“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” ~Jesus
My mission, given to me by God, is to love. In order to love, I need to learn how to …
Tag Archives: Matthew 5
“Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear what love looks like. My words need to reflect His love in me. This is a core …
“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” ~Jesus
When I was a young man, we used the phrase “just suck it up”. We used it a lot. We …
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” ~Jesus
The Jesus manifesto continues. Jesus takes on oaths and swearing. Jesus is clear on this. I am to say yes …
“Pray for those who persecute you.” ~Jesus
I can trust God. While others may betray me, God will not. God is to be trusted. Now that is …
“I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” ~Jesus
Full disclosure. I have been divorced and have remarried. Jesus has some very clear instructions on marriage and divorce. This …
“I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” ~Jesus
I get angry. I say things I shouldn’t and clearly regret later on. I say them though. It isn’t pretty. …
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as He always is. …
“I give out good and get back evil from God-haters who can’t stand a God-lover.” ~King David
I sure feel like this some days. I do good (or at least I think I do). What do I …
Should we forgive our enemies and persecutors?
Jesus is all about forgiveness. That is the reason God sent him to us. I need forgiveness and the good …
“You are the light of the world.” ~Jesus
Jesus makes a declaration about His followers in the Jesus Manifesto (Matthew 5 – 7). We are the light of …
Merciful – What should disciples do? Can I pass the mercy test?
Can I pass the test? Let’s call it the mercy test. Jesus orders me to be merciful. Am I? Jesus …
Joy – Is it promised to me from Jesus the Messiah?
We have a great promise from Jesus the Messiah. It is joy and happiness. Jesus wants me to have joy. …
Judging – How should we deal with sinning disciples of Jesus?
There was a pastor who became involved immorally with a married woman in his congregation. They each divorced their respective …
Sanctification — Is a lack of faith an obstacle?
Sanctify I avoid some things because they sound very geeky and smack of theology. Jesus talks about sanctification. Maybe I …
“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the religious elites, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues His manifesto. I have a lot to learn here. Jesus is being clear, as He always is. This …
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues with Jesus laying out for me what I need to be like in this world. I …
Law — Is there a conflict between grace and the law?
The purpose of the Law was, basically, to bring us to the Messiah. It is essential to start here. Once …
“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” ~Apostle John
Jesus is clear. His apostle John is clear. My heart testifies to me what I ought to do. There …
Self-Denial — Is it a requirement of following Jesus the Messiah?
There is much to be said about self denial and the scripture repeats this theme over and over. Jesus is …
Persecution — Are religious authorities and elites an agency of it? Does this include the Religion of Secular Humanism and Atheists?
There is no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living for a disciple of Jesus. For a disciple …
“Happy are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad!” ~Jesus
How did Jesus expect me to react under persecution? Rejoice and be glad! That is right. I’m jump up and down for …
“Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” ~Jesus
Is my heart pure? That is an essential issue to address. Jesus lays it out in His manifesto (Matthew 5 — …
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” ~Jesus
Jesus clearly calls me to do good works! The purpose of my good works is to glorify the amazing and …
Mercifulness — God Shows it to us as He is Merciful
Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature of God himself, made manifest in the life …
“Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from the work of reconciliation …
“It is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” ~Jesus
According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell …
Anger — Should I renounce it?
What is my mission? My mission, given to me by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should be my …
Meekness — God’s Promises to the Meek is Good News
God’s promises to the meek is good news! Humility is the name of the game. Jesus challenges me to be …
Goodness – Good Works are a Characteristic of God
Goodness and good works are acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. I can be good …
“Happy are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” ~Jesus
I want mercy in my life. Compassion is a wonderful gift from God. I am challenged by Jesus to replicate …
Goodness — God is pleased with the good works of his people
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer it …
“Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” ~Jesus
Jesus continues with His radical Manifesto. We all know what it is like to be hungry or thirsty. We can’t …
Goodness — God’s people are called on to do good works
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
“Happy are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” ~Jesus
Jesus is a kind, loving King. Jesus is not angry with me. Jesus wants me to be kind and gentle. …
“Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” ~Jesus
“Happy (aka Blessed) are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 5:9 (NASB) Jesus continues on with his …
What is peace, how do we make peacemaking real and what is the promise of Jesus?
Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The commendation of peacemakers – It …
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” ~Jesus
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a …
“Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” ~Jesus
Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. | Matthew 5:4 (ESV) Jesus is ushering in the Kingdom of …
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” ~Jesus
It is a challenge. I see the homeless. Do I give them some money? Won’t they just use it to …
“Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
Happy (aka Blessed) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus Source: Matthew 5:3 (English Standard Version) …
“By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” ~~Jesus
Jesus intends for us to have great relationships with people in our world. That is His goal for us. Jesus …
“In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear about using “religious language”. Don’t do it. I should be genuine. I should use contemporary and understandable …
"You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world." ~~Jesus
Light does amazing things. It is very hard to replicate in a photo what it is doing some days. Jesus …
“You’re more than happy when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.” ~Jesus
I love to eat. Almost anything, anytime. There is nothing like a great meal with family or friends. I have …
"You’re happy when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for." ~Jesus
Am I caring enough? Am I full of care? That is what it is all about. Jesus had this focus. …
"If an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him.." ~~Jesus
I have enemies. Jesus knows that and is clear on it. I have done things to offend others. They don’t …
"Live generously." ~~Jesus
God is so very generous to me. Although I don’t deserve it, He lavishes me with every gift imaginable. I …
"Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working." ~~Jesus
What is permanent in life? Not the things I think most days. Jesus is clear however. The 2 most important …
“You’re more than happy when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.” ~Jesus
All that striving is useless!! Can I be content with who I am? Is that it? That is all there …
"I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder." ~~Jesus
Jesus has a standard that is different than what religious leaders try to make us follow. His standard is one …
"An ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere?" ~~Jesus
Jesus loves the word of God. He also knows the legalism can be taken to the extreme. I certainly have …
"Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or speak lies about you to discredit me." ~~Jesus
Are people putting me down because of my following Jesus? Do I make others uncomfortable with my passion of our …
"God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet." ~~Jesus
Jesus is clear on what God has said. His word is like Him. It is here to stay. Nothing can …
"Let me tell you why you are here." ~~Jesus
Jesus is very clear. There is no doubt about what I am to do. The choice is will I obey Him? …
"Unless you do far better than religious leaders in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom." ~~Jesus
Jesus is tough on religious leaders. He doesn’t cut them any slack. He challenges me that I can do better than how …
“You’re more than happy when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” ~~Jesus
Jesus knows that following Him may not be a “bed of roses”. Jesus tells us about it in advance. We …
"Don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed with someone who is not your wife." ~~Jesus
Jesus knows something and he wants religious people to understand it. Who we are is a result of what we …
"You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right." ~~Jesus
Jesus demands that I get my life in order before I can see God in a real way. He knows it is not …
“Live out your God-created identity.” ~Jesus
Jesus has a great way to simplify what He is saying. Jesus is very direct and doesn’t beat around the bush. So, Jesus challenges me to …
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up.” ~Jesus
I have heard from Jesus to be like a child. I also hear Him challenge me to grow up. Which is it? Be …
"When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges me to do things differently than the way people of this world do things. He is not subtle at …
"You’re more than happy (blessed) when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for." ~~Jesus
Jesus, the Messiah, demands that I care. He insists on it if I want to live in His world. Being full of …
"Take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom." ~~Jesus
Jesus demands that I take His way seriously. There is nothing frivolous about it at all. My job, my mission, …
"You’re more than happy (blessed) when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat." ~~Jesus
Am I starving for God? Do I have a good appetite for Him? Is all I think of my next …
"You’re more than happy (blessed) when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight." ~~Jesus
We live in a culture of competition. It’s a fact. It’s not pretty. And, worse, we seem to thrive on …
"You’re more than happy when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." ~~Jesus
Jesus, the Messiah and our Master, challenges us to be radical in our love for God. Do I want to …
