BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 5:20

Monday, 25 November 2024
 
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20
 
“For I say to you, that if not it might excel – your righteousness – above the scribes and Pharisees, no – not – should you enter into the kingdom of the heavens” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that the person who would break one of the commandments of the law, even the least of them, and he was to teach men the same, he would be called least in the kingdom of the heavens, but for the one who should keep and also teach, such a person would be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. Now, to make a point about the necessary nature of this point, He continues with, “For I say to you, that if not it might excel – your righteousness – above the scribes and Pharisees.”
 
The words of Jesus bring in the obvious truth that the scribes and the Pharisees were considered examples of the epitome of righteousness by the people. If this were not the case, there would be no reason to make such a comparison.
 
As this is the case, and as He says to His disciples that their righteousness must excel that of the scribes and Pharisees, He is noting that the righteousness of these two groups was not sufficient to obtain what He will next state. Having set those boundaries by His introductory words, He next completes the thought saying emphatically, “no – not – should you enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”
 
To clearly understand the meaning, Jesus has just said that unless the righteousness of His hearers was greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees, they would certainly not enter into the kingdom of the heavens. Therefore, by default, the scribes and Pharisees were not righteous enough to enter.
 
The very people who were considered the greatest examples of righteousness by the masses lacked the righteousness necessary to obtain what God promised. As noted in the previous commentary, Paul had said that concerning the righteousness which is in the law, he was blameless. Just prior to saying that, in Philippians 3:5, he stated that he was a Pharisee.
 
Therefore, the point that Jesus is making is that Paul, a Pharisee who was blameless before the law concerning righteousness, could not enter into the kingdom of the heavens. The reason why is found in their own writings. In Habakkuk 2:4, it says –
 
“Behold the proud,His soul is not upright in him;But the just shall live by his faith.” 
 
The Hebrew word tsaddiq is used, translated as just. The just, meaning the righteous (the word carries both connotations), are those who live by faith. To trust in one’s own merit through law observance, which is what the scribes and Pharisees did, was to nullify faith. But the Lord, through Habakkuk, said that faith is what justifies a man. Paul explains this in Romans 1 –
 
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:16, 17
 
He also provides an explanation in Galatians 3 –
 
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’ 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’ 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10-14
 
Paul clearly saw that the law only brought condemnation. Leviticus 18:5 says that the man who does the things of the law (meaning perfect obedience to the law) would live. But every person who ever lived under the law died. No person lived because of the law. Rather, they died under the law. Only Christ fulfilled the law, proving it through His resurrection and signifying that His death was in fulfillment of it.
 
Therefore, only by faith in the completed work of Jesus can a man possess the righteousness that exceeds the most meticulously faithful observers of the law, such as Paul the Pharisee was. It perfectly explains Paul’s claim to boast only in the cross of Jesus –
 
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Galatians 6:14, 15
 
Circumcision, the benchmark and standard used by Paul for law observance, means nothing. As such, law observance means nothing. Only by faith in what Jesus did can we have the righteousness that allows us entrance into the kingdom of the heavens.
 
Life application: If one takes Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew and applies them to his walk before the Lord, attempting to obtain a righteousness before the law that is greater than the scribes and the Pharisees, he is wasting his time.
 
But this is what so many do. They are duped by Judaizers and Hebrew Roots teachers who claim people must adhere to the Law of Moses in order to be saved. It is a self-condemning theology.
 
If you are truly interested in being saved, it is time for you to give up your arrogant attempts at meriting God’s favor through your own deeds and to simply trust – by faith alone – in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Jesus. Nothing else will do.
 
Lord God Almighty, You have done everything necessary to bring us back to You, justified and holy, through the giving of Jesus Christ our Lord for our sins. We trust that what He has done is sufficient to save us and to continue to save us until the day You come for Your people. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 5:19

Sunday, 24 November 2024
 
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19
 
“Whoever if therefore, he shall loosen one of these commandments – the least – and he shall teach the men thus, least he will be called in the kingdom of the heavens. And whoever, if he shall keep and he shall teach, this great he will be called in the kingdom of the heavens” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told His disciples that till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or stroke will not pass from the law until all should be fulfilled. With that remembered, He continues, saying, “Whoever if therefore, he shall loosen one of these commandments – the least.”
 
The word luó, to loosen, is introduced here. When one loosens something, a bond is broken. One can loosen a donkey, and the donkey is no longer bound to the post it was tied to. To loosen the temple would be to destroy it because its structure – foundation, pillars, etc., is no longer firm.
 
To loosen the Sabbath is to violate or break it because it is a precept commanded by the law. The same is true here. Jesus is saying of the Law and Prophets (verse 17), “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments.” From there, He continues with, “and he shall teach the men thus.”
 
Not only is the person breaking (loosening) the least of the commandments but he is then teaching that it is ok to do so. Of such a person, “least he will be called in the kingdom of the heavens.”
 
Such a person, who is so presumptuous as to willfully violate a law set forth by the Lord, and who also then teaches others that it is ok to do so, will not find favor in the eyes of God who gave the law in the first place. It is unconscionable to even consider that a man could override the word of God given to the people of Israel for the guidance of their lives in His presence.
 
