Enter Through the Narrow Gate

(Messiah's 34th Command of the New Testament)

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

Matthew 7:13-14"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB)

 
As we go into the home stretch of the sermon on the mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), Messiah begins His closing remarks with four critical warnings which we will cover in the course of studying his commands, but will preview them here:
1. Enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14).
2. Beware, and do not be deceived by false prophets or false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20).
3. Do God's will, or you will be left out of the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).
4. The only way to do God's will and avoid being left out is to hear Christ's words and follow them (Matthew 7:24-28).
Beloved, it simply does not get more serious than this. Please do not miss this. Please do not be deceived. Messiah is doing nothing less than laying out the blueprint so that people can find the path to eternal life in Jesus Christ. He is laying out the stark contrast between the strait path; (strait: meaning difficult to navigate; much less popular, more difficult, requiring more deliberate care and effort); narrow path that leads to life, and comparing it to the broad, popular well-traveled road which almost everyone loves, but it leads to destruction. In verses 15 through 27 of this chapter He is laying out for us how to choose the right path that leads to everlasting life. Please do not miss that.

 

Enter through the Narrow Gate

Do you remember growing up as a youngster and at least once hearing your parents or guardians say something like, "Honey, I don't care what other people are doing, I am not their parent, but I am yours, and you are not going to do that." God, the Ultimate Parent was the one who originated that idea, and every parent who cares about their children's well-being have followed suit ever since. Some parents even said those things and they weren't even saved or living for Jesus Christ at the time, but God put that deposit of this eternal truth in their hearts and minds, so that they almost instinctively knew that the way to life was the narrow and unpopular path.
Whether they are godly or not, the majority of parents want their children to prosper or to be blessed, as it were. Without even knowing it, many parents are trying to instill in their youngsters the crucial attitude that would save their lives: "Don't just blindly and carelessly do what's easy and popular, but instead, seek to learn and then to do what is truly right." Whenever one is trying to raise a child into responsible adulthood, one almost instinctively recognizes that this is a crucial universal lesson we all need to learn.
To tell the truth, at the time we hated those words. Everything in our young mind will and emotions felt those words rubbing us the wrong way. On some level, as youngsters we thoroughly believed that if we could just make them see the logic of why we wanted to do what we wanted to do, our parents would be in complete agreement. They would see the error of their rules, and they might even thank us for setting them straight. That way, we could do what all the other popular kids were doing, we would not have to be the oddball that feels left out, or who bucks the popular trend. We would then get to do what we want to do. The other kids would think we were cool, and then peace, joy, and harmony would reign throughout the land... At the time we almost do think that way, don't we? However, Messiah declares that such is the path that leads to destruction.
Enter through the narrow gate." That is the imperative. That is the explicit command in the verse. Throughout history, humanity has used the idea of popular opinion to decide what is right and wrong. In other words, if there are more people who like something in a group and fewer people who dislike something, it is generally presumed that the majority must therefore be correct. For this reason, Biblical Christianity has been largely dismissed throughout human history because it has always been in the minority of belief systems. In other words, the prevailing theory of the ages has been, well, if Christianity is so great, then why aren't more people doing it.
Jesus the Messiah turns the idea of majority rules completely on its ear. In fact, He refutes the idea as being completely false. According to Messiah, the majority is most often wrong and should not be followed at all, because what is most popular, what is most accepted will generally lead to destruction. Messiah basically tells us that if we want to be righteous, if we want to live a life that's going to flourish and please God, we must learn to swim against the tide. We must learn to travel against the culture and most often we must do the complete opposite of what's popular.
Messiah also points out the sobering fact that comparatively very few people are going to choose to go against the trend of what's popular. According to Jesus, (and the Son of God would know), comparatively very few people are going to choose to seek after, and to find the narrow gate, and comparatively few people will choose to walk the strait and narrow path all the way home. My prayer is always: "Lord Jesus, mercifully give me grace to be one of the few who successfully desires, seeks, finds and enters the narrow gate. Also grant me the grace to persevere that I may successfully walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life in You."
Learning to buck the trend is literally a life and death decision. It's a salvation or destruction issue. There is no decision more serious.

 

Jesus (Yeshua the Messiah) IS the Only Gate to Eternal Life

Since the very time that humankind fell into sin God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the deceiving serpent (Genesis 3:15). Biologically, the seeds of life come from the man and not the woman, so when God refers to 'her seed' He is obviously referring to a virgin birth. Jesus the Messiah said:

John 10:7-9 ..., "Truly, truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. (John 10:7-9 ISV)

 
There is simply only one way to receive God's salvation from sin, and it is by coming through the gate of Jesus Christ. This is not a popular truth and comparatively few people will choose to come through the Gate. He is the seed of the woman (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7). There is no other way to salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Jesus is the eternal High Priest (Hebrews 6:20). Jesus Christ is the only go-between, He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Christ died on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 6:8-11), and became the only acceptable permanent atoning sacrifice for sins (1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:10).
The simple reality is THAT ALL PATHS DO NOT lead to God. There is only one. The narrow gate is that we must believe and follow Jesus Christ the Son of the living God (John 3:36). The fact that this is the truth bothers a lot of people who desperately want to believe the comfortable and popular lie that all paths eventually lead to God. The simple truth is that all paths do not lead to God. There is only One. Whether or not it is popular, the truth is that there was only one seed of the woman that was ever promised. There is only one true Messiah, just as there is only One God Who sent Him. People will either believe and come to Him where they will receive eternal life, or they will perish in their sins.

 

 

The Guiding Biblical Principle behind the "Narrow Path."

It's important to remember that choosing the narrow Path, being unique instead of doing what's popular is Not solely a New Testament idea. When Messiah spoke this command, He was re- establishing a universally Biblical standard that God had already made since the founding of the nation of God's covenant people, Israel. To walk the narrow path means that we faithfully devotedly serve ONLY the One True God. We do not incorporate worldly or pagan practices into our worship and relationship with God. Walking the narrow path also means that we think in agreement with God and much differently than the sinful world. Walking the narrow path further means that we also enjoy, delight in, and have much different pursuits than the sinful popular world does. Walking the narrow path means that we also speak much differently than the sinful world does. There is a plethora of scriptural examples for all of these, but here are just a few key examples:
1. We serve the only One True God: This is unique in all of human history. At the time God revealed Himself to Noah, then to Abram and later to Moses, the majority of the world was polytheistic, in other words, the majority of the world believed that every aspect of life and creation had multiple or different 'gods' over each of them. Eventually the One True God revealed Himself to Abram (Genesis 12). He made a promise to Abram. Abram believed God, and God credited this as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Ever since that time, people would be considered righteous who believed and followed the One True God revealed to Abraham. The same God later revealed Himself to the prophet Moses (Exodus 3). Moses obeyed God, and he led God's covenant people Israel. We too serve the One True God, through the work of Messiah and by the power of the Holy Spirit which He has sent (John 4:34; John 5:30; John 14:16.
2. People in Covenant Relationship with Almighty God are Called to Be Holy, which Means to Be Separate from the rest of the sinful world, and devoted to God: (Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 19:2; 20:7; Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 50:8; Zechariah 2:6-7; Isaiah 52:11-12). Holiness looks like this:
• We are NOT to adapt or incorporate pagan worship practices into the worship of the One True God (Deuteronomy 12:29-32; John 4:24; Matthew 5:48; 6:5-14, 6,16).
• We MUST have our minds transformed so that we will think in agreement with God instead of thinking according to our sinful nature, or instead of thinking like the sinful world, (Isaiah 55:6-8; Romans 8:5-8; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:3-11; Philippians 4:4-8; James 3:13-18).
• We MUST learn to talk and speak differently than the world does (Matthew 12:34;) Mouth control or the lack of it will make the difference between whether or not we have any Fellowship with God at all (Psalm 15:1-3). Mouth control or the lack of it will make a difference between whether we have genuine religion or a meaningless one (James 1:26; Proverbs 15:4). Mouth control will make the difference between whether we stand or we stumble (Psalm 15:3,5b; James 3:2). Mouth control will make the difference between our life and death (Proverbs 18:21; 1 Peter 3:10). Mouth control will make a difference between whether or not we stand after the judgment of God. God will judge our every word; (Matthew 12:36). It will literally make the difference between whether we go to heaven or hell (Matthew 12:37). King David understood this by the Holy Spirit, which is why he specifically asked God to set a watch over his heart and mouth so that he would not enjoy, delight in, or speak anything evil (Psalm 141:1-4).
Healthy maturing Christians don't talk trash, and don't talk smack. We don't talk like the world. Healthy maturing Christians don't double-speak or give room for the devil to work in their mouth (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). Avoid vulgar speech, foolish talk, things or dirty or off-color joking (Ephesians 5:4). When Christians speak to God it should be with humbleness and Thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4; Colossians 2:7). When Christians speak to each other it should be directly agreeable to and echo with Scripture (Ephesians 4:15,25, 5:19). When we speak to the unbelieving world it should be with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). As Christians, we should seek to only say those things that are necessary to build others up and help them do right (Ephesians 4:29). Jesus points out that if we lose our ability to impact the world in these ways we are basically useless. This is why we should not absorb the flavor of the world. We should be "flavoring them" with a distinct flavor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:13-16).
• We MUST LEARN to desire, to seek, and pursue different things than the sinful world does (Psalm 42:1; 1 Peter 2:2; Psalm 37:4; Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:24-33; 1 Corinthians 14:1a).
• We CANNOT be friends with the sinful world and be friends with the Holy God at the same time. As it is written:
James 4:4 "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4 NASB;) 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)

