The Two Kingdoms
The Kingdom of God is much different then the kingdom of darkness. Values, government, and economy work completely different in these two places.
It would seem that the things listed next are things all Christians could do, and I believe should do. Like being poor in spirit, meek, merciful etc. Note: If a man is meek, merciful or poor in spirit, God will bless him.
Poor In Spirit 5:3
Jesus said that the poor in spirit would get the kindom of heaven. Poor in spirit = Broken before God. Jesus promised that if the weak and heavy laden would come unto Him, He would give them rest.Throughout scripture God tends to use the weak and poor in His most powerful works, people such as, Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, David, not to mention Christ's own disciples. God loves the broken, and the weak, for they are the ones empty of themselves, ready to be used for Him.
Mourn 5:4
When we sin, and are caught for it, there are usually only two reasons why a man would cry. One, he is repentful of his crime, or two, he is in sorrow at being caught for what he did and not really repentful.
Jesus says that those who mourn will be comforted. I believe that who He is talking about here, are those who are repentful of what they have done, broken before His throne, weeping for forgiveness. He will comfort them.
Meek 5:5
In todays lingo, if the word meek were to be used, it would be looked at as meaning weak. Meek actually means one who has power, but keeps it under control. In todays culture, self control is not a big thing. But it is a fruit of the spirit, thus it's importants in the Christian life is valuable. Jesus Himself showed us the perfect example of meekness. For even when He was on trial, though He had all power to overcome His enemies, He opened not His mouth, but fulfilled the will of His Father. Another meaning for meek, is humble. In the book of James it says that God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble. James 4:6. In Isaiah 29:19, it says that in the Lord, the meek would increase in joy.
Hungering And Thirsting For Righteousness 5:6
If we as Christians were to hunger after the righteousness of God, it would seem that our desire for such things of this world would deminish. David is a man to whom we see in Psalms, crying out to God for holiness, his attitude is a picture for us as to what hungering and thirsting really is. David cried, I set no evil thing before mine eyes. If we cried such a thing, I am sure alot of the movies we watched would go down the drain. How can we hunger and thirst after righteousness, if we're chewing on sin all day? We must hunger and desire the pure righteousness of God.
Merciful 5:7
To be merciful with some one, doesn't quite mean that we feel sad or sorry for them, but rather that we are compassionate with them. To have compassion for some one goes a little farther then just feeling sad for them. Compassion tends to incorperate some duties, like fellowshiping with the hurting, praying with the needy. The man who watches his tv and feels sorry for the poor kids in Africa, isn't really all that merciful/compassionate if he doesn't do much about it. I'm not talking about giving his money necessarily, but rather giving prayer time for them, if able, fellowshipping with them and encouraging them.
Titus 3:5 tells us God had mercy on us, which saved us. God didn't just sit back feeling sad for us, He had mercy on us, which required work do be done in order for us to have redemption and be saved.
Pure In Heart 5:8
Keep evil out of the heart, for the life is based upon the desires of the heart. Prov. 4:23 Our hearts are the most important thing to guard in life from sin. The pharisees gave their hearts to sin, thus thier actions weren't right with God.
Through Christ our position in life has been made pure, but by being in Him, we are to continue in all purity, purifying ourselves in Him. Thus our condition in life is to purify ourselves for God.
Peacemaker 5:9
We as Christians should not act in riotousness or arguing, but in peace we should deal with all problems. A peacable person knows when to open his mouth. Prov. 25:11 Christ was a wonderful example of being at peace in a very unpeaceful situation. Thus we, as followers of Christ, should also remain in peace in what ever we do.
Persecuted 5:10-12
The world hates us due to the fact that we are not of this world. There is a difference between persecuted and judgement (which pre-tribers don't understand). To be persecuted means, to be punished and afflicted for no evil doings. Judgement is when you have been caught for wrong doings and must now be punished. We should not worry though about our body being hurt or killed, but keep focus and trust in Him in whom has the power to kill both body and soul. Matt. 10:28
Ye Are The Salt 5:13
We as believers should be having the influence on this world, and not allow this world to have the influence on us. But if we allow the world to be the influence, we are worthless before God, for we have given over to the world and it's ways. We must let Him who is within us, Jesus Christ, shine out of us as a sweet savor to this dying world.
