[:en]Our Daily Scripture (1/29/22)[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  MATTHEW 5

Bible Verses:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 21-22)

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

“ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:32)

“ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39)

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44)

 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

THE BEATITUDES: (vs. 1-12)

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

SALT AND LIGHT (vs. 13-16)

Tasteless salt and hidden light are useless.  Salt prevents decay while light banishes darkness.  Both are needed to serve this complex and sinful world.

THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW (vs. 17-20)

Jesus came to fulfill the law.  Whoever practices and teaches His command will be great in the kingdom of heaven.  Our righteousness should surpass that of the Pharisees in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.

MURDER (VS. 21-26)

Anyone who harbors anger will create hatred and result in murder.  Therefore, get rid of anger before you bring your gift to the altar.  Settle matters with your adversary before he takes you to court or you may be thrown into prison.

ADULTERY (vs. 27-30)

Looking on women lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  So, keep your heart right by being closer to God.

DIVORCE (vs. 31-32)

Divorce is only allowed if there is marital unfaithfulness.  Anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

OATHS (vs. 33-37)

Do not swear.  Simply say “Yes” or “No”

AN EYE FOR AN EYE (vs. 38-42)

Do not take revenge.  Pass it over to the Lord because God says: “Vengeance is mine” (Deut. 32:35)

LOVE FOR ENEMIES (vs. 43-48)

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (v. 44).  Do not only love those who love you, for pagan are doing that.  Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

REFLECTION:

1.  POOR IN SPIRIT – Proper attitude toward self, realizing how evil and sinful we are apart from Christ.
2. MOURN – Be sorrowful for our sins and sins of others.  Peter mourned with godly sorrow and was forgiven but Judas had remorse – “the sorrow of the world” – and he committed suicide.
3. MEEK – Meekness is not weakness.  It means showing of patience, humility and gentleness.  It is a beauty of inner strength.
4. HUNGER AND THIRST – A true Christian must have an appetite for spiritual things.
5. MERCIFUL – this covers the biblical principle of sowing and reaping.  Since Christ has been merciful to us, we should likewise show mercy so that mercy can come back to us.
6. PURE IN HEART – It does not mean sinlessness but a single heart and undivided heart for the Lord.
7. PEACEMAKER – Christians must have the Gospel of Peace on their feet (Eph. 6:15) so that they can bring peace wherever they go.  This does not mean “peace at any price” for holiness is more important than peace based on sin (James 3:17; Heb. 12:14).  Compromise is not peace as Christian should stand for the truth.
8. PERSECUTED – If we live godly lives, expect suffering and persecution.  However, God promises rewards for us in heaven.

SALT & LIGHT – As Christians, we should be salt and light.  Salt speaks of an inward character than influences a deceiving world.  Light speaks of the outward testimony of good works that points to God.  Therefore, we should keep our lives pure and do good works to glorify His name.

RIGHTEOUSNESS – We have to depend on the Holy Spirit to practise true righteousness.

ANGER – Anger is like murder in the heart and it can lead to actual commision of murder.  Settle your anger before it gets worse.

LUST – Inner desires can lead to sin.  Do not encourage your imaginations to “feed on” sins.  Keep control of your eyes and hands.

OATHS – Instead of making oaths, Jesus wants us to just speak the truth.  If you are a man of integrity, people will believe what you say.

RETALIATION – Do not take the law into your own hands by seeking private revenge against an enemy.  This has to do with private offense and not applicable to people who breaks the law of the land.  Jesus advises us to pray for them and do them good just as the Father does to us.  Imitate the heavenly Father by being perfect to the maturity of character.

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