Of this precept, Charles Ellicott says, “The words seem at first to imply that even the ceremonial law was to be binding in its full extent upon Christ’s disciples. The usage of the time, however, confined the word to the moral laws of God.”
 
What is right or wrong with the words of Ellicott? Consider that as the words of Jesus continue. Next, He says, “And whoever, if he shall keep and he shall teach.”
 
Jesus is precisely saying to His disciples that there is another category of person, completely distinct and separate from the one He just mentioned. There is the meticulous keeper of every precept of the Law and Prophets. He understands it is God’s word for the people of Israel, it is binding in its every precept, and he faithfully attempts to live out the commandments as they are set forth – without adding to or detracting from what is prescribed.
 
Paul was such a person. In Philippians 3, he gave his points of boasting from a worldly perspective. To sum up his long list of achievements, accomplishments, and accolades, he says in verse 3:6, “concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”
 
In other words, Paul was just the person Jesus is describing here. He was a meticulous law keeper whose righteousness before the law could not be questioned. Of such a person, from the perspective of the dispensation of the law, Jesus says, “this great he will be called in the kingdom of the heavens.”
 
Paul, at any time under the Law of Moses, would have been the epitome of one who would be exalted in the kingdom of the heavens set forth by God. At the base of Mount Sinai, he would have stood against those who fashioned the golden calf.
 
During the time of the Judges, he would have come against the idolatry of Micah and the tribe of Dan, standing against them and calling them out for their willful violation of the law. At the time of David, he would have counseled the king concerning his adulterous affair, telling him that what he had done was abominable in the sight of God.
 
This was the type of person Paul was. He faithfully and meticulously upheld t he standards of the Law and Prophets set forth by God for the conduct of Israel. And yet, after listing this most valuable asset of his under the time of the law, he next said –
 
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11
 
Had Paul gone off his rocker? Was he suddenly in violation of what Jesus said in Matthew 5? Was he set to be the least in the kingdom of God? No! What is wrong with Ellicott’s words? What now makes what Paul says acceptable? The answer is JESUS.
 
Who was Jesus speaking to? Israel.
What was the state of Israel at the time He spoke those words? Bound to the Law of Moses under the Mosaic (Old) Covenant.
What is the difference in Paul’s words of Philippians 3? Jesus had fulfilled the Law of Moses, died in fulfillment of it, and established a New Covenant in His blood.
Is the law still binding on Israel, then? Yes and No. Yes, if one has not come to Jesus. He is still bound to the Mosaic Covenant and must fulfill it perfectly. As it is impossible for someone to do so, he stands condemned before God. However, the answer is No for one who has come to Jesus. He has been imputed Christ’s righteousness, meaning Jesus has fulfilled the law on his behalf. He has kept every precept according to God’s standard, not on his own, but through Jesus’ fulfilling each on his behalf. He has entered into the New Covenant of grace. The law is done away with for him.
Are Gentiles bound to the law of Moses? No. The law was only given to Israel. No other nation or people group was given the law. Jesus was speaking to Israel about matters pertaining to Israel alone.
 
Life application: The problem with Ellicott’s words is that there is NO DISTINCTION between the moral law and the ceremonial law. It is a false teaching. Jesus’ words bear no such tone. The least part of the Mosaic Law was to be fulfilled, even in ceremonial matters. As James says –
 
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
 
The Law of Moses is a codified whole. No person had the right to dismiss even the least portion of it. The entirety was binding upon the people. And in Jesus’ fulfillment of it, the entirety of it is taken away for the one who trusts in His finished work –
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments [the Law of Moses] contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:14-16
 
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements [the Law of Moses] that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15
 
“For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment [the Law of Moses] because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18, 19
 
“In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first [the Law of Moses] obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13
 
 “He takes away the first [the Law of Moses] that He may establish the second [the New Covenant].” Hebrews 10:9
 
The law is done. No person will find righteousness through the law. Only through faith in Christ’s fulfillment of it can man be saved. This is the message of the Bible. Jesus! It is all about what God has done in and through JESUS.
 
Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 5:18

Saturday, 23 November 2024
 
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:18
 
“Amen! For I say to you, until if it shall pass – the heaven and the earth – jot one or one stroke, no, not shall pass from the law until all should become” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus said He did not come to disintegrate the law but to fulfill it. Now, He continues that thought with, “Amen!”
 
It is the customary Hebrew word for “truly” or “sure.” As HELPS Word Studies notes, “...an ‘emphasis marker,’ introduces a statement of pivotal importance.” After preparing their ears, He continues with, “For I say to you, until if it shall pass – the heaven and the earth.”
 
It is a way of saying that the statement He will make is as binding at the time He speaks it as it will be at the end of the known world itself. It is thus an eternal truth that stands before God. That truth is, “jot one or one stroke.”
 
