Luke 6

The Twelve Apostles

Luke 6:12-16

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. 6:13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him. He chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 6:14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 6:16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. NIV

The Disciples Had Already Been Called

At this point in Luke’s account, Peter and his brother Andrew had already been called when Jesus said to them.” Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matt 4:18-19).

Matthew had also been called by Jesus, saying, “Follow me,” and Matthew got up and followed him” (Matt 9:9). Also, “Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’” (John 1:43).

Jesus Ordains as Apostles, Forever

 After this event, they are no longer just followers or disciples, but Jesus designates them as apostles. They carry supreme authority, for Jesus said, “You also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27). No one after them can claim that authority. What they teach carries special weight, because they were His personal companions, day and night.

Jesus intended them to carry authority in the church, till the Lord comes. The early believers demonstrated this.  “Those who accepted his message were baptized…They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:41,42). Breaking the bread signified acceptance of forgiveness for their sins through Jesus.

 The names of the apostles are so important to God that He places them on the “twelve foundations” of the wall of New Jerusalem (Rev 21:14). Thus, no other minister or teacher of the gospel can claim the title of Apostle. If anyone does claim the title of Apostle, they should be called “false teachers” (2 Pet 2:1) and "false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ" (2 Cor 11:13).

Lk 6:17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there, and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem and from the coastal region around Tire (about 300 miles today) and Sidon 6:18, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured 6:19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. NIV

6:17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 6:18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. NKJV

Who is this man?

 Wherever He would go, “those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him” (Mark 3:10).

Who is this man?

As soon as people “recognized” him. “They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed” (Mark 6:54-56). Even the disciples ask, “What kind of man is this?” (Matt 8:27)

Who is this man?

“Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel” (Matt 15:30-31).

Imagine the Scene

As people even brushed the edge of his robe, their broken, cavity-filled teeth became all-new, white, and perfectly sized and fitted. A boy crippled from a fall; his mother takes his hand to touch Jesus's hand as he passes by, and in a second, almost before he knows it, he jumps up with perfect legs and has even grown to his normal height. There were very sick infants unable to take a breath, and the mother held the child’s hand, and it just barely touched his robe—and the baby took its first deep, normal breath and fell peacefully asleep.

Imagine the shouting, jumping up and down on new legs, the scream of mothers as they see their child well in an instant. The noise of people’s praise and their bodies moving in ways that were previously impossible could be heard a mile away.

Power Came from Him

Strength that appeared to have no exhaustion, to the point of becoming fully discharged of power, such as an electronic device. The healed people felt the power coursing through their bodies, restoring health and vitality within seconds. No one could hold back the screams of joy, excitement, delight, and wonder as they tested their healed bodies by running, jumping, climbing steps, and hugging family and friends.

Jesus' Apostles also received the gift of healing. When Peter was about to enter the temple, a disabled man asked him for some money. Peter replied, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.” (Acts 3:6-8).

Something interesting happened after that: “while the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished” (Acts 3:11). The disabled man was so grateful that he kept hugging Peter and John. It's reasonable to think this happened to Jesus many times. Children would hold on to his legs; men and women would reach out to embrace him in appreciation. Sometimes, no doubt, it would be hard for Jesus to move with so many grateful people showing their love and appreciation for what he had done for their lives.

Power Coming from Him

Only the Son of God could do this.  Ponder this. Accept it completely, from your mind, heart, and soul. Jesus was truly the Son of God, who came from beyond this world.

What kind of man is this? Who is this man?

Answer: He is God with us: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” which means ‘God with us’” (Matt 1:23).

Answer: His existence in time is the same as God. “He was with God in the beginning” (1 John 1:2)

Answer: He is the Creator of all things: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (1 John 1:3)

Answer: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him [Son] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him [the Son]. He [the Son] is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col 1:15-17).

Who is this man? He is Firstborn Over All Creation

He carries a title that implies authority in the cosmos, before the Milky Way or any of the billions of galaxies visible in deep space. It shows that nothing in all the cosmos was before Him. The Son, together with the Father, is the oldest in authority and existence. In the language we use to describe beginnings and endings, the Son and His Father are before all things, above all time, and not subject to time's limitations. 

Answer: Even while on earth, Jesus was still one with God the Father. He clearly said,  “The Father and I are one.” Jesus took the name of God that was given to Moses at the burning bush: “Jesus declared, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” (John 8:58). The “Jews tried all the harder to kill Him,” because  “He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

Answer: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb 1:3)

Answer: To Philip, Jesus declared every word he said came directly from the Father. “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work” (John 14:10)

Who is this man? Conclusion

Jesus was no ordinary man; he was God in human flesh.  Even Satan himself called him by his rightful title, “Son of God” (Matt 4:3). Even God himself, from his own “voice,” speaking out loud to the world, said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matt 17:5). This is the same as“Son is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15)

Why is this so important?
If Jesus were less than the image of God, the real Son of God with no beginning, Then there could be no real atonement from his blood on the cross. Our sins could not be forgiven if He were less than God in human flesh; instead, Jesus was one of a kind.

Some titles of Jesus

“Lord” (Matt 8:2), “Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16), “Son of God” (Matt 14:33), “Jesus Christ, whom you [God] have sent” (Matt 17:3), “teacher” (John 13:13), “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), “Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev 22:13), “son of man” (Matt 8:20), “Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matt 1:23), “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35) and “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

Power Not Used for Wealth or Property

Jesus did not use His power to create wealth for himself or others. One man, seeing all of Jesus' power, thought about what it could do for him. He told Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus, reading his mind, told the man, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt 8:19,20). Meaning, if you follow “me,” I often have nowhere to sleep at night but on the ground, because I don’t have much money.

With all the power of Jesus, he could have created a mansion that would have been the envy of all Rome. He could have created marble pillars with advanced electronics in the home. He could even have purchased a home in the area with funds he had solicited from others in appreciation of their healings. But He did not. He could have created gold with a command.