Ye Are The Light 5:14-16
Just as the moon reflects the light that the sun shines on it, so are we who believe in Christ are. He is the light, and in Him we shine that light too. He shines on us, and we shine on the world. Prov. 4:18 says that the path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more. But that light can be hindered by sin and fear. When witnessing, fear can hinder that light from shining out to the world. The light that we allow Christ to shine through us, is what leads people to the Father. If we hinder the light, we hinder the lost from being led to Christ.
The Law 5:17-20
The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled the law, thus if we're in Christ the law is fulfilled. Christ became a curse for us, thus releaving us of our curse, thus fulfilling the law. Gal. 3:13
Purpose of the law-
A) To show us all are fallen and guilty, and in need of a Savour.
B) It is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Thus the law is very important when witnessing to the lost, to show them where their at before God.
Thou Shalt Not Kill 5:21-26
Christ's standards for the Church are much higher then that of what the law required. If a man hated his brother for no reason, in God's eyes that is murder. God, throughout scripture deals with the heart of man, and not the appearance.
One thing God desires from us is that we are in accord with those in the Church. In fact He wants our problems with each other dealt with before we come to worship Him. If we can't be in fellowship with those we see, how could we possibly be in fellowship with Him to whom we can't see? Or how can we love God, who we can't see, if we hate him who we can see? 1 John 4:20
Thou Shalt Not Lust 5:27-30
As stated before, God looks at the heart of man. Adultery to the average man is looked at as a physical sin, but God starts with the heart. If a man looks on a woman to lust for her, to God, that man has commited adultery with that woman in his heart. Before any action has been taken place, the sin that leads to such actions has already been commited in the heart. Thus before God, if a man lusts, he is an adulterer at heart and is worthy of judgement.
Divorce 5:31-32
Jesus mentions in Matt. 19:8, that it was due to the hardness of mans heart that he gave man the means to put away his wife. But from the beginning it was not something to be done. God had not intended for man to put away his wife. The only justification that God gives man, when it comes to divorce, is if fornication has been commited.
Oaths 5:33-37
Jesus seems to be hitting hard on man making a choice. God doesn't want man to be standing in the middle, or walking the fence. To God their is no grey area, it is either black or white. Christ said, Let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay: for whatsoever is more then these, cometh of evil. If man is going to make a promise to God, God doesn't want that man acting wishy washy as to whether he'll fall through. God wants a man to stand on his word, and fulfill that which he said he would do.
Eye For An Eye Or Loving Our Enemies? 5:38-48
It is so easy as humans to react out of anger towards those who do us wrong. But Christ calls for something far greater then letting our anger go.
Do not use carnal means to react to those who do evil to us. It was while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and while dying He cried, "Father forgive them". Thus if we as children of God and purified by the blood of Christ, we ought to forgive those who hurt us and love those who hate us.
Almsgiving 6:1-4
The problem man has is he desires to be seen of men. God on the other hand calls for man to want to be seen of God. When we give unto the Lord, don't go sounding a trumpet as to how much your giving or that your even giving, but be joyful that your Father in heaven sees what your giving and blesses you for it.
Prayer 6:5-15
One of the greatest things we have as children of God, is the allowance to come boldly before the throne of God with our requests. But it is so easy to focus on things of ourselves or wants rather then needs, thus Jesus gave us an example as to how our hearts should be, and how our prayers should be directed when we come before the throne. We should address the Father, worship Him, intercede for others, ask for our needs, confess our sins, and asking continuely for His leadership and guidance. But above all, being in His will and not in ours, that we may be used by Him.
Fasting 6:16-18
Just like almsgiving, man has a problem with wanting other men to see what he is doing for God. God does not desire a man showing off what he as a man can do for God, but rather coming to the Father in all humbleness, and doing the works of the Father's will in all humbleness laying aside the pride of life. For if we remain unnoticed by men in our fasting, our Father who sees us in secret, will reward us.
Treasures In Heaven 6:19-21
Jesus commanded earlier that our heart remain pure. Jesus commands now that our treasure that our heart desires, be that which will remain in heaven. Don't desire things of this world, and make them your treasures, for the things of this earth can easily be destroyed or stolen. But that which is laid up in heaven can neither be destroyed or stolen.
Full Of Light 6:2-23
Again God calls for us to be focused on His light, His will, that our whole body might be filled with that light. For there is a darkness that seems like light. Religion of man is as a darkness that seems like light, or as a wolf in sheeps clothing. God calls for us to be aware not to think we have the light cause we do good, but know we have the light cause Jesus is in us.
