Matthew 5

Poor in Spirit

This event is called the Sermon on the mount; Matthew 5-7, in this scripture Jesus tells us how to live a Christian life.

Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

Multitudes, great crowds of people were following Jesus, probably because of his miracles. He set down after going up the mountain, maybe it was a warm pleasant day, with grass on the ground. His disciples came unto him. Who were his disciples? So far we know four names; Andrew, Peter, James and John. He would pick twelve to follow him closely. Those who would hear and do the Lord's will were his disciples. Were the multitude disciples? I don't think so. Even in the church, the greatest part do not come close to Jesus to learn of him.

Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

They did not read his thoughts or imagine what he was thinking, he opened his mouth, and taught them. Often, people will say,"Oh, I need not say anything, my life is a witness for Jesus." Bless the Lord, let your light shine before men, however, to make converts and disciples we must open our mouths and speak God's word. When Jesus speaks, all need to listen and hear and understand. When we speak, we should speak the words of Jesus and the word of God. They are life and power and healing to the hearer.

This first portion of the sermon on the mount is called "the Beatitudes'" the attitudes we should have as Christians. We should be as Jesus says in the be attitudes.

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The poor are needy, if the spirit is poor, it can only be enriched by God's spirit. We cannot please God by ourselves. He must come to us and be our strength. Not only were we poor in spirit, but we were spiritually dead. Jesus came and we received new life in HIS spirit. He is here now, receive him if you have not yet done so.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

In Jesus, the poor in spirit receive the kingdom of heaven. Hear this from Mary's praises;

Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

If we are not in need of anything, we cannot receive of God. Blessed are the poor in spirit.

They that mourn

Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

When someone died in the time of Christ, in the Jewish culture, they hired professional mourners to weep and wail around the clock. This is not the mourning that Jesus said shall be blessed. The mouning I believe he is speaking of, is the sorrow for sins.

Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

No sin may come into God's presence. This is why the LORD God sent his son, Jesus, to take away our sins. Isaiah, in Gods prophetic voice describes the messiah and his work.

Isa 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

To mourn because of our sin is good, because it may lead us to Jesus.

Blessed are the meek

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek, in the Greek language implies strength under control. Spiritual meekness shows a willingness to submit under God's authority, to not demand one's own way. There is a popular slogan "if it feels good, do it," No, this is not a meek spirit, this is a person controlled by lusts. A meek person is a person of character and discipline. Submitting their own desires to the better will of God.

Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Moses was called a meek man by the LORD. When he was accused by Miriam and Aaron, he submitted to God and God took up his defense. Miriam, Moses' sister was stricken with leprosy, in part for opposing Moses. but also because she had left her place under authority, as did Eve with Adam. Aaron was not stricken, perhaps because Moses had asked God earlier, to allow Aaron authority to be his spokesman and the spiritual high priest. God was angry with Aaron too. Miriam was healed in time, by Moses' intercession to God. Moses was a man who spoke mouth to mouth with God.

Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Let this be a warning to a man or woman, do not oppose God's chosen people in a willful way.

David would not oppose "God's anointed," King Saul.

1 Sam 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

There are ways to let your grievances be known. But do not be controlled by anger, be a meek person doing things in order.

1 Tim 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

for they shall inherit the earth. (the meek)

Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psa 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Psa 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
Psa 25:12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Psa 25:13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

The meek shall prosper and inherit the earth. Jesus was meek, in him we will inherit the earth as he returns to rule at the end times.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We come to our meek savior and we learn his ways. To be spiritually meek is not to be weak, it is to be under God's control. Lord have your way.

Righteousness

Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

God has chosen a few out of many unto himself, even in the strict days of the law of sin and death. Some ministers preach the law and condemnation to the church, forgetting that we are under the "grace" of Jesus. Jesus himself has taken sins punishment on the cross, so that we can live in his righteousness. Our righteousness is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are in Christ, saved by his blood shed for us, we should be most grateful, seeking to learn of this new life so as to live as children of grace.

1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Cor 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Do the people of the world hunger and thirst for righteousness? No, they have only the sin nature and not the nature of God through Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

It is God's Spirit in you that hungers for the things of God. Blessed Holy Spirit make us into children pleasing in this world to our God and Father.

If you are seeking God, come to Jesus and he will give you his Holy Spirit.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

We are new creations, living souls made alive by God's Spirit through the gospel of Jesus Christ, praise God. We can only please him through his Spirit. We have no righteousness in ourselves. God knows, and loves us, he sent his Son to gather us unto himself. Let not another give you law and condemnation, live in God's Spirit And the perfect law of liberty in love.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Blessed are the merciful

Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Mercy, we want from God, but we must be merciful too. How often I have seen people in the world, full of power, showing no mercy. This is not of God. When they come before God at the judgment, will he give mercy? Now is the time for mercy and grace. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting God's favor, that we do not earn. In God's love he gives us all things, through our faith in Jesus. We do not earn it, it is a gift of grace.