The Greek word translated as jot is found only here, ióta. One can see the etymological root of our modern word iota. The jot equates to the Hebrew yod (י), the tenth and smallest letter of the aleph-beth. It would be easy to miss a jot when transcribing a document. The stroke equates to a dash used to make a letter. Some letters are so close in appearance, that the smallest mark can make them appear differently –
 
כ ב – beth and kaph
ר ך – daleth and resh
תחה – he, kheth, tav
 
The slightest change in these and other letters can change the entire meaning of what is being said. Understanding this, Jesus continues with, “no, not shall pass from the law until all should become.”
 
The meaning is that there can be no change in the word of the Lord. It is fixed, it is unchanging, it is binding, and all who are under the law will be judged by every precept set forth in it... until all is fulfilled. Nobody under the law can get around the law. All under law are obligated to every jot and every stroke.
 
Why anyone who was never under the law would want to be put under that burden is very hard to understand. As Paul says concerning circumcision, which is the benchmark that represents the law –
 
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Galatian 5:1-4
 
Life application: As the law is binding upon Israel, what does that mean for them? Christ has come. And so, what is their state?
 
The answer is that in failing to come to Christ, they forsook the grace of God and remain under the law, a law that is impossible for fallen man to fulfill. In this, only condemnation remains. Any individual Jew who comes to Christ is freed from the law. But for the nation as a whole and all individual Jews who reject Jesus, there can be no salvation.
 
This is also true with those who reject Christ’s grace and voluntarily place themselves under the law (as Paul notes above). For those who were saved and later do this, his salvation remains, but any hope of rewards will be lost for their faithlessness.
 
However, someday, Israel will come to Christ. This is noted explicitly in Zechariah and elsewhere. It is also clearly noted in the typology of Joshua 3 and 4, the sermons of which can be found at the Superior Word.
 
For maximum happiness, come to Jesus by faith, accepting His full, final, finished, and forever work. In this, you will be in the sweet spot. Grace, grace! Marvelous grace bestowed upon us through the precious blood of Christ.
 
Glorious God, help us to trust in You and not in our own pitiful deeds of righteousness. It is Jesus who makes us righteous. What can we add to that? And so, Lord, may our deeds be in gratitude for the salvation You have provided, not in attempts to merit it in the first place. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:17

Friday, 22 November 2024
 
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17
 
“You, deem not that I came to disintegrate the law or the prophets. Not, I came to disintegrate but to fulfill” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples to radiate their good works in order to glorify their Father in heaven. Now, He brings up words that are so misquoted and misapplied within the church that entire cults have used them to justify the unjustifiable. He begins with, “You, deem not that I came to disintegrate the law or the prophets.”
 
First, Jesus’ words are to the people of Israel, to whom the law was given. No other people on the planet were given the Law of Moses. The law was not binding on any other people in the past, and it is not binding on any other people today. The context is Jesus, speaking under the law and to the people of Israel. Nobody else.
 
To remove this context is to form a pretext. It is unsound. Jesus is telling Israel that they should not perceive that His mission was to destroy the law or the prophets. That was not His mission, and nobody was to accuse Him of conducting His ministry otherwise. He was born under the law, and He had no design or intent to set aside Moses in His ministry.
 
But some may accuse Him of such, saying He was disobedient to Moses. No! He exclaims. That was not His mission at all. Because of these words, Judaizers, such as in Paul’s time, and a myriad of cults in our time, such as the Hebrew Roots movement, seize on His words and avow that everybody must adhere to the Law of Moses. He lived under it, and so we are obligated to it too.
 
From there, they will take the words of the coming verse and build upon their terrible theology with those words as well. For now, it is absolutely certain that Jesus did not come to disintegrate the Law and the Prophets. He has clearly avowed that. However, He doesn’t stop there. He next says, “Not, I came to disintegrate but to fulfill.”
 
You can’t stop with half a verse and expect your theology to be complete and proper. Jesus did not come to disintegrate the law. The law is binding on Israel as much today as it was when Moses gave it to them at the foot of Mount Sinai.
 
However, Jesus’ mission was to fulfill it for those who trust in Him, thus setting it aside and offering them His grace in place of it. And fulfill it, He did –
 
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:30
 
Jesus fulfilled the law, finishing the task set before Him. Paul speaks of this as well –
 
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
 
Paul is writing to both Jews and Gentiles, telling them that the law’s requirements are fulfilled in Christ and they are set aside in Christ. This is explained, explicitly, many times in the New Testament epistles –
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:14-16
 
Paul says the law is abolished through the cross for both Jews and Gentiles. He repeats this again in Colossians 2, using Christ’s physical body as a metaphor for the law –
 
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13, 14
 
The author of Hebrews says that the law is annulled –
 
“For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18, 19
 
The “former commandment” refers to the Law of Moses. The “better hope” is the fulfillment of the law by Jesus. He also says the law is abolished –
 
“In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13
 
The words “ready to vanish away” refer to the time when Israel calls to the Lord, receiving the grace of Jesus Christ. At that time, they will no longer observe the law. He also says –
 
“Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:8-10
 
The sacrifices of the Old Covenant were ineffectual to bring man near to God. Jesus, not coming to disintegrate the law but fulfill it, did this in accord with the will of God. In His accomplishment of that, the law is “taken away,” and the New Covenant is introduced for all who will come to Him through faith, being sanctified once and forever by the precious blood (meaning the life) of Jesus Christ.
 
