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The series on the demands of the Kingdom are based on the Sermon on the Mount by the Lord Jesus Christ.\u00a0 The first and second lessons dwelt on aspects of the beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-9, 10-12.\u00a0 In them the Lord taught on the blessedness of the poor in spirit, of those that morn, the meek, those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace makers, those that are persecuted for righteousness sake and those that are revised and falsely accused for the Lord\u2019s sake.\u00a0 This lesson, the third in the series, deals on the identity of the New Testament believer, the demands of the Law of Moses as it contrasts with the demands of Christ on His disciples.\u00a0 The Lord expects our righteousness to exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees and to be perfect as our heavenly Father.\u00a0 This lesson also shows that much more is expected of the believers in Christ, who are described as the salt of the earth and light of the world.\u00a0 While all these demands may seem unattainable by strength, we are more than able to meet them because of the power of the indwelling Christ.<\/p>\n
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In a world characterized by decay and darkness, Christ unveils the identity and character of the New Testament believer.\u00a0 The Lord describes them as the salt of the earth and light of the world, Matthew 5:13-14.\u00a0 This description clearly shows that believers in Christ are not part of the world\u2019s corrupted system but rather, God\u2019s agents or change.\u00a0 They are not part of the problem but solution givers to the fallen race of Adam\u2019s descendants.\u00a0 Salt and light are two unique elements that have the ability to effect profound changes wherever they are introduced.\u00a0 Salt stems decay by weaving its preserving power into the fabrics of the material threatened by decomposition or those materials that have already succumbed to it.\u00a0 Through the power and life of the indwelling Christ, the Christian believer is uniquely equipped to arrest and reverse the decay caused by sin in the world at large, but particularly in the life of individuals enslaved by it. \u00a0Salt as an agricultural additive (fertilizer) enriches the soil to restore its lost productive capacity.\u00a0 The Christian is also God\u2019s agent of restoration.\u00a0 When we minister the gospel to people and their lives are transformed, their lost potential for creativity is restored and they become an enormous blessing to society.\u00a0 Salt is known also as seasoning; so the believer should always have his speech seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6.\u00a0 Light, wherever it appears drives away darkness and removes the enabling environment that gives sin the room and power to thrive.\u00a0 The Christian is God\u2019s light in the world.\u00a0 The light in us is demonstrated by a Christ-like life and good works men see in us.\u00a0 This is what they see and glorify God for our lives, Matthew 5:6.\u00a0 This is what they see and also desire to turn over their lives to God.\u00a0 When this happens we expand the scope of the kingdom of light.<\/p>\n
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The Old Testament Law passed unto the children of Israel through Moses is also referred to as the Law of Moses.\u00a0 The Law among others set forth the rules for interpersonal relationships in Jewish society.\u00a0 The dos and don\u2019ts were clearly spelled out.\u00a0 It prescribes the punishment for every breach.\u00a0 Christ\u2019s teachings in Matthew 5 raised the bar higher than the demands of the Law as shown by the following examples:<\/p>\n
Under the Law, a man was only liable when he physically kills a fellow man.\u00a0 In contrast Christ taught that anger against a brother without cause attracts the same judgment as the physical act of murder.\u00a0 In other words, we are not even allowed to harbor ill feelings that may eventually lead to the physical act of murder.<\/p>\n
Under the Law, a man may still offer his gift at God\u2019s Altar even when he is in disagreement with his brother.\u00a0 According to the Lord, our gifts to God must wait until we have reconciled with our brother or any other person with whom we have a strained relationship.\u00a0 The Christian is admonished thus by Apostle Paul in Romans 12:18, \u201cif it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men\u201d.\u00a0 We should strive to keep healthy relationships.<\/p>\n
Adultery is the act of having sexual relationship with someone who is not our spouse.\u00a0 It is an unlawful act for which the convicted offenders are to be stoned to death.\u00a0 This brings to mind the case of the woman whom the Jews claimed was caught in the very act, John 8:4.\u00a0 While the Law waited for the act to be committed to register an offence, the Lord taught that looking at a woman lustfully was as good as the act.\u00a0 The believer in Christ is not even permitted to entertain unholy thoughts, how much more to commit the act.<\/p>\n
Under the Law, a man was allowed to divorce his wife for the flimsiest of reasons.\u00a0 All he needed to do was give the woman a letter of divorce and the marriage was over.\u00a0 In His teaching, the Lord set forth a new order: a man can only divorce his wife, only on grounds of fornication (adultery).\u00a0 In other words, any other conduct by the woman does not warrant her being put away.\u00a0 The Lord stated in Malachi 2:6 that He hated putting away (divorce).<\/p>\n
Swearing is that act of saying something on oath.\u00a0 Often, it involves invoking the name of a higher being, a higher authority to bear witness to the fact that one is telling the truth.\u00a0 That is why in Hebrews 6:16 Apostle Paul wrote, \u201cfor men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife\u201d.\u00a0 This had been the practice until Christ came.\u00a0 He said to the disciples, \u201cswear not at all\u201d, Matthew 5:34, whether by heaven, God\u2019s throne or the earth which is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem, the city of the great king nor by our head.\u00a0 It is enough to affirm that we are telling the truth.\u00a0 So our response in such matter should be a simple yes or no.<\/p>\n