Beloved we are deciding nothing less than whether to be God's friend or His enemy.
In order to truly be God's friend, we must honor God for who He is. We cannot be friends with the sinful world does not love Him. We must worship God as God, in Spirit and Truth. We must not incorporate worldly or pagan practices into our worship. We must think in agreement with God. The words we speak must be in agreement with God. The things we pursue and delight in must be in agreement with God's character, will and His purpose. It's only when we do these things, that we can even hope to walk correctly with our God and Father. The apostle Paul summed up this whole study when he wrote these words to the church at Corinth:

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NASB)

 
Do you consider Scripture to be God's written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)? If you do, then consider what does even the so-called New Testament require of us, and ask yourself some more key questions:
Does it truly matter to you whether Yahweh Almighty God and the Messiah truly considers you His friend?
Does it truly matter to you whether Almighty God chooses to dwell with you, or if He does not?
Is it truly important to you that Almighty God considers Himself to be your God, and truly considers you one of His people?
How critical is it to you that Almighty God would truly consider Himself to be your Father, and that He would count you as one of His children?
If these considerations are in fact important to you, then according to the Scriptures we have just read, what is Almighty God commanding us to do?
Are you willing to do those things so that you can truly receive those great promises?
If you are finding yourself unwilling in some aspect of these things, then are you at least willing to earnestly ask God to, "Change your want-to, so that you will become willing and obedient to desire, to choose, and to do what God says is pleasing to Him (Matthew 7:7-8)? If we are not willing to do at least those things, then in that case we are demonstrating by our choices and actions that we either do not believe what God has said, we are showing that we don't take Him seriously enough to believe that He truly means what He says, or we are showing that we do not place a high enough value on obtaining what Almighty God has promised. It's that simple.
 
Closing Prayer: Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth; Lord Jesus Christ Messiah; Lord God gracious Holy Spirit; Hallowed be Your Name. Have mercy upon us. Save us according to Your unfailing love.
By Your Grace, work within us. Mercifully help us to break away from the broad and popular way that leads to destruction. Graciously change our whole being to become a holy dwelling place for Your presence.
Mercifully transform our heart and desires, our mind and our will, our thinking and our speaking, our desires and our pursuits until they are all in complete agreement with Your best desires for our lives. Help us to be sincerely among the few who find the narrow gate, who choose the strait, and who deliberately walk the narrow path that will lead to eternal life and joy with God. In Christ's name, amen.
Brother R. Michel Lankford

The Golden Rule

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

 
Matthew 7:7-12 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened. Is there anyone here who, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will your Father in heaven keep giving good things to those who keep asking him! “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:7–12, CJB)

 
In my opinion, it is no small coincidence that God's Son Jesus Christ made these two commands immediately after His 31st command, "Do not give what is holy to dogs...." Obviously, it is His desire that by His Grace working in us, we should develop the compassion and the habit of asking God to convert the hearts of any 'dogs' or 'swine' that we encounter. While it may not always be beneficial or timely to share gospel and biblical truths with everyone we meet, (because their hearts are hardened and unreceptive, and the listener may have clearly demonstrated that he or she is completely intent on mocking truth and wisdom), Messiah is obviously hoping that we will develop the compassion and good sense to seek for His mercy on behalf of these people.
Messiah promises that if we ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking, pleading for God to convert these people, they will be transformed from being unreceptive and disrespectful 'dogs' or 'swine' into more receptive and respectful listeners of the truth. In this way, you are asking God to prepare the ground, so that they will be more open and receptive the next time they hear the gospel. That way they can be saved. When we do this, we can be confident that we are praying God's will (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). Moreover, wouldn't you want the same thing for yourself if you were the one in their shoes?

 

Perceptions and Expectations

Messiah goes on to emphasize His point by using the illustration of an earthly father who blesses his children. Basically He's making the point that if earthly fathers, who are daily afflicted by sin are still able to work hard, desire, plan, and provide good things for their children, then how much more should we be prepared to ask for and expect to receive good things from God who is the ultimate and perfect Father?
One of the major components of a proper relationship with God is our faith. "Abraham believed God, and God credited it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Faith is trusting God and taking Him at His word (Hebrews 11:1,6). Remember that faith is one measure that God uses to decide whether a person is Righteous or not. (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11). God's word directly says that whatever we do not do by faith is sin (Romans 14:23b). Therefore, failing to live by faith (which is firm conviction or persuasion in a manner agreeable to God’s word) misses God’s bull’s-eye mark of excellence, and is therefore sin.
Messiah makes this awesome promise, and He compares it to the provision of a loving earthly father, because He is trying to build up our ability to expect good from God's hands. He wants us to know that we can desire, request, and expect good from the hand of Almighty God our Heavenly Father. This brings us to the biblical principle of perceptions and expectations.
How we perceive God directly impacts how we will believe and then how we will interact with God. If we perceive God as a loving compassionate heavenly Father who is eager to provide everything that is children need to be healthy and productive, then we will confidently approach God when we encounter any need that we have. If we perceive God as cruel, uncaring or distant, then naturally it will affect how we interact with God in a negative way. How we perceive God directly impacts how we believe and interact with God, (Matthew 6:22-23).
Remember that one of the ways that the serpent deceived Eve was to convince her that God did not have their best interest at heart. The serpent slyly implied to Eve that the reason God told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was because God was trying to withhold good from them. The devil implied that God's motive was to oppress them and prevent them from reaching everything they could be as human beings. The serpent did all that to undermine Eve's trust in Almighty God. Once Eve no longer trusted God as the source of her information and decision-making, getting her to sin was easy, (See Genesis 3:1-8).
The enemy of our souls still tries to mess with our perceptions of God so that we will not be able to trust God. He does this so that we will be discouraged and will not continue asking seeking and knocking until God provides our answer. Don't fall for the lie. God always desires the very best results for you. He is infinitely trustworthy. Keep asking keep seeking and keep knocking. Keep believing. Expect good from the hand of God. You will eventually win through Jesus Christ.

 

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NKJV)
Please notice in the beginning of the command we see the first word, 'Therefore.' It is always good Bible study practice whenever you see the word therefore, go backward in the text as far as required in order to find out what the therefore is there for. The word therefore basically means as a result of what God's word just finished saying, then do the following.... In other words, by going back in the text you will find and review the reason or basis for why the command was given. In this particular instance, the student only needs to go back up five verses to discover the rationale and reason that God gave this particular command:
· Since, or because God is willing to show love, do good, and provide good things to everyone who persistently asks, seeks, and knocks, then we should remember God's character and do for others what we would want for ourselves out of respect for God (Matthew 7:7-8),
· Since, or because God is willing to show love by being even more generous than the best earthly father, once again we should also remember God's character and do for others what we would desire or want done to ourselves, out of respect for God, (Matthew 7:9-11).
There are a number of reasons why this is referred to as: The Golden Rule. First it's easy to remember, but incredibly difficult to master. This command covers a ton of ground in one sentence. Second, we don't have to manipulate our brain really hard to try and understand whether we have truly done right in our interactions with other people. The standard contained in the rule is pretty simple. In any given interaction with another human being did I treat the person in the same manner that I would want to be treated myself? If I can honestly say yes to that question, then I treated the person correctly, if not, then I missed the mark, and I need to repent. This particular rule is definitely one to keep in the forefront of our minds because it will help us in every interaction we have with another human being.
 

Does Loving God and Loving My Neighbor Cancel God's Law?

