Happy Are You!
Mathew 5:1-48… When he saw the crowds, he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down his disciples came to him; 2 and he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying:
3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual needs (poor, in want or in need of spirit) since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 4 “Happy are those who mourn since they will be comforted. 5 “Happy are the mild-tempered ones since they will inherit the earth. 6 “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness since they will be filled. 7 “Happy are the merciful since they will be shown mercy. 8 “Happy are the pure in heart since they will see God. 9 “Happy are the peaceable since they will be called ‘sons of God. 10 “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 11 “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU.
Are You Conscious of God’s Righteousness?
If you are a spiritual person than you are well on your way to becoming a citizen of God’s Kingdom. Though we may suffer momentarily, we shall rejoice forever. We shall inherit the earth the Lord has said, we shall be shown mercy. For the appointed time will come and we will be called the sons of God. Romans 8:19
We seek God’s righteousness and not our own, for God’s ways are right and true. For this wicked world hates us and they tell lies about us because of their jealousy. We shall continue to uphold God’s Sovereignty and the choice that he has made for his King in his Kingdom. It is Christ Jesus our Lord who has been blessed with the inheritance. So, stand ready to receive your reward, and your crown. 2 Timothy 4:8
Mathew 5:13-16… “YOU are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, how will its saltness be restored? It is no longer usable for anything but to be thrown outside to be trampled on by men. 14 “YOU are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. 16 Likewise let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR fine works and give glory to YOUR Father who is in the heavens.
Become a Blessing
Salt is a preservative. It was used to cure meat at the time our Lord walked the earth. It was also used to enhance the taste of food. Christ also called his disciples to become the light of the world. So, Christ was telling his disciples that they were to be something that people wanted and needed in their lives, to be a blessing to mankind. This in turn will bring glory to our Father in heaven.
Mathew 5:17-20… “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill; 18 for truly I say to YOU that sooner would heaven and earth pass away than for one smallest letter or one particle of a letter to pass away from the Law by any means and not all things take place. 19 Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches mankind to that effect, he will be called ‘least’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. As for anyone who does them and teaches them, this one will be called ‘great’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to YOU that if YOUR righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, YOU will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
The Principle Behind the Law
The law was a way for God to separate his people from the nations. It was to be a protective fence. The law was to define what was acceptable and not acceptable to God. It was to be the framework that the nation of Israel could live by and under. The law was the tutor to help the nation of Israel grasp the idea of Godly principles. So, the law would be something you would teach to your young children and as the children got older and their understanding deepened, they could grasp the idea of principles. Christ Jesus gave an example of the principle of the 10 Commandments: Love God with your whole soul, mind, and power. The second principle is to love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-40
Mathew 5:21-26… “YOU heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder; but whoever commits a murder will be accountable to the court of justice.’ 22 However, I say to YOU that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.
Justice, the Judgment and Pursuing Peace
Anger can lead us to a crossroad where we can turn left and become the judge, the jury, and the executioner for what we imagine we are doing in righteousness. Or we can make a turn to the right which leads us to present our grievance before the one who has made us angry and settle the matter for good.
23 “If then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift. 25 “Be about settling matters quickly with the one complaining against you at law, while you are with him on the way there, that somehow the complainant may not turn you over to the judge, and the judge to the court attendant, and you get thrown into prison. 26 I say to you for a fact, you will certainly not come out from there until you have paid over the last coin of very little value.
Pursue peace and do not be judging one another, because our perspective gives us limited visibility, it distorts our insight. If we have judged wrongly in our assessment of the matter, then there will be a penalty to be paid for our selfish motive. We may in fact injure ourselves more in the long run if we do not pursue the peace with our fellow man. The teachings of Christ are meant to help us understand more than we can perceive. The teachings of Christ will help unify us to conform to God’s righteousness.
Mathew 5:27-37… “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to YOU that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If now, that right eye of yours is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost to you than for your whole body to be pitched into Gehenna. 30 Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost than for your whole body to land in Gehenna. 31 “Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
For the plant of wickedness to grow, it first has to be planted as a seed. So, Christ teaches us to be careful of what gets planted in our minds. We need to identify what is inappropriate or unhealthy for us. We need to uproot anything that will cause us to miss out on everlasting life. Selfishness is detrimental to our long-term health. Christ points out that fornication is the only grounds for a divorce, and that our vow of marriage before God is a serious matter.
Christ next establishes the principal that will guide us in our life, that should be that we simply become a doer of our word.
33 “Again YOU heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ 34 However, I say to YOU: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor by your head must you swear, because you cannot turn one hair white or black. 37 Just let YOUR word Yes mean Yes, YOUR No, mean No; for what is in an excess of these is from the wicked one.
The Eye of God is Perfect
Mathew 5:38-48… “YOU heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 However, I say to YOU: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him. 40 And if a person wants to go to court with you and get possession of your inner garment, let your outer garment also go to him; 41 and if someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one that wants to borrow from you [without interest].
Vengeance belongs to God and so does the judgment. Christ again tries to give us the proper understanding and attitude that should govern our lives, that of being loving and not vengeful, God himself will pay back to each one according to their deeds.
43 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nation’s doing the same thing? 48 YOU must accordingly be perfect, as YOUR heavenly Father is perfect.
God wants us to be different in our thoughts and our actions. So, Christ has been sent forth to teach us to be perfect; in the way that we are to love one another. Romans 12:10
Follow the hyperlink to part two of The Teaching of Christ taken from Matthew chapter 7.
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