Author: Steve Amato
Description: Jesus' New Testament teaching on the Sermon on the Mount
Keywords: bible study,bible, christian, Jesus, teaching, sermon

Translations: 简体中文 繁體中文

# The Sermon on the Mount

## Matthew 5:1-7:29 (web)

The Sermon on the Mount describes a behavior which is in accordance with the spirit of the Law devoid of hypocrisy. For that is what the command in Matt 5:48 to "be perfect" really means. In my opinion the primary purpose of the sermon is to humiliate the religiously proud. For in the Jewish society there was a certain elitist presumption of one's righteous standing before God based upon only a surface obedience to the Law, whereas the behavior of many was contrary to the spirit of the Law, being hypocritical. And the same could be said of many in the religious community today, not to mention in the society in general.

The Sermon starts off with what may be described as a paradox of blessings. Many Jews considered it blessed to be rich, happy and well thought of by others. But often the opposite is true.

> Re 3:17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'
> But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

# Blessings

## Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:1-3
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain.
When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

That is, blessed are those who realize they are poor in spirit. For in rebuking the church of Laodicea Jesus said, "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Rev 3:17

To be poor in spirit draws one to God, for "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18 and "this is the one the Lord esteems: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at His word."Is 66:2 Often these attitudes are lacking to various degrees among those who are materially wealthy or otherwise rich in the eyes of the world.

## Sorrowful

Mt 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

"Blessed" means "Fortunate", as we see the Greek being translated in Acts 26:2 where Paul says, "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews"

Yet what is fortunate about each of these statements in the Sermon on the Mount has to do with the future, which elsewhere in the New Testament the Christian experiences as "hope" - that feeling of anticipation of a future event of which one has faith will come to pass.

What is the "mourning" of he alludes? It is not worldly sorrow, like one's regret over the loss of material things, or like Judas who felt regret for what he did, but did not repent but rather committed suicide. It is written, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2Cor 7:10 In fact an example of godly sorrow can be seen in the context of this verses in 2Corinthians. For Paul writes, "Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it— I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us." 2Cor 7:8,9 He wrote this concerning their inappropriate toleration of sexual sin.

Sometimes God intentionally tries to make you sorrowful for your own good. Sometimes we also need to do that intentionally as well. Do you have the kind of sorrow that leads you to repenting from sin, or does such correction only produce worldly sorrow, bitterness or anger?

## Meekness

Mt 5:5
Blessed are the gentle, For they shall inherit the earth.

The "meek" are the humble.

> "Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Is. 41:17, Lu. 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Gal. 5:23)"Online Bible Lexicon

Interestingly also is that the same Greek word used here for "meek" (praus) is also used for "gentle" in Peter's instruction to Christian women.

> 1Peter 3:3,4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle (praus) and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

## Seeking Righteousness

Mt 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, For they shall be filled.

In the next chapter Jesus will say, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" Mt 6:33a Likewise Isaiah prophecies saying, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." Is 55:6,7

If a person is looking for something to eat, it's because he's hungry. Satisfying one's hunger may take some effort. Thus seeking after the LORD's righteousness is not a purely passive activity. In Jesus' day people would literally follow him around, sacrificing their time and other activities in order to be instructed of the LORD.

Seeking after the LORD is not in vain. It will inevitably be worth the effort.

> "Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12

## Merciful

Mt 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

The mercy spoken of here (eleew) means to "feel sympathy with the misery of another, esp. such sympathy as manifests itself in act, less freq. in word." Online Bible Lexicon

See also
the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
(http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/pbl14.html)

> This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’ Zec 7:9,10

## Pure in Heart

Mt 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Ps 24:4 "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart ..."

Clean hands refer to one's behavior and actions, whereas a pure heart speaks of one's desires, intentions, and motivations. A pure heart is that which is free from evil desires, having only good intentions and godly motives.

While developing a pure heart is progressive, it is nonetheless something which the Christian is actively pursing, as Peter writes, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever," 1Peter 1:22,23

And thus a significant part of developing a pure heart incorporates
1. fleeing from the lusts of the flesh, and
2. spending time with likeminded Christians.
3. spending time in the Word of God

> "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2Tim 2:22

## Peace Makers

Mt 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called children of God.