Scripture is very clear that in the last days people will no longer tolerate and pursue sound doctrine, but instead people will turn to myths and fairytales instead of listening to what God actually says (2 Timothy 4:3-4). One of the most popular myths of our modern age is that, so long as, "You Love God," and "Love other people," then this means that every other requirement of Scripture is automatically set aside. That conclusion is a popular myth which is not at all supported by the weight of biblical evidence.
The truth is that from the book of Genesis through Revelation, to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength has always meant the same thing throughout the whole book of Scripture.
Loving God with all my heart means that everything in my passions and the seat of my affections is bent toward loving God, and toward learning, choosing, pursuing and delighting in what God says He desires. That's loving God with all your heart.
Loving God with all my soul means that my mind my will my emotions and desires are all bent toward desiring, seeking, choosing and doing what God says is pleasing to Him, and turning away from what doesn't Please Him.
Loving God with all my mind obviously means that I will choose to bring my thinking, my intellectual pursuits, the definitions I choose to define life and reality, and the conclusions that I draw from all my studying and contemplating into agreement with what Almighty God says is pleasing to Him. If I love God with all my mind, then I cannot accept an attitude, a mindset or a worldview that is contrary to what God says is good and true.
Loving God with all my strength means that my physical actions will line up and agree with loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind.
So I put it to you plainly how can you love God with all your mind and willfully choose to disagree with what God's mind says is good? How can you love God with all the seat of your affections, and yet seek to fulfill your own desires instead of what He says that He desires?

From the beginning to the end of the book of Scripture, believing God means to take God at His Word, and to act according to what God has said. So if we choose not to live this way, then the truth is that you do not truly believe God because if we truly believe God, then  we will do what God says.
Likewise, from the beginning to the end of Scripture, the concept of loving God is repeatedly defined in Scripture as keeping His Commandments. Throughout Scripture, loving God and keeping His Commandments are synonymous. So the weight of biblical evidence clearly suggests that if we do not keep His Commandments, then we are showing that either, (a) We do not truly love God as we claim that we do, or (b) any love that we do have for God is EXTREMELY immature, and not yet producing mature ripe fruit. Over and over again throughout Scripture God clearly states that if we love Him, then we will keep His Commandments.
Just taking the 10 Commandments (which are the outline or the bullet points of the entire Law), The first four Commandments give us a description of how to love God, and the last six Commandments give us some description of how to love our neighbor as ourselves.
The truth is that every commandment of God in Scripture from Genesis to revelation does the same thing, it will either describe for us in greater detail how to love God in a practical way, or how to love our neighbor as ourselves in a more practical way of everyday life. The person who says I don't have to obey the Commandments of God because I'm under Grace is actually saying that they don't truly wish to learn how to love God or their neighbor better. They are proclaiming that they want to be their own master while they still claim to be Christians (Romans 6:16).
Think about it. If you are truly born-again, and if you are truly being controlled by the Holy Spirit, then Scripture clearly says that the Holy Spirit will guide you to carefully observe the ordinances of God and to DO them (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Philippians 2:13; 1 John 2:1-6). If that does not describe who you are, and how you choose to live your life, then you NEED to double check and triple check yourself to make certain that you are truly born-again, because according to Almighty God's Word,  when the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence in our being, then we will desire to an increasingly be able to keep the Father's commands. If that's not describing who you are and how you live, then you MUST question whether or not you are TRULY born-again (2 Corinthians 13:5). The Holy Spirit of God, will never teach you to disobey God.
 
Prayer: Almighty God, Heavenly Father; Lord Jesus Christ Messiah; Gracious Lord and Holy Spirit, have mercy upon me according to Your unfailing love. Help me to sincerely love You with my entire being. Mercifully transform me so that I will truly love You, and truly delight in Your Instructions. Thank you that You love us so much, that you are willing to do good to everyone who persistently asks seeks and knocks. You are so good and caring. Would you help me to continually perceive and remember Your goodness so that I can confidently, faithfully and boldly approach the throne of grace to receive what I need and never give up asking seeking and knocking until you bring me to complete and total victory in my time of need. Father, I admit that I have not always remembered how good you are and have been to me. Please forgive me. I also admit that I have not always treated other people in the same way that I would desire to be treated myself. Such misbehavior on my part is not consistent with Your love and character. Please forgive me. Mercifully transform and fill my heart with Your unfailing love. Help me to always treat other people in the same manner that I would desire to be treated myself. Graciously grant that I will become better and better at fulfilling this all-important command of Christ. Amen.

Helping People to Deal with their Sin

(Messiah's 29 through 31^st Commands)
By Brother R. Michel Lankford
Just As It Is Written:

Matthew 7:1-6 "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:1-6 NKJV)

 

Identifying the Specific Commands and Imperatives

#29 Do Not Judge
#30. First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye
#31 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

 

Contradictory Commands?

You may recall the principle illustrated in earlier studies (Guard Your Heart against Murder), that we discussed how critical it was that one studies the Scripture in paragraphs instead of studying a single verse. As you may remember we discussed the need to study the verse of Scripture within the context of its paragraph, its surrounding chapter, the book of Scripture containing our verse, and if necessary, we must consider it in the context of the entire Bible. Using the paragraph study method will save us from the cardinal error of taking the Scriptures out of context.
The 29th, 30th and 31st Commands of the Messiah are perfect illustrations that we must be careful to take the Scripture in proper context. If we only did a surface reading of the 29^th command (Matthew 7:1), and the 31^st (Matthew 7:6), the two commands appear to be in direct contradiction with one another, but they really are not, if you take them in complete context with the whole chapter.
The apparent contradiction is the perfect gateway to introduce another teaching principle. Do not ignore scriptural difficulties, such as apparent Scriptural contradictions. Do not flippantly dismiss them, because these apparent contradictions create honest questions in some students. For others who are wicked and corrupt, they can use apparent contradictions in Scripture to try and dismiss the truth, and deny the validity of the Scriptures, in order to give themselves permission to do as they choose instead of honestly seeking, choosing and doing God's will. So if we, the honest and devout believers do not address apparent contradictions with integrity, then there will always be some perverse and wicked individuals who are eagerly willing to fill in the blanks left by our silence. So we must not shy away from difficult Scriptures or apparent contradictions. We must acknowledge them. We must honestly confront them. We must not be lazy, but diligently study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing God's word (2 Timothy 2:15). We must make ourselves ready to give an honest Scriptural answer to those who will question (1 Peter 3:15).
 

Using Scripture Lawlessly to Justify Remaining in Sin

Parenthetically speaking, it's worth noting that the temptation for wicked people to pervert doctrine and the Scriptures in an effort to rationalize their sinful behavior and justify themselves is always prevalent in our world. People did that in Christ's day (Luke 10:29), and people do it today. In my personal experience of witnessing, I have seen three examples of this repeatedly.
For example, with rare exception I have never seen a drunkard who did not know that Jesus Christ turned water into wine (John 2:11). They may not know, believe, respect, or obey anything else that Jesus ever said or did, but they often believe and testify to that verse with absolute conviction. They completely ignore the fact that someone who retains and lives the lifestyle of drunkenness shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
For another example, with rare exception, I have rarely seen a sex addict who did not know about King Solomon and his 700 wives and 300 concubines. In most cases they want to use this scriptural account as some sort of justification as though God must approve of their lascivious lifestyle. They completely ignore the rest of the story that King Solomon's lovers led him astray from God, they brought the worship of false gods into the palace and the kingdom was permanently torn asunder through civil war resulting in Israel becoming two nations; Israel, and Judah. They also completely ignore the fact that just like the drunkard, the adulterer, fornicator, and homosexuals will also not enter the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9).
In my experience, this next example of people using Scripture lawlessly is the most prevalent in our modern age. Countless people in our modern world both within and outside the church walls know and can recite Matthew 7:1 by heart:
Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be Not judged. (Matthew 7:1 NKJV)
Many people both in and outside the walls of the church seem to use Matthew 7:1 as though it were a license to sin, and that they should be allowed to believe say or do any vile thing without being challenged or questioned in any way. They falsely believe and claim that with this verse, they are allowed to think anything, say anything and do anything vile or wicked, and the people who love God and His righteous standards can never object, or call any vile thing they may say or do into repentance. Such a conclusion is completely in error and a horrible misapplication of the verse, and we know that because the paragraph (Matthew 7:1-6), the chapter (Matthew chapter 7), the book (the Gospel according to Matthew), and indeed the whole text of Scripture, does not support such a horrible misapplication of Matthew 7:1.
• We know that Jesus Christ did not come to undermine the law or the prophets, but He came to fulfill them. We know that anyone who undermines the law and the prophets will be considered least in the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:17-20).
• We know that God cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).
• We know that failing to make proper value distinctions between good and evil and between holy and common will actually bring a curse on the people of God (Isaiah 5:20-23). In fact, failing to value what is holy is actually an act of violence against God and His laws (Ezekiel 22:26). Such behavior is conduct thoroughly unbecoming to a Christian because we are the priests of God (1 Peter 2:9). We are supposed to make clear distinctions between good and evil, between light and darkness, and between common and holy. This is what Moses and the prophets did. It is what Jesus the Messiah did. It is what the apostles did. It is what every faithful preacher, teacher, missionary and martyr has done throughout history. Failing to do the same is a clear dereliction of our duty as Christians.
Beloved, I can tell you with virtually absolute certainty that no injunction in Scripture was ever intended to disguise, to conceal, to excuse, to promote or to indulge sin of any kind, and that includes the injunction against judging in Matthew 7:1. The verse was never intended to prevent faithful people from calling sinners into repentance so that they might hear the truth, repent and be saved. Anyone who misrepresents Scripture in such a manner needs to repent, because they are taking a great risk of twisting the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).
 