He could have been carried on a chair above the people and given exalted names; He did not. Instead, Jesus chose the most common name for himself, “Son of Man”.

Jesus could have left his disciples vast wealth as an inheritance to use in their mission work of spreading the gospel. But he did not.

 Peter was very poor financially at the end of the ministry of Jesus, saying to a man who asked for alms, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong” (Acts 3:6,7).

Wisdom of Jesus

Matthew’s and Luke’s Sermon on the Mount

Luke 6:20-49 is the abbreviated part of the Sermon on the Mount, with exact portions very similar to Matthew’s account. Given their similar content, Luke may have been unfamiliar with Matthew’s Gospel. Luke traveled to Jerusalem and wrote his book from interviews with “eyewitnesses.” He said, “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning; I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Lk 1:3,4).

The similar accounts in Matthew and Luke, written by those who learned directly from eyewitnesses, strongly indicate that today's accounts are very accurate.

Jesus—Greater Wisdom than Solomon

“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here” (Lk 11:31). Someone with greater wisdom than Solomon.

For in “Christ” is “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:2,3).

Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament

Jesus’ teaching follows the general pattern from wisdom literature in Ecclesiastes. When Solomon opens his book, he says, “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” and “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” And “Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart” (Ecc 1:2,14; 7:3).

We don’t read this literally, but we gain wisdom by reflecting on what it means for our lives. 

Jesus’ sayings are like the wisdom teachings of Proverbs. For example, “Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead” (Prov 21:16).

Wisdom literature is not meant to be taken literally; instead, we should look for the passage's broader meaning and find ways to apply it in our lives. As for instruction and wisdom, we are to “Bind them on your fingers” (Pro 7:3).

The meaning of wisdom literature does not lie on the surface; some passages require years of thought and prayer to discern the truth and learn to appreciate it. The opening two verses of Proverbs state its purpose.

• “For gaining wisdom and instruction. for understanding words of insight. for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair” (Prov 1:1-2).

• “My son, if you accept my words, and treasure my instructions—making your ear attentive to wisdom, and turning your heart to understanding"  (Prov 2:1-2).

• “I have directed you in the way of wisdom, and I have led you along straight paths. When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble" (Prov 4:11-12).

Wisdom literature of Jesus

Sometimes we humans get lost during an hour-long lecture and don't remember much. Jesus did not use this teaching method. Jesus's wisdom literature is layered, so students see new meanings at different stages of their lives. In time, they grow in importance.

Jesus' parables follow the pattern of wisdom literature; we generally do not take them literally. As we read and re-read the parables, we see new things about them. New meanings give us profound guidance for our lives, as in the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. They are never old or out of date.

Nothing in the world’s long history of writing millions of books, papers, dramas, and literature of every genre is so alive, so relevant, or so full of important lessons for every eye that reads them: children, youth, adults, or seniors. No barrier of culture, language, sex, or geographic location hinders their understanding.

Admittedly, some of Jesus' pearls of wisdom lie deep and take time to understand. They await an answer to prayer.

Jesus always points to God the Father.

Jesus amplifies the character of God our Father because He knew Him best. Consider His simple teaching: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). Consider reading these short sayings with much prayer. With a desire to apply the broad principles of the passages to our life. Don’t expect easy answers on a first reading; instead, see them as important, eternal truths.

Teaching Style of Jesus Not like the Torah

Jesus did not use the Commandment-style teaching found in the Torah. There is no “You shall not” (Ex 20:3-7, 13-19). They present a different level of action, not just something forbidden or a physical command. Jesus “taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matt 7:29), which focused on the Law's commands.

Instead, the following 18 teachings of Jesus in Luke 6:20-49 will help us be the best friends, neighbors, and family members. This will create a safe environment for raising a family. It will foster sound mental health and abundant, natural trust in each other. When a church adopts these and other sayings of Jesus, they are building “a house…laid the foundation on the rock” (Luke 6:48), “and that rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4). As a result, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). His teachings are the principles of the Kingdom of heaven.

When the storms of the last days on earth or an individual life come to an end, it will be like “the flood arose and the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock” (Lk 6:48), which is “My sayings” (Luke 6:47).

The Teachings of Jesus are Spirit, Pure Spirit Words

The following 18 Words of Wisdom in Luke 6 are Spirit-framed teachings from the Son of God.

Jesus’ teachings are Spirit words, purely from the Spirit, for the “Spirit of God [the Father] descending like a dove and alighting on him” (Matt 3:16). The entire life of Jesus was directed by the Spirit; we are told, “Jesus, [was] full of the Holy Spirit” (Lk 4:1) and “Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit”  (Lk 10:21).

This spiritual wisdom comes from the Spirit world. Jesus said, “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63). “Full of life” means they impart spiritual life to the believer. They start a relationship with Christ that centers our lives on Christ Jesus. “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col 3:4).

When the Spirit is present, these sayings will matter more. Only the Spirit can apply them to our hearts, transform us into a “new life” (Acts 5:20), a new you. They affect our eyes, ears, mouth, words, feet, head, minds, and hearts. His words take us to a new level of total engagement.

 Thus, we must teach the ministry of the Spirit alongside the Spirit-given words Jesus taught. Otherwise, we cannot understand Jesus' deeper, heart-changing, life-altering teachings.

 Jesus speaks directly to “a large crowd of his disciples” (Lk 6:17), telling those who want to be his disciples who they are and how to live. The next “blessings” and “woes” were the ordination sermon he gave to his newly appointed Apostles. It would be good for all ordained ministers of the gospel to have these “blessings” and “woes” explained at their ordination service.

For believers today, Jesus' words of spiritual wisdom help us determine whether our faith is strong or weak. As Paul says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5).

What does it look like to have “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27)? How can we know that we are in Christ Jesus as we may claim by our church membership? The following blessings and woes are meant to prompt us to pray and seek God's understanding of where we need further spiritual growth.