Life application: Context matters. Know your Bible through and through. Properly divide what is being said. Attempting to earn God’s favor through law observance is to set aside the grace of the cross – “Thanks God, I know you tried, but I will get this.”
 
It is a proverbial slap in God’s face, and you will find yourself condemned when you stand before Him at the Great White Throne. All that effort... for nothing. Come to Jesus and be saved, once and forever. All His effort... for all things!
 
Heavenly Father, help us not to think more of ourselves and our deeds than we should. Christ did it all. Now, may our lives being lived for Him be a pleasing and acceptable offering back to You for what You have done through Him. May we never set aside the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Matthew 5:16

Thursday, 21 November 2024
 
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
 
“Thus, radiate it – your light – before men, that they may see your good works, and they may glorify your Father in the heavens” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus spoke to the disciples about placing a lamp on a lampstand rather than placing it under a modius.  Now, He explains this to them, saying, “Thus, radiate it – your light – before men.”
 
In the same manner as a person takes the lamps and places it in a position where it will be most effective, so should the disciple place his lamp so that his light will be seen by all. A great example of following this precept is Paul. He first went to the synagogues in each city he visited. However, eventually, they usually rejected his word.
 
When this happened, he would move on to where the light was most useful, leaving his own Jewish brothers to wallow in their own darkness –
 
“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’” Acts 13:44-47
 
This was consistently the case with Paul, going where he could shine forth the light of Christ. This is in accord with Jesus’ next words, “that they may see your good works.”
 
Whatever one does in faith is a work that has value. Paul followed through with this, faithfully living out his commission despite enormous difficulties that arose almost everywhere he went. This is true with many who have followed since. They have been lights in a darkened world, letting all see that Jesus is worth the sacrifice.
 
Ultimately, the goal finds its end purpose, as Jesus next notes, “and they may glorify your Father in the heavens.”
 
What was the result of Paul’s going to the Gentiles? The narrative in Acts continues with these words –
 
“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”
 
The word of the Lord is the word of God. And the word of God is a reflection of who God is. In glorifying in the word of the Lord, they were glorifying the One true God who gave that word to men. This is to be our chief aim and goal in life, that we glorify God through a proper presentation of the gospel. Let us be about this sacred business.
 
Life application: We are in a temporary world filled with temporary things. None of this is going to last. Our bodies will die and return to corruption unless the Lord comes first. Our homes would fall apart in mere years without regular upkeep. Our cars... how many have we gone through in our lives?
 
Having a fancy dinner or a quiet one at home... either feeds us, and it will be used up and eliminated in no time. All things are temporary except what we do with our service in furthering the gospel and bringing glory to God.
 
What are your priorities? Don’t follow after the fashions and desires of the world. Instead, look ahead to the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus! Be about that and you will be about what is most important.
 
Glorious and almighty God, may we spend our days wisely, pursuing You and bringing honor and glory to You. May this be our greatest desire and passion all our days. Yes, Lord, may it be so to Your glory. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:15

Wednesday, 20 November 2024
 
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:15
 
“Nor do they ignite a lamp and place it under the modius but upon the lampstand. And it radiates all those in the house” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples that they were the light of the world and that a city atop a hill cannot be hidden. Now, He continues with, “Nor do they ignite a lamp.”
 
The word translated as lamp, luchnos, signifies an oil-fed lamp. Some older versions say “candle,” which is a faulty translation. Candles were not used at this time. Various oils could be used to light such a lamp, but in Israel olive oil is a common and readily obtained source. With such a lamp, nobody would light it “and place it under the modius.”
 
This is a transliteration of the word modios, a Latin word signifying a certain measure for dry things. Of the modius, a Google search says –
 
“The modius was a unit of measurement used in ancient Rome to measure dry or solid commodities, such as grain, and sometimes liquids. It was roughly equivalent to a peck, or about 8.73 liters. In the first century AD, adult male citizens were given five modii of grain per month, while slaves were given four. The modius was also used to measure land, but the exact amount of land represented by a modius is uncertain.”
 
Further, a modius was also a circular headdress that resembled the measure of grain, and figures wearing it are found in ancient depictions. Next, Jesus continues with, “but upon the lampstand.”
 
The word translated as lampstand is luchnia. Lampstand is a direct translation. It will be seen four times in the gospels, once in Hebrews, and seven times in Revelation 1 & 2. The lampstand would be an elevated stand of some sort where the lamp would be placed, thus providing maximum illumination, which is seen in the final words of the verse, “And it radiates all those in the house.”
 
This would be the point of lighting a lamp in the first place. It would make no sense to place a lamp under something, hiding its light. Rather, it is lit to reveal the area in which it is placed, even to the darker recesses.
 
As this is so, Jesus will explain the metaphor to His disciples next, but the meaning should be easily understood already.
 
Life application: Jesus’ words bring things down to the basic, common-sense level for people to both understand His intent and to also remember what He is instructing as they go through everyday life. A lamp of some sort is something pretty much everyone uses. The way it is used is almost universally understood as well.
 
When one of the disciples was having a bad day, not getting anyone to listen to his message, he might come in tired and frustrated and think, “I am getting nowhere.” However, when he went in and lit a lamp for the evening, he might then think, “My job is to illuminate. That is why I have been sent.”
 
A simple reminder that his job is doing what he had been doing all day. The results of his efforts did make a difference, even if he did not perceive it. Jesus tells us what to do. The epistles further define the words of Jesus, at times clarifying the difference between pre- and post-resurrection instruction. But the point is, we have the manual set before us.
 
What we need to do is apply it to our lives and not think of great things for ourselves. If we are doing our jobs, that is sufficient. Obedience to the word with minimal results is far better than not rightly applying the word and having great “success” by the world’s standards.
 
How wonderful it is, O God, to be right with You, doing our jobs as You have instructed. Even if we don’t have popularity or fame at this time, obedience to Your word is far better than many riches. Help us have this attitude and serve You, and our hearts will be faithfully set on You. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:14

Tuesday, 19 November 2024
 
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14
 
“You, you are the world’s light. A city, not it is able to conceal lying atop a hill” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that His disciples were the salt of the earth. Now, He makes another comparison, saying, “You, you are the world’s light.”
 
Elsewhere in the New Testament, Jesus states that He is the light, such as in John 9:5 –
 
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
 
John says the same thing about Jesus on several occasions in his gospel and epistles. There is no contradiction here. To share the good news of Jesus is to share His light. Upon His departure, those who share it are said to be lights by Paul –
 
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14, 15
 
Paul says this elsewhere as well. In Ephesians 5, he specifically says the reason for using this metaphor –
 
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11
 
The world is filled with sin. This can be equated to darkness. It casts a spiritual pall over the people of the world. Only in coming to Christ will this change. However, it should be obvious that this is not some type of impartation of light that suddenly changes a person to become a useful light.
 
One must know what their conversion meant and how to convey that to others. That can only come by knowing the word which gives instruction on such matters. Those following Jesus didn’t suddenly get injected with this light. Rather, that is why they are called disciples. They followed Him, learned from Him, and were corrected by Him.
 
The charismatic approach to theology is simply not found in Scripture. Hard work is necessary to be a Spirit-filled light in the world. Understanding this, Jesus continues, saying, “A city, not it is able to conceal lying atop a hill.”
 
The word epanó is used. It extends beyond the word “on” usually used here. It is derived from epi, on or upon, and anó, up, above, up to the top, etc. The city sits atop the hill, in the most prominent position. Other than a cloudy day, it is not possible for such a city to be hidden. It sits openly for all to see.
 
Likewise, if one is outspoken in his ministry of conveying Jesus, it cannot be hidden. The light that is effective is one that has sufficient fuel and oxygen to shine brightly. Jesus is telling us, quite clearly, that to be effective in our lives as Christians, we are to be properly discipled in the word, outspoken in our proclamation, and unashamed of conveying the good news to others.
 
Life application: The words of Jesus here are a clear and unambiguous declaration that to be effective in one’s life as a useful Christian, a person will be properly discipled. Even the disciples that followed Jesus were not like this for much of their time with Him. For example –
 
“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” John 6:66
 
These people were not willing to stick it out and do the hard work of discovering what Jesus meant. Instead, when things got a little rocky, they just walked away from Him. It is ironic that the verse this happens in is 6:66. They decided that their Messiah was not the Messiah. Also, Peter, even having been with Jesus so long, betrayed Him, denying Him three times. And this, even after he was told he would do so!
 
Only in the resurrection did he turn back to the Lord. But then! In Galatians 2, he still failed in his stance –
 
“Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.” Galatians 2:11-13
 
Believing the gospel is only the very beginning of being a light in the world. The fuel to make that light effective is found in ardently sticking out the tough times and unceasingly searching out the word. If you are unwilling to do these things, you will never be an effective light in this darkened world. Knuckle down! Get to it. Follow Jesus, and be a burning torch as you walk in this sin-filled world.
 
Lord God, help us to be effective followers of Jesus. The walk can be tiring, filled with sandpits and snares, and one that is fraught with frustration, but with Your Spirit to guide us, we know we can do it. So, Lord, help us each step of our lives to be faithful followers of our true Light, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:13

Monday, 18 November 2024
 
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:13
 
“You, you are the salt of the earth, and if the salt – it may be insipid – in what will it be salted? For nothing it strengthens now. If not, having been cast out – trodden by men.” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus encouraged the disciples, telling them that even in times of persecution, if it is for His sake, they should rejoice. They have a greater reward coming. Now, He begins to describe their state in Him, and what they should do about it, beginning with, “You, you are the salt of the earth.”
 
Salt has various uses and connotations in Scripture. It enhances flavor, thus making the bland palatable. It prevents decomposition and corruption. It is used as a base of the temple incense when compounding the fragrances (Exodus 30:35). It was the one mandated addition to the sacrifices and offerings at the Tabernacle that had no prescribed measurement. Etc.
 