Is It Wrong to Point out Sin and Call People into Repentance?

That is clearly what many people are misled to believe by misapplying Matthew 7:1-2. Clearly the sinful people of the world who want to ignore and disobey God standards, combined with passive church leaders who seem more interested in coexisting with the sinful world instead of truly impacting it with God's Kingdom principles (Matthew 5:13-16), seem perfectly willing to let people think that this is what Scripture teaches, but it's clearly not. The context of the paragraph where Matthew 7:1-2 is found, clearly indicates it is NOT a sin, and it is not wrong to make a biblical value judgment about the righteousness and truth of what someone says or does. Please think about it.
How can you avoid casting pearls before swine, or how can you avoid throwing what is holy to the dogs which is also just as much of a commandment, unless you make some kind of value judgment about how someone speaks or behaves? You see, Matthew 7:6 is as much a commandment of Messiah as Matthew 7:1, and we are called to obey both. It is not wrong to notice that a brother has a speck or plank of debris of sin in his eye that is causing them pain and discomfort. It's not wrong or sinful to try to help a brother get a speck out of his eye. In fact, helping a brother to get a speck of sin out of his eye can be a very loving and caring thing to do, because if I truly love him, then I cannot rejoice or celebrate with him while he practices sin and iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:6; Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Amos 5:15; Hebrews 1:8-9) God's true love cannot rejoice or celebrate sin and iniquity. If I truly love a person, I cannot rejoice, and I cannot celebrate with them while they practice things that God says are sinful or that He says He will condemn. There is actually greater sin in not helping a brother who is in danger of God's judgment. In the context of the whole paragraph, Messiah is trying to teach us that trying to help people get out of their sin can be good, so long as you are working just as hard to successfully overcome your own garbage, while you are mercifully helping other people deal with their junk. It's when we ignore our own garbage because it's more fun and looks more impressive to help other people deal with their stuff that this helping can become sinful.
 

 

A Clear example of Violating Matthew 7:1

So, how does the honest disciple obey Matthew 7:1, and still remain obedient to these other vital and true principles as well? That is a very good and fair question. It's critical to get it right. Before I get into methodologies however, I would like to give an illustration of a clear and true violation of Matthew 7:1. Bear in mind that I saw this with my own eyes on the TV news.
I was watching the news one Sunday night and saw the story on an obscene daylight robbery. It seems that a thief came into a church and stole the jewel encrusted communion cup right off the communion table while services were underway. That was shocking and sad to see that people have lost all respect for God and the place where the people gathered to worship. In typical fashion, the media questioned some of the parishioners to get their reaction. My heart sank to my socks and my stomach turned, not only for what the thief had done, but even more so for what I heard one of the church attendees say. She looked straight into the camera and with vehement anger lashed out the words, "I hope he fries and hell!"
Immediately Matthew 7:1-2 came to mind. That was a clear violation. Momentarily I lost all concern for the thief and began praying ardently for this woman who was now in far greater danger than the thief she was condemning, and she didn't even realize it. I knew what God's standards were. She pronounced what the final outcome of that thief's immortal being ought to be, and in so doing she was putting her own immortal being in real jeopardy. Think about it. According to the Scriptures, if she ever failed to bring God a proper tithe and offering at any point in her entire life, then she would be guilty of robbing God Himself (Malachi 3:8-10). According to Matthew 7:2, the very punishment that she herself prescribed for thieving would be meted out to her as well if she steals, would it not? I was terrified. I cried out aloud in my apartment, "Lord, have mercy upon her and save her from herself, because she has no clue what she just did."

 

Learning to Evaluate Good from Evil and True from False without Condemning

At various times our Loving Heavenly Father has used this specific incident with me as a teachable moment. Incidentally, I treasure these moments where Almighty God our Heavenly Father teaches me how to think, believe, talk, and behave like a child of God. I'm so grateful that He does this, because I need it and crave it so desperately, but I digress.
God would bring questions to my mind like, "Son, what could or should she have said that would not have been dangerous either for herself or for that thief?" I wrestled with that back and forth in prayer for a while. I sensed that God was speaking to my heart and gave me certain parameters to remember in the process of forming my answer to such a question: "You cannot deny that a wrong or sin has been committed." You cannot deny that a hurt, a wound or damage was done to others by a wrongdoer's actions. You cannot deny Biblical truth. You must still pray for the thief within those parameters."
1. I was not allowed to deny that a sin or wrong had been committed. For the sake of righteousness and truth, it had to be fully acknowledged for what it truly was. What the thief had done was sin. It was stealing. It violated the eighth Commandment given to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 20:15). I can say without fear of contradiction that the thief needed to repent, to turn away from stealing and do what was right before the Lord (Ephesians 4:28).
2. I was not allowed to deny that damage was done to the people. In truth, what the thief had done was very hurtful to those people. It's an awful thing to feel assaulted, violated and robbed in the place where you gather to meet with God. What the thief had done was very disrespectful to those people to say the least. Their hurt was real, and it was truly felt. I was not allowed to deny it.
At the same time, the woman who cursed the thief was thoroughly disrespectful herself. How so? Well, without realizing it, she was uplifting something that human beings had created with their own hands, (a communion set), and she was elevating it in value above a person (and his immortal being), whom God Himself had created. She was willing to curse something God made for the sake of losing something made by human hands. The poor soul, she was definitely losing some valuable perspective.
3. I was not allowed to deny Biblical truth. This incident confirmed the need for true and sound Biblical Doctrine. What we believe creates behaviors. In this case, the woman's own religious training betrayed her. Her own religious training fueled her desire to curse that thief, and her feeling that she was completely justified while doing so, while she was in reality putting her own immortal being at grave risk. You see, this whole scenario occurred during a Roman Catholic Mass. According to the woman's own religious tradition, supposedly whenever a Roman Catholic priest prays a blessing over the bread and wine at Communion, it is allegedly physically transformed into the actual physical body and blood of Jesus Christ. According to Roman Catholic religious tradition (un-biblical though it may be), taking communion blessed by a priest is one of the many, many religious acts that one must routinely perform in order to even have the possibility of going to heaven. So from the Roman Catholic point of view, that thief did not merely steal an expensive cup and saucer from the altar, but according to them, that thief was stealing Jesus, and possibly costing them their salvation. In her misguided point of view, the thief was putting her very eternal salvation in jeopardy. Now, nothing could be further from the truth, but you can certainly see why what the thief did would provoke such a strong reaction. The problem is that her beliefs, while long held by Roman Catholic tradition, are simply not true Biblically. As it is written:

Hebrews 9:24-28 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another-- He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:24-28 NKJV)

The bread at Communion is clearly physically fabricated and made by human hands. According to the Holy Scriptures, Jesus Christ does not enter by those means. The same holds true with the wine, the cup and saucer, the sacristy, the church and all the physical trappings of religion created by human hands. Jesus doesn't enter that way. Jesus enters a person when one is born again (John 3:3, 7; Ezekiel 36:25-27), and God re-creates the human being which He originally made, and He Re-Creates us into a fit sanctuary for Himself (1 Peter 2:1-5).
Unfortunately, the woman was not trained according to the Scriptures, so she does not know this from the heart. She has been trained to believe that Jesus comes to live inside her only by taking Roman Catholic Eucharist. However subconsciously, she had been trained to believe that her entire salvation depends on that bread and wine blessed by a priest, so she mistakenly thinks herself completely justified when she lashes out with a horrendous curse after the thief steals Communion set from the altar.
 
As you know, I very rarely give you any homework assignment, so please forgive me on the rare occasions that I do so, and please have the good grace to try and do the best you can, when I do give one. I'm giving you the same homework assignment that God gave me when I witnessed the situation. Using the parameters that Yahweh Almighty God gave me (which are listed above), how should the woman have responded to the thief and still been absolutely biblically right in doing so? Remember, that whatever answer you give, you must be able to defend the Biblically. Enjoy.
Brother R. Michel Lankford

Do Not Worry

(Messiah's 23rd –28th Commands)
By Brother R. Michel Lankford
It Is Written:

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34 ESV)

Identifying Messiah's Commands and Imperatives

 
#23. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.
#24. Look at the birds of the air.
#25. Consider the lilies of the field.
#26. Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
#27. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
#28. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
 
Hello and God be with you. Welcome back to our continuing Bible study series on each of the Commandments of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. By God's grace this is my best effort to be obedient to the second part of the Great Commission, where Jesus commanded us that we were to teach believers to obey everything that Jesus Christ commanded (Matthew 28:20). According to Jesus, that is the essential part of what making a disciple requires, otherwise He would not have told us to do it.
If you have not had a chance to look carefully at the previous study in this series, I respectfully recommend that you do so, because this is one instance where the commands are greatly interdependent on each other. Learning to successfully obey the 21st and 22nd Commandments of Christ becomes indispensable in helping us to obey the 23rd –28th Commandments of Messiah, which we are now studying.

 

A Review of the 21st Commandment

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth (or earthly treasure...Matthew 6:19).

In other words, do not spend your life pursuing and accumulating the earthly treasures which we are all tempted to pursue, but that we must avoid chasing. The most common ones are:
1. Earthly wealth: We must not let our lives be consumed or focused on pursuing the earthly treasures of wealth which includes money, property and consumer goods.
2. Power: We must not let our lives be consumed or focused on pursuing ungodly or earthly power. Remember, God may allow some of His followers to occupy positions of power and authority, but if He allows this, it is because He wants us to exemplify His word, principles and character in whatever position of power and authority we may hold. Whenever we are in any way willing to sin against God or our fellow man in order to get the position, to keep the position, or to advance in power and authority, then in that area of our lives and in those moments, we are clearly demonstrating that we value and treasure our own position and power more than we value our relationship with God and our fellow man. Such behavior is clearly conduct unbecoming a Christian and child of God.
3. Prestige/Popularity: We must not let our lives be focused or consumed by pursuing prestige or popularity. The reason we must avoid pursuing prestige and popularity, is because very often what is popular and prestigious in the world is very hostile against God, it's almost always destructive to individual character and destructive to society (Matthew 7:13-14; Proverbs 16:25). Moreover, it usually doesn't last. What's popular today doesn't stay popular very long, but Godly virtues endure forever (1 John 2:17).
4. Earthly pleasures We must not let our lives be consumed or focused on pursuing our own pleasure. As believers and Christ followers, we understand that God created all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Psalm 100:3; John 1:3; Revelation 4:11). Since God created all things including us, He had a plan and purpose for us and our lives  (Ephesians 2:10). We were created to become God pleasers (Colossians 1:16), NOT people pleasers and NOT self pleasers. Since we were created to become God pleasers, we will never find lasting fulfillment, satisfaction, rest or contentment by focusing our lives on pursuing our own pleasures and entertainments. God does allow us time for rest and enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17), but our lives cannot be focused on the pursuit of pleasure because it will never truly satisfy us, since we were not designed to function that way, so it becomes futile (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3).
The best example of someone who pursued earthly treasures in his life would have been King Solomon of Israel. This man had great wealth. It's estimated that his personal annual income would be the equivalent of billions of dollars annually. He had great power. He was King of Israel when the nation's power was at its highest in its history. He was abundantly popular. Kings and leaders from all over the world showered him with gifts as they came to him over great distances seeking Solomon's wisdom advice and counsel. By his own words, Solomon admittedly spent his life pursuing wealth, power, popularity, prestige and pleasure, and what's more, he achieved all these things in great abundance. Yet, for all his successes in abundant living, King Solomon was clearly not a happy or fulfilled individual. He admitted as much in the book of Ecclesiastes which he authored. The point is that it having all these earthly treasures in great abundance could make a person happy and fulfilled, King Solomon should have been beside himself with joy, but he clearly was not, because true and lasting fulfillment cannot come from pursuing or obtaining earthly treasure.

 

Why Not Pursue Earthly Treasure?

1. It loses its appeal over time. Then newness and the happiness quickly wears off... it Rusts.
2. Earthly treasure diminishes in value and return over time...... 'the moths and rust' of this world eat away at it. Money loses its value. There comes a point where the longer one is in power, the more corrupt and less effective one becomes. What's popular changes very quickly, usually according to the very fickle whim of a mob. Simply put, the power, potency and value of earthly treasure does not last.
3. Thieves break in and steal... We cannot maintain or protect earthly treasure without our treasure owning us. The quest to increase and then protect what we have acquired usually consumes our time and talents so that we do not have as much time or energy to contribute to our relationships with God and other people.
4. It eventually damages our heart, our character, and our ability to pursue eternally valuable things (Matthew 6:21). It damages our perceptions and values (Matthew 6:22-23).
5. Pursuing earthly treasures makes it more difficult for us to obey God and receive His blessing on our lives. It chokes out our ability to hear and receive God's word (Mark 4:13-19). It divides our heart and makes it more difficult for us to obey God Matthew 6:21-24; 1 Timothy 6:10).
6. Pursuing earthly treasure makes it more difficult for us to trust God. At a minimum, it also causes us to violate Christ's 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, and 28th  Command in the New Testament. It causes us to worry and fret, which we are expressly commanded not to do (Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 37:1-8).

 

A review of the 22nd Commandment of Messiah

 

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...." (Matthew 6:20a ESV)

While Scripture clearly spells out what we are not supposed to pursue, it also gives us clear direction as to the kind of eternal treasure which we should spend our time and talent pursuing. There are too many eternal treasure is and Scriptural promises to list in detail, but eternal treasures generally fall into three broad categories with many treasures in each category. Remember that the three broad categories of eternal treasure are as follows:
1. Right relationship, intimacy and friendship with Almighty God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (John 17:3; Genesis 15:6; John 14:21; John 15:14; Romans 8:14).
2. Godly Character. This would include whatever measure we have managed to cooperate with God and to grow in our faith, our hope, and our love throughout our lives (1 Corinthians 13:13). It would include whatever measure we have cooperated with the Holy Spirit so that He could produce His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-24; 2 Peter 1:3-11). I spent a lot of time discussing the characteristics of faith hope and love, and gave some practical counsel on how to cooperate with God to cultivate those things in the previous chapter, so I won't review all of those again right now, but do feel free to refer to the previous study if you find it helpful.
3. Other people The third broad category of heavenly treasure that will last throughout eternity is other people. Leading people to Christ, and helping people to be successful disciples has eternal benefit to both parties. That's pretty self-explanatory. If both people successfully live for Christ and make it to heaven, then obviously that has ever lasting benefits for both people.
 

Practical Steps to Overcoming Worry and to Practice Obeying these Instructions of Messiah

Please remember that these are just starting points and suggestions to up you get started in obeying Messiah's instructions according to the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit will fine tune and instruct you in greater detail as you make the determination and begin to choose an act in accordance to the Instructions.

1. Desire and pursue the most valuable things. Do not stress over the small stuff. Do what you can to eliminate the things that cause unnecessary stress. Part of this includes making sure that you first obey the 21st and 22nd Commands. Make sure that you desire and pursue the most eternally valuable things so that you will not be consumed by temporary concerns. If your priorities, your spirit, and your soul are right, then everything else is easier (not easy, but easier), because God' help is more easily felt and is more readily accessible if your spirit and soul are in good order first.

