Mocha on the Mount – Week 2

I have to admit that I didn’t get as much out of this week as I did last week. Most of what I got was confirmation about tomorrow’s post.

We know we are sinners but do we really? For example, I will tell my kids to pick up their clothes and their answer is almost always. “I know”. But if they really know then why didn’t the pick up their clothes without being told by me? Same with us, if we know we are sinners then why do we act righteous when we aren’t? Why do we Christians sometimes act better than non-christians? Because we have forgotten what we have been saved from and who saved us.

I liked the chart Sandra Glahn used to show the difference between the Pharisees and Jesus…

Jewish Leaders
Quoted rabbinical authorities
Stressed outward conformity
Focused on external righteousness
Paraded religion in public
Demonstrated pride

Jesus
Quoted His own authority
Stressed inward relationship
Focused on the internal life
Encouraged worship in secret
Demonstrated humility

Wow. Compared to that list I can see myself in both. What I need to ask myself is whose example am I trying to follow and whose example are others seeing?

Another thing I found interesting was Matthew 5:21-32. Three different times Jesus says, “You have heard…” followed by “…but I say to you…” Most of us can follow the “you have heard”. We can throughout our daily lives not murdering or committing adultery. It’s the “…but I say to you…” that gets me. I harbor anger against some people, I have looked at others with lust in my eyes and mind. We are not given a set of rules to live by. They are not rules, it’s about what is in your heart.

These verses jumped out at me and have caused me to think about them. I’m still not done thinking and have tomorrow’s post swirling around my head and they both go together.

Matthew 5:23 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Two things jumped out at me…1) God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. That means saved and unsaved. God does for both. 2) Love your enemies. This one is harder. Who exactly is our enemy? Anyone who is different? Anyone who believes different that me? It doesn’t matter. I am to still love them. I need to see them as God sees them. We are all his children and creation whether we are saved or not. Remember John 3:16…Jesus died for all. All means everyone.

I want to love others as Jesus loves them. I want to see others as Jesus sees them.

How about you? What are your thoughts to this weeks bible study?