Peacemaking is not to be confused with those who surrender to the enemy for the sake of peace, nor should we compromise the truth. It does not say, "Blessed are the compromisers". Trying to make peace between man and God will inevitably cause conflicts as Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."Mt 10:34 Worldly peace is not what Jesus is offering. But through faith in Christ he offers peace with God and consequently peace among those who are in Christ. For "having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Rom 5:1

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Rom 14:19 And furthermore, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Heb 12:14

## Persecuted

Mt 5:10-12
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As I said, this is the kind of effect one should expect when attempting the reconcile man with God. The Bible teaches us that "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2Tim 3:12 Of course people are persecuted from many other reasons, and mostly not for the reasons alluded to here. But if one walks as Jesus and his apostle and the prophets, this is what one can expect from the world. And why does the world hate such people. Perhaps primarily for this reason. Jesus said, "the world hates me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7 and "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." John 3:20

## Salt

Mt 5:13
You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted?
It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

Mark notes that Jesus adds, "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." Mark 9:50 Thus they are "salt" in the sense that they have salt in them.

Salt itself can't actually lose its saltiness due to its very nature. But it turns out "If" here is third class conditional in Greek grammar. Meaning he's referring to a purely hypothetical situation, and not one which ever necessarily occurs. That is if, hypothetically, salt were to lose its saltiness it would be thrown out.

However one could imagine that which is identified as "salt" (alleged Christians or community of Christians) losing its saltiness. If right doctrine were "watered down", it would lose its saltiness, as in fact it had through the centuries of various flavors of "Christianity".

The metaphor of salt and light is one of purpose or usefulness. We may forget that we are here to serve God, but if we lose our usefulness then judgment is incurred.

## Light

Mt 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Paul writes, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life"Php 2:14-16

This is not to say Christians should boast of their good deeds. Much to the contrary. Further on Jesus discourages such boasting. But the fact is that if you are acting as a light in a dark place, you will inevitably be placed in a position of public scrutiny. People look to those who are active in doing good deeds, placing them on a pedestal.

The LORD says in Isaiah 58:10, "if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

## The Spirit of the Law: Intro

Mt 5:17-18
Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

The Law has application to the Christian life. But it is the spirit of the Law which those born of God naturally live by. Paul gave an example of the application of the Law in 1Cor 9:9 "For it is written in the Law of Moses: 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.' Is it about oxen that God is concerned?" in which he quotes Deut 25:4, but he applies it to preachers getting paid for their ministry, as also he does in 1Tim 5:18 . Christians are not to ignore even the least of the commandments of the Law, but rather to get at the heart of it, inferring applications appropriate for children of God.

## Exceedingly Righteous Behavior

Mt 5:19-20
Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The righteousness of the Pharisees was one of following the letter of the Law rather than the spirit of the Law, which often resulted in applications violating the spirit of the law. But how are we to interpret this surpassing righteousness? Certainly the positional righteousness we received through faith in Christ, which is the forgiveness of our sins, does indeed surpass the legalistic performance based righteousness of the law as Paul has elaborated greatly upon. However is that what Jesus means? For the emphasis in these chapters concerns one's behavior and not simply one's status before God.

I think rather that Jesus is referring to the righteous behavior which is inevitably associated with being born of God. For under the New Covenant once one is born of God not only is there forgiveness of sins, but also an inevitable effect on their behavior,

> This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." Heb 10:16,17

## Murder and Anger

Mt 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.’ But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

As Jesus is speaking of the spirit of the Law one has to be careful not to interpret his commands in a literal legalistic sense, else one can miss the spirit of what he is saying. For he is not replacing one law with another law, but rather he is revealing the essence of the law.

The Law speaks of things more or less overtly, such as murder and adultery being physical acts. But there are non-physical forms of these which though not necessarily being reckoned in the same degree or treated in the same manner, are nonetheless in the same categories. As such, Anger is in the category of Murder. Note however that this is an anger “without a cause”. If there’s cause to be angry, then be angry. Even God got angry when there was a right cause to do so. For example it says, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Ps 2:12 But "In your anger do not sin" Eph 4:26a

## Reconciliation

Mt 5:23-26
If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Most assuredly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.