Psa 18:25 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright;

Jesus spoke to those who accused him of eating with sinners;

Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Mercy, is a gift of God's Spirit. Mercy must be accompanied with wisdom. There are people who will take advantage of anothers mercy for selfish purposes. Pray for judgment with mercy. Often a young Christian woman will marry an unsaved man, because of mercy. She will only receive sorrow. Mercy must be in God's will and in his grace.

Pure in Heart

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

In a world where lusts are sought after more then God, where are the pure in heart? Almost everyone has failed or been a victim of another's lust. The TV and movies are saturated with lusts of the flesh and violence. The schools refuse to allow God and morals into the classrooms. This makes for a dangerous world to live in. But, to those who have Jesus as their savior, there is a higher expectation. We are not of the world.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Lev 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
Lev 20:8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Pet 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
Jesus has cleansed our hearts and removed our sins for all time, but it is up to us to keep ourselves clean from all flesh and bad things of the spirit. We are not to sin against our bodies and grieve the Holy Spirit within by looking or going where we will be tempted. God loves us, he sent Jesus who knows the flesh nature. He lived without sin and now we are connected to him, we shall keep our part and he will keep us always in his hand.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Jesus has given us a pure heart, now we shall keep it pure. If you have not yet come to Jesus, he is waiting, you cannot make yourself pure of heart.

Peacemakers

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

In the Old Covenant with Israel, an offering had to be made for peace.

Exo 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Hundreds of thousands of animals were offered, and still there was no peace in their hearts. The peace offering of God, is the peacemaker, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our peace and our sin offering for peace.

A peacemaker is after God's heart. We seek peace in unity with those of the Lord.

Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

How important it is to be one with God, in the Spirit of peace. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. When Jesus prayed to the Father about us, he said that we were not to be afraid. He would send the comforter, the Spirit of peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

1 Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1 Cor 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1 Cor 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Psa 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psa 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Prov 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Peace has come to earth in the God-man, Jesus.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Persecuted

Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Here is a promise of God: If you are persecuted for righteousness, Jesus is our righteousness, you will receive a great reward in heaven.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
John 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake,

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 Pet 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1 Pet 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Pet 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1 Pet 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

In summary, we are greatly rewarded in heaven for all persecution for righteousness sake. But, if we are corrected for a fault it is not something to be rewarded for. As Jesus was persecuted, so will his servants suffer persecution. Be not afraid, it is an honor. Live a godly life.

2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Salt and Light

Mat 5:13 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.

Salt is a preservative. It's presence keeps away spoiling of the food. We, are to keep sin away. Our presence is to purify the surroundings we are in. When we enter a room, people, should stop swearing and be convicted of sins, because of the presence of God's Spirit.

If we lack the savor of God in our lives, and are ourselves corrupted, then we have no good affect on the world. Jesus has purified us, but we must keep our way of life free of sin.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Light removes the darkness. Sin occurs usually in darkness. Applying this Spiritually, we must let our Spiritual light shine in our cities, we will then make a difference. We need to win our cities people to the Lord. The people need to minister the gospel from the churches to the cities and byways, to the people outside the churches. Then they will come to the churches to be built up.

Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Mat 5:15 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.

A candlestick gives light to the house. Our homes are the first place to show God's light, the marriage partner and the children should be taught of the Lord and his promises. They should be led to Jesus by his saving grace.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Deu 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Your light, your good works seen by others. The purpose is to glorify the Father in heaven. When we are selfish and behave as the world, the light is hidden and the Father is not honored. The source of light is within, the presence of Jesus through his Holy Spirit. His Spirit is the power on earth to change hearts after they repent and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

jot nor a tittle

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Jesus fulfilled all the law and without sinning. He himself fulfilled 109 prophecies. There are three times more prophecies about Jesus coming the second time, as king and judge, more than the prophecies of his first coming. Look up, your redemption is near. Scriptures are being fulfilled even now. Not one jot nor tittle, not the least dot or comma will disappear from the law until all are fulfilled.

Oh, but Satan and his workers would say that it is not so. How they pick away at the Bible saying, it is only a book, just words on paper...written by men. What does God say in His Word?

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Inspiration, it is God breathed, All the word of God given to men. Not just any men, these were Holy men. Men of exceptional callings, devout men, and who were filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

2 Pet 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

A popular song claimed that the things in the Bible, including Jonah in the whale, "aint necessarily so" well, that is just unbelief, the just shall live by faith in God's word.

Jesus himself, the Living word from God, testified that the scriptures are indeed true, including Jonah being swallowed by a fish, for he used this event to proclaim his own burial and resurrection. Every prophesied event shall come about.

Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is the greatest, under His Father's authority, he is king of the kingdom, without sin, and the fulfillment of the law and many prophecies. Taking anything away from the word, in wrong teaching or willful disobedience, will demote you to the least in the kingdom. But whosoever shall do them and teach them shall be called the greatest in the kingdom. Notice, doing is before teaching the word, If we teach and do not do, we are as the hypocrites.

Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

The Bible is true, from cover to cover, some is history, some poetic, the law, the prophets, it is all true. Believe and be transformed in your mind. Become as Jesus, have the mind of Christ. He came to proclaim the good news and to fulfill the law. We cannot keep all the laws, we are not perfect. But, our faith in Jesus takes us out from under the law he has fulfilled, into grace, God's love and favor. We become as Jesus, one with God, beloved children, because we have believed God's word and we do it, we trust in Jesus.

Unrighteous Anger

Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Rejecting Jesus, is having no righteousness. Self righteousness is no good. Isaiah the prophet spoke God's words when he said:

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

The scribes and Pharisees, thought that they were righteous, and yet they plotted to Kill Jesus, God's son.

Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Mat 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Mat 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

The righteousness requirements of God exceeds the law. Jesus shows how that God sees our hearts and attitudes. What about our lustful thoughts? or the memories of being wronged that bring anger to our memory? These may come, because we still are flesh, but our Spirit nature is of God and we need not dwell on these things. Remember what James said about lust;

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Watch out for the things that entice you, you know what they are. Avoid them, do not dwell on them. If you have anger, allow God to help you forgive. When we can forgive, then we are really free.

Mat 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca( empty, airhead ) shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Sometimes anger gets way out of hand. Sometimes lusts or other sinful things of life take hold of our attention. When you find they are taking hold, it is time to back away from them. If you have something against a brother, go to him and make it right if possible.

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

If you have caused a problem, or have anger or a bitter spirit, ask for forgiveness, for if your brother is offended by you, your walk with the Lord will not be close. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice. If the person doesn't forgive, that becomes their problem, you are free. We are to be people of life and love, like our Lord. Our nature is as God, seeking always reconciliation and to do good works, in love.

2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

We are in the business of making new live's in Jesus and reconciling broken relationships. Nothing shall be impossible, if you believe God. Faith is our victory, Jesus is our conqueror. He has destroyed the power of satan and given us kingdom authority. All must bow to the name of Jesus. We are to love one another in humble obedience to our King.

Be Agreeable

Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

If another has a disagreement with you, make peace with him, Some will take vengence, bringing you to the judge, officer, prison and you will loose everything you own of value. Just your attitude can cause problems. Some people rebel against authority, in fact whenever they must speak to one in authority, they are disrespectful. Who has made us above others? We are to be servants of all. Has someone wronged you? Forget it, and you will be better off.

Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

Have you never harmed another? Then why do you seek vengence or even take another to court? Keep busy, work off your anger, provide for others needs.

Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Adultery

Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Sexual sins are glamorized in this age. Popular singers and stars are found advertised in pornography. It is big business and those making money god, will sell the god of lust to those of weak character. This leads to adultery; sin against a marriage partner. Even looking at a woman or man with lusts is counted as adultery to God. This may cause a person to be cast into hell, if it continues.

1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Praise God he can and has delivered people and washed them, made them holy unto God, and declared them not guilty of sin or wrongdoing. Jesus has done this. How much would you give up to avoid hell?

Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

The eye is the window of the soul, and the entry place for lust to enter in, for a man.

Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

That is serious talk about a serious subject. Avoid temptations and do not sin. If the right hand is involved in the sin, better to cut it off then to be cast in hell. Do not get hooked by something that satan will add fuel to, until you are in flames of desire and bound for the fires of hell.

Divorce

Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

The Law of Moses said:

Deu 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
Deu 24:2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.
Deu 24:3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;
Deu 24:4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Our society has lenient laws for divorce. The greatest concern seems to be who gets the most money. Children suffer damage from divorced parents. Live in boyfriends are an act of disobedience to God and a danger to the children in the family. To know what is right and to not do it is sin. Children become victims in a free sex society without restraints.

Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Mat 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

You can always go to a friend in the world, who will tell you to get a divorce, because you need to fulfill yourself, or be liberated. Jesus says different. Who do you serve? If being abused, be separated. If fornication is in the marriage, you may be divorced.

Mat 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Divorce should not be a casual option, it is a serious matter.

Oaths

Mat 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Lev 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

The pharisees taught that an oath to God, you must keep, but an oath not in the name of God, you coiuld get out of. This tradition was not in keeping with God's law. They applied it only in one way.

Deu 23:23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

WE should keep our promises to God. What have you promised? What does God's son say? Remember Jesus spoke only the words of his Father God.

Mat 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Mat 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Mat 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Coming from evil, in that they never intended to keep these oaths, or even if they did intend to keep them, they always knew the pharisees would see that the oath would be broken. I remember a group of Jews in Acts, who vowed to kill Paul, or not to eat a meal.

Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

They were not able to kill Paul, as God's hand was on him. Undoubtedly they went to the pharisees, and enjoyed a good meal afterwards. Paul was a Jew, the Apostles were Jewish, Jesus was born a Hebrew. This is about obeying God, not about a particular people. Truth is of God. God's word is true and unbreakable. We are God's children through Jesus, so our word should be kept. Remember your marriage vows, have you kept them? If you promised to love and cherish, do you abuse? For better or worse, do you leave when something better comes along? Better not to make oaths, if you do not intend to keep them. Better to say yes or no. I say yes to God. Use me Lord for your glory, I want to serve you.

Gary

Matthew Chapters

Matthew 6
Matthew 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings Bible Commentaries
Eaglewings Topical Bible Studies
Eaglewings Testimonies