Thus, it is a symbol of covenant faithfulness. This is seen, for example, in Numbers 18 –
 
“All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.” Numbers 18:19
 
As such, the disciples were to be like these meanings in their lives. Jesus was equating them to salt to indicate how they should conduct themselves as they went forth, sharing the good news of the kingdom. Understanding this, He next says, “and if the salt – it may be insipid – in what will it be salted?”
 
The verb translated as insipid, mórainó, speaks of a person turning to foolishness. The cognate noun móros, speaks of a fool or a stupid person. Today, we would call such a person a moron.
 
The earth needed the salt of the good news. Without it, there would be no good news! But if the disciples were like useless salt, the earth would not find the hope and restoration it needed. They were to be active and “tasty” as they went forth, preserving the message purely while also maintaining absolute covenant faithfulness by not adding nor subtracting from the word.
 
This role continues with believers today. We are not to distract ourselves from our role in this manner but are to give hope in a meaningful way to those we encounter. Otherwise, the earth where we are will not be properly salted. That is seen in the words, “For nothing it strengthens now.”
 
What good is a bump on a log? It is annoying to sit on and will be cut off when the planning process takes place. What good is salt if it has lost its saltiness? It has no value. As such, Jesus says of it, “If not, having been cast out – trodden by men.”
 
Imagine on the day when we stand before the Lord, and we are questioned about our role in continuing the message of Christ. When asked what value we had, our answer is, “I was like a floor mat that people walked over. Other than that, I didn’t do very much.”
 
That is essentially what Jesus is saying to His disciples. “If you aren’t willing to get up and fill your role, you are no better than the dirt under the people’s feet to Me.” Considering that man was formed from the dust of the earth, it is a scathing indictment. “You were as much help in spreading the good news as Adam was before I formed him.”
 
Jesus is using a simple metaphor to convey a wonderful truth about how things should be. Of the terminology here, Vincent’s word studies provides the following story from history –
 
“Dr. Thompson ("The Land and the Book") cites the following case: ‘A merchant of Sidon, having farmed of the government the revenue from the importation of salt, brought over a great quantity from the marshes of Cyprus - enough, in fact, to supply the whole province for many years. This he had transferred to the mountains, to cheat the government out of some small percentage of duty. Sixty-five houses were rented and filled with salt. Such houses have merely earthen floors, and the salt next the ground was in a few years entirely spoiled. I saw large quantities of it literally thrown into the road to be trodden under foot of men and beasts. It was 'good for nothing.’”
 
Life application: Of what value is your salvation to you? In the world, it appears as if most Christians are asleep to the fact that they were once eternally separated from God because of simply being born.
 
Instead, we grade ourselves on a bell curve against others. “Well, I wasn’t a drug addict or a prostitute like... like they were!” Yes, but you were just as far from God as they were. In your arrogance, you are failing to be what God wants you to be now. Which is actually worse?
 
Have salt in your life and be willing to acknowledge the greatness of God, who was willing to do for you what you could never do for yourself. Be one who is willing to make the world a better place by bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Don’t be foolish and wind up trampled under the feet of the common people as they go about their daily lives, not even noticing that you are there.
 
Glorious Lord God, You have done for us what we could never have done. You removed our sin and placed us high in the heavenly places with You. This is because of Your goodness and love for the people of the world. Help us to act in a like manner toward those we encounter, never failing to be like salt in their lives. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:12

Sunday, 17 November 2024
 
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12
 
“You – rejoice and cavort, for your recompense – great in the heavens, for thus they pursued the prophets before you” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that His disciples were blessed when they were pursued for righteousness, and when all kinds of evil was spoken against them for Jesus’ sake. Now, He continues, saying, “You – rejoice and cavort.”
 
The word translated as cavort is a new and fun word, agalliaó. The literal meaning is “leap much,” coming from agan, much and hallomai, to gush, leap, or spring up. The single word in English that conveys the same meaning is cavort. Jesus tells his disciples that this should be their attitude when they are pursued for righteousness and defamed for His sake. Next, He says, “for your recompense – great in the heavens.”
 
The meaning is the future life when people are raised and rewarded according to their lives and actions. Jesus will repay every deed done in faith for His name. Nothing will go unrecompensed, and all accounts will be minutely settled according to the goodness of His grace. Understanding that, He closes the verse with, “for thus they pursued the prophets before you.”The thought, naturally, that goes through people’s minds is one of comparison. “Billy Graham was such a great man of God. He will receive a great reward for what he did in his life.” So too, the people of Israel would have read the Book of Jeremiah and said, “Just look at all he went through! He will receive a great reward at the resurrection.”This is natural. The prophets of the past were hounded, pursued, and killed for their faithful adherence to the word of the Lord. And so, people would compare themselves and strive to be more like them in their minds and actions. Jesus comforted these disciples in advance, telling them that what was in store for them would likewise be rewarded when they were so hounded.
 
Life application: What Jesus said was to His disciples under the law and in anticipation of the coming dispensation of grace. However, it follows that the truth stated in His words would apply to anyone in this dispensation as well. Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 3 where he details the rewards and losses that can be expected from the deeds of this life.
 
He also speaks of rewards several other times. God is carefully watching the things we do, and He will reward us according to our faith. Any deed, no matter how small it is, will receive its reward if it is done in faith. If it is not, no matter how big and grand it is, it will receive no reward.
 
Live your days for Jesus, be filled with the Spirit, and let your life be in close harmony with God at all times. When the opportunity arises, even in the smallest deed, do it in faith that your act will receive its just reward. It is for sure that you will.
 
Lord God, may our lives be dedicated to You at all times. Help us to remember to do what is right and to carry through with it, knowing that our labors here will not be in vain. Rather, You are watching, and You will reward according to Your great goodness. Thank You that we know for certain this is true. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:11

Saturday, 16 November 2024
 
 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matthew 5:11
 
“Blessed are you when they shall defame you, and they shall pursue, and they shall lay forth all evil utterance, falsifying because of Me” (CG).
 
The previous verse noted those pursued for righteousness’ sake, saying that theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Jesus’ words continue now with, “Blessed are you when they shall defame you.”
 
The word oneidizó, to defame, is introduced here. HELP Word Studies says, “properly, to disgrace (insult), reproach; mock (curse); insult, cast blame (create shame) – viewing someone (something) as culpably guilty and therefore deserving punishment.”
 
The reason for this defaming is not yet given, and so to continue, Jesus next says, “and they shall pursue.”
 
It is the same word introduced into the New Testament in the last verse and which is often translated as “persecute.” It is as if these people continually chase after you, never allowing you to rest and defaming you with every chance they can in the process. And yet, Jesus continues, saying, “and they shall lay forth all evil utterance.”
 
Most newer translations, based on a different source text, leave off the word rhéma, “utterance.” For example –
 
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” NIV
 
Either way, the thought is that of being constantly spoken against as evil in various ways. One can think of Paul in the Book of Acts, who was constantly hounded by the Jews who opposed him. They lied and manipulated in order to silence his message. This type of evil speaking actually cost Stephen his life in Acts 7. With that noted, Jesus next explains the context of these persecutions, while expanding on the previous clause saying, “falsifying because of Me.”
 
It is another new word, pseudomai, to lie or speak falsely. These are direct attacks against an individual intended to cause harm to him. In fact, such accusations could bring charges and severe penalties depending on the situation.
 
Peter, in his first epistle, and maybe thinking of these words of Matthew, wrote similar words for his audience as well –
 
“If you are reproached [oneidizó] for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14
 
Life application: All of these things came upon Jesus, and so it is expected that they would come upon His followers as well. In the Christian Western world, there has been a large bubble of protection over believers as even governments supported the Christian cause.
 
Most of the dissensions didn’t come from outside but from within, such as the Protestant-Catholic wars and upheavals throughout the years. However, the tide has turned. Christians are now openly targeted by the ungodly, rabid left. They are accused of being the haters and usurpers of what is right.
 
This will not decrease. The persecution will grow to a fevered pitch if the Lord doesn’t return first. Churches will be targeted, pastors will be arrested for minor charges, and congregants will have their faith tested. It is no longer a question of “if” but of “when and to what degree.”
 
Folks need to be ready to either stand up for their faith or to walk away and hide cowardly from those who will no longer tolerate lights of righteousness in an ever-darkening world of wickedness.
 
Glorious God, we can see and read the writing on the wall. It is not unknown, and we don’t need a prophet to explain it to us. Rather, we can look around and clearly see that the world is becoming less tolerant of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Give us strength and wisdom to stand in this hour and boldly proclaim the word in a world that so desperately needs to hear it. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:10

Friday, 15 November 2024
 
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
 
“Blessed – those having been pursued for righteousness,For theirs, it is, the kingdom of the heavens” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted the blessing of the pacificatory. Now, He continues with, “Blessed – those having been pursued for righteousness.”
 
The word translated as pursued, diókó, is introduced here. It signifies to put to flight, pursue, and so forth. For example, this is how it is used in Luke 17 –
 
“Then He said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, “Look here!” or “Look there!” Do not go after them or follow [diókó] them. 24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.’” Luke 17:22-24
 
When one pursues another, it means he intends harm, embarrassment, etc. Think of the Pharisees pursuing Jesus from town to town to harm His ministry. Thus, it is a type of persecution. In this case, this is the only time the word is used in the perfect tense. The perfect tense signifies an action completed in the past but which has ongoing effects. They had persecuted, and that continues unabated.
 
The idea is that the person is willing to continue to undergo persecution even after his first ordeal. He doesn’t just proclaim righteousness and then quit when tough times come, but he continues on, slugging it out in his pursuit of what is right. Jesus says of this type, “For theirs, it is, the kingdom of the heavens.”
 
One must consider the context. There is right and there is right. Just because someone pursues a cause that is right in his eyes, women’s rights or the abolition of slavery, for example, doesn’t mean they will inherit the kingdoms of the heavens. Though noble in societies’ eyes, such a pursuit does not merit restoration with God.
 
