So said JESUS to His disciples (John 14:23.)
JESUS’ parable teachings and instructions during His three
years of ministry on earth remain central to the Christian lifestyle today. His most memorable teachings are from His Sermon on the
Mount (Matthew 5-7). And every WORD still provides wisdom sufficient for a life-time of godly living.
The scope and significance of these teachings captivated His
audience; Matthew’s gospel tells us that the things JESUS said and the authority with which He spoke “astonished”
His listeners. His message had a significant impact on the lives of His original audience.
One Merriam-Webster dictionary synonym for something astonishing
is eye-opening: something that shows or teaches you
something in a surprising way; something startling, surprising, or enlightening
– tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight.
JESUS’ teachings are meant to enlighten Christians, giving
us perfect understanding and insight into how GOD wants His people to
live.
The Words JESUS speak must be incorporated into every decision Christians make daily.
I have no original research to back this up, but several
Internet sources say that adults make 35,000 conscious decisions daily. That’s a
lot of decisions affecting both our lives and the lives of other people – every
day!
Why should our everyday life-style decisions matter that much to JESUS?
The world does what the world does; Believers on the other
hand live by a different standard from the rest of the world.
GOD the Father designed a life plan for those who are sons
and daughters, a label we receive immediately we accept by faith that His SON,
CHRIST JESUS, is the propitiation for our sins and our Savior and LORD. At the
same time we’re also united with CHRIST – His Spirit comes to live in us and through
Him we now have intimate communion with our Father Galatians
2: 20, Colossians
1:27.
Our position and relationship with the Godhead – Father, SON
and Holy Spirit, is the reason why our choices and decisions matter very much
to JESUS! Whatever we do now, in word or deed will impact that relationship, one way or another.
Besides, we have a divine command from the Father to follow
JESUS, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I
am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5 NCV). And whatever
JESUS tells us to do comes directly from the Father. “The
things I taught were not from myself. The Father who sent me told me what to
say and what to teach.” (John 12:49 NCV)
We have become experts at judging others –
a behavior against which JESUS strongly warns His followers. “Don’t judge others.”
Matthew 7:1
Judging others has become a favorite past-time. Real-time and unlimited access to all kinds of media, - television, the Internet and social media sites, has made this behavior so acceptable, that it’s become a
norm even for Christians. I am as guilty as the next person so I’ve decided to
tell the truth and shame the devil.
We must recognize that careless judgement of others’ lives
and circumstances is an ungodly and negative behavior for which there are
divine consequences: You will be judged
in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will
be given to you. Matthew 7:2.
By this command, JESUS isn’t asking us to turn a blind eye to evil and not address or
attempt to correct wrongs that we see and experience in the world. He Himself
tells us to have discernment and make sound judgments about wrongs, especially with respect to other Christians. (Matthew
18:15-20.)
What JESUS does not want us to do is encourage and partake
in the uncontrolled negative judging of others that is so fashionable today.
“Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but
you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3 NCV
To be continued…
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Holy Father, YOU desire always that we who claim
YOUR Name live apart from the world – YOU demand that we come out from among
them and be separate and live the godly life that YOU designed for us through
YOUR SON and our Redeemer, JESUS CHRIST. Forgive us for giving in to the temptation
to make negative and harmful judgments against others and guide us into YOUR
perfect will by YOUR WORD, so we do not continue to sin against YOU and be YOUR
light in this world of darkness. We pray and ask all things in JESUS NAME.
Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
No comments:
Post a Comment