Seek God's Kingdom 6:24-34
God's main desire out of His children is that they would completely rely on Him. He tells us to take no thought as to what we will eat for the day, but believe that He Himself will give us what we need. The birds, and the lillies are examples to us at how our Father in heaven provides for them. We must as His children believe in our hearts that He will provide for us as well.
Judging 7:1-6
Many people take this verse and say a man cannot judge any one for anything. Sure I can't sentance a man to hell, but I sure can tell him, through the word of God, that what he is doing will lead to hell. We are to judge not according to the appearance of a man, but by his fruit. A man can be judged righteously (John 7:24) by God's word (John 12:48) according to his fruit (Matt. 7:20).
Seeking God's Help 7:7-12
God desires of His children to ask Him, according to His will, for provisions. For He promises that he who asks shall receive, he who searches shall find, he that knocks, the door shall be opened.
The Narrow Way 7:13-14
With God there is only one way. It is a narrow and sometimes hard path for man. But with Christ we can make it. He said, I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John 14:6. No other religion in this world can be linked in with Christ. Christ said that narrow is the way that leads to life, and wide is the way to destruction. To the world, Christ is hard to follow, but blessed are they who do follow Him.
False Prophets 7:15-20
It's hard these days to know who is for the Lord and who is against Him. Christ laid it out very simple. By their fruit of what they do, they give their hidden hearts desire away. Thus we as believers should show them where their at fault, according to the scriptures, and whether they hearken to the word of God or not, one can see where their heart is.
"I Never Knew You" 7:21-23
A man can do good works and be moraly right in life, but if He does not believe in His heart that Jesus is Lord, he will perish. There is more then just confessing with the mouth, but it is the believing that He is truelly Lord of lords, and not by our works but by what He did for us, we are saved. For if we just confess with our mouths, and even do good things in His name, but have no relationship with Him and no real belief that He is Lord, we will perish. He will say unto us on that day, "Depart from Me, I never knew you".
Firm Foundation 7:24-27
With all those words with which He has taught us, Christ demands action. Do not be just a hearer, but a doer also. For if you only hear, you are not obeying, but he who both hears and does what Christ has commanded, shall have a firm foundation in Christ.
The Kingdom of God is much different then the kingdom of darkness. Values, government, and economy work completely different in these two places.
It would seem that the things listed next are things all Christians could do, and I believe should do. Like being poor in spirit, meek, merciful etc. Note: If a man is meek, merciful or poor in spirit, God will bless him.
Poor In Spirit 5:3
Jesus said that the poor in spirit would get the kindom of heaven. Poor in spirit = Broken before God. Jesus promised that if the weak and heavy laden would come unto Him, He would give them rest.Throughout scripture God tends to use the weak and poor in His most powerful works, people such as, Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, David, not to mention Christ's own disciples. God loves the broken, and the weak, for they are the ones empty of themselves, ready to be used for Him.
Mourn 5:4
When we sin, and are caught for it, there are usually only two reasons why a man would cry. One, he is repentful of his crime, or two, he is in sorrow at being caught for what he did and not really repentful.
Jesus says that those who mourn will be comforted. I believe that who He is talking about here, are those who are repentful of what they have done, broken before His throne, weeping for forgiveness. He will comfort them.
Meek 5:5
In todays lingo, if the word meek were to be used, it would be looked at as meaning weak. Meek actually means one who has power, but keeps it under control. In todays culture, self control is not a big thing. But it is a fruit of the spirit, thus it's importants in the Christian life is valuable. Jesus Himself showed us the perfect example of meekness. For even when He was on trial, though He had all power to overcome His enemies, He opened not His mouth, but fulfilled the will of His Father. Another meaning for meek, is humble. In the book of James it says that God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble. James 4:6. In Isaiah 29:19, it says that in the Lord, the meek would increase in joy.
Hungering And Thirsting For Righteousness 5:6
If we as Christians were to hunger after the righteousness of God, it would seem that our desire for such things of this world would deminish. David is a man to whom we see in Psalms, crying out to God for holiness, his attitude is a picture for us as to what hungering and thirsting really is. David cried, I set no evil thing before mine eyes. If we cried such a thing, I am sure alot of the movies we watched would go down the drain. How can we hunger and thirst after righteousness, if we're chewing on sin all day? We must hunger and desire the pure righteousness of God.
