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UnlessBy Dr. Jack CanadyRead Matthew 5The crowds following Jesus had become massive. He had a message to preach. The moment had come. He went up on a mountain by the Sea of Galilee and sat down. When the crowd gathered around Him the Bible says, "He opened His mouth and began to teach them."(Matthew 5) I am studying that sermon right now. It helps me to read it out loud. I admit to you that, at times my soul is overwhelmed because Jesus' words hit home. For instance I hear Him say, "Fortunate are those who are NOT spiritually arrogant for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (5:3) His next words go to the opposite pole from arrogance. "Blessed are those who MOURN, for they shall be comforted." My mind jumps immediately to friends of mine who are now mourning deeply over a husband or wife who has died. Indeed God is the One who comforts them - but I am not sure I am right.Perhaps the mourning here is what comes over me when God's Spirit convicts me of my own spiritual arrogance. I am careful how I handle it in front of others. I am subtle in my bragging; I even sound spiritual as I make myself look better than those around me. (Have you ever been there?) But I am a follower of Christ. God's Spirit dwells within me. When His Spirit convicts my spirit my soul is plunged into turmoil. I may struggle for awhile. Unfortunately that is often the case, but, when I fall on my knees, mourning over my sin as I confess it to God, His Spirit comforts my repentant heart. It is after God refreshes my soul that I treat people the opposite of the way arrogance treats them. I become a gentle, merciful, peacemaker who hungers and thirsts for the kind of righteousness that pleases my Heavenly Father. What does that righteousness look like and how is it different from arrogance? Jesus is not far into His message before He illustrates what He means. "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (5:20) Do you know what I get from that? The ones who were proud of the fact that they were above everybody else in the spiritual realm, who thought they had a corner on the market when it came to the kingdom of heaven, were not going to make it at all. Those who mourn over their sin, not those who brag and look down on others will be the ones who are comforted. AND - if you have the Pharisee's attitude toward those around you - watch out. They came up short. In His love, Pastor Jack |
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