"You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it." ~~Jesus
Jesus knows us. Jesus, the Messiah and our Master, challenges us to not “be religious”. If we say we will pray, …
"Keep open house; be generous with your lives." ~~Jesus
King Jesus, the Messiah, wants us to radically open. He links this to being generous. Everything we are belongs to …
"I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!" ~~Jesus
Jesus, the Messiah, challenges us to be public, to tell all about His Father’s love, to be radical in our …
“Change your mind. God’s kingdom is here.” ~Jesus
Jesus is not after behavior modification. Jesus wants heart and mind transformation. That is His challenge to us. Will we love …
"You’re more than happy when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less." ~~Jesus
We are always looking for more. We want to be better. We want to develop. The reality of who we …
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works.” ~Jesus
I am to be a light. I should bring out God’s colors into the world. God is not a secret to …
"You’re more than happy when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." ~~Jesus
When there is less of what we want and more of what God wants, that is a good thing. It …
"My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into trouble." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to be radically different from most Christians and religious types of people. It will get us in …
"I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama." ~~Jesus
Jesus has it all together. All the complexity we see. All we don’t understand. Jesus sees it simply. He understands it …
"Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ " ~~Jesus
Jesus lives in a clear world. He is light. There is no darkness in Him at all. Our heavenly Father is …
"The simple moral fact is that words kill." ~~Jesus
Jesus warns us to be careful about what we say to others. Our mandate is to love. Anything other than …
"I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!" ~~Jesus
Now who hides a light? It seems like a silly question. No one does. Well, children do when they are …
"If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that." ~~Jesus
We live in a world where there is conventional wisdom. We have a culture of success and infatuation with the …
"God gives his best to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." ~~Jesus
God’s generosity extends to everyone. He includes the evil, the bad and the nasty in His plans to redeem and …
"Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is." ~~Jesus
Sometimes we are very good at pretending. We want it to look easy. We don’t want anyone to know that …
"Don’t say anything you don’t mean." ~~Jesus
We say something we regret. We excuse it by saying, “I didn’t mean it”. That doesn’t cut it in God’s …
"Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire." ~~Jesus
Jesus sets standards for us based on a whole different world. It is His Father’s world. It is a world …
"Please, no more pretending. " ~~Jesus
We know we all do it. We “pretend” nothing is wrong. We pretend we are something we are not. We …
"Let your enemies bring out the best in you, not the worst." ~~Jesus
There are people in our lives that simple challenge us. Many times that challenge clearly brings out the worst in …
"God is not a secret to be kept." ~~Jesus
How often do I act like God is a secret? Unfortunately, more than I want to admit. I take credit …
"When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." ~~Jesus
We miss God’s goal when our goal is to get our own way. Jesus stops us dead in our track by …
"If you enter your place of worship and you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to live a real life, versus a fake spiritual one. God commands us to love one another. …
"Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to see how corrupt our heart can be and it is about our heart. Jesus says don’t …
"Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." ~~Jesus
Our heavenly Father is in a good mood. He always is and never waivers from that feeling. No ups and …
"That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jesus clearly has a different way. MLK understood it. The right thing to do is love. Now that is hard …
"You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to go beyond what the rules say. He knows we focus on “what the rule says” and …
"No more tit-for-tat stuff." ~~Jesus
Our culture tends to be one of retaliation. Someone hurts us, we envision a way to get them back. There …
"In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it." ~~Jesus
Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!! OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God’s World …
"Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges not to retaliate. It is in our core, when someone hurts us, to strike back. Jesus has a …
"Live out your God-created identity." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. It is not about us or our unique …
Jesus, unconventional wisdom and going against the grain
In listening to Jesus, much of what He is saying (see Matthew 5) goes against the grain of what I …
"You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to make sure our words are clear and genuine. They should reflect all of His love. Embellishing …
"If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life." ~~Jesus
It happens all the time. Someone uses us for their own advantage. We get upset. It’s just not right. We …