Merciful 5:7
To be merciful with some one, doesn't quite mean that we feel sad or sorry for them, but rather that we are compassionate with them. To have compassion for some one goes a little farther then just feeling sad for them. Compassion tends to incorperate some duties, like fellowshiping with the hurting, praying with the needy. The man who watches his tv and feels sorry for the poor kids in Africa, isn't really all that merciful/compassionate if he doesn't do much about it. I'm not talking about giving his money necessarily, but rather giving prayer time for them, if able, fellowshipping with them and encouraging them.
Titus 3:5 tells us God had mercy on us, which saved us. God didn't just sit back feeling sad for us, He had mercy on us, which required work do be done in order for us to have redemption and be saved.
Pure In Heart 5:8
Keep evil out of the heart, for the life is based upon the desires of the heart. Prov. 4:23 Our hearts are the most important thing to guard in life from sin. The pharisees gave their hearts to sin, thus thier actions weren't right with God.
Through Christ our position in life has been made pure, but by being in Him, we are to continue in all purity, purifying ourselves in Him. Thus our condition in life is to purify ourselves for God.
Peacemaker 5:9
We as Christians should not act in riotousness or arguing, but in peace we should deal with all problems. A peacable person knows when to open his mouth. Prov. 25:11 Christ was a wonderful example of being at peace in a very unpeaceful situation. Thus we, as followers of Christ, should also remain in peace in what ever we do.
Persecuted 5:10-12
The world hates us due to the fact that we are not of this world. There is a difference between persecuted and judgement (which pre-tribers don't understand). To be persecuted means, to be punished and afflicted for no evil doings. Judgement is when you have been caught for wrong doings and must now be punished. We should not worry though about our body being hurt or killed, but keep focus and trust in Him in whom has the power to kill both body and soul. Matt. 10:28
Ye Are The Salt 5:13
We as believers should be having the influence on this world, and not allow this world to have the influence on us. But if we allow the world to be the influence, we are worthless before God, for we have given over to the world and it's ways. We must let Him who is within us, Jesus Christ, shine out of us as a sweet savor to this dying world.
Ye Are The Light 5:14-16
Just as the moon reflects the light that the sun shines on it, so are we who believe in Christ are. He is the light, and in Him we shine that light too. He shines on us, and we shine on the world. Prov. 4:18 says that the path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more. But that light can be hindered by sin and fear. When witnessing, fear can hinder that light from shining out to the world. The light that we allow Christ to shine through us, is what leads people to the Father. If we hinder the light, we hinder the lost from being led to Christ.
The Law 5:17-20
The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled the law, thus if we're in Christ the law is fulfilled. Christ became a curse for us, thus releaving us of our curse, thus fulfilling the law. Gal. 3:13
Purpose of the law-
A) To show us all are fallen and guilty, and in need of a Savour.
B) It is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Thus the law is very important when witnessing to the lost, to show them where their at before God.
Thou Shalt Not Kill 5:21-26
Christ's standards for the Church are much higher then that of what the law required. If a man hated his brother for no reason, in God's eyes that is murder. God, throughout scripture deals with the heart of man, and not the appearance.
One thing God desires from us is that we are in accord with those in the Church. In fact He wants our problems with each other dealt with before we come to worship Him. If we can't be in fellowship with those we see, how could we possibly be in fellowship with Him to whom we can't see? Or how can we love God, who we can't see, if we hate him who we can see? 1 John 4:20
Thou Shalt Not Lust 5:27-30
As stated before, God looks at the heart of man. Adultery to the average man is looked at as a physical sin, but God starts with the heart. If a man looks on a woman to lust for her, to God, that man has commited adultery with that woman in his heart. Before any action has been taken place, the sin that leads to such actions has already been commited in the heart. Thus before God, if a man lusts, he is an adulterer at heart and is worthy of judgement.
Divorce 5:31-32
Jesus mentions in Matt. 19:8, that it was due to the hardness of mans heart that he gave man the means to put away his wife. But from the beginning it was not something to be done. God had not intended for man to put away his wife. The only justification that God gives man, when it comes to divorce, is if fornication has been commited.
Oaths 5:33-37
Jesus seems to be hitting hard on man making a choice. God doesn't want man to be standing in the middle, or walking the fence. To God their is no grey area, it is either black or white. Christ said, Let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay: for whatsoever is more then these, cometh of evil. If man is going to make a promise to God, God doesn't want that man acting wishy washy as to whether he'll fall through. God wants a man to stand on his word, and fulfill that which he said he would do.