This is right along the lines of Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant of Mat 18, which ended this way, "In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Mt 18:34,35

Though in this case it's the one who sinned against his brother who is instructed to seek reconciliation, while in the case in Mat 18 the parable is preceded by Jesus' instructions for the offended party to try an reconcile with the offender. But if he doesn't listen, then to break fellowship with the offender. The case here in Mat 5 is speaking to the offender to seek reconciliation. For God will vindicate innocent victims of unjustified suffering and as such call the offender to account for themselves. And to such victims I would say, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." Rom 12:19

## Adultery and Sexual Lust

Mt 5:27-30
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

> If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not your whole body be thrown into Gehenna.

Sexual Lust is in the category of Adultery. To lust in one's mind after a married woman is adulterous. I also infer that if after an unmarried woman it is more generally fornication. This would also generally include masterbation, as mental lust is involved.

Concerning the right hand and right eye, what is meant is "if it were true that..." (This is how the first class conditionals in the Greek are to be understood ["Greek Grammar beyond the Basics" Wallace pg. 690]) This is not to say that it is true, and in fact in this case it is not true. For it is not the members of our body that lead us astray, but rather the innate sinful nature within us, which is not so easy to get rid of as simply cutting off a member. But what is communicated here is the seriousness of sin so as to invoke conviction of sin and fear of judgment.

Even for those who have not committed acts of sexual immorality, sexual lust itself is enough to get them thrown into hell.

## Divorce and Adultery

Mt 5:31,32
It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’ but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

This is elaborated upon in the following passages: Matt 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18
The exception clause, found only in Matthew, I deal with in the on the web page "Marriage, Divorce and Adultery"

Laws of Divorce in the Law of Moses:

- A priest cannot marry a divorced woman. (Leviticus 21:7)
- If a man falsely accuses his new bride of having had premarital sex with another man, and the charge is found to be false, then he will never be allowed to divorce her. (Deut 22:19) (otherwise, if proven true, she is put to death)
- A man having premarital sex with a woman not pledged to be married must marry the woman and never allowed to divorce (Deut 22:29) (a fate worse than death?)
- If a divorced woman remarries another man and then gets divorced again or this second husband dies, she is not allowed to remarry her first husband (Deut 24:4)

Jesus is referring to Deut 24:1 about the certificate of divorce. Laws concerning divorce were really a compromise on God's part due to the hardness of heart of the Israelites as Jesus notes in Matt 19:8. Laws concerning divorce were not viewed as giving more freedom, but rather restricting the licentious nature of sexual behavior. Notice that each law above focuses on prohibitions.

In living a righteous lifestyle exceeding that of the Scribes and Pharisees, the Christian cannot get divorced nor remarry for any and every reason.

## Oaths

Mt 5:33-37
Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time,
‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’

but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘no.’
Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

Why make unnecessary oaths? For example, parents often with good intentions make promises to their children to give them a sense of security, but of which they know they may or may not be able to keep. Don't play God and teach your children to play God. Such is a common motivation in making oaths concerning things which we have little control over. By doing so people put themselves in the place of God, which is the root of all evil. To swear by this or that - even by your own head and foot is foolish, for even these are not yours but God's.

Oaths are Binding

"If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth." Num 30:2

Thus if one swears "till death do you part", it is a binding oath.

The end of the matter is this - Say what you mean.

## Vengeance

Mt 5:38-42
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.

'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' Ex 21:24 This is the basic concept of justice. Often we forget this as the popular philosophy today concerning the justice system is of reform rather than punishment. Thus, for example, people will argue for or against the death penalty based upon whether it "works" by deterring further crime, rather than viewing it as simply a just punishment for the crime committed.

While the Bible advocates the application of justice, on an individual level there needs to be a degree of toleration of abuse. However, I don't believe that such "toleration" should be the decision of those assigned to execute justice. For it's easy enough to tolerate an abuser when you're not the victim. (A message to liberal judges) But rather such toleration should be the decision of the victim. The Bible speaks much of this toleration of suffering.