We should always remember the One who spoke these Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom; He did so in the power of the Spirit, bringing conviction and new determination to change men and women. If we read these words without meaning or conviction, we should seek God on our knees until this instruction shatters our self-confidence and brings us to tears of repentance. Sadly, these words do not receive the attention they deserve! Now, through prayer, you have the opportunity to see the value of Jesus' plain teaching.

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. 6:13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. NIV

6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 6:13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles. NKJV

Counsel to The Men Jesus Chose

1st Blessing: Humility 

Luke 6:20

Luke 6:20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” NIV

6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. NKJV

Jesus Speaking Directly to His Young Apostles

Jesus looks at this small group of men and speaks directly to them, using the personal pronouns "you" and "yours." Jesus gives them four single-sentence “blessings” and four “woes”, with one reason to “rejoice”. The disciples then have several years to think about these small, bite-sized pearls of wisdom. They will never grow old, as if they belonged to a past historical period of little interest today. Yes, they belong to us today as much as yesterday, and to all future generations.

‘They are distilled down to the most common level for us to understand, the way of living for true leaders. These ideals Jesus taught His Apostles speak to other Christian leaders who should follow. Every church leader, every pastor, bishop, religion professor, and evangelist should model these ideals. Or they will become “blind guides,” creating blind followers, and “the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matt 15:14).

Blessed Are You Who Are Poor—No Display of Money

This is an absolute, non-negotiable spiritual quality to be an apostle. First, the obvious: they were not to accumulate wealth. They were not to depend on money, to regard it as the greatest asset in teaching the gospel. Even when Jesus sent out his disciples to teach, he said, “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt” (Lk 9:3), as a graphic lesson not to think of your success as asset-based, but the power of God is more displayed in the simple, not the grand.

Jesus began his ministry tipping upside down the “tables of the money changers” (Matt 21:12). When Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and money. The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus” (Lk 16:13,14). Money mattered greatly to these temple pastors; they saw it as a sign of God’s blessing. Is that how our modern church leaders view money?

The disciples did just that. They did not build a great St. Peter’s Basilica to honor themselves. They left no building, no monuments, no large bank accounts. Once we saw a picture of a church in Texas with thousands attending, and the pastor's name in large letters on the building. Such is not the example of Jesus or the early church while under the direction of the Apostles.

The early church, led by the disciples, never collected tithes or offerings itself. So they could have better houses, strings of donkeys, or have better clothes than others. They collected offerings only for the poor.

As Luke recorded: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:33, 35). How does this compare to wealthy church buildings of the 21st century? Do they take the largest share of the tithes and donations for themselves and, with it, build grand buildings?

Blessed Are You Who Are Poor—Deep Humility

This is the first requirement for being chosen as a disciple, and the most important. It is like the first beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). It is almost as if Jesus is saying that the humble are promised the kingdom.

Jesus is not demanding poverty of them, but rather their acknowledgment of spiritual poverty. Always. Every day and every hour. Never, ever letting pride in spiritual knowledge dominate. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18).

But more than that. Pride is the antithesis, the opposite of faith in God. Paul, speaking about Abraham, said, “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Rom 4:2,3). Boasting and pride hinder justification by faith.

Pride undermines God's power. It was the original sin of Satan, who said, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa 14:14). Sadly, the display of wealth and the accumulation of wealth are spiritually dangerous. Wealth is not necessarily a sign of God’s blessing.

Jesus Teaches Humility

“Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt 18:1-4 NKJV). Humility makes a person great, greater, and greatest in the eyes of all in heaven. From this, we learn an important truth: humility matters more than many closely held beliefs.

Jesus makes humility a universal testing truth. No proud, arrogant, boastful, self-assured, domineering, demanding, controlling person who loves and refers mostly to themselves can enter heaven. Unless they are “born again” (John 3:3) by the “Spirit” (John 3:6, 8), that is, made new, made humble, and careful not to put others down to look better. Instead, they are determined to honor God first and foremost, keeping themselves in the background.    

To those who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy, the kingdom of God is given only to them. Although saving grace is given freely and undeservedly, they must receive it with childlike humility.

This is the heart of worship.

Jesus comments about the two worshipers in the temple. One worshiper prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get” (Lk 18:11-12).

The other worshiper  “stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner’” (Lk 18:13). Jesus said about this worshiper: “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Lk 18:14).

To be justified is to be forgiven of all sins and restored with honor in God's presence. To be exalted is to be honored with the presence of “God’s Spirit” (1 Cor 3:16).

To the Temple leadership, Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant,” a statement they would have found very difficult to accept. Jesus continues, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matt 23,12,13). Jesus tells them that without humility, their destiny is predetermined (see also Luke 14:7-11).

Peter and Humility

In Peter’s final section of his first general letter to all believers. He advises the “shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care” not to lord “over those entrusted” (1 Peter 5:3) to them. To be a controller, a manipulator, or a dictator of the church. Humility was to characterize their leadership.

Peter advises all believers, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you in due time” (1 Pet 5:1-6). This is an amazing fact: God opposes the arrogant, bossy, demanding, self-assertive, or those prone to humiliate others. They may think their position warrants them a place among the redeemed, but they will be sadly disappointed. James 4:6 acknowledges this same fact

• For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matt 23:12).

• For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isa 57:15).

“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the Lord. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word’” (Isa 66:2). 

John and Humility

The Apostle John wrote his letter with deep humility. He said, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at [observed] and our hands have touched—this we proclaim” concerning the Word of life (1 John 1:1).

John could have written about his personal encounters with Jesus as they walked from town to town over three years. John could have written that he knew very important people, such as Peter and Paul. He could have told us about Jesus' mother and repeated some of the stories she told him about Jesus as a youth. But he did not dwell on anything that would spotlight him and his activities in his letters or his Gospel.