Matthew 6:33... seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

2. Make up your mind to concentrate on what you have, not what you think is missing and not what you want, but focus on what God has already provided for you and what God is already allowing you to use or enjoy. The old saying is true. Count your blessings.
· If you own a Bible, you are better off than almost 3 billion people in our world who do not even have access to one.
· Sadly, 25% of our world (2 billion people) are illiterate, so if we can read and write, we're already ahead of the game.
· If you can freely attend a church meeting and worship without fear of imprisonment torture and death, you are better off than 3 billion people in our world today.
· If you have food clothes and shelter, then you are wealthier than almost 75% (almost 6 billion people) who lack at least one of those blessings.
· If you have money in the bank account, cash in your wallet, or a jar full of change somewhere, then that puts us in the top 8% of the world's wealthy because it's estimated that 92% of the people in our world cannot say the same.
The point is, how much more abundance do we think we need to have before we consider ourselves well supplied, and we decide to be thoroughly grateful to God for pity's sake?
1 Timothy 6:8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. (1 Timothy 6:8 NLT)
3. Write your Worries: Most of us are probably familiar with the serenity prayer:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen." --Reinhold Niebuhr
This next action step is all about making sure that we actively put some action behind that serenity prayer. It's all about trusting God and praying over what you cannot change, while at the same time we pray, trust God and faithfully obey God while we work to change the things we can.
When you find yourself in a situation wherein worrying and fretting become a concern, please take a few moments and write down your worries. Try and limit yourself to the top 5 or 10 concerns that are at the front of your mind. Now, please draw a vertical line down the center of the bottom half of your paper below your list of worries. The left column heading should be: Things I CANNOT change; this would include certain aspects of your concerns that only God can solve which are absolutely beyond your control. This would also include other people's thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, words or their behaviors. Sometimes we are in a position where we can influence someone to help them make better choices; e.g. a gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1), but ultimately the decision to respond correctly is exclusively theirs.
On the right column at the bottom half of your paper should be the heading: Things I CAN change. On this side of the page, you should list the different aspects of your concerns over which you have some direct control. These will be different for each person depending on their situation, but some typical examples are:
a) Am I actively praying about this specific concern?
b) Have I diligently searched the Scriptures to see what the Bible has to say regarding my situation?
c) In my biblical search, did I find any scriptural commands or principles that apply to my situation(s)? If so, am I actively obeying those? If I find that I'm not, then I need to repent and start obeying.
d) Am I doing my best to manage the resources of my time, talent, and treasure which God has provided for me in these situations? Honestly if I overextended myself and misuse the resources God provided, then I am purposely buying more unnecessary stress for myself.
4. Practice Living in Today. Most biblical and mental health experts agree together that one of the most psychologically damaging things we can do to ourselves is to live either in past tense or in future tense. There is absolutely nothing we can do to change the events of yesterday. Stressing about tomorrow will not help us see clearly to make better decisions (if we even have tomorrow), so worrying about it sure doesn't help. The only time I have the opportunity to pray, to praise, to plan, to choose, or to behave in a godly way is today.
When it comes to the past, it is a futile waste of time and energy to repeatedly rehash, and rehash and meditate on my sins and mistakes. I may want to review my sins once or twice to make sure that I learn what I can, so that I am less likely to repeat my error, but beyond this all I can do is confess it to God, to myself, and to my neighbor (if my sin involved the other person). Today, I can accept the forgiveness that God offers to those who confess their sins (1 John 1:8-9). Today I can prayerfully form and action plan to walk correctly. Finally, today I can begin walking in repentance that obeys God. Beyond that, I cannot do anything whatsoever about the sins, mistakes and stupid things I have done in the past.
The same basic principle also applies concerning the hurts wrongs and sins that were done against us in the past. Yes, my life would have been easier if I had not been born with fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy and the host of mental, emotional, physiological and learning disorders that come with those handicaps, the list of which would take too long to explain.
Yes, there is absolutely no doubt that my life would have been so much easier and a whole lot more fun if I had not spent the majority of my childhood being emotionally, mentally, physically and sexually abused in multiple family settings.
Yes, life would have been so much easier without those two major handicaps in my life and the huge challenges that accompany them. Yes, it would have been much easier to get through school. It would have been easier to relate to other people, to trust, to overcome life's 'normal' challenges without those added handicaps weighing me down at every step.
Yes, it would be a lot easier to relate to God and other people correctly if I had been wanted, valued, loved, nurtured and disciplined in a manner that was even close to reasonable or correct, but that is not how I was raised.
For today all I can do is pray and cooperate with God to work through each individual mental, emotional and or physical challenge I face, one step at a time as I am confronted with them. For today I can thank God that I'm alive. For today I can thank God that I am NOT in hell. For today I can thank God I'm Not being abused today. For today I can thank God that He gives me the grace to believe in Him, to recognize I really do need His help, and He gives me grace to call on Him. For today I thank God that I can make the choice to forgive my abusers and attackers.
Today I can commit to God all of the fears, anxieties and insecurities that I learned to walk in over years of experience. I can commit these things to God as I encounter various fears today because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). I can commit these things to God as I encounter them today because He is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Today, I commit the fears anxieties and insecurities in which I learned to walk, because I know that as I continue to seek God, He will deliver me from ALL my fears (Psalm 34:4). Today I can commit my heart, my soul and my body to God who is perfect love (1 John 4:8). Today I can continue to ask God to transform and fill me with His perfect love, and He will do it, because those are the kinds of blessings that He promises to anyone and everyone who asks Him (Matthew 7:7-8; John 6:37).
Today I can thank God because as He continues this great work of renewal within me, eventually I will be renewed and filled with His perfect love, and all the fear and insecurity and anxiety I learned to walk in will eventually be driven out of me, because God started the great work in me, and eventually He will complete it (Philippians 1:6). Eventually, His perfect love will work in me and His perfect Love will drive out all my fears (1 John 4:18). Today, I can rejoice that I am one day closer to that victory. Today I can practice doing my best to cooperate with God, so that I don't slow down or hinder His progress.
Today I can thank God that He loves me. Today I can choose to rejoice.
Today I can choose to pray about everything.
Today I can choose to give thanks to God as I'm walking through every situation I encounter (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Today I can read my Bible. Today I can pray about what I read in God's word.
Today, with God's help I can find one thing in God's word that He wants me to practice and obey and I can start practicing.
Tomorrow I will conference with God again and see what He wants me to do then, but for today, I can do those things mentioned above. I guarantee you that if Papa God and I put enough days like 'today' together one at a time, then God will have raised me up into a son that brings delight to His heart, and glory to His Son and Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Please think about it. It's a lot easier to love God, trust God obey God and glorify God if you break it down into much smaller chunks. We can do that, one choice, one action and one day at a time. Now I am far from perfect in all of this, but I intend to keep practicing until I get it right. I can think of no better way to spend my life one day at a time, then to do it in this way.
 
Prayer: Yahweh Almighty God Heavenly Father, Your lovingkindness and mercy are everlasting. Everything that is good in my life, and everything that functions well, I have it because of your provision and mercy. I have no real legitimate reasons distress worry or fear, but I still fall into that mental habit a lot more than I should. Please transform and fill me with Your unfailing Love and drive out all my fears with Your Love. Help me to do my part in reducing distress worry and anxiety. Help me to pursue the most worthwhile eternal treasures so that You can bless my pursuits. Help me to be grateful for all the wonderful provisions You have already made for me, and help me choose not to stress out over what I feel may be missing. Today, help me to use Your provision of my time, talent, and treasure in a way that is most blessed and productive. Today help me to live in serenity prayer mode, and only focus on those things that I can really change. Today, help me to desire, to think, to choose and to behave in ways that will help me grow in loving You, trusting You, obeying You and honoring You better, so that You will be delighted and righteously able to bless me beyond all I can ask or imagine. Help me to enjoy the blessings you provide, and generously share them with others I encounter today. In Yeshua, the Messiah's name. AMEN.

Learn to Value and Pursue Eternal Treasures

(Messiah's 21st & 22nd Command)
By Brother R. Michel Lankford

Matthew 6:19-24 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, There your heart will be also. "The eye is the lamp of the body; so Then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:19-24 (NASB)

 

The Specific Commands

#21. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
#22. store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, There your heart will be also.

"If we truly want our hearts to be genuinely right before God, then it's imperative that we learn to to desire and pursue or chase after the right things, because what we treasure and choose to chase after will determine the ultimate destination and condition of our heart.”

So the question is, what kind of person do you want to become? What kind of heart do you want to have before God? What ever you choose to desire and pursue or chase after will determine where your heart goes. So we need to make sure that we learn to  desire and chase those things which will help us develop the kind of heart we want to have before God. Our heart will be changed to match the character of that which we have trained ourselves to desire and pursue. This is a fundamental principle of the Kingdom.

We see from the outset that these two commands involve what Messiah called treasures. Treasures are anything of value that people wish to possess. In this case Messiah's commands deal with the idea of pursuing and keeping our treasures in one of two locations. We will either pursue and keep our treasures in heaven, or we will pursue and keep our treasures on Earth.
If you want to discover what you truly treasure, ask yourself some key questions:
· "I believe I can consider my life a success if ..."
· What are your desires?
· What are your ambitions?
· What are your core motivations when you are evaluating your possible choices, making decisions, or choosing a course of action?
· What subject consumes most of your daily conversations?
· Everyone has the same 24 hours in any given day. When you are not working sleeping or eating how do you spend your time?
· Everyone has different areas in their lives where they are tempted to be worried or concerned. When you do worry (even if you feel you should not), about what topics or situations do you worry?
It may take a little bit of self-evaluation and scrutiny, but if you dig deep and honestly answer those questions, then you have a clearer picture of what it is that you personally treasure and whether your primary attention is focused on Earth or in Heaven.
These two imperatives are all about having the correct values goals and motives behind what we do. It's all about desiring the best eternal blessings. It's about seeking the best eternal blessings. It's about directing our consistent efforts towards pursuing or chasing after those blessings, and then putting the majority of our physical effort towards achieving, obtaining and growing in those blessings which have everlasting rewards and benefits.