> "if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1Peter 2:20,21

However this is not to say that justice should never be sought on one's own behalf. The idea of toleration is simply to behave as God does. For throughout the Bible we see that God is merciful, but puts a limit on his toleration of abuse.

> "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:4,5

However, one should not take the law into their own hands.

> Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Romans 12:19

Rather one should defer to the authorities whom God has assigned this task. (Romans 13:1-6) Ultimately God will recompense both the victim and perpetrator of crime.

## Love Your Enemies

Mt 5:43-47
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you
do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.

> For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
> and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others?
Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

There is no actual command in the Bible to hate your enemies. But the Jewish Talmud, which is a sort of commentary on the Law, says nothing of love to enemies. For the religious leaders didn't really understand the spirit of the law. The Jews at the time were generally prejudice. It even took a while for the apostles to get over their prejudice. They came to look on members of the same tribe as neighbors as even Jews everywhere. But they hated the Samaritans who were half Jews who lived between Judea and Galilee, and of course Gentiles as well. But as children of God we should consider who are God's enemies and how has He treated them. For we all were God's enemies and how did God treat us?

> Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"

So we should love our enemies, but this is not to say that we need to like them. God loves those whom he may eventually send to hell. But that is not to say that he likes them. Else he would not require them to change. Though Jesus spent time with sinners, he didn't simply talk about whatever they wanted to talk about, playing their games. He talked about sin, repentance, reconciliation with God and proper behavior. Jesus also loved the Pharisees who had him put to death. But the way he loved them was by humiliating them. So also the Christian idea of the practice of "love" is not the same as what the world's impression may be.

But on the other hand this is not to say that one should be unfriendly. For here Jesus associates this love with greeting people. Though I would imagine one's enemies may not be so friendly in return.

## Love vs Like

Just to digress on the previous interpretation which contrasts "love" and "like", Greek is much like English. In English we have distinct words for “love” and “like”, just as the Greek does, namely "agape" and "phileo". And we have only one word for “hate” and "dislike”. We say, “I hate that person”, and we say, “I hate vegetables”. The same in Greek where there is likewise no grammatical distinction between hate and dislike.
But there is a difference in connotation. For many words both in English and Greek have more than one connotation. Just look through any dictionary. How we distinguish between different connotations is not a matter of syntax, but of interpretation from the context.
Note for example in Mt 5:44 Jesus said to love your enemies, and yet he also said, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26
If “hate” can only be interpreted as the opposite of “love”, then this is clearly a contradiction. But the answer is in the cross reference to Luke 14:26. Namely Mt 10:37 "He who loves (phileo) father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
This shows that the “hate” of Luke 14:26 is equivalent to “not liking as much” of Mt 10:37 And therefore, more generally, the Bible indicates that “hate” can mean “not liking”(phileo), which is not the same as not loving. For we are called to love (agape) those we dislike. Likewise in John 15:19 where it states that the world loves (phileo) its own, but hates those who belong to Christ. In fact the translations would do better if they simply translating "agape" as "love" and "phileo" as "like", so that the distinction can be seen, and the interpretation can be more easily rendered.

## Be Perfect

Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

This is both prophetic and imperative. The tense being used in the Greek is future. But just as in English, a future tense can also be used as an imperative. True that it is inevitable that one day we will be perfect concerning our attitudes and behavior, just as God is perfect. But we should also strive to that end even now.

The Greek word for "perfect" is often translated mature, as in Php 3:15a "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." And 1Cor 14:20 "Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." Jesus is saying - grow up, act mature, behave as mature children of God should.

Let not Christians be lead astray into thinking Jesus is just speaking of ones position or standing before God. Rather he is speaking with regards to ones actual behavior as we note from the context. There's a bumper sticker that says, "Christians are not perfect, just forgiven." That statement is false. Christians are more than just forgiven.