John does not say, “I have touched him with my hands,” but instead uses the plural pronoun “we.” We should note John’s style, which contrasts with religious leaders who focus too much on their own experiences and make themselves the center of their sermons. John had no desire to make himself the center of his teachings or to deserve acclaim. Although he could have, he did not. Instead, John shows humility when he could have talked about HIS experiences and HIS witness and, by doing so, elevated himself to the status of the supreme authority all should honor. But he didn't, not for one second, when he could have!

Paul and Humility

Paul writes from prison to the Philippian congregation, saying to them, “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:2,3). We need more humility when we value ourselves above others, feeling more blessed in terms of talents, education, family heritage, careers, or beauty.

To the Colossian congregation, Paul pleads with them to embrace all the qualities humility brings. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col 3:12-14). Without true humility, we cannot bear others’ faults or be very patient.

Teaching the Gospel with a Sense of Spiritual Poverty

The effectiveness of teaching the gospel is founded on humility. Not foremost knowledge, not high degrees, not personality, not vast wealth, not seeking higher honor, a larger salary, benefits, or privileges above others. Instead, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mk 10:14).

Without humility, when one honors themselves, true love cannot exist. Because loving your neighbor while exalting yourself as better than your neighbor is impossible. Humility and love to God and others are inseparable companions. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isa 66:2).

C.S. Lewis on Humility

C.S. Lewis wrote, “That feeling superior is a sign of being influenced by something other than God, potentially the devil, who is often associated with pride and self-exaltation.”

Lewis furthermore wrote: “Whenever we find that our religious life is making us feel we are good—above all, that we are better than someone else. I think we may be sure that we are being acted on not by God but by the devil. The real test of being in the presence of God is to either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether.”

Lewis believed that pride can distort religious life. He says that when religious beliefs or doctrines make a person feel superior to others, it shows a departure from genuine faith. According to Lewis, God's presence fosters humility and self-forgetfulness, while pride is a form of self-exaltation that can harm spiritual growth.

“The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility...According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice; it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” C.S. Lewis (We copied these quotations from Google AI)

Matthew Learned His Lesson

Matthew did not include his name or even mention himself in the Gospel of Matthew. The earliest church history regarded Matthew as the author. Our last view of Matthew is in the Upper Room before Pentecost (Acts 1:13). He could have performed hundreds of miracles while traveling to foreign lands. In a modern sense, Matthew chose to live like a little child, unconcerned about crafting billboards or movies, all about himself.

After Pentecost, the disciples scattered into the world with their new languages; they were historically quiet. That is how they wanted it.

Peter learned his lesson.

Peter says nothing at all about his personal experiences in his two letters. He wrote to the world of believers saying, “a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Pet 3:4).

John learned his lesson.

When John wrote his gospel, he did not talk about himself and mentioned himself only in the third person.

Blessed are you

Jesus, looking at these men, could tell their future: they were going to learn humility, and He pronounced a blessing on them ahead of time.

Peter later acknowledges “God’s elect… have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood” (1 Pet 1:3). God chooses us. God knows our paths in life, and every day we are sprinkled with the blood of Christ for forgiveness of sins. This is what Peter was proud of, could boast about, and shout to the world.

Kingdom of God

This is the kingdom where God lives and rules. In heaven, in the New Jerusalem, where God will be with us forever. We will be in what Jesus called “my Father’s house” (John 14:1). It is a real place where the humble will hear, “Come, you who my Father blesses; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt 25:34).

• "Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself" (Phil 2:3 NET).

• "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it"  (Mk 10:15).

2nd Blessing Given to those Who are Hungry

Luke 6:21

Luke 6:21, 2nd Blessing  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.  

3rd Blessing   Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. NIV

6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. NKJV

2nd Blessing is to Those Who Hunger Now

This is the second requirement to be chosen as an Apostle. A true disciple of Jesus is always spiritually hungry. They are alert to spiritual things; they are seeking to understand. As when “the crowd” left, and Jesus “went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field” (Matt 13:36). They wanted understanding. Yes, these men were hungry for what Jesus taught.

After the Sermon on the Bread of Life, “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Jesus asks his disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:66-68). Many of the false disciples were not hungry for the things Jesus taught. Jesus' disciples did have spiritual hunger.

Their spiritual hunger was filled, not with wealth, not with ease and comfort. Their hunger endured, as did their association with a man whom their religious leaders hated. A man who had the power to heal everyone in their sight, but said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt 8:20). How many times did they spend a night sleeping on the ground? They left no record.

What Hinders Spiritual Hunger?

Some are so certain they are right on a point of doctrine that they won’t hear any explanation that might challenge their ideas. Some will persecute and ostracize those who question their spiritual narrative. They will reach conclusions that often run opposite to what Scripture says. The history of Christianity has many examples of religious authorities demanding that all their followers believe only as they have explained it. They declare all other viewpoints of truth to be in error. This robs believers of spiritual hunger for Scripture, for “wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9), is turned into the wisdom that man gives. 

Spiritual hunger is constant for every true Christian.

 Every morning, we should have a healthy spiritual appetite and a strong desire to study Scripture and pray. In this life, hunger and thirst are never satisfied as we pursue God, His Word, and prayer—our thirst only increases over time.

• “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Ps 42:1,2

• “I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.” Ps 143:6

• “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Ps 63:1

• “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for humanity, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Ps 107:8,9

• You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
  in a dry land where there is no water. Ps 63:1

• “I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.” Ps 143:6

• “Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts, thou fount of life, thou Light of men, from the best bliss that earth imparts. We turn unfilled to Thee again. We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread, and long to feast upon Thee still: We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead, and thirst our souls from Thee to fill…”  Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). This is a moving expression of hunger satisfied, yet only to be hungry again and satisfied again and again. If you are not starvingly hungry for the “bread of life,” pray for the joy of spiritual satisfaction that hunger satisfies, while we hunger for more.

Are you Hungry for the Things of God?

Am I Hungry for God every day? Do I feel that I want more time for devotion?

Am I Hungry for my quiet prayer time? Do I long for special times during the week for longer prayer? Is prayer time a delight, just sensing His presence? “Faithful to prayer” (Rom 12:12 NIV);  “devoted to prayer” (NAS); “continuing instant in prayer” (KJV).