If it did, it would mean that salvation was of self-works that came by self-motivation. But this is what liberal churches have taught for eons. Someone fights a noble cause, and his picture is hung up in a church as a hero of the Christian faith. Rather, what Jesus is referring to is someone like Noah or Lot –
“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4-9
 
These men saw wickedness, knew that it was against the moral code of God, and they strove to set things in a proper way. Both are rewarded for their struggle against ungodliness. The people around them reveled in doing what was contrary to human morality as described in Romans 1. This is what the Lord is referring to. These were people of faith who proclaimed their faith, even when being pursued for it.
 
Life application: We need to make sure our moral compass is one that is properly aligned with Scripture. At the time this commentary is written, a presidential debate is going on in the United States.
 
People on the left say it is a noble cause to abort children, even until the moment of birth. They say it is a noble cause to have open borders and to give money to those coming in while withholding money due to their citizens. They say it is right and acceptable for society to pay for gender-changing surgeries on young children while denying the parents the right to protest. Are these morally in line with Scripture?
 
People on the right have made concessions to get more votes on many of the se issues, but they are doing their best to keep the nation from devolving into the complete chaos that the other party would bring. The narrative of Genesis 6, which Jesus refers to in His own speeches, is coming.
 
The job of those who are pursued for righteousness is to vote for the most suitable party and then to work within that party, if elected, to continue to calm the uproar of wickedness from the inside. It is not to sit on one’s hands and say, “My vote doesn’t matter anyway.”
 
That is an easy copout, but as Billy Graham said, “Bad politicians are elected by good people who don’t vote.” If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. All must stand before God and explain why they did not pursue righteousness. It is true this is not an easy battle. Ground may be lost, but it can also be gained again.
 
Lord God, help us to understand our position in regard to moral issues. If we are not speaking against them, we are implicitly condoning them. May we not be afraid to stand up for what we believe when it is a clear violation of what You have set forth. Give us wisdom and fortitude in these things. Amen.
 

Matthew 5:9

Thursday, 14 November 2024
 
Blessed are the pure in heart,For they shall see God. Matthew 5:9
 
“Blessed – the pacificatory,For they – sons of God – they will be called” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus referred to the pure of heart. Now He next says, “Blessed – the pacificatory.”
 
The word is found only here in Scripture, eirénopoios. It is an adjective coming from two words meaning “to make peace.” No translations, even the most literal, however, properly use an adjective form in their translation. However, the word pacificatory is such an adjective. 
 
The word pacificatory signifies something that tends to promote peace or is conciliatory. It was first used in the late Middle Ages, somewhere around the late 1500s. It comes from the Latin word pācificātōrius.
 
The words of Jesus are taken to unintended and unhealthy extremes by liberal churches. This is not speaking of battle or intensely correcting wrongdoing. Jesus has done or will do both. He vigorously rebuked those who mistreated God’s word, He went into a tirade of sorts when He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and merchants in His Father’s house. He will return again and destroy vast armies coming against Israel.
 
This is not an all-out call for “peace, brother” like the hippies. It is exactly what the word means, to promote peace or make conciliation. Those who work to bring peace between God and man are the particular focus. There is a state of enmity between the two. Without that being restored through a right relationship with Him, there can be no peace.
 
Under the Old Covenant, Malachi gives a marvelous example of this. After rebuking the priests for their unholy conduct in the presence of the Lord, he says –
 
“He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;He will purify the sons of Levi,And urge them as gold and silver,That they may offer to the LordAn offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
 
Only after there is proper mediation between God and man can the offerings of righteousness be brought before the Lord. Jesus has done this in its fullest sense through the New Covenant. Now, those who work to reconcile others through the word concerning Jesus are the truly pacificatory. They are the peacemakers that are bringing about the kingdom, one soul at a time.
 
Of such, Jesus next says, “For they – sons of God – they will be called.” The term “sons of God” first goes back to Genesis 6 –
 
“Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” Genesis 6:1, 2
 
This is not referring to giants walking around with knurl brows and clubbed feet. It is a reference to the godly line of Seth which is then noted repeatedly through the rest of Scripture. It is those who live by faith in what God has done for His people. Job (Job 1:6 & 2:1) is called such a son.
 
Those who expend themselves in making peace through reconciling men to God will, indeed, be called sons of God.
 
Life application: The sons of God in Genesis 6 is one of the many highly abused descriptors in Scripture. The reason for this comes down to a single word, sensationalism. And that leads to another matter, popularity and prosperity. By mishandling the word of God through sensationalism, people are thought of as great teachers because they have an ear-tingling message.
 
But there is nothing sensational about mishandling the word of God. Rather, we should pay attention to the surrounding context, understand the type and form of literature being presented, and then make our evaluations based on that. Such teachings are unpopular because they require hard work and diligent study, but they will show us the heart of God as we continue through the pages of Scripture.
 
If you want to know more about the sons of God, two sermons in particular from the Superior Word should be viewed: Genesis 6:1-4 (The Nephilim) and Deuteronomy 14:1, 2 (Sons of the Lord God).
 
Be sure to rightly handle the word of God, and also be sure to be pacificatory in your walk with the Lord. Tell others about the goodness of God in Christ Jesus.
 
Lord God, may it be our desire and yearning to pursue You through Your word properly at all times. Help us to maintain context, and to evaluate carefully the things that we are looking into. May this be to Your Glory. Amen.