> "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1John 2:4-6 (NKJV)

In accordance with this command Jesus will now spend two chapters speaking on "A Behavior Devoid of Hypocrisy"

## Secret Service Intro

Mt 6:1 Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them,
or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

For the next 18 verses Jesus will be speaking on this subject, the issue being one's motivation for doing righteous works. It is not that he is saying we should abstain from acts of righteousness which are seen by others, for one can imagine very few which don't involve other people, but given the fact as Jeremiah says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jer 9:27, one should try to avoid unnecessarily making their good deeds public.

## Secret Service in Charity

Mt 6:2-4 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

How you have decided to give is not the business of other Christians."Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2Cor 9:7 So as you are able, make your giving private. Avoid announcing to others your acts of charity, and if people ask you, try to put them off - perhaps quoting what Jesus says here.

## Secret Service in Prayer

Mt 6:5,6 When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Jesus is speaking by way of hyperbole. He is not against public prayer itself, but rather he speaking of motivation. However it is not uncommon even in the Christian community of some to be loud about their Christianity in public but subdued in private.

It is not inappropriate to seek for rewards. "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Heb 11:6 And Jesus speaks much of rewards to those who follow him. But seeking praise from men is idolatry compared to seeking praise from God. John 12:43 "for they loved praise from men more than praise from God."

## Brevity in Prayer

Mt 6:7,8 In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

In prayer it is probably good not to treat God like He's an idiot! People have all kinds of bizzare ways of talking with God. For example some interpret the idea of "calling on the name of the Lord" to mean simply to chant "O Lord Jesus" over and over again. What if I said I'll call you up, and you answer your phone, but all you hear is your name being repeated again and again. What good is that? And God is not like some kind of machine that you use just the right technique or say just the right words or push the right buttons and you get some candy out of it. God is a personal being who is insulted if you treated him as the pagans do their idols.

And what's the point in praying things that you neither really mean nor may even understand? Talk to God from your heart, for "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."John 4:24 I reckon it even inappropriate for unbelievers to be coerced into praying things that aren't really on their hearts nor singing Christians songs that they don't really believe. These are not in the spirit of truth. People should not speak vainly but honestly, especially when they are talking with God.

And "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Ec 5:2

## The "Our Father" Overview

Mt 6:9-13 Pray like this:

Praise & Submission

> Acknowledge His Position
> ‘Our Father in heaven,

> Acknowledge His Holiness -
> His contempt of the presense of sin
> may your name be kept holy.

> Acknowledge His Lordship (It's a kingdom, not a democracy)
> Let your kingdom come.
> Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Supplication

> Ask for necessary provisions
> Give us today our daily bread.

> Deal with Sin
> Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
> Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
> For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

## Hallowed be your name

Mt 6:9 Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

Despite the context referring to private prayer (vs 6) the corporate word "our" is used throughout. For even in private prayer the individual Christians prays for the benefit of the whole. "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." Rom 12:5 So when you pray for yourself, pray likewise for all other Christians as well.

Here God is addressed as "Father" which was a new way to address God. For up to that point He was addressed mainly as Lord. In fact calling God your own Father was reckoned blasphemy at the time. "For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God." John 5:18 Of course Jesus was uniquely the Son of God. But Christians are sons in the sense of adoption. For "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." Eph 1:5 In fact Christians are not only adopted but are also born of God. For "everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" 1John 5:1 This new relationship with God given to us through Jesus Christ gives us the right to call God our Father. And likewise "Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." Heb 2:11

The first thing Jesus presents in this prayer list is acknowledging and indeed affirming the holiness of God, which appears to be the most outstanding characteristic of God.

Isaiah 6:3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Revelation 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy , holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

"Hallowed by you name" is essentially "May you be reckoned Holy". Most commonly the Bible associates holiness with separation from sin. For example just after Isaiah's vision of God's holiness in Isaiah 6:3 he says, "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Is 6:5 More generally "holy" is simply "separate and special". Thus for example God is special in that we are to worship God and no other. Christians are to actively pray and pursue the perception of God's holiness to a world which holds a corrupt view of God.

## Your Kingdom Come

Mt 6:10 Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

It's a kingdom, not a democracy. "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2Cor 5:15 For as Jesus will note in the next chpater, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Mt 7:21 And just as Jesus said, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." John 6:38, likewise for the Christian. The Christian life is lived in service to God. In everything we do we must ask the question as to what God would want us to do as well as what he wants us not to do. (i.e. 1Thess 4:3 and the like)

As for the kingdom coming on earth, there are three dispensations of the kingdom of which I elaborate upon at http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/kingdom.html

## Daily Provision

Mt 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.