Eye For An Eye Or Loving Our Enemies? 5:38-48
It is so easy as humans to react out of anger towards those who do us wrong. But Christ calls for something far greater then letting our anger go.
Do not use carnal means to react to those who do evil to us. It was while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and while dying He cried, "Father forgive them". Thus if we as children of God and purified by the blood of Christ, we ought to forgive those who hurt us and love those who hate us.
Almsgiving 6:1-4
The problem man has is he desires to be seen of men. God on the other hand calls for man to want to be seen of God. When we give unto the Lord, don't go sounding a trumpet as to how much your giving or that your even giving, but be joyful that your Father in heaven sees what your giving and blesses you for it.
Prayer 6:5-15
One of the greatest things we have as children of God, is the allowance to come boldly before the throne of God with our requests. But it is so easy to focus on things of ourselves or wants rather then needs, thus Jesus gave us an example as to how our hearts should be, and how our prayers should be directed when we come before the throne. We should address the Father, worship Him, intercede for others, ask for our needs, confess our sins, and asking continuely for His leadership and guidance. But above all, being in His will and not in ours, that we may be used by Him.
Fasting 6:16-18
Just like almsgiving, man has a problem with wanting other men to see what he is doing for God. God does not desire a man showing off what he as a man can do for God, but rather coming to the Father in all humbleness, and doing the works of the Father's will in all humbleness laying aside the pride of life. For if we remain unnoticed by men in our fasting, our Father who sees us in secret, will reward us.
Treasures In Heaven 6:19-21
Jesus commanded earlier that our heart remain pure. Jesus commands now that our treasure that our heart desires, be that which will remain in heaven. Don't desire things of this world, and make them your treasures, for the things of this earth can easily be destroyed or stolen. But that which is laid up in heaven can neither be destroyed or stolen.
Full Of Light 6:2-23
Again God calls for us to be focused on His light, His will, that our whole body might be filled with that light. For there is a darkness that seems like light. Religion of man is as a darkness that seems like light, or as a wolf in sheeps clothing. God calls for us to be aware not to think we have the light cause we do good, but know we have the light cause Jesus is in us.
Seek God's Kingdom 6:24-34
God's main desire out of His children is that they would completely rely on Him. He tells us to take no thought as to what we will eat for the day, but believe that He Himself will give us what we need. The birds, and the lillies are examples to us at how our Father in heaven provides for them. We must as His children believe in our hearts that He will provide for us as well.
Judging 7:1-6
Many people take this verse and say a man cannot judge any one for anything. Sure I can't sentance a man to hell, but I sure can tell him, through the word of God, that what he is doing will lead to hell. We are to judge not according to the appearance of a man, but by his fruit. A man can be judged righteously (John 7:24) by God's word (John 12:48) according to his fruit (Matt. 7:20).
Seeking God's Help 7:7-12
God desires of His children to ask Him, according to His will, for provisions. For He promises that he who asks shall receive, he who searches shall find, he that knocks, the door shall be opened.
The Narrow Way 7:13-14
With God there is only one way. It is a narrow and sometimes hard path for man. But with Christ we can make it. He said, I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John 14:6. No other religion in this world can be linked in with Christ. Christ said that narrow is the way that leads to life, and wide is the way to destruction. To the world, Christ is hard to follow, but blessed are they who do follow Him.
False Prophets 7:15-20
It's hard these days to know who is for the Lord and who is against Him. Christ laid it out very simple. By their fruit of what they do, they give their hidden hearts desire away. Thus we as believers should show them where their at fault, according to the scriptures, and whether they hearken to the word of God or not, one can see where their heart is.
"I Never Knew You" 7:21-23
A man can do good works and be moraly right in life, but if He does not believe in His heart that Jesus is Lord, he will perish. There is more then just confessing with the mouth, but it is the believing that He is truelly Lord of lords, and not by our works but by what He did for us, we are saved. For if we just confess with our mouths, and even do good things in His name, but have no relationship with Him and no real belief that He is Lord, we will perish. He will say unto us on that day, "Depart from Me, I never knew you".
Firm Foundation 7:24-27
With all those words with which He has taught us, Christ demands action. Do not be just a hearer, but a doer also. For if you only hear, you are not obeying, but he who both hears and does what Christ has commanded, shall have a firm foundation in Christ.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22
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