 

 

What We Should NOT Chase

As Messiah has done so often in the past, Jesus once again tries to teach His followers what they should do, by first declaring for them what they should NOT do:

Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (Matthew 6:19 ESV)

In order to understand and obey this command properly, we must first understand what are earthly treasures? How do people generally lay up for themselves these earthly treasures? Lastly, how do we avoid becoming ensnared in pursuing earthly treasures?
I believe that the earthly treasures that Christ is commanding us to avoid pursuing would come into the following broad categories: Pursuing earthly wealth, pursuing earthly power, pursuing prestige, fame or popularity, and pursuing our own pleasures. All of these are earthly treasures. They are temporary, and often pursued by many people, but they do not add to our eternal character or our eternal wealth.
We should not be focused on the constant pursuit of earthly wealth: We are not to set our life's goals on pursuing and amassing ever greater quantities of earthly wealth. As Christians our lives should never be consumed with frequently desiring or pursuing more money, more property and more stuff.
When we really We should not be focused on pursuing and increasing our earthly power: As Christians and God followers, the Lord may at times bless us to come into position where we are called upon to exercise some power and authority over other people's lives and situations. God may bless some of His followers to be lawmakers, judges, an office supervisor, job foreperson, etc. By itself there is nothing wrong with Christ followers desiring and equipping themselves to be ready to take those positions if you should be called upon to do so. We must not forget however that achieving that position (or achieving the next higher position) should never be our primary focus. If God has blessed you to come into such a position, His intention was that you should bring Godly character and His principles into the place where you have such authority and influence.
So then, how do we know if we have crossed the line from being an emissary for Christ who just happens to be placed in a position of authority and have the opportunity to bring Godly principles into their environment, but that we have not crossed the line into pursuing the earthly treasure of power? There are some key questions that you can ask yourself. Did you violate God's word, character and principles in order to achieve that position so that you could 'do good?' Furthermore, did you compromise the ethical standards of your industry either to maintain your position or get ahead? Did you compromise your own conscience in order to maintain or improve your position? When you finally reached the position you now have, are you more interested in throwing your weight around and showing that you are the boss then you are about making sure that Christ is truly exemplified and glorified in what you are doing? If the answer is yes to any of these four questions, then you have fallen into the trap of seeking the earthly treasure of power for yourself (Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 2:3).

James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:14-16 NKJV)

We should not be focused on pursuing popularity or prestige for ourselves: The same questions that you ask yourself concerning the pursuit of power, can also be applied when speaking of popularity or prestige. Did you violate God's word, character and principles in order to achieve popularity? Did you compromise relationships either to maintain your position or get ahead? Did you compromise your own conscience in order to receive the approval of the 'A group of people', or to get ahead among your peers? If so, then you are showing that you care more about receiving the approval of other people than you value having God's approval. That is dangerous. Honestly, the way of popularity is the way of destruction and death (Matthew 7:13-14; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25).

Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NASB)

We should not be focused on pursuing our own pleasures: As believers and Messiah followers, we understand that God created all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Deuteronomy 4:35; Psalm 100:3; John 1:3; Romans 1:18-21; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11). Since God created all things including us, He had a plan and purpose for us and our lives (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10). We were created to become God pleasers (Colossians 1:16), NOT people pleasers and NOT self pleasers. Since we were created to become God pleasers, we will never find lasting fulfillment, satisfaction, rest or contentment by focusing our lives on pursuing our own pleasures and entertainments. God does allow us time for rest and enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17), but our lives cannot be focused on the pursuit of pleasure because it will never truly satisfy us, since we were not designed for this, therefore, it becomes futile (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3).

Isaiah 55:2-3a Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live.... (Isaiah 55:2-3a NKJV)

 

What Are the Eternal Treasures We Should Be Chasing?

If God specifically spelled out the things that we should not be pursuing or chasing after in our lives, then it also stands to reason that He would give us a list of the things that we should Be chasing. What are the Eternal Treasures? How do we lay up the valuable treasures in heaven that we ultimately want?

Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20 ESV)

Ultimately there are only three broad categories of Eternal Treasures that we will take with us to heaven. Within these three broad categories there are contained many positive blessings, characteristics and facets, but ultimately all of these things will fit into one of three categories. So I will mention the broad categories first, then I will discuss some of the particular treasures. I will not list every one of them under each category, because the majority overlaps one another anyway. The three major categories of treasures that we will be able to bring with us to heaven are as follows:
· Our growing and thriving relationship with Almighty God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
· The Godly character that we have nurtured and developed by submitting to and cooperating with God and Jesus Christ: This would include whatever measure we have grown in our faith, in our hope and in our love (1 Corinthians 13:13), as well as other godly characteristics (2 Peter 1:3-10; Galatians 5:22-24; Psalm 15:1-5).
· Other people: The third category of eternal treasure that we can take with us to heaven is other people. The numbers are not everything, but they are not completely meaningless either. It's useful to periodically think about things such as; among the people with whom I 'do life,' how many of them are coming to heaven with me? With whom am I investing my time, my talent, and my treasure in order to help them to begin a thriving relationship with God? With whom am I investing my time talent and treasure in order to help them develop into the same godly character that I would want or need for myself?

1 Corinthians 13:13 Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 HCSB)

Our Faith: One of the treasures within the category of godly character that we will bring with us is Our Faith and our thriving relationship with Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ. Putting our faith in the right source and growing in that is eternally valuable. Anything we can do to nurture, to grow and to increase our faith and dependency on God and Jesus Christ, is infinitely worth doing.
So how do we get and grow our Faith?
· Recognize our need: First we must recognize the value of faith because righteousness is impossible without it (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 11:6).
· Recognize our weakness or lack of faith (Luke 17:5-6; Mark 9:24; 1 Peter 5:7).
· Ask God and Jesus Christ for faith so that you will trust and believe (Matthew 7:7-8; John 6:37; Hebrews 12:2).
· Listen to God's word often. Only plant things into your ears heart and mind that agree with God's word (Romans 10:17; Psalm 1; Joshua 1:8; Galatians 6:7).
· Practice doing the word of God that you hear and read (James 1:19-24; Matthew 7:24-25). Remember that Jesus Christ will reveal and make Himself more clearly known and understood to those who obey His commands (John 14:21). Christ will be a friend to them (John 15:14).
· Keep doing and persevering in doing these things until your faith is solid (Galatians 6:9).
Our Hope: The second eternal treasure within this category of Godly character that we will bring with us into eternity is the result of the hope that we have managed to grow and increase throughout our lives. Before we continue we must understand what genuine biblical hope is. In our modern language, the concept of hope has been diluted. Today we tend to think of hope as something that we very much want to happen, but you have no real concrete expectation of your 'wish' coming to pass. That is not biblical hope. That's wishful thinking, but not real hope. In the biblical sense, the word hope literally means being certain of an expected result. The best word picture that I can give you for the biblical concept of hope is that of an expectant mother. She gets the word that the test results show that she is with child. She believes the word she has received (this is faith). You can see this future mom mixing her faith with her hope when she starts acting with certainty that the baby is coming. The mother to be then begins acting consistently with the future result that she is expecting. She starts looking at and laying aside baby clothes, researching baby names, getting prenatal care, going to baby showers etc. etc. etc. Generally, she is planning and doing all the things that one would normally do when they are expecting a new infant into the family. She even started doing some of those things before she is visibly "showing." That's hope. Hope is doing something that is physically consistent with what you believe to be an upcoming result. So hope is putting action to your faith.
So how Do we get and grow our Hope?