This is not a prayer for luxuries but for necessary provisions. And notice its brevity. For as Jesus had just stated in verse 7,8 "when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

But then why pray at all? Because God wants us to exercise our faith by acknowledging our dependence upon him and that what we have comes from him. This attitude also results in being thankful, which also keeps our hearts from being corrupted, as it is written of the unthankful, "although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Rom 1:21

So today pray to God concerning those things which you normally take for granted.

## Forgive as We Forgive

Mt 6:12,14,15 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. ... For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This principle is perhaps best illustrated in Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant Now unless there is significant ignorance on their part, realize that Jesus is not saying that if you forgive those who refuse to repent, God will forgive you even if you refuse to repent. Rather the principle is "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Col 3:13b So just as the forgiveness of our sins is contingent upon our intention to repent, likewise is God's expectation as to how we treat others. For even in the parable we note the servants expressed their intention to repent of their debt.

So "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." Luke 17:3 For that's how a child of God behaves. For more on forgiveness see http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/forgive.html

## Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Mt 6:13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

By "temptations" Jesus is referring to trials of one form or another. And there are times when God will in fact lead us into temptation, but He himself doesn't tempt us.

> Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

And trials offer some positive benefits But if we don't pray for deliverance from trials we may receive more than our fair share of them. Even Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Mt 26:39 and likewise Paul requested that the Christians "pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith." 2 Thessalonians 3:2

But if we do enter into a temptation make no excuses. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1Cor 10:13

## Secret Service in Fasting

Mt 6:16-18 Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

A Christian's service to God is to be modest, unassuming, exhibiting no pretensions, boastfulness, or ostentation. Jesus indicates there is virtue in giving the appearance that you're doing less for God than you're actually doing. For the flesh would have us give the appearance that we are doing more for God than we are actually doing. So part of the struggle with the flesh is walking humbly with God. More generally there are those who like to make a big show about the restrictions they place upon themselves, just to impress others. The spirit of Biblical fasting should be one of humility. Yet often those who are legalistic end up communicating a different spirit.

The Lord speaks more on fasting in Isaiah saying "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Is 58:6,7 Seems fasting is less about ourselves and more about others. That is we are to not be ostentatious about the sacrifices we make for others.

## Your Heart and Your Treasure

Mt 6:19-21 Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

So if your heart is where your treasure is, then if your treasure is stolen or corrupted so will your heart be stolen and corrupted. So better to invest in the things which are eternal. See Investing in an HRA Besides, this verse also gives us a clue as to how to change our heart's desire. For if your heart is where your treasure is, then if you want to change your heart away from sinful things, don't invest yourself in them. And if you want to change your heart to godly things, then invest yourself in them. This is particularly effective against greediness. The most effective way to overcome greediness is by practicing generosity. Though your heart may not be in it at first, inevitably it will be.

## Spiritual Discernment

Mt 6:22,23 The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

"The eye is the lamp of the body" in that our perception affects our whole behavior. If you cannot perceive what is true, just, and holy, then your lifestyle will be characterized by darkness, both mentally and morally.

But realize also that people who are spiritually blind are not innocent victims, but have become that way by responding to what God has revealed to them in an inappropriate manner.

> "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts." Eph 4:18

> "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Rom 1:18-21

Let this also be a warning to us, who claim to be children of light. For if we don't respond properly to what God reveals to us, our spiritual maturity and effectiveness will be hindered.

## Serve the One

Mt 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.

A person who loves money cannot love God. And besides, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income." Ecc 5:10 Consequently "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1Tim 6:10

The "Prosperity Gospel" has elements of this in its obsession over health and wealth. Money should be viewed not as an end, but as a tool - not as master, but as slave. God, on the other hand, is not to be viewed as our slave but our Master. This is often not the case for those who keep asking God for stuff with little intention of obeying His commands.

