The Christian's life light

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (kjv)

• A Christian should shine as a light in this world so people see their good works. 
• A Christian’s good works should be visible so people will glorify God the Father in heaven.
• Therefore a Christian should reflect God’s glorious light and not his own glory. 
• The true Christian should always direct the unbeliever towards praising God: not to themselves, a mortal sinner. 
• The Christian only has good works because of the work of God in him. 
• Without God, a Christian’s works are no different to anyone else's and he would cease to be a Christian.

Don't be saltless

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (kjv)

It is important that the doctrine of the messenger is always profitable. Theology should never just be a purely academic exercise. Profitable teaching should always have a positive effect in seasoning those that accept the message. The bearer of the message ought to be seasoned in both word and deed.

For example, a religious doctrine that preaches righteousness through your own works is vain: it is without seasoning. A doctrine that teaches righteousness through Christ’s righteousness is valuable and full of flavour.

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (kjv)

The scribes and Pharisees were often portrayed as having a very proud self righteous view of themselves. Those who are justified before God are those who are humble before him coming without their own righteousness. 

Read Luke 18:14 if you would like to read an example of this.

Be this the right attitude? part 8

Matthew 5:10, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: (kjv)

If we are to be peace makers bringing the gospel of peace, it is likely that we will suffer persecution.

It is often those that try the hardest to bring peace that receive the least peace in return.

The love of a faithful servant is not usually reciprocated by the hearer, if it isn’t understood or appreciated. However, love is reciprocated in those that do understand the message of peace.

Be this the right attitude? part 7

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of God. (kjv)

How do we become peace makers? Is it our own efforts at Christian peace that we must somehow bring to others? Is it all about our works and our ability to be tolerant of others? Is it about our doing lots of good things in order to make everyone happy? I don’t think so!

In Ephesians 2:14 we are told where peace can be found. It says, ‘He is our peace’: the Lord Jesus Christ is our peace. He gives us life. He makes it possible for us to be renewed and to live out the Christian life. He has removed the barrier between man and God. God’s peace is about bringing about oneness of relationship between God and his people. It is about the Lord Jesus Christ who has become the peace of Christians: the mediator between God and us.

So who are the peace makers? Those who proclaim Christ’s peace to all: those who proclaim the gospel.  Matthew 5:9 is about the gospel and evangelism.

In Ephesians 6:15 we are told to have our, “..feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

‘a peacemaker’: one who courageously proclaims God's requirements for making a person whole