The Law permitted a man to retaliate when his fellow man inflicts on him an injury beyond remedy.\u00a0 Thus it was of old \u201can eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth\u201d, Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20: Deuteronomy 19:21.\u00a0 The Law of Christ forbids retaliation.\u00a0 Instead he enjoins us to turn the left cheek if a man struck us on the right one.\u00a0 If a man sued us in court and was granted to take our coat, we should offer the cloak as well. If we are compelled to go a mile, we should go the extra mile.\u00a0 In these, we see Christ\u2019s teaching against the tide of established norms and whenever we apply them they produce profound results. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the civil rights movement in America, based his philosophy on these teachings of Christ.\u00a0 The result was the abrogation of the discriminatory, radical laws in America.\u00a0 If applied today, they still have the power to produce such results.<\/p>\n
The teachings in Matthew 5 end with the Lords injunction on how to relate to an enemy.\u00a0 With the Law of Moses the matter was simple and straight forward: thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy, Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 23:6.\u00a0 Now comes the most profound teaching of Christ on relationships: \u201cLove your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you\u201d.\u00a0 This had never been taught before and to the audience that first heard it, this was hard but refreshingly different.\u00a0 Come to think of it, if this were applied everywhere, much of strife and man conflicts around the world would immediately come to an end.\u00a0 How many of the abuses and oppressions in our society will cease.\u00a0 It was Gandhi who said \u201cand eye for an eye only breeds a nation of blind men\u201d.\u00a0 When hatred is replaced by love, the world will certainly be a better and different place.<\/p>\n
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On this matter opinions will certainly vary.\u00a0 It is always enlightening to hear individuals voice their opinions.\u00a0 Therefore, it will be nice to hear the views of the class members. Hover, form a survey once conducted in America, many considered the teaching on loving and enemy as the most difficult.\u00a0 When we think of an enemy, we always remember the evil they committed against us and the very thought of it brings back the pain we felt and still feel.\u00a0 I met a Chinese lady recently who had just bought a German brand car.\u00a0 Innocently, I queried her going so far when the Japanese, their close neighbor produce flashy and fuel efficient cars.\u00a0 To this she responded, \u201cI cannot buy a Japanese car, they killed my relatives in the Nanking massacre.\u201d\u00a0 The Second World War ended over 60 years ago but the memory of the events of the era lingers on.\u00a0 It will take only the love of God and the power of the indwelling Spirit to forgive and reach out to our enemies.\u00a0 Let\u2019s admit it: it is hard but it is possible.\u00a0 Once it is set in motion, we cannot yet begin to imagine what God can accomplish through it.<\/p>\n
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The demands of the kingdom are very stringent.\u00a0\u00a0 It is not meant for half-hearted disciples.\u00a0 It is meant for those who are willing to stake their all with Christ and give Him undiluted loyalty.\u00a0 The selective application of His word we see among many believers today is what has watered down the power of the gospel.\u00a0 If the world is to witness today the transforming power of God in individuals and society as Christ envisage, then we must return from our backslidings.\u00a0 We must begin again to allow God have the final say.\u00a0 We must have the mindset of the Hebrew children in Daniel 3. \u00a0They were ready to die for what they believed.\u00a0 This is not mere fanaticism; it is unwavering loyalty to the King of kings.<\/p>\n
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Righteousness under the Old Testament was based on strict observance of the Law.\u00a0 The Jews were not only expected to live by it, they were to teach it to their children from generation to generation.\u00a0 The law by itself conferred no power for righteous living and keeping to its demands was an uphill task.\u00a0 From the teachings of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 5:13-48, it is obvious that He expects His disciples to more than keep the Law. We are to exert the positive influences of salt and light in the world.\u00a0 Men should see our life style and have cause to glorify God.\u00a0 Our righteousness must exceed that of those who have nothing but a nominal subscription to the Christian faith.\u00a0 In essence, we are God\u2019s standard in the world.\u00a0 Although the Lords\u2019 demands on His disciples seem unattainable, His indwelling presence gives us the enablement to meet them.\u00a0 Therefore, whenever the challenge comes to forgive an enemy, go the extra mile or flee every appearance of evil, all we need to do is to ask for the needed grace to pull through.\u00a0 His grace is always more than sufficient.<\/p>\n
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Matthew 5:43 \u2013 \u201cBe ye perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Demands of the Kingdom, Part 3 Central thought: The believer in Christ should go beyond fulfilling the law. Text: Matthew 5:13-48 The series on the demands of the Kingdom are based on the Sermon on the Mount by the Lord Jesus Christ.\u00a0 The first and second lessons dwelt on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=468"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":469,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions\/469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}