## Don't Worry

Mt 6:25-30 Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

Therefore "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Heb 13:5 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Php 4:6,7

But realize also that not worrying is not the same as doing nothing. It doesn't say, "do nothing". It says "Don't worry". Though at times, in fact, inaction is the right action. That is, not to get caught up in the things of this world. The idea is not so much "don't worry" as it is "don't let worldly concerns distract you significantly from spiritual concerns." "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs— he wants to please his commanding officer." 2Tim 2:4

"What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away." 1Cor 7:29-31

## God Provides Necessities

Mt 6:31-34 Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

As a general observation the Psalmist writes, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed." Ps 37:25,26 What is promised is not luxuries, but necessities in order that one make seek God relatively free from distraction. The general principle is that if a person seeks God, God works in such a way as to help free that person from other distractions. Now that may mean that He may actually remove certain things which cause distraction. But He also provides for actual needs as well. Each day does have trouble of its own. But such things are managable for those who seek God. This is the general principle Jesus was teaching.

## Hypocritical Judgment

Mt 7:1-5 Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

When he says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." he is speaking in a proverbial fashion. This is not a prohibition but rather he's speaking of a general principle much as these two proverbs say:

> Proverbs 26:4 "Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him."
> Proverbs 26:5 "Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes."

Jesus is speaking of the expected consequences in judging others. Consequences of which He himself experienced as he actively judged others, telling them of their sin. And as I had noted recently Jesus said to some unbelievers, "The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7 So if you want the world to love you, don't say anything bad about it. But don't think in doing so you're walking as Jesus did.

In fact besides Jesus' example, Paul also commands Christians to judge others. Paul writes, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'"1Cor 5:12,13

If you judge others, they will naturally judge you. This is simply human nature. Just try it yourself. Tell someone what's wrong with them, and almost inevitably they will tell you what's wrong with you. That's one thing Jesus was talking about. So be prepared to accept criticism when you correct others.

But secondly make sure that your own sin is not distorting your perspective concerning other people. That is "first take the plank out of your own eye." For the innocent are often subjected to slanderous accusations by those who feel they are morally superior, but who in fact have been blinded by their own sin. Such is the case throughout the gospels concerning the Pharisees and religious leaders against Jesus. And “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24

## Pearls to Swine

Mt 7:6 Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

The way the Jews would understand this is not to share spiritual things with Gentiles or Samaritans. But Jesus was not so racist. Rather he was speaking of the unspiritual. For was it not the Jewish hypocrites in the religious community who ended up trampling him and tearing him to pieces? But he does try to share with them spiritual things to a degree here and Matt 23 even more explicitly as well as in John chapter 8. One could argue in fact that the real reason Jesus was crucified was not because of his claims about himself so much as his humiliating the religious leaders.

Once again I point out that this is not a command, but a proverb. This figure of speech should be understood as "Generally speaking, if this, then that", rather than be interpreted as a command. It speaks of a principle, but as a truism it is wise to follow and not to give mockers more spiritual truth than they need. Though you'll end up giving them more than they want. And when they end up mocking you sometimes the best response is none at all. What is further implied here, and what indeed we see in Jesus' ministry is to spend most of your efforts on those who are receptive.

Here are some pearls to swine proverbs:

> Proverbs 9:7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
> Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
> Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

## Ask and Seek believing in God's goodness

Mt 7:7-11 Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

These are to be taken in the same context as 6:24-34 in the seeking of his kingdom and righteousness and not as in the Prosperity Gospel's false concepts of viewing God as our personal slave pandering to our every desire. Jesus is not speaking of a law that God is obligated to obey and by which we can manipulate God for our selfish ends. Rather he is presenting God as our Father who has our best interest in mind. Granted there are many fathers today who don't understand their own role and view themselves as simply slaves to their children, and rather than raising them they simply give them whatever they ask, whether it's good for them or not. But God is not that way.

