Holy Spirit Advantage Prophetic Ministries
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Jesus Prescribes The Way To Heaven
Comments
Matthew Chapters 5-7.
Those who are truly contrite and broken hearted and can keep it on till the end, are already in heaven. Those that
mourn in relation to the state of things regarding God’s work, shall receive comfort. For the Lord has already overcome.
Those who humble themselves before the Lord at all times and are patient in all things, shall be rewarded immensely.
Those that are always following the path of righteousness, shall be honored for their effort. Those who love others as
they love themselves, shall be loved by God.
Those who love God and trust Him with all their heart shall see Him. Those who suffer for the position they have
taken in live as believers, should be rest assured that their joy shall be many. Know that you are already in heaven,
when people speak evil of you because of your faith in God.
Jesus’ Teaching on the Mosaic Law
Matthew 5:17-48.
Here Jesus says that He has not come to destroy the Law, or the guidelines given by the prophets, but that his role was
to fulfill the requirements of the Law. In other words to explain the Law as God intended it to be. To show how
important the Law should be to everyone of us, Jesus states that till heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or
requirement of the law shall be regarded obsolete. Another way of explaining what Jesus said, is to say it the way Paul
explained it. That if you chose to live by the Law alone independent of the blood of Jesus, then you must obey and
attain to the demands of the law to the letter. In other words, you must leave no stones unturned in keeping to the
letters of the Law. However, that it is certain that you will fail, because the Law exposes our inability to please or
attain God’s righteousness without a redeemer. The Christian accepts the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross,
and is covered with His righteousness, but he is not excused from keeping the Law of God. The Christian, therefore, by
the grace of God which was obtained through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can now approach the throne
of God Almighty with boldness, having been washed in the blood of the lamb provided by God Himself (Heb. 4:16).
The Christian having attained righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, has never been excused from keeping the
moral law of God, the Ten Commandments. The Christian must obey the law, not to merit salvation by it, but as a
token of life transformed (changed person) by the grace of God. In other words, the Christian, like Jesus, is not to be
lawless. The law of God which is now placed in his heart through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ must therefore, be
observed by all until all its purpose is achieved.
The Moral Law Purposes
Rom. 3:19,20; 21-31.
In Paul’s words, God’s moral law purposes to (1) demonstrate God’s own moral perfection; (2) show man his guilt and
take away all of his excuses; (3) provide a standard for the governing of human society; and (4) provide a guide for
believers as to how their conduct will please and glorify God (Rom.3:19,20; Rom. 21,22-31). Righteousness, as it
pertains to man, refers to keeping God’s will, law, and moral standards perfectly. This no one has ever done except
Christ, therefore, no man has ever been truly righteous (3:10,23). God imputes the perfect righteousness to all those who
trust his Son by good works of faith for eternal life. And the Holy Spirit empowers the believer so that he can live in
accord with the will of God. Men become righteous by faith, which is the means, whereas justification is the act of God
that makes men righteous.
Righteousness is the result of the justification that comes from believing faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness is also
used as a term to stress one of God’s attributes and carries with it the assurance about what God is, and that He will
do what He has promised. It expresses God’s own moral purity, contrasted with man’s inherent sinfulness. Moreover,
God’s righteousness expresses itself in divine wrath or holy displeasure against all iniquity or unrighteousness. Sin,
therefore, is the lack of conformity to the will of God, a violation of the moral law as written in the hearts of men and
revealed in the Word of God. The Hebrew term for sin means “to deviate from the way”; the Greek term indicates “a
missing of the mark,” or “a going aside from.” Sin could not exist unless there were a norm or standard against which
the acts of men could be measured or judged.
Sin exists both in overt acts and in the attitude of the heart. The overt act indicates the presence of heart sinfulness.
Guilt, then, normally supposes the intention is present to do evil. Men often are unable to read the intentions of each
other’s hearts, but God knows the hearts of men infallibly (I Chron. 28:9; Heb. 4:13). Moreover, all men, irrespective of
race, color, or creed, are sinners. No one can escape sin’s guilt, but only through Jesus Christ. Jews and Gentiles alike
are guilty (1:18; 3:23). Sin is universal (Isa. 53.6).
Jesus Prescribes Punishments and Rewards
Matthew 5:19.
Jesus teaches that the Christian who would for any reason deviate from the rightful use or the interpretation of the Law,
and would teach others to believe a lie pertaining to the full intent of God in giving the law, shall be without honor in
the Kingdom of God. In other words, as Paul puts it, this person shall suffer loss, but his/her salvation shall depend on
his/her motives. If this person was sincere, but wrong, he/she shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1Cor. 3:15).
But for everyone that shall do and teach others the law as God intended it to be taught, this person shall not only be
called great in the kingdom of heaven, but shall receive a reward.
Righteousness is Demanded of the Christian
Matt. 21, 22 – 24
The Christian now learns that although he is saved by grace, Christ never abrogated the law of murder. Jesus demands
that the believer’s righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. Both religious sects, teach that you
could hate your enemy in your heart, for there was no sin until you have physically killed him. But Jesus teaches that
“heart murder” precedes the actual act. The Christian, therefore, should know that the heart murderer is already guilty
before God even if the fear of retribution restrains him or her from committing the overt act. Because evil in the heart is
the root of all outward acts of sin, God condemns both the attitude and action.
The Christian and Anger
The Christian is not forbidden from being angry with his brother for a right cause. God is said to be capable of anger.
But anger against your brother, if prolonged, would become sin on your part. The fact is that until you have forgiven
your brother of wrongs done to you, your father in heaven would not even accept your offerings, for example your
prayers. You must first get rid of your anger against your brother, before placing your offerings before God. “Forgive us
as we forgive those who trespass against us” You might want to ask, “who is my brother?”
Your brothers and sisters are those in the faith. Your neighbors do not have to be Christians for you to be kind to them.
Remember, you are also required to be kind to your enemies, and to those who hate you and despitefully use you. This
could be one of the reasons why Jesus described the way to heaven as narrow and straight. You are never to hate
anyone for any reason, but their sins. (Matt. 7:13-14).
Jesus Defines Adultery
According to Jesus, adultery is committed in two ways, “heart adultery” and “physical adultery.” Adultery is
committed when a man looks on a woman with the intent to commit adultery. The Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus day,
said that only the overt act was adultery; a heart filled with adulterous thoughts was still innocent. Jesus explanation
on the subject did not change or expand the law of God. He only stated what lay at the heart of the moral law relative
to adultery even in the Old Testament and thereby condemned those whose interpretation opened the door to heart
adultery.
The Taking of Oaths
Jesus teaches that at all cost, let your yes be yes, and your no be no. In other words, the Christian should speak the
truth at all times. If you do so at all times, there will be no need to swear, because after a while people would begin to
recognized that you are always truthful.
The Law of Retaliation
Jesus teaches that although you may have been taught to retaliate to the equal measure of what evil that was done to
you; the Christian, He says should never fight back for the wrong that was done to you. He further prescribes what
your reaction should be, instructing that you take as much punishment as possible from those who have taken it upon
themselves to do you wrong. Taking vengeance is God’s business not yours (Deut. 32: 35; Heb. 10:30).
The Law of Love
Jesus teaches that as a Christian you should not only love your enemies, but you must bless them too in your prayers.
You should be kind to your enemies and those who hate you, especially those who actually oppress and despitefully use
you in every way. This is another way to show the world that you are a child of God. You should do as God does,
because He lets the sun rise and the rain fall on both the righteous and the unrighteous. The Christian must learn to
love not only their fellow Christians and family members, because in such there is no test of faith in loving and being
kind to those who obviously love and would love you back. The Christian would show more faith as a child of God
when you would love those who cannot love you back. The Christian must strife to be perfect in his/her dealings with
everyone, just as God is in His dealings with everything that He made (Matt. 5:44-48).
Jesus Condemns Heart Sin
If racism and prejudice are products of the heart sin directed on people for whatever reason, how did God respond to
such bigotry and hatred in the Bible? Jesus describes hatred as heart murder. We find that God sees bigotry and or
racism as leprosy. In other words, if you hate and mistreat others based on their race, or on the color of their skin, God
will certainly have you removed and placed outside the gates of his people, because you have leprosy. It is certain that
you cannot be a friend of Jesus if you are a racist and hate people because they are of another race or have different
skin color.
In the Old Testament, we read that from Kibroth-hattaavah Israel journeyed to Hazeroth. Here Miriam and apparently
at her instigation—Aaron also “spake against Moses,” as it is added, “because of the Ethiopian woman he had
married,” referring most likely to second marriage which Moses had contracted after the death of Zipporah. For the
first time we here encounter that pride of Israelite after the flesh and contempt for people of another race, which are
claimed by many to have appeared throughout their after history, and in proportion as they have misunderstood the
spiritual meaning of their calling. Thus, Miriam and Aaron now actually boasted in that prophetic gift, which should
have only wrought in them a sense of deep humility. But Moses was not like any ordinary prophet, although in his
extreme meekness he would not vindicate his own position. And the Lord now vindicated His servant both by public
declaration, and by punishing Miriam with leprosy. The isolation of Miriam from the camp of Israel would teach all,
how one who had boasted in privileges greater than those of others might be deprived even of the ordinary fellowship of
God's people camp (Num 12:1-16).
How do we know that Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses for the Ethiopian woman on basis of her race and not
her faith in God? We know that the former was the case, because Jews even today always put their race ahead of
anyone's faith in God. But then they forgot that Moses could not have married the Ethiopian woman if God had not
approved of their relationship [Ex. 12:48-50]. Therefore, whatever God has ordained or has met his acceptance, let no
one put asunder. Separation therefore, must never be based on race, or the color of the skin, because God made all
humans by one blood of all nations. Everything that has breath is called upon to give praise to the Lord; for there is no
condemnation to them in Christ Jesus (Ps. 150; Rom. 8:1).
In Acts 17:24-28, we read: "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,
dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing,
seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face
of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if
haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our
being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." In other words by one blood God made all
nations, not races to dwell on earth [Gen. 10]. Unfortunately, Genesis 9:25 has been wrongly used to support racial
prejudice and even slavery. Noah's curse, however, was not directed toward any particular race because God created
nations not races. The curse was rather at the Canaanite nation--a nation God knew would become wicked. How
wicked were the Canaanites? The book of Leviticus chapter 18:1-30 describes the wickedness of the nation of Canaan
why God allowed the Israelites to enter the Land of Promise and drove the Canaanites out.
Almsgiving and Gift to the Poor
Jesus teaches the three great duties of the Christian: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. He warns the Christian to be very
discrete when it comes to almsgiving with his/her substance. It should be done from the inward person, which seeks
the approval of God and not the applause of people around.
Offering Prayer to God
Jesus teaches that the Christian should avoid vain repetitions in his/her prayers as unbelievers do in their idol worship
practices. In other words, vain repetitions in prayers should identify for us a pagan religion. For the fact that
unbelievers get no response from their gods made of wood and clay, they think that by prolonged and persistent
babbling, they could make their idols do anything for them. In contrast, the Christian is assured of a reply because God
answers even before he/she knelt down to pray. The Christian should praise God for answered prayers at all times.
Including in your prayer the fact that God would do what he has promised, that is to redeem His people. Placing your
livelihood and daily supplies of things you need in His hands. Christians must learn to forgive those who wrong them,
if forgiveness is expected from God for what they have done wrong before God and to others. You should pray for God’
s continuous protection, lest you walk away from His presence, and fall into the hands of evil men. Of course, our
refusal to forgive others in itself is a sin, and when we do not forgive others, we have not repented of our own sin, and
hence cannot find forgiveness for that of which we have not repented.
Fasting
Jesus teaches that when you decide to fast for a purpose, you must keep it as private as possible. People should not
know that you are fasting, as hypocrites would do, by their appearance to show the world how religious and holy they
are. The Christian while fasting, should communicate his feelings and desires to God, and to God only.
Worldliness and Wealth
In the world a man’s worth is linked to how much wealth he has massed up for himself. But Jesus teaches otherwise.
He teaches that one should put more spiritual wealth in his storage, than in the worldly system. If you focus on storing
up spiritual wealth, then you would have nothing to worry about especially when your life ends on earth. But if you
massed up worldly wealth, without making certain of your spiritual wealth, as the light of the body is the eye, it is
obvious that the whole mind and soul would be focused on the worldly wealth you have stored for yourself. If that is all
your eye can see, then there also will the focus of your heart be. In other words, if it is only the wealth you massed up
for yourself in this world is all you have to present at the seat of judgment before God at your death, then you will be
doomed for ever. Mammon, i.e, wealth, property, or money. Being wealthy is neither bad nor good.; how one uses his
wealth is what makes the difference. Under the Lordship of Christ, it is good; not under the Lordship of Christ, it
becomes an impediment, a handicap to one’s Christian life. You cannot love God and money at the same time. The
tendency is that you would love and serve one more than the other. The Christian may use money as the Lord provides,
not love or serve it. The Christian must learn to know where to draw the line when ever money is the issue at hand.
Faith Versus Anxiety
It is evident that anxiety is one of the worst maladies Christians experience, but beware for Jesus teaches that the
Christian should take no thought about his/her life’s outcome, because God has a perfect plan for your life, your daily
needs for food and clothings (v. 25). If God for centuries have fed the birds who do no work nor do any farming, how
much more can He do to feed you whom He made in His image, and has sent His son to die for? The unbelievers
worry and strive for these things, Jesus says. The Christian should first seek the presence of God to obtain His favor,
then will the Christian be well prepared to handle all those things his/her heart desires. These things shall certainly
flow from God and shall follow you and not you after these things (Ps. 23:6). Christians, therefore, have no reason what
so ever to worry about what the future holds, because the future is in the hands of God who has promised through His
son to care for you. Your duty is to first seek Him and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33; John 15:3-7).