Other translations say: Persist in prayer; Be constant in prayer; Pray at all times; Patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer; Devote yourself to prayer; Persevere in prayer; Faithful in prayer; Continuing steadfastly in prayer; Do not let anything stop you from praying and keep on talking with God.

Am I Hungry for Scriptures? Am I Hungry for deeper insights into Scripture? Do Scriptures thrill me and bring me to tears? Do they call out praise and thanksgiving, all at the same time? Do Scriptures draw me like a magnet, leaving me breathless? Do Scriptures form the primary basis of my time with God?

Am I Hungry to do good to others, uncritically? To “never tire of doing what is good.” (2 Thess 3:13).

Am I Hungry for the righteousness of God that comes freely by faith alone? (Rom 3:21-26).

Am I Hungry to love others more (1 John 4:7-8)

Am I Hungry for God? To be right with God, to be close with God? To “have the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor 13:14).

Will be Satisfied

Jesus has taught us that we are to “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Lk 11:9-10). The hungry are always asking to understand Scripture more. For more on knowing God's will and how to please Him.

 As Paul wrote, “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way [please him in all respects]: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Col 1:9-11).

Jesus saw that these men would become men who want to bring honor to God. Jesus repeated this same truth in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt 5:6).

Paul’s Four Prayers for the Church to Demonstrate Spiritual Hunger

Paul’s first prayer, in his letter to the Ephesians was to thank God for the visible increase of the “faith” and “love” (1:15) of the Ephesians. Of all our prayers to God, ask for greater faith and more love every day.

Paul’s second prayer, he asked God to give the Ephesians the gifts of “wisdom and revelation” (1:17) from the Spirit. Wisdom for the tasks of the day, all for God's honor. Revelation to see the consequences of certain actions, answers to dilemmas, and fresh insights into Scripture that strengthen you.

Paul’s third prayer, he asked God to open the “eyes” (Eph 1:18) of the Ephesians so they can see the riches of their inheritance awaiting them in heaven. This is not just about our heads as teachers, but about experiencing it. That you may see, in your heart, the rich inheritance God is planning for you. Meaning, at an emotional level that is not connected to the intellectual; it is a matter of the heart.

In Paul’s fourth prayer in Ephesians, he said, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…” (Eph 3:16,17).

3rd Blessing Given to those Who Weep

Luke 6:21

Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh [have joy] NIV

6:21 Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. NKJV

Blessed are You who Weep Now

I want you to imagine the face of God close to you; the ministry of angels is present around you when you weep over a personal loss. God cares about our suffering. Jesus said, "Blessed are you who weep," meaning the Father’s blessing, help, and support are close to His weeping child. Are we close to our children when they burst into tears over a fall? Yes, we are; so is God.  

This 3rd Blessing is a Promise.

When you weep in sorrow, loss, pain, disappointment, or unexpected loss, God promises a time will come when it will be changed into joy.

• When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Ps 126-1-3

Abraham’s wife Sarah was unable to bear a child for many years. To her, this was not just sadness, but deep sorrow and tears.  Then a miracle, even after menopause, happened when she became pregnant.

“Abraham was a hundred years old when God gave him Isaac. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” (Isa 21:6-7). Sarah’s tears were turned into laughter.

This is a Necessary Experience for All Believers

This is the third requirement to be chosen as an Apostle and disciple.  A true disciple of Jesus will cry, as when “Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Matt 26:75). These men have emotions that are not hidden under a garment of masculinity; they feel sorrow for their failures, for others in trouble.

Can you imagine when Jesus was arrested and was mocked and whipped, that the disciples were not themselves weeping out loud with increasing fervor? If they did not cry, they were not his disciples.

“Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb. And saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” (John 20:11-13). Mary was so filled with grief that she was unable to recognize that she was talking to Angels. Her head was bowed, her face covered with her hands, her eyes blurred, and she was unsteady on her feet.

Just imagine how fast that sadness disappeared when it reached her senses that there was no need to cry; Jesus had risen from the dead. She knew it was true and would have leaped for joy.

Heartfelt Repentance is Often with Tears

Deep repentance before God is often in tears of sorrow for our mistakes, our open sins, our shameful hidden thoughts, or the deeds done in the dark. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Cor 7:10).

 Those who are not moved with emotion, and often with tears of repentance and sorrow for sins, cannot be His disciples.  As Peter later said, when we “for a little while…may have to suffer grief,” you weep now, “in all kinds of trials…In all this you greatly rejoice,” you will laugh (1 Pet 1:6).

Paul told the Thessalonian believers not to be “unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them” (1 Thess 3:3).

What does Jesus Promise to Those who Weep

“Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Matt 19:28,29), There is a very special reward to those who have undergone loss, pain, and suffering. We have no idea what 100 times more means, but it must be significant. It was very significant to Jesus.

Jesus Explains this Concept to Us

“Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:19-21). The disciples were full of grief to the point of tears at the death of Jesus on a Roman Cross. After his resurrection, they were filled with joy.

So, on earth we have sorrows, but in the resurrection we will rejoice and not even remember our troubles on earth.

James Explains this Concept to Us

 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:17-10).

When we come near to God, we're often convicted of sin. Our confession becomes very personal, and often tears will flow.

You Will Laugh

This is a sign of joy and full satisfaction, which can’t be contained anymore. “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). Can you imagine the goodness in the room? They could not be sorrowful if they wanted to.

• “No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; They will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Isa 35:9-10

Jeremiah, not fully knowing it, was writing about a future time beyond his own. He describes the future event in the language he knew. Jeremiah's view of that time, “when we all get to heaven, what a day that will be,” is filled with wonder, amazement, delight, and laughter. Those who come will come from “weeping” and will “sorrow no more,” for “their mourning into gladness.”

“See, I will bring them from the land of the north

and gather them from the ends of the earth.

