Monthly Archives: February 2022

Matthew 5- Jesus Fulfills The Law

2 Replies

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the New Covenant is Jesus’ fulfillment of The Mosaic Law. As Jesus said “ I have not come to destroy The Law but to Fulfill” Even though Jesus’ statement seems pretty straight forward, that Christ came to fulfill the Law, there are many Christians who have still put themselves under The Law and are trying to Keep the Law themselves. As the Apostle James says “Whoever Keeps The Whole Law yet stumbles at just one point, is guilty of breaking the entire Law” (James 2:10)

What is the Apostle James saying? It’s impossible to “Keep The Law” , if it were possible to Keep The Law we would have no need for a Savior, there would be no need for Christ to die on the cross. But understand we have all fallen short, we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and need Jesus Christ to fulfill The Law for us to be declared righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus says the same thing in verse 19 “ Whoever breaks one of these least commandments shall be called least in the Kingdom of God” This is parallel with what Jesus is teaching “Whoever breaks any of the commandments breaks the entire Law” You need to understand your sinful state, your wretchedness, you can’t work or earn your way into Heaven. Only  by faith in Jesus Christ can you inherit the Kingdom of God. 

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:1

So what is the purpose of The Law if Christ fulfilled it? The Law is God’s nature, it’s a shadow and reflection of Christ and Gods standards we need to live by. If there was no Gods Law, then there would be no standard for morality, as we are all judged by The Law. However the Law is also a mirror for us to reflect upon to see our sinful nature (James 1) Only Christ can fulfill The Law as “Nobody is “Good” except God alone” (Mark 10:18)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

The Apostle Paul sums it up well, “Christ is the end of the Law to all that believe in Christ” If you want to be saved put your faith in Jesus Christ, if you want sanctification put your faith in Jesus Christ, if you want to be declared righteous before God put your faith in Jesus Christ. It’s only by Christ alone you can be saved because Jesus fulfilled The Law, Amen!

Matthew 5- Salt and Light

5 Replies

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matthew 5:13-15

What are our requirements as a Christian? The modern day version of Christianity is, you say you believe in Jesus, and that’s it you get a golden ticket into Heaven. This is not Biblical Christianity. There are requirements of those who are Born Again in Christ. You were bought with a price, you don’t belong to yourself and you are to Glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:20 ) Many people’s attitude today is “I want salvation and I want total control over my life also” You can’t serve two masters, for you will love the one and hate the other (Matthew 6:24) Question is who is your Master or Lord?

So what does a true Christian look like? Well Jesus said “You are the salt of the Earth” What does that mean? Well Salt , even in our modern times is used for several reasons, mostly to preserve and to add flavor. We “The Church” are to preserve righteousness and justice on this Earth. When the Church starts to act and look more like the world, that is when the Church fails. Don’t conform to the ways of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind “ (Romans 12:2) The Church should never “fit in” with the world, the world should be looking at the Church as an example of Christ in a broken world. 

As Jesus said “But if the Salt loses its flavor what good is it”? When the Church loses it’s righteousness by compromising with the standards of today’s world, what good is the Church? If nobody ever becomes saved or Born Again by coming to the Church, then what good is the Church? It might as well be thrown out and trampled upon. The Church, as the Salt, needs to preserve the true gospel of Christ, to save souls not to make people comfortable with their sins

Jesus said “You are the Light of the World” again Jesus referring to us Christians as The Light and The Salt. So what does this mean? Jesus explains “A city on the hill can’t be hidden” if you’re truly a Christian then the light of Christ should be seen through you. If people can’t tell the difference between the Church and the world, then there is an issue. A true gospel of Christ should be offensive (1 Corinthians 1:18) and should convict people of their sin. As Jesus said “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15)

Maybe you are too afraid to share the gospel or don’t want to offend anyone, Jesus said “People don’t light a lamp and hide it under a basket” You are not filled with the Holy Spirit to keep the gospel to yourself, Jesus gave us a commandment “Go preach the gospel to all the nations “ (Matthew 28:19) This is your duty and requirement as a Christian, again who is your Master? If Jesus is your Lord then you need to do as he told you!

We the Church (Christians) are the salt of the Earth and Light of the world, if Christians don’t fulfill their callings and duties , then the Church becomes useless, and might as well be thrown out. Be The Light and Salt in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ , Amen!

Matthew 5- The Beatitudes

4 Replies

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:1-10

The Beatitudes also known famously as the “Sermon on the Mount” considered by many not only to be one of the greatest teachings by Christ, but one of the greatest teachings in the entire world. The word “Beatitudes” means Blessings, however also as you examine these “Blessings” given by Christ they line up with the Ten Commandments, God’s Moral Law. While The Law reveals our sinful nature, its only function is to condemn. Jesus is providing His blessings of the New Covenant, as Christ has fulfilled The Law (Matthew 5:17)

While the Old Covenant had physical and financial blessings, the New Covenant has spiritual blessings for God’s Kingdom. For example, when Jesus is talking about the “Poor in Spirit” He’s not talking about a physical wealth of money, He’s talking about a spiritual poorness, those who mourn over their sinful nature, those who are facing trials and tribulations, those who are persecuted for God, they are blessed through Jesus Christ. I’m not going to break down every blessing as I’ve done this previously on my page Beatitudes, but you get the idea Jesus is providing a New Covenant with an Eternal Kingdom that is greater than the Old Covenant

While we look down this list, our natural minds wonder how can any of these people be blessed? The hungry, the poor, and the mourning, but our victory is through Jesus Christ. This whole teaching was a radical shift from the Old Covenant, where you were blessed by your health and possessions. Christ has provided a Better Covenant built on better and eternal promises (Hebrews 8:6)

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Now comes the even more radical part, Jesus said “Blessed are you when people insult and persecute you” What? How can we be blessed or happy when people hate us? Again this goes back to what Jesus just taught us “Blessed are the poor in spirit” ect, we are in a spiritual warfare(Ephesians 6), this calling on your life is not going to be easy but the victory is already yours through Christ. You need to keep an eternal perspective in a temporary world, this is hard to do. But as Jesus said “Great is your reward in Heaven” not in this world as false teachers are telling people. 

We need to reflect more upon these blessings by Christ. In a fallen world, its easy to get discouraged or defeated but remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are Blessed and Victorious already through Him (John 16:33) Amen!

Matthew 4- The New Covenant

2 Replies

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. Matthew 4:23-25

The beginning of the New Covenant has now arrived through Jesus Christ. It’s important to note that before Christ, there was never an exorcism performed. Why? Because Jesus Christ has all power and authority over Satan and the demons. Remember in the Wilderness, Jesus already defeated Satan by staying obedient to the will of The Father. And at the cross, Satan will be crushed forever (Genesis 3:15) This is a display of the New Covenant, a more better and powerful covenant (Hebrews 8:6)

Jesus is preaching the gospel in all the synagogues, Christ wasn’t just sitting around waiting for The Kingdom to come, Jesus was bringing the Kingdom to the people. Christ demonstrated the power of God’s Kingdom by healing people and casting out demons. It was apparent that this was a New and Better Covenant, and the fame of Christ spread rapidly like wildfire. Remember Jesus told his disciples “I will make you Fishers of Men” and that’s what they were doing, leading multitudes of people to salvation through Jesus Christ

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. Hebrews 8:6-7

As the author of Hebrews tell us “Christ is the mediator of a new and better covenant” How do we know this? Well because the Word of God tells us but also Christ has demonstrated this in his ministry. Jesus didn’t heal people or cast out demons to give himself praise, Christ performed these miracles to announce the Kingdom of God is here, the New Covenant has arrived!

Are you in the New Covenant with Christ? This is truly the only way to salvation and God, The hour has come for Christ to fulfill all the words of the prophets and fulfill The Law , so we can be declared righteous before God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), Amen!