· Believe in Jesus Christ. Believe in His miraculous birth, His life, His words, His works, His death and His Resurrection (Romans 5:1-2). God gives us hope and without Him, there is no real hope whatsoever (Ephesians 2:12).
· Choose to maintain a good attitude through hardships and difficulties. "Lord, I am having a really difficult time with ____________. I don't like it. It's Not fun. It hurts, but I choose to have and keep a good attitude in the midst of this. Please help me to fulfill that choice. Help me to correctly seek, receive and obey Your guidance and direction so that I can successfully overcome, and will experience Your very best results in my life through this trial and beyond. Help me to successfully submit to You until this challenge produces perseverance, until perseverance produces character, and until character produces everlasting hope, so that I will ultimately never be disappointed (Romans 5:3-4)."
o Abraham applied hope to his faith when he physically moved his household away from Ur, when God revealed Himself (Genesis 12:1-5), also when he demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac before the Lord, but God spared him (Genesis 22:1-13).
o Jacob applied hope to his faith when he willingly worked an extra seven years because he confidently expected that at the end of those seven years Rachel would be his wife (Genesis 29:30).
o Joseph the patriarch applied hope to his faith when he put in his will that his remains would be brought out of Egypt when God's people were given the land that God promised to Israel. Joseph left those instructions 400 years before the promised was fulfilled, but he believed it, and he left instructions that specific action should be taken which were consistent with what he confidently expected would occur (Exodus 13:19).
o The three Hebrew children applied hope to their faith when they refused to bow down or make a false god out of King Nebuchadnezzar. They stayed true to Almighty God, confidently expecting Him to deliver them (Daniel 3).
o Jesus Christ the Son of God demonstrated His confident expectation and hope by willingly dying on the cross for the sins of others, confidently expecting that His Father Almighty God would resurrect Him. He also hoped and confidently expected that through His obedience there would be many people saved and reconciled to God (John 17:20-21; John 2:19-21; Matthew 26:28)
o Every time we as believers actively look at a promise in God's word, and then we seek out what the scriptural conditions are to obtain the promise and then we persevere in obeying and fulfilling the conditions required to obtain the scriptural promise, in those moments we are exercising and growing our hope in the Lord.
Our Love: The third eternal treasure within this category of godly character that we will bring with us into eternity is the Love that we have allowed God to grow and cultivate within us throughout our lives. It's almost impossible to describe godly love adequately, because you cannot describe God adequately, and God is love (1 John 4:8). In Scripture love is almost always described by what it does or how it behaves. It is very rarely described as a feeling of affection or an emotion. Love is a purposeful decision followed by actions that coincide with that decision. This is how I summarize the definition of love:
Love is the intense and sincere desire for intimate fellowship with another, which is so strong, that it culminates in the willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of the other individual or to benefit the relationship.
So what kind of decisions does love choose, and what kind of actions coincide with those choices?
· Love chooses to be patient; to endure hardship a long time before complaining
· Love chooses to be kind
· Love chooses not to be jealous nor behave out of jealousy
· Love chooses not to brag. It does not puff itself up. It does not parade its own accomplishments. Love especially chooses not to lift itself up at the expense of another person. Love chooses not to be arrogant
· Love chooses not to be rude, so it does not behave in a manner unbecoming a member of God's household.
· Love chooses not to demand its own way; nor to manipulate, nor to use force or coercion to get its own way.
· Love chooses not to allow itself to get provoked to anger easily; it can and does get righteously angry, but it's not easy.
· Love chooses to forgive. It chooses not to keep records of the offenses it has suffered. Love chooses not to hold a grudge.
· At the same time, love does not ignore sin. It does not make light of sin. It does not pretend like no sin or wrong has been committed. It does not rejoice nor celebrate wickedness. Love chooses to fully acknowledge sin for what it is and then chooses to forgive. That's because true love cannot celebrate wickedness, but it only chooses to celebrate and honor what agrees with God's truth.
· True love chooses to trust God and believe for His best through every circumstance.
· True love chooses to endure and persevere. In other words it continues to make the above choices through every circumstance, and refuses to quit doing so.
(Taken from the Love chapter 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; with the English definitions of key original Greek words infused for clarity).
So how do we get and grow our Love?
If you review the above sections on, "So how do we get and grow faith, and how do we get and grow hope?" The same principles must be applied in growing in our Love. Remember also that growing in godly love is a process. There are other characteristics that we must learn to build on before our godly love will become truly evident. You cannot skip building these characteristics because they are indispensable supports to building strong and enduring Godly love. These characteristics are described in 2 Peter 1:3-11. Above all, remember that while we can and MUST put forth real diligent effort in cooperating with God in order to grow and cultivate these characteristics in our lives, ultimately it is God who accomplishes His work in us. He gives us the willingness and the ability to cooperate with Him and what He is doing. He also gives us the ability to do what pleases God (Philippians 2:13). Remember that this is the true Biblical definition of "Grace." So if I do not see a growing willingness and ability to desire and to do what God says is pleasing to Him, then I'm not really walking in His Grace.

One of the most serious indicators that we are growing in Godly Love is our response to God's Word and His Commandments. Simply put, the more difficult, bothersome or burdensome it seems for you to obey and practice the Commands of God and Jesus Christ, then the less mature you are in Godly Love. Conversely, the more eager, willing and able one is to obey the commands of God and Jesus Christ, the more mature that person is in Godly Love. This is not merely my opinion. It is a spiritual and Scriptural fact:

1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:2-3 NKJV)

Ultimately, we can more clearly see what it is that we are valuing and chasing by our response to Christ's Commandments. Here's what I mean. With rare exceptions, almost every promise in Scripture as a command and a condition attached. You can even review the previous study within this study series and see some of the great promises that are guaranteed to those who give correctly, pray correctly, and fast correctly. Generally our level of acceptance or resistance to God and Christ's commands reveals a great deal about what we truly treasure.
Whenever one seeks to discuss what it is that God requires us to do, and how He requires it to be done, sometimes it is tempting to think, since we are now under grace, aren't we making too much of this? Aren't we getting too hung up on all the details? Does God still care so precisely about the details of what we do and how we do it? The answer is God absolutely still cares about what we do and He still cares about our doing it correctly. The details still matter greatly even if we are under grace. To think otherwise actually demonstrates a profound lack of spiritual knowledge, wisdom, understanding and a serious immaturity. Here is what I mean.
Whenever we run across a spiritual promise from God's word, we should really ask ourselves, "Can I really afford to do without this promise from God?" Are there any promised blessings listed there that you don't need? Which of those promises would you not want to receive? Considering the blessings that God's offering, isn't doing whatever God requires and doing them in the manner that God says that He requires them to be done really worth it? From where I sit, I fully need and want those blessings to operate continually in my life. Whatever changes that I need to allow God to make within me, and whatever I have to do in order to cooperate with God so that He can rightly bless me with those things, I want to be willing and able to do those consistently and correctly. If I choose to retain any attitude that is opposite of this, then I am demonstrating that I have one or more of three major spiritual problems:
· It demonstrates that I do not seriously believe the promises God made.
· It demonstrates that I do not place a high enough value on the promises that God is offering, or that I do not prize what God has promised enough to allow it to motivate me to change.
· It demonstrates that I still want to do things my own way. In such a case, I myself am still operating as lord of my own life while claiming to be under the Lordship and grace of Jesus Christ, which is a practice that is incredibly dangerous and self deceiving.

Luke 6:46 "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46 NASB)

What We Choose to Treasure Matters

This whole study has been about choosing to treasure, choosing to value, and choosing to pursue the most valuable and eternal things, because these are the only things that will transcend our temporary circumstances and survive throughout eternity. Moreover, whatever we choose to value treasure and chase after is critical because it will determine the very condition and position of our heart.

It always amazes me when I hear one believer speaking to another about a particular sin or situation with which they are struggling, and the listener says to the other, "Well, God knows your heart." Oftentimes Christians will say that to one another in an effort to offer grace, but what we end up doing is giving each other a free pass and we are not really helping each other confront the weaknesses and heart attitude that caused this shortcoming we're discussing. If I am struggling with stealing, greed or coveting for example, it demonstrates that I'm definitely pursuing earthly wealth more than I’m pursuing God in that area of my life. That's a real problem. If it keeps going it will defile my heart. If I am willing to gossip or backbite, that illustrates that I treasure earthly position and prestige more than I should, because I am willing to hurt another person in order to become more popular.
We must learn to treasure, to desire, and to chase after the right things, because our heart will inevitably take on the nature and character of whatever we treasure and chase:

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21 ESV).

So, we must begin to think and walk proactively. Where ultimately Do you want your heart to be? Then you must make the determination to value and chase after the things that match where you want your heart to be, because your heart will take on the nature and character of whatever you pursue. That is why we are told to Pursue Love (1 Corinthians 14:1).
Lord Almighty God, mercifully heal our blind eyes and give us great spiritual eyesight so that we will value treasure and pursue the most worthwhile things. Give us Grace to diligently pursue You and Your Righteousness with an undivided heart of true devotion. In Yeshua the Messiah's name, amen.
Brother R. Michel Lankford