Among them will be the blind and the lame,

expectant mothers and women in labor;

a great throng will return.

They will come with weeping;

they will pray as I bring them back.

I will lead them beside streams of water…

They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;

they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—

the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,

the young of the flocks and herds.

They will be like a well-watered garden,

and they will sorrow no more.

Then young women will dance and be glad,

young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into gladness;

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

I will satisfy the priests with abundance,

and my people will be filled with my bounty,” declares the Lord.

Jer 31:8-9; 12-13

Laughter, Rejoicing in Heaven

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from? And he said:

• “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”  Rev 7:13-17 

4th Blessing of Being Mistreated

Luke 6:22

Luke 6:22  Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 6:23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. NIV

6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. 6:23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. NKJV

The Shocking Text

Jesus promises the very same reward, in volume, to believers in their time who are mistreated for their faith; they will receive the same reward as a prophet. Jesus used the word "great," an adjective meaning large in amount or very numerous.

Jesus speaks of this reward in the future and gives us no details. He just says it will be great. The English equivalent is super-sized greatness. We cannot even speculate as to the meaning of this great reward. We must take Jesus at his word; whatever it is, it is more than we can imagine. Ever.

Blessed are You When You are Excluded and Insulted

This is the third qualification to be chosen as an Apostle of Jesus. Their faith will not fail them, even if they are put to death with cruelty and abuse. They have made an unbreakable commitment to Jesus.

Not every man can do this; perhaps only a few can. We are glad that not all followers of Jesus are tested to the point of being overwhelmed.

Yet, these disciples, except Judas, were insulted, treated with hatred, and never denied the Lord they love. Jesus knew this about them, and He was happy. He blessed them with his presence and promised never to leave them as “orphans” (John 14:18). 

The disciples learned from Jesus, “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it” (1 Cor 4:12). They did exactly that. Jesus could see their future and knew they would persevere against all odds and succeed, even if it meant a violent death at the hands of those who hate the Gospel.

Blessed are you…

Although Jesus gave this blessing personally to the disciples, it applies more broadly. Blessed are all those who have believed in Jesus and undergone severe persecution, hardships, and great loss of life and property—yet have still believed. As Paul has written, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18).

We share in Christ's sufferings when we endure and persevere in the face of temptation. We face difficulties because of our faith in Christ and our determined loyalty to His teachings. 

• "Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus" (Rev 14:12 NASU)

No Prosperity Gospel Here

 The gospel that Jesus taught never promised to remove all our troubles. To keep us always healthy, wealthy, and wise. A gospel that makes you rich and blessed with an abundance of goods is not what Jesus taught or how he lived His life. This is a false gospel if one teaches that God will make you very talented and give you opportunities to show them off to the praise of others. Be assured, this is a false prophet.

Paul’s gospel included suffering. He set before us an unimaginable vision: “heirs of God,” with a condition. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Rom 8:17).

Peter reminds us that we should “rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Then Peter adds, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. So then, those who suffer according to God’s will commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Pet 4:13,16,19).

Many more inspired statements encourage us to endure trials with patience. Let us not worry about what tomorrow will bring, but about what we face today. Strength is given for today, for what we need right now.

1st Woe to the Rich

Luke 6:24

Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort NIV

6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. NKJV

Already Received Your Comfort

The Greek word for comfort in the NIV Bible is often translated as "comfort" or "encouragement," which is a better translation. The NKJV uses the older word consolation, which today has a different meaning: “the consolation prize received by a person after they came in second in a race.”

Parable of Jesus on Those Who Focus on Wealth

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions [of wealth].” And he told them this parable:

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take [my] life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21).

Jesus starts this parable with an all-too-common story throughout the history of all nations and societies, saying, "Watch out." Be vigilant and alert. This is personal, not something we watch others. We are not to watch out for Satan, but for ourselves. Watch out that we do not follow the wrong-headed philosophy of 

life—that more is gain.

This foolish rich man was very self-focused; he refers to himself 12 times. His basic idea was to hoard, to collect more than he could ever use for himself, because he had little interest in his neighbors' needs.

Jesus said the opposite: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). John the Baptist understood what Jesus meant. He said, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (John 3:11).

• “But godliness with contentment [with what you have] is great gain [greater profit, wealth]. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

• But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that [content with less rather than more].

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

• For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim 6:6-10).

“Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,

 In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

• "(Money) is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of his children, it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked.”   John Wesley (1703-1791)

• And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Heb 13:6

Woe to You Who are Rich: 

The Rich Laodicea Church: The Rich, Proud, Well Fed, Comforted--Church 

In the description of the seventh church of Revelation called the Church of Laodicea:

• "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” (Rev 3:17-18).

This is the woe for the rich. It is the exact opposite of the blessings Jesus gave to the “poor” (Luke 6:20), those who have humility before God and others. The rich don’t know their condition as sinners in need of grace and humility. Their wealth, their professional success, their many talents and natural abilities have blinded them to the fact that they are better than others. Instead, “in humility value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:3). For “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

In prophecy, this church, entitled Laodicea, represents the world Christian community; the condition described afflicts most Christian gatherings. Some are proud of their large churches or their ever-increasing income from tithes and offerings. Others pride themselves on unique doctrines that set them apart as better than all others. The focus is on themselves. They often have large meals for their high church officials. Would they follow Jesus' advice?

• "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends... But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14

God Hears Them Boast, Again and Again. 

The interesting part of this account is that God hears them boast about themselves in the first person. “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and [I] do not need a thing.”  Modern Christianity is wealthier than it was several hundred years ago. We have a higher standard of living, with more goods and services available, so perhaps this warning is especially for Western Christians.  

The second meaning of wealth is spiritual pride, which crowds out our humility and poverty of spirit. 

Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar” (Ps 138:6). And James the brother of Jesus says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Peter says almost the thing: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Pet 5:5).

Their 1st Condition: Wretched

Paul describes what wretched means. In Romans 7, he says, “I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom 7:23-25). This is a condition of weak spiritual faith. 

