Sunday, November 23, 2014

 

Matthew 5

 Ethical admonitions verses 5: 13-20


 

Please read the verses prior to reading the blog. Mat 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

I researched this verse via Google and  a lot of verses came up. To may to actually include all.

Salt makes food taste better for us unsalted things like popcorn or you choose, do not taste quite the same. That is not the salt referred to in this passage. It is a metaphor implying that the disciples are to go out into the world and be salt (implementers of Jesus' message). Spreading the good news is the intent to convert a world to Christianity. At that time in history that was a daunting task but they did it.  There are reports that there are 2 billion Christians.

There are many other verses found in Google the verse Mathew 5:13 and many other  verses will show up. Col 4:6 puts the same message to all Christians. If someone asked you right now, why should I be saved or how can I be saved, can you answer? We all have the fear of sharing the gospel but the Lord has asked us to do just that. Revelation 3:15-16 has been a verse that reverberates in my head a lot. Revelation 3:15-16  15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. That verse can shake you up if you have been lukewarm. I have feared falling into the lukewarm category.

Mat 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; Mat 5:15  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Mat 5:16 “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. Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill them. Mat 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Mat 5:19 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven Mat 5:20 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

In the first part Christ is telling the people that are listening and the ones that are following him that You should not keep it a secret. We learned a song when I was young, “This little light of mine” by Harry Dixon Loes and sung by Sam Cook if you click on the song title. That song covers the verse above very well.

The Law Jesus was referring to was the Old Testament. He was there not to eliminate the law but to fulfill it. There were a lot of prophesy in the old testament indicating that there would be a savior. The Jewish religion is still waiting. Some (the lucky ones) of the Jewish people have become messianic Jews, meaning that they have accepted Christ.

Have a great day

Agape

Dave

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