Judging Others - Jesus Gives Directives
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” I have always heard people come up with this statement by Jesus, whenever you
pointed out some things they are doing that violates the principles of the Kingdom of God. The Christian should
understand that this command against judging does not mean we should never judge, or rather point out the wrongs
as we see them around us. Rather, Jesus' statement "judge not" is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental
attitude that tears others down in other to build oneself. The Christian haven been born again, should understand that
this command does mean that we should (1) first judge ourselves by examining our own motives and conduct; (2) never
judge rashly; (3) not to make our decisions binding on all; (4) never infer the worst (as we are apt to do); (5) never judge
a person on the basis of a single act; (6) never judge the hearts of others, for only God knows the heart. Receiving
anything from God require that you expect to receive what you asked for. The Christian asks through prayer, which
must be followed by the laws or principles that undergird it: (1) a right relationship to God through Jesus Christ. God
promises to answer the Christian’s prayer. He does not promise to answer the prayers of unbelievers, although he may
do so by common grace; (2) a genuine desire to secure from God the petition addressed to Him (1 Sam. 1:10, 11; 2 Kings
19:14-19; Luke 11:5-10); (3) a confidence in God that leads to asking in simple trust (7:7-11; James 4:2) (4) a faith that
believes that God is able and willing to answer (Heb. 11: 1; 1 John 5:14; 15); and (5) the confident acceptance of the
answer before it has come (Mark 11:24).
The Narrow Versus the Broad Way
The Christian should understand that Christianity is a life style, and this life style is somewhat a strict one. The way is
straight and ahead, there are no shortcuts to the gate that leads to the throne of God. However, there are ways that
lead away from the throne of God, unfortunately, a lot of people seem to be going that way because they lack any rules
and are fast lanes (Luke 24:11). The Christian is to stay on the straight route, because that is the way that leads to the
throne of God.
The Law and the Prophets
Jesus points out that the Law itself hangs on these: whatsoever you would that people do to you, do the same to others.
This is the Golden Rule. The Christian ought to live by it. There is a four-way test by which the Christian can make
decisions as to what he or she should do and how to think. The Christian must ask, (1) is it the truth?; (2) Is it
righteously fair to all concerned?; (3) Will it build good will and righteousness?; and (4) Will it be righteously beneficial
to all concerned? This is the law as was thought by the prophets, i.e., Jesus says, “this is the teaching of the law of
Moses in a nutshell.
The False Prophets
There are numerous warnings in the Scriptures against false prophets or parrots. They are called treacherous, covetous,
crafty, drunken, immoral, and profane. These liars who pretend to be what they are not should be shunned. You would
know them by their fruits, because no bad fruit can bring forth good. So it is with a false prophet. Certainly, a good
prophet shall bring forth good fruit, Jesus says. Unfortunately, every false prophet and or minister of the Gospel who
brings forth bad fruit shall certainly be thrown out of the camp of the children of God. Cut down and thrown into fire.
Two Types of Christians
Jesus in this passage describes two types of Christians, one is the one who calls himself of herself a Christian but does
not do the will of God, and the other is the one who believes and does the will of God. Jesus now concludes that
obviously, not everyone that calls himself or herself a Christian will receive the crown of victory. Jesus continues to say
that on the last day, many or the so called preachers and ministers of the gospel will try to talk Him into recalling
knowing them as preachers and ministers of His gospel, who did great things in His name, including charity work,
miracles, etc., but that in His answer he would be very loud and clear, “I never knew you, get away from me you false
and dubious servants.”
Jesus warns the Christian to make sure he or she is doing the word of God. To search the spirit of the prophet and or
the Scriptures always. The Christian is like a builder and might be led to build upon any of these foundations: gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. However, every Christian’s work shall be made known on the day of the
Lord. Every Christian’s work shall be tested by fire of what sort it is. If any Christian’s work which he or she has built,
survives the fire storm that shall test every work, the Christian shall receive the victory crown. But if the Christian’s
work should get burned or destroyed by the fire storm because the Christian had built his or her house (works, deeds)
with cheap materials and upon a heap of sand, he or she shall suffer a big loss.
The people were astonished at his doctrine, because he spoke as the Lord, and not as the scribes. The title Lord is
applied to Jesus Christ nearly seven hundred times in the New Testament. When related to the words Jesus and Christ,
these three terms tell us the following: As Jesus, he is the Savior, as Christ, he is the anointed one of God; as Lord; he is
the master of our lives. The word kyrios was used as the equivalent of Yahweh in the ancient Greek translation of the
Old Testament. If is so used in reply to: the New Testament, too. Thus, Jesus Christ is identified with Yahweh in the
use of kryios (“Lord”). Jesus the Christ is God (Matt. 21: 21; John 14:7-11).
Matthew Chapters 5-7.
Those who are truly contrite and broken hearted and can keep it on till the end, are already in heaven. Those that
mourn in relation to the state of things regarding God’s work, shall receive comfort. For the Lord has already overcome.
Those who humble themselves before the Lord at all times and are patient in all things, shall be rewarded immensely.
Those that are always following the path of righteousness, shall be honored for their effort. Those who love others as
they love themselves, shall be loved by God.
Those who love God and trust Him with all their heart shall see Him. Those who suffer for the position they have
taken in live as believers, should be rest assured that their joy shall be many. Know that you are already in heaven,
when people speak evil of you because of your faith in God.
Jesus’ Teaching on the Mosaic Law
Matthew 5:17-48.
Here Jesus says that He has not come to destroy the Law, or the guidelines given by the prophets, but that his role was
to fulfill the requirements of the Law. In other words to explain the Law as God intended it to be. To show how
important the Law should be to everyone of us, Jesus states that till heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or
requirement of the law shall be regarded obsolete. Another way of explaining what Jesus said, is to say it the way Paul
explained it. That if you chose to live by the Law alone independent of the blood of Jesus, then you must obey and
attain to the demands of the law to the letter. In other words, you must leave no stones unturned in keeping to the
letters of the Law. However, that it is certain that you will fail, because the Law exposes our inability to please or
attain God’s righteousness without a redeemer. The Christian accepts the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross,
and is covered with His righteousness, but he is not excused from keeping the Law of God. The Christian, therefore, by
the grace of God which was obtained through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can now approach the throne
of God Almighty with boldness, having been washed in the blood of the lamb provided by God Himself (Heb. 4:16).
The Christian having attained righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, has never been excused from keeping the
moral law of God, the Ten Commandments. The Christian must obey the law, not to merit salvation by it, but as a
token of life transformed (changed person) by the grace of God. In other words, the Christian, like Jesus, is not to be
lawless. The law of God which is now placed in his heart through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ must therefore, be
observed by all until all its purpose is achieved.
The Moral Law Purposes
Rom. 3:19,20; 21-31.
In Paul’s words, God’s moral law purposes to (1) demonstrate God’s own moral perfection; (2) show man his guilt and
take away all of his excuses; (3) provide a standard for the governing of human society; and (4) provide a guide for
believers as to how their conduct will please and glorify God (Rom.3:19,20; Rom. 21,22-31). Righteousness, as it
pertains to man, refers to keeping God’s will, law, and moral standards perfectly. This no one has ever done except
Christ, therefore, no man has ever been truly righteous (3:10,23). God imputes the perfect righteousness to all those who
trust his Son by good works of faith for eternal life. And the Holy Spirit empowers the believer so that he can live in
accord with the will of God. Men become righteous by faith, which is the means, whereas justification is the act of God
that makes men righteous.
Righteousness is the result of the justification that comes from believing faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness is also
used as a term to stress one of God’s attributes and carries with it the assurance about what God is, and that He will
do what He has promised. It expresses God’s own moral purity, contrasted with man’s inherent sinfulness. Moreover,
God’s righteousness expresses itself in divine wrath or holy displeasure against all iniquity or unrighteousness. Sin,
therefore, is the lack of conformity to the will of God, a violation of the moral law as written in the hearts of men and
revealed in the Word of God. The Hebrew term for sin means “to deviate from the way”; the Greek term indicates “a
missing of the mark,” or “a going aside from.” Sin could not exist unless there were a norm or standard against which
the acts of men could be measured or judged.
Sin exists both in overt acts and in the attitude of the heart. The overt act indicates the presence of heart sinfulness.
Guilt, then, normally supposes the intention is present to do evil. Men often are unable to read the intentions of each
other’s hearts, but God knows the hearts of men infallibly (I Chron. 28:9; Heb. 4:13). Moreover, all men, irrespective of
race, color, or creed, are sinners. No one can escape sin’s guilt, but only through Jesus Christ. Jews and Gentiles alike
are guilty (1:18; 3:23). Sin is universal (Isa. 53.6).
Jesus Prescribes Punishments and Rewards
Matthew 5:19.
Jesus teaches that the Christian who would for any reason deviate from the rightful use or the interpretation of the Law,
and would teach others to believe a lie pertaining to the full intent of God in giving the law, shall be without honor in
the Kingdom of God. In other words, as Paul puts it, this person shall suffer loss, but his/her salvation shall depend on
his/her motives. If this person was sincere, but wrong, he/she shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1Cor. 3:15).
But for everyone that shall do and teach others the law as God intended it to be taught, this person shall not only be
called great in the kingdom of heaven, but shall receive a reward.
Righteousness is Demanded of the Christian
Matt. 21, 22 – 24
The Christian now learns that although he is saved by grace, Christ never abrogated the law of murder. Jesus demands
that the believer’s righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. Both religious sects, teach that you
could hate your enemy in your heart, for there was no sin until you have physically killed him. But Jesus teaches that
“heart murder” precedes the actual act. The Christian, therefore, should know that the heart murderer is already guilty
before God even if the fear of retribution restrains him or her from committing the overt act. Because evil in the heart is
the root of all outward acts of sin, God condemns both the attitude and action.
The Christian and Anger
The Christian is not forbidden from being angry with his brother for a right cause. God is said to be capable of anger.
But anger against your brother, if prolonged, would become sin on your part. The fact is that until you have forgiven
your brother of wrongs done to you, your father in heaven would not even accept your offerings, for example your
prayers. You must first get rid of your anger against your brother, before placing your offerings before God. “Forgive us
as we forgive those who trespass against us” You might want to ask, “who is my brother?”
Your brothers and sisters are those in the faith. Your neighbors do not have to be Christians for you to be kind to them.
Remember, you are also required to be kind to your enemies, and to those who hate you and despitefully use you. This
could be one of the reasons why Jesus described the way to heaven as narrow and straight. You are never to hate
anyone for any reason, but their sins. (Matt. 7:13-14).
Jesus Defines Adultery
According to Jesus, adultery is committed in two ways, “heart adultery” and “physical adultery.” Adultery is
committed when a man looks on a woman with the intent to commit adultery. The Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus day,
said that only the overt act was adultery; a heart filled with adulterous thoughts was still innocent. Jesus explanation
on the subject did not change or expand the law of God. He only stated what lay at the heart of the moral law relative
to adultery even in the Old Testament and thereby condemned those whose interpretation opened the door to heart
adultery.
The Taking of Oaths
Jesus teaches that at all cost, let your yes be yes, and your no be no. In other words, the Christian should speak the
truth at all times. If you do so at all times, there will be no need to swear, because after a while people would begin to
recognized that you are always truthful.
The Law of Retaliation
Jesus teaches that although you may have been taught to retaliate to the equal measure of what evil that was done to
you; the Christian, He says should never fight back for the wrong that was done to you. He further prescribes what
your reaction should be, instructing that you take as much punishment as possible from those who have taken it upon
themselves to do you wrong. Taking vengeance is God’s business not yours (Deut. 32: 35; Heb. 10:30).
The Law of Love
Jesus teaches that as a Christian you should not only love your enemies, but you must bless them too in your prayers.
You should be kind to your enemies and those who hate you, especially those who actually oppress and despitefully use
you in every way. This is another way to show the world that you are a child of God. You should do as God does,
because He lets the sun rise and the rain fall on both the righteous and the unrighteous. The Christian must learn to
love not only their fellow Christians and family members, because in such there is no test of faith in loving and being
kind to those who obviously love and would love you back. The Christian would show more faith as a child of God
when you would love those who cannot love you back. The Christian must strife to be perfect in his/her dealings with
everyone, just as God is in His dealings with everything that He made (Matt. 5:44-48).
Jesus Condemns Heart Sin
If racism and prejudice are products of the heart sin directed on people for whatever reason, how did God respond to
such bigotry and hatred in the Bible? Jesus describes hatred as heart murder. We find that God sees bigotry and or
racism as leprosy. In other words, if you hate and mistreat others based on their race, or on the color of their skin, God
will certainly have you removed and placed outside the gates of his people, because you have leprosy. It is certain that
you cannot be a friend of Jesus if you are a racist and hate people because they are of another race or have different
skin color.
In the Old Testament, we read that from Kibroth-hattaavah Israel journeyed to Hazeroth. Here Miriam and apparently
at her instigation—Aaron also “spake against Moses,” as it is added, “because of the Ethiopian woman he had
married,” referring most likely to second marriage which Moses had contracted after the death of Zipporah. For the
first time we here encounter that pride of Israelite after the flesh and contempt for people of another race, which are
claimed by many to have appeared throughout their after history, and in proportion as they have misunderstood the
spiritual meaning of their calling. Thus, Miriam and Aaron now actually boasted in that prophetic gift, which should
have only wrought in them a sense of deep humility. But Moses was not like any ordinary prophet, although in his
extreme meekness he would not vindicate his own position. And the Lord now vindicated His servant both by public
declaration, and by punishing Miriam with leprosy. The isolation of Miriam from the camp of Israel would teach all,
how one who had boasted in privileges greater than those of others might be deprived even of the ordinary fellowship of
God's people camp (Num 12:1-16).
How do we know that Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses for the Ethiopian woman on basis of her race and not
her faith in God? We know that the former was the case, because Jews even today always put their race ahead of
anyone's faith in God. But then they forgot that Moses could not have married the Ethiopian woman if God had not
approved of their relationship [Ex. 12:48-50]. Therefore, whatever God has ordained or has met his acceptance, let no
one put asunder. Separation therefore, must never be based on race, or the color of the skin, because God made all
humans by one blood of all nations. Everything that has breath is called upon to give praise to the Lord; for there is no
condemnation to them in Christ Jesus (Ps. 150; Rom. 8:1).
In Acts 17:24-28, we read: "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,
dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing,
seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face
of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if
haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our
being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." In other words by one blood God made all
nations, not races to dwell on earth [Gen. 10]. Unfortunately, Genesis 9:25 has been wrongly used to support racial
prejudice and even slavery. Noah's curse, however, was not directed toward any particular race because God created
nations not races. The curse was rather at the Canaanite nation--a nation God knew would become wicked. How
wicked were the Canaanites? The book of Leviticus chapter 18:1-30 describes the wickedness of the nation of Canaan
why God allowed the Israelites to enter the Land of Promise and drove the Canaanites out.
Almsgiving and Gift to the Poor
Jesus teaches the three great duties of the Christian: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. He warns the Christian to be very
discrete when it comes to almsgiving with his/her substance. It should be done from the inward person, which seeks
the approval of God and not the applause of people around.
Offering Prayer to God
Jesus teaches that the Christian should avoid vain repetitions in his/her prayers as unbelievers do in their idol worship
practices. In other words, vain repetitions in prayers should identify for us a pagan religion. For the fact that
unbelievers get no response from their gods made of wood and clay, they think that by prolonged and persistent
babbling, they could make their idols do anything for them. In contrast, the Christian is assured of a reply because God
answers even before he/she knelt down to pray. The Christian should praise God for answered prayers at all times.
Including in your prayer the fact that God would do what he has promised, that is to redeem His people. Placing your
livelihood and daily supplies of things you need in His hands. Christians must learn to forgive those who wrong them,
if forgiveness is expected from God for what they have done wrong before God and to others. You should pray for God’
s continuous protection, lest you walk away from His presence, and fall into the hands of evil men. Of course, our
refusal to forgive others in itself is a sin, and when we do not forgive others, we have not repented of our own sin, and
hence cannot find forgiveness for that of which we have not repented.
Fasting
Jesus teaches that when you decide to fast for a purpose, you must keep it as private as possible. People should not
know that you are fasting, as hypocrites would do, by their appearance to show the world how religious and holy they
are. The Christian while fasting, should communicate his feelings and desires to God, and to God only.
Worldliness and Wealth
In the world a man’s worth is linked to how much wealth he has massed up for himself. But Jesus teaches otherwise.
He teaches that one should put more spiritual wealth in his storage, than in the worldly system. If you focus on storing
up spiritual wealth, then you would have nothing to worry about especially when your life ends on earth. But if you
massed up worldly wealth, without making certain of your spiritual wealth, as the light of the body is the eye, it is
obvious that the whole mind and soul would be focused on the worldly wealth you have stored for yourself. If that is all
your eye can see, then there also will the focus of your heart be. In other words, if it is only the wealth you massed up
for yourself in this world is all you have to present at the seat of judgment before God at your death, then you will be
doomed for ever. Mammon, i.e, wealth, property, or money. Being wealthy is neither bad nor good.; how one uses his
wealth is what makes the difference. Under the Lordship of Christ, it is good; not under the Lordship of Christ, it
becomes an impediment, a handicap to one’s Christian life. You cannot love God and money at the same time. The
tendency is that you would love and serve one more than the other. The Christian may use money as the Lord provides,
not love or serve it. The Christian must learn to know where to draw the line when ever money is the issue at hand.
Faith Versus Anxiety
It is evident that anxiety is one of the worst maladies Christians experience, but beware for Jesus teaches that the
Christian should take no thought about his/her life’s outcome, because God has a perfect plan for your life, your daily
needs for food and clothings (v. 25). If God for centuries have fed the birds who do no work nor do any farming, how
much more can He do to feed you whom He made in His image, and has sent His son to die for? The unbelievers
worry and strive for these things, Jesus says. The Christian should first seek the presence of God to obtain His favor,
then will the Christian be well prepared to handle all those things his/her heart desires. These things shall certainly
flow from God and shall follow you and not you after these things (Ps. 23:6). Christians, therefore, have no reason what
so ever to worry about what the future holds, because the future is in the hands of God who has promised through His
son to care for you. Your duty is to first seek Him and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33; John 15:3-7).
Judging Others - Jesus Gives Directives
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” I have always heard people come up with this statement by Jesus, whenever you
pointed out some things they are doing that violates the principles of the Kingdom of God. The Christian should
understand that this command against judging does not mean we should never judge, or rather point out the wrongs
as we see them around us. Rather, Jesus' statement "judge not" is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental
attitude that tears others down in other to build oneself. The Christian haven been born again, should understand that
this command does mean that we should (1) first judge ourselves by examining our own motives and conduct; (2) never
judge rashly; (3) not to make our decisions binding on all; (4) never infer the worst (as we are apt to do); (5) never judge
a person on the basis of a single act; (6) never judge the hearts of others, for only God knows the heart. Receiving
anything from God require that you expect to receive what you asked for. The Christian asks through prayer, which
must be followed by the laws or principles that undergird it: (1) a right relationship to God through Jesus Christ. God
promises to answer the Christian’s prayer. He does not promise to answer the prayers of unbelievers, although he may
do so by common grace; (2) a genuine desire to secure from God the petition addressed to Him (1 Sam. 1:10, 11; 2 Kings
19:14-19; Luke 11:5-10); (3) a confidence in God that leads to asking in simple trust (7:7-11; James 4:2) (4) a faith that
believes that God is able and willing to answer (Heb. 11: 1; 1 John 5:14; 15); and (5) the confident acceptance of the
answer before it has come (Mark 11:24).
The Narrow Versus the Broad Way
The Christian should understand that Christianity is a life style, and this life style is somewhat a strict one. The way is
straight and ahead, there are no shortcuts to the gate that leads to the throne of God. However, there are ways that
lead away from the throne of God, unfortunately, a lot of people seem to be going that way because they lack any rules
and are fast lanes (Luke 24:11). The Christian is to stay on the straight route, because that is the way that leads to the
throne of God.
The Law and the Prophets
Jesus points out that the Law itself hangs on these: whatsoever you would that people do to you, do the same to others.
This is the Golden Rule. The Christian ought to live by it. There is a four-way test by which the Christian can make
decisions as to what he or she should do and how to think. The Christian must ask, (1) is it the truth?; (2) Is it
righteously fair to all concerned?; (3) Will it build good will and righteousness?; and (4) Will it be righteously beneficial
to all concerned? This is the law as was thought by the prophets, i.e., Jesus says, “this is the teaching of the law of
Moses in a nutshell.
The False Prophets
There are numerous warnings in the Scriptures against false prophets or parrots. They are called treacherous, covetous,
crafty, drunken, immoral, and profane. These liars who pretend to be what they are not should be shunned. You would
know them by their fruits, because no bad fruit can bring forth good. So it is with a false prophet. Certainly, a good
prophet shall bring forth good fruit, Jesus says. Unfortunately, every false prophet and or minister of the Gospel who
brings forth bad fruit shall certainly be thrown out of the camp of the children of God. Cut down and thrown into fire.
Two Types of Christians
Jesus in this passage describes two types of Christians, one is the one who calls himself of herself a Christian but does
not do the will of God, and the other is the one who believes and does the will of God. Jesus now concludes that
obviously, not everyone that calls himself or herself a Christian will receive the crown of victory. Jesus continues to say
that on the last day, many or the so called preachers and ministers of the gospel will try to talk Him into recalling
knowing them as preachers and ministers of His gospel, who did great things in His name, including charity work,
miracles, etc., but that in His answer he would be very loud and clear, “I never knew you, get away from me you false
and dubious servants.”
Jesus warns the Christian to make sure he or she is doing the word of God. To search the spirit of the prophet and or
the Scriptures always. The Christian is like a builder and might be led to build upon any of these foundations: gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. However, every Christian’s work shall be made known on the day of the
Lord. Every Christian’s work shall be tested by fire of what sort it is. If any Christian’s work which he or she has built,
survives the fire storm that shall test every work, the Christian shall receive the victory crown. But if the Christian’s
work should get burned or destroyed by the fire storm because the Christian had built his or her house (works, deeds)
with cheap materials and upon a heap of sand, he or she shall suffer a big loss.
The people were astonished at his doctrine, because he spoke as the Lord, and not as the scribes. The title Lord is
applied to Jesus Christ nearly seven hundred times in the New Testament. When related to the words Jesus and Christ,
these three terms tell us the following: As Jesus, he is the Savior, as Christ, he is the anointed one of God; as Lord; he is
the master of our lives. The word kyrios was used as the equivalent of Yahweh in the ancient Greek translation of the
Old Testament. If is so used in reply to: the New Testament, too. Thus, Jesus Christ is identified with Yahweh in the
use of kryios (“Lord”). Jesus the Christ is God (Matt. 21: 21; John 14:7-11).
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