This condition is when a person is controlled by their sinful nature, “the law of sin at work within” them. They have good intentions; they want to do right, to do good, but they are “sold as a slave to sin…For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom 7:15). They have not yet experienced the transforming presence of the Spirit; when received, it leads to deep humility, giving no room for spiritual boasting. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Rom 8:11).

Jesus warned us about the danger of self-promotion to receive praise from others.  Jesus has given us this advice: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matt 6:1).

Their 2nd Condition: Pitiful or miserable

This is how God sees them, not happy, joyful Christians, filled with the fruits of the Spirit. This is a very sad picture, made worse because they don’t see themselves this way at all. They see themselves as needing nothing more. This is unparalleled deception; what God sees and how they see themselves are diametrically opposite.

Their 3rd Condition: They are poor

 The reference to being poor is the opposite of considering themselves to be rich. Their poverty refers to spiritual wealth, which they have very little of. Why? Because they regard their traditions, well-structured organization, history, colleges, books of doctrine, and miracle stories as evidence that they are the true church of God.

In their approved statements of faith and in their esteemed, highly educated religious leaders. They trust their long-standing historical structures. The Early church was trained to put its trust not in its leaders but in the Lord. “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” (Acts 14:23).

Their 4th Condition: They are Blind

There is so much self-satisfaction with them that they are blind to their true condition; thus, they are walking in blind darkness. They focus so much on themselves that they have become spiritually very poor. They have so little humility that they see their accomplishments in gospel work as due to their abilities and their methods of preaching and teaching.

Their 5th Condition: They are Naked

After Adam and Eve sinned, they became naked, because they were guilty. The members of this last church are also guilty. They need to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Rom 13:14).

Nakedness is what God sees, not the church. They boast and take pride in what they report to others about their good works. Paul testified to the Corinthian believers that “we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5). Paul did not erect buildings in his honor, nor name his global ministry after himself. Sure, the Apostle Paul’s ministry was full of miracles, many “powerful miracles and signs and wonders” (2 Cor 12:12, Contemporary English Version), which he could display by their name and place them in long lists. But Paul did not boast; if he had boasted, he would have been naked.

Sadly, this 7th church spends much of its time congratulating itself and recording every detail of its accomplishments.  

Life and Death Message        

Unless they go to God and secure pure gold of faith, they become clothed in the righteousness that comes from faith to cover their nakedness. Those who fail to come to God for these gifts, God says he will “spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:16), meaning they will not receive eternal life. As such, this is a life-and-death message to our generation, which looks within itself for goodness.

Buy from Me: 1st Refined Gold

God counsels them to buy refined gold that has impurities removed, so they can be spiritually rich. Because they are so blinded by their pride, “I am,” “I have,” and “wealth,” they fail to see their nakedness before God and their need for repentance and humility. Only then can they receive white garments, “love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).

God refines the gold this church receives, removing all impurities of boastfulness and pride. They do not look long enough at the cross of Christ to realize how great pride's sin is. It is the first and original sin started by Satan. So that they will cry out to God, seeing their need, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matt 8:25). Buy from Me: 2nd White Clothes to Cover Shameful Nakedness. The garments of Christ's righteousness are not their own. “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isa 61:10).

 Buy from Me 3rd salve to put on your eyes, so you can see

God counsels them to receive eye salve; what is it? John Newton tells us what eye salve is.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
  That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
  Was blind, but now I see.

John Newton (1725-1807)

The boundless riches of God’s grace when we all can receive, “grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16). This is what Paul preached; he said God’s “grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8).

When we have the eye salve, we will preach God’s grace with a loud voice. We will do so in meekness and humility, without praising our own ability to teach and preach. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Cor 12:9).

God’s free grace forgives us, restores us, clothes us, justifies us before the laws of God, brings God’s favor toward us, opens up doors of opportunity to do good to others, keeps us humble, keeps us appreciative of 

God’s free grace to us personally, gives us love for God and His Son, gives us desires to love others, to love even those whom we have experienced trouble and abuse from, grace protects us even when we make mistakes, warns us not to criticize others for they may likewise be under the grace of God, gives the Holy Spirit from which we receive a daily supply of wisdom to make good choices, gives us understanding of Scriptures and finally but not lastly, grace gives us a real vision of hope that sees our inheritance stored up in heaven for us. “Out of His [Christ] fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16). 

Grace given once is never enough, so God layers grace on top of what He has already given us. We, the redeemed of the Lord our God, will arrive in heaven with layers upon layers of grace, all over us, all around us, and all in us.

How to Prevent Becoming a Laodicea Church

(1) First, sing many songs of praise and love.

(2) Second, often talk and pray about the love and goodness of God. Keep the focus there. As Jesus taught us, the “first and greatest commandment” is ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' (Matt 22:37,38). The “first” should be understood as the subject that should come first and be the greatest of all subjects.

(3) Teach Scripture and only Scripture. Keep the focus on New Testament themes most of the time.

(4) Teach, around the clock, the ministry of the Spirit. Focus on the Spirit’s ministry as taught by Jesus and the Apostles. Teach and explain from one’s experience the blessings that come from being “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

2nd Woe 

To Those Who Falsely Claim to be Spirtually Satisfied

Luke 6:25

Luke 6:25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. NIV

6:25 Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. NKJV

This expression warns those who feel spiritually satisfied. They don’t need more Scripture study or prayer. They are happy the way they are.

This characterizes a large group of individuals who follow the philosophy of evolution that denies even the idea of God. They are well fed with their scientific theories and ideas, which their publications praise.

The expression that they will go hungry points to judgment day; then they will be hungry for the truth they did not seek, but too late. It points to a time of regret, when they will do anything to change the future. Think of the day that will come for people who were very satisfied and well fed with the truths taught by the “traditions of the elders” (Mark 7:3,5), and who showed no interest in the ministry of Jesus or His apostles.

3rd Woe 

To Those Who Laugh at Spiritual Things

Luke 6:25

Luke 6:25 Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. NIV

6:25 Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. NKJV

You Who Laugh Now

Some people laughed at Jesus when He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). They thought He had an illusion of greatness, when he was just a man. They said: "Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him" (Mark 6:3). From this point, some paid no attention to Him and laughed when he was arrested and proven to be what they believed He was.

After the resurrection and Pentecost, they could no longer laugh; they could only cry that they missed a lifetime opportunity.  

Today, many know about this Man Jesus. Yet they are indifferent. They spend time at theaters, throwing parties, merrymaking, drinking, smoking, displaying wealth, abundance of food, or secular music, all of which may glorify violence and sex. But at judgment, they will no longer be indifferent and will treat faith in Christ as a jest. 

Moses made a choice: “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Heb 11:25). Moses turned away from the playground of Egypt's palaces to identify with the slaves of Egypt. 

Today many seek pleasure, as often as possible, being opposed to religious values. They become “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:4). As Paul said of some women whose husbands had died, “the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives” (1 Tim 5:6).

Jesus tells of the good seed of the Gospel, which is sown in their hearts, but “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Lk 8:14). Meaning that they spend a lot of their time joining in the laughter of society over things that should really make them sad.

You Will Mourn

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth [unsaved] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matt 24:30,31). 

4th Woe 

When Popularity is The Goal

Luke 6:26

Luke 6:26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well [good] of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. NIV

6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.  

Everyone Speaks Well of you

Jesus is referring to people who compromise their faith to please the rich and influential or to gain an advantage in life. So that they can join groups that hold little spiritual values. 

Some hide their faith to avoid conflict with friends, family, or colleagues.

Some ministers of the Gospel preach and teach easy, pleasing ways to be saved, with little discipline, love of God, or need for confession of sin. Their gospel is social and falsely claims that God wants to make them rich in material things. One man wanted to follow Jesus after seeing all his miracles and assuming he could be rich if he followed Him. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt 8:20). Meaning that Jesus did not use his power to make himself or anyone rich in material things. 

False Prophets

The Israelites loved false prophets, who told them what they wanted to hear. 1 Kings 22 is an account of when King Ahab summoned the Lord’s prophet: “The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, 'Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs and speak favorably '” (1 Kings 22:13).

Jesus has warned us about false prophets, saying, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt 7:15). These false prophets will give you a message that sounds like “I am OK, and you are OK,” just as you are. You are beautiful; you are unique and special. Live to develop yourselves, for you have godlike powers.

Some false teachers will tell others that you have power in your own words. If you believe in a positive outcome, you will prosper financially. All you must do is repeat this and claim it as yours, and you will succeed in life, free from failure. This is a false gospel. 

Overview and Introduction

 Luke 6:27-49

Overview: 

Jesus' wisdom differs from reading the law. First, they are more comprehensive, with a far wider scope than the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5.

Jesus spoke these words in double strength, from Jesus Himself and His Father, who directed Him to teach them. They are streams of light on how to honor God in our lives. They are word pictures, presented in a thoughtful teaching style, and designed to penetrate our often self-deceived conditions.

We should regard these pearls of wisdom as Jesus' commands. He said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Those who love Jesus will value his teaching. As a result, Jesus promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). This is the greatest gift that we can possibly receive in our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a teacher and the one who places in our hearts the love of God.

Jesus' Teachings  Determine Our Destiny 

We should view all the Pearls of Wisdom that Jesus has spoken to us as relating to the day when “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10). These are the issues that matter to God in the day that God will judge the earth.

The fourth challenge Jesus gave was to “love our enemies” To “lend to them without expecting to get anything back” (Lk 6:35). If we do this Jesus promised that “your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High” (Lk 6:36). This is a very clear reference to being welcomed into eternal life, when we hear from the judge of the earth, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt 25:34).

The reward will come at the second coming: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done” (Matt 16:27).

When Jesus told us to “Forgive, and you will be forgiven,” it is a requirement to pass into eternal life. This same lesson is repeated in the Sermon on the Mount. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 6:14,15). This is important for those of us who have been abused, neglected, and hurt by harsh words and actions to find forgiveness that comes only from God.  

Forgiving others is absolutely required to enter heaven. If you find yourself harboring hard feelings against anyone, flee to the Cross of Christ, asking for repentance, forgiveness, and the Spirit's power to fully forgive others.

In one of the lessons, Jesus teaches us about two houses: one built on the words of Jesus and the other built on a believer who “heard and did nothing” (Lk 6:46). The house we build is our life, our habits, and our character. Those who build on Jesus, which is His “saying”, pass the judgment because they have “laid the foundation on the rock” (Lk 6:48), which is Christ and his teachings.

1st The Wisdom of Prevailing Love

Luke 6:27-29

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening [pay attention] I say [I command]: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 6:29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also…

6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 6:29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also…

You who are listening

To those who are paying attention, taking them seriously, contemplating the meanings of these sayings of Jesus. It is medicine for their souls. Jesus is speaking to this group, not to the careless, inattentive reader.

Enemies

Those who oppose you, hurt you, oppress you, harm you, or in Roman times enslave you. We should take a broad view of an enemy: anyone who treats us unkindly, rudely, or unjustly.

Paul repeats Jesus' commands: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Rom 12:14). And “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (1 Thess 5:15).

Peter repeats Jesus commands: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Pet 3:9).

Love Them, Do Them Good, Bless Them and Pray for Them

We don’t love because people can love us back—We love because we can. Because we were made to, because it is the only good thing we can possess. Because love grows with warmth from youth to old age, and because God enables us to love.

 We learn to love from God who “first loved us” (1 John 4:19). This is made possible “because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5).

In practical terms, loving some who are very unlovable may mean loving from a distance. For to be around them is to subject yourself to greater abuse. For these, you can pray by asking God to bless them in ways that would enable them to put their trust and faith in the gospel of Christ.

Love is the Only Solