual gifts given through the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12. It was not for one person or spiritual gift to be considered greater than another, but for the body of believers to be as one…one in suffering, and one in rejoicing. The gifts are given for the edification of the entire body, not only one or two. They are given for the perfecting of the body of believers may be whole and complete, not lacking any thing (Ephesians 4:7-16).
Even beyond the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, many people are given gifts from the Spirit of God to cook, clean, solve math problems, drive, etc. Our gifts and talents are not only used to provide for our own substance and wealth, but as a means to acknowledge and glorify the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:18; Matthew 5:14-16). May you find joy in whatever service the Lord calls you, and appreciate the work and efforts of others.
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/dariuszman
Matthew 5:43-48 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
If you want to be perfect as your Father is perfect:
1. Love your enemies.
2. Bless them that curse you.
3. Do good to them that hate you.
4. Pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.
We were once enemies of God, yet He showed us mercy through Jesus. He blessed us though we cursed Him. He was good to us, even when we hated Him. Jesus prayed for us when we were selfish, hateful, evil, and filled with sin. The Lord has shown us His perfection. May we show our perfection by loving, blessing, and praying for our enemies.
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/OzRock79
Matthew 5:13-16 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
SALT
Many have referred to salt as a cleansing agent or a preservative. When looking at the Greek translation for ‘lose his savor’ in Matthew 5:13, it is to make flat and tasteless, to be foolish, to act foolishly or act as a simpleton.1 The opposite of a fool is a sage or wise man. From this translation, being the salt of the earth is being the wisdom of the earth, godly wisdom and character.
1. There are times when we will not accept God’s will because it is not inline with what we want to do or believe is right at the time. In reading the story of Jonah, he was called of God to go to Ninevah to cry against it. Jonah therefore arose and fled from the presence of God in the opposite direction of Ninevah (Jonah 1:1-3). After he spoke against the city, it is discovered that He didn’t want to see the people of Ninevah repent of their evil (Jonah 4:1-3). He knew God would forgive them if they repented of their evil.
There are many things God will call us to do. Many times they will come without notice and may even challenge the way we believe or feel toward the intended audience…and we may not want to do what He asked us.
The hardest part for many people is to accept His will for them.
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