Jesus is speaking not of a law, but a proverbial truism, a general principle. Generally speaking if you ask for something which is good for you, God will give it. Though God may withhold it if he has something better in mind. The subject of our asking should be good gifts and not bad gifts. But the unspiritual may end up getting things backwards in their asking, and whining enough God may indeed give us what might be perceived as bad gifts. For Israel complained against God and doubt His goodness whining for meat in the desert, and God gave them quail, along with a disease and leanness of spirit, because what they needed was discipline and humility. That was the good gift he gave them. So ask for that which is actually good for you and generally God will give that to you. The emphasis here is not that God is our slave, but rather that God loves us.

And if you need wisdom to know what good thing to ask of God.

## The Golden Rule

Mt 7:12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

This verse ends his dissertation on living according to the spirit of the Law. This is the summary principle of the Law and Prophets. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" has come to be known as the "Golden Rule", also called the "Royal Law" in James 2:8 " If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right." And The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Gal 5:14

> The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Rom 13:9

Perhaps this is also why Christians don't study the Old Testament as much as the New, seeing as much of it can be summarized in a single sentence. But then again, consider that through the Law and the Prophets God expressed his ideas of loving others. So if you want to learn to love others, then it would be good if you studied the Law and the Prophets. The Law and the Prophets is all about loving others.

## The Narrow Gate

Mt 7:13-14 Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.

The Christian faith is philosophically narrow and as such it is common for people to deviate from the truth. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 Some would claim this to be narrow minded along with much of what the Bible says. But that's the way it is. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."Acts 4:12

Jesus said that few find the way to salvation.Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’" Luke 13:23-27 Even among those claiming to be "Christian" it may be few will be saved, let alone outsiders who don't even seek the Lord and those of other religions. Therefore make every effort to enter in while you have a chance.

## Wolves

Mt 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

One of the things which Christians are instructed to do is the be watchful concerning a number of things. In this case Christians should be on their guard against false prophets. False prophets are those who teach significant misapplications of God's Word. The apostle Paul warned the elders of the church at Ephesus saying, "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." Acts 20:29-31 In fact much of the content of the New Testament letters, Paul, Peter, Jude, John, etc, deals with false teachings. Thus to be prepared to identify such things one should get familiar with the New Testament letters. But also they can be identified by the effect they have.

Mt 7:17-20 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.

And this goes both ways. One can identify those born of God by the fruit they bear as well. For more see also:

> 1st John
> The Parable of the Sower
> The Barren Fig Tree
> John 15:1-6

## Vain Words

Mt 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

It is vain to call Jesus Lord if we don't treat Him as Lord by doing what He says, else such an exercise of "faith" has no salvific value. If a person even prophecies and purportedly does miracles, does that mean that such a person is saved? No!

"I never knew you" This cannot be said of those who hypothetically were born of God at one point and then lost their salvation, since Jesus could not have said of such people "I never knew you". Rather these people were never saved to begin with. "Knew" is ginosko, which is personal, relational knowledge. It is interesting that he doesn't say, "You never knew Me", although this is quite apparent as well. But didn't God know them? Not in the sense of having established a personal relationship with them as He has with his children. Eternal life is knowing God personally.

> John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

## Application Oriented Faith

Mt 7:24-27 "Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall."

What is a sure foundation? "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1Cor 3:11

Only application oriented faith saves, and one which is established upon Jesus Christ. Those who don't apply the word are doomed to destruction. This is an identifying mark between those in the Christian community born of God and those born of the devil. Whether the foundation of one's faith is based upon Christ (the rock) or not may not be evident at first, but will be revealed as trials come (as also in the parable of the sower.) Again realize that it’s not saying that one must do works – even works of faith – to be saved. For salvation is not pre-conditioned on works, but on faith. But inherent in saving faith is the intention to apply one’s faith. A person is saved by faith, and then as a saved person he applies his faith in works of faith, which then is an outward indication that the person has been saved.

## Authority

Mt 7:28,29 It happened, when Jesus had finished saying these things, that the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.

The Pharisees taught simply mindless rules and regulations without understanding the purpose behind these, and they would quote one another rather than speaking authoritatively. But Jesus taught as the author and creator who understood the sense and spirit behind the Law. He could reveal the big picture while the others were caught up in details. The Pharisees were like engineers who tried to reverse engineer a complex design without understanding what they were doing. While Jesus was the original designer and spoke from that perspective.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources