Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 24:1; Proverbs 6:16-19; Matthew 5:13-48; Luke 6:20-49

Summary: The Lord Jesus Christ began His “sermon on the mount” by addressing the blessings His people possess. He continues His teachings, covering topics such as influence, the Law, behavior, and how to love one’s enemies.

Matthew 5:13-16:

Jesus compared all true believers to salt, which was used not only as a flavoring but also as a preservative against spoilage. Our lives and words are to be used by the LORD to preserve morality and godliness in an increasingly decaying society. Like salt, our lives can be catalysts used by the Holy Spirit to produce spiritual thirstiness in others. Salt cannot lose its flavor, but it can be contaminated by other elements so as to render it useless.

While salt can preserve and flavor almost any food, it is useless to add good to bad salt. Salt that has been corrupted needs to be thrown away. In the same way, disciples are useless to the kingdom of God who violate in any way their moral character and spiritual commitment to the king. We are also compared to light, shining like a beacon on a hill, unable to be covered by anything. Our lives are to be seen in both public and private in a manner that gives all glory and honor to the LORD.

Vv. 17-20:

As God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus kept the Law of Moses perfectly. He had come to fulfill all the words of the Law and the Prophets. The law of God would never be set aside or destroyed. It is to be used as a lesson by a schoolmaster to show fallen humanity how we truly measure up against the Sovereign holiness of God Almighty. The Law is a means of teaching what God expects of all people and to show them that without His mercy, grace, and salvation, we are all guilty of sin and deserve punishment for our rebellion (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Anyone who teaches that the Law of God is irrelevant will be considered “least in the Kingdom.” That is, false teachers will be in serious trouble with God. The teacher who presents both law and grace will be honored by the LORD. One’s righteousness has to exceed the religiosity of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus exposed their rank hypocrisy and formality and told the people to be righteous before the LORD, expressing His compassion and love as characteristic of being His true followers.

Vv.21-26:

The sixth commandment instructs us not to murder. We are never to be the source of any deliberate or willful destruction of any human life for either gain, profit, or revenge (Exodus 20:13; Proverbs 6:16-19). It is a crime punishable by death. Jesus carries this commandment to another level that goes beyond the external action. He points out that the mind and soul are the real source of the crime, originating in our fallen nature, bringing forth the lies, slander, and other factors that can, in essence, murder somebody’s character, reputation, or business.

Therefore, if you hold a grudge against someone that could fester into something far worse, especially if you are on your way to worship the LORD, first go and settle the differences with the other person who has been the source of your anger. Get this taken care of before you take care of your business with God, or else any kind of “worship” you might present will be nothing but an exercise in futility.

Vv.27-32:

The seventh commandment forbids any act of adultery. Jesus said that anyone looking at a woman with lust had already committed adultery with her in his heart (the same thing holds true for the ladies concerning the men). He does not forbid the natural, normal attraction which makes up our humanity. What he forbade was any deep-seated lust that consumes the inner person. What do we do against sexual temptation? Jesus warned that we need to take extraordinary precautions against letting it or any sin consume us to the point where we end up losing our testimony and influence for the LORD.

He did not teach that we have to maim ourselves physically but that we must remove any type of obstacle that could lead us to sexual sin or else end up in hell. With these words, Jesus contrasted divorce in the kingdom to divorce within the Law of Moses. In the Old Testament, it was fairly easy to obtain a divorce. Deuteronomy 24:1 teaches that if a woman is no longer in favor of her husband, he can issue her a “bill of divorce” and send her away. If she married another man, she was not to return to her former husband. The divorce was seen as final. In the kingdom, Jesus taught that the only real ground for a divorce was if there was adultery or unfaithfulness in the marriage. There was no room for any other interpretation. God is not vague in HIs teachings.

Vv.33-48:

The Lord Jesus taught that oath-swearing amounted to nothing more than empty words if you do not intend to carry it out. We are not to make any oath nor swear by anything that is related to the things of God or by God Himself. Just say “yes” or “no” and leave it at that when you are asked to do something for someone. He also taught about retaliation and its consequences. Exodus 21:24 taught that there was to be no use of excessive or brutal force against someone whose actions caused another person to lose an eye, limb, or life. The injury was to be extracted equally. However, there were also feelings of revenge left in the offender and offended if still alive. How was this issue to be settled?

Jesus exhorted His people not to resist evil but to turn the other cheek. He gave three specific examples of “kingdom behavior”: (1) Not resisting one’s adversary in a court of law; (2) volunteering to “go the second mile,” and (3) Giving to those who borrow rather than turning them away. We are not to be “doormats” for people to take advantage of us, but we are to show compassion that is designed to confound our foes and make them see that the faith we confess is real and life-changing.

How many people have been changed because a former enemy showed them compassion and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The worst character can be transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. All we have to do is look at the life and work of the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-6).

Our attitude and behavior should be motivated by unselfish, authentic love. The Law of Moses taught the people to love their friends while hating their foes. Jesus called the citizens of His kingdom to instead show love to their enemies in word and deed. He would present the parable of the Good Samaritan to make this point (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37). We are to pray for and bless those who have animosity against us. In doing so, we are imitators of our Heavenly Father who allows the rain to fall on both the just and unjust in acts of common grace (Romans 1:18-20).

This chapter concludes with the exhortation to be perfect as God the Father in heaven is perfect. This refers to the sincerity and authenticity of our character with the goals of obtaining godly maturity and conformity to the character of God. Sinless perfectionism in this present world is impossible, but we can strive towards the goal of Christlikeness in our hearts, minds, and lives and live for Him in a world that cries out for mercy, grace, and meaning.

donaldwhitchard@outlook.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

AI forgiving sins? You’ve got to be kidding! This jumbled mass of manmade servitude is no more than a programmed robot – one manipulated and programmed by faulty humans. While we are prompted to confess our sins to one another in the Bible (which is our roadmap for life), it doesn’t say that a manmade machine can forgive sins. Only God can do that, but only upon repenting and receiving Christ as your personal Savior.

AI has also been programmed to tell people how to live and even find purpose in life while relying on information fed into it by social scientists, the same scientists who deny the existence of God. While this “robot is capable of many good things, it can’t even come close to the reasoning of a healthy and spiritual human mind developed by Bible study and prayer – through the Holy Spirit, and I don’t mean speaking in tongues. God and Jesus invented speech and can speak all languages. By the way, I read today that AI has birthed a baby!

Like it or not, we are living in the final days of the “Last Days.” If you stop for a moment and really think about it, when did you ever hear of such chaotic times around the world – what with wars and rumors of war, the capacity of nations to destroy the earth itself, terrific storms, earthquakes, warnings in the sky, and rain like never before? This phenomenon cannot be in place all at the same time except it be to fulfill scripture. God is definitely trying to tell us something, and that something is that the rapture is upon us. It’s as if the pieces of this end-times puzzle are quickly falling into place. Even AI – as robotically dumb as it is – is saying we have seven years left to get our act together before all hell breaks loose. Now, that is pretty good reasoning for a plastic, metal, wiring and chips robot – if you ask me.

The dictator in Syria, Assad, has just been deposed and is running for his life while Trump is being bowed to by his former enemies – all over the place. (They are even willing to be vilified by the hardline left to their chagrin.) Dictator Assad acted the part until his people had had enough of his foolishness and tough talk. But the Bible says that at the time of the end, Damascus in Syria would be destroyed – never to rise again. If it does rise, then I was wrong. (You will notice I don’t predict the day nor the hour of Jesus’ return to call all believers to himself.)

This city has been inhabited for a very long time. On the road to Damascus is where the Jewish Pharisee Saul encountered the risen Jesus and became the Apostle Paul. Incidentally, this area of the globe has always been known as a cultural center throughout history, and for the Bible to say it will never rise again is yet another piece of the puzzle that’s happening today – right before our eyes. President Trump, on the other hand, is also a hardliner and narcissist who has (for the time being) become rational and stateman-like in his quest for approval.

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at an alarming rate. Nations are warring, the Temple in Jerusalem is being readied to be rebuilt, and dictators and heretical leaders are falling. War continues in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine with no end in sight. So-called drones are everywhere, as are UFOs. The Target store just announced that it won’t be accepting dollar bills anymore, and people will pay only with their cell phones – paving the way for 666 and the Mark of the Beast. Not only that – but let us consider the signs and portents in the skies. This was all prophesied to happen in the end times as well. We must, therefore, get our act together and repent or face judgment and be left behind to face the tribulation period. I could go on and on – but you get the picture, don’t you?

By the way, I’m in the process of writing a new book about the end times, the rapture, and how to prepare for it. Although I’m not a so-called “charismatic” like writer Jonathan Cahn, I may have to use a charismatic publishing firm. John Broadwater, my benefactor and web designer, was the one who published my first book (at his expense) after reading the manuscript of my diary detailing over forty-five years of ministry in which I unwittingly followed God’s command just doing the right things as a “born again” Christian on my life’s journey.

Looking back, I can honestly say that it was the journey of a lifetime, and God restored all that I originally lost in the process and more when that part of my spiritual journey ended. Incidentally – John Broadwater is on his way to Israel after being vetted by the IDF to help fight in the war against them. Now, here’s a Christian guy who puts his money where his mouth is; what a guy!

By the way, I have finished the lyrics for my song about the Rapture and am presently looking for a piano player to flesh out the tune and melody. (It will be a deep southern spiritual suitable for a manly Quartet). Just thought you’d like to know since I mentioned it recently.

Dear Brothers and sisters, please lend me an ear – there are high signs and warnings that the rapture is near.

Yes, all the signs are appearing that the rapture is coming soon – and it could happen morning, night, or at noon.

No one knows the day nor the hour – It will happen like a thief in the night – so make sure you’re ready cause we’re gonna take flight.

All the signs that Jesus warned about are plainly seen by those of us who know, really know Him, and our lamps are burning bright; we anticipate His calling – be it morning, noon, or night.

The angels are preparing a feast to delight for those who will join me – yes, for those who take flight.

Chorus

Lord, save a place at the table for me. I know I’ve not been all that I should be – but remember that I’m only human – who serves only thee – so please, Lord, forgive me – and save a place at the table for me.

Save a place at the table for me, Lord – save a chair at the table for me.

So, tell all your friends and neighbors to repent – and get ready to fly – The Lord will be calling – the rapture is nigh. Save a place at the table for me, dear Lord – save a chair at the table for me.

YBIC

Jim Towers

You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com. You can also find me on my newly restructured website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com, which now features videos of worldwide events taking place in the present time, as well as proof of God’s existence and the reality of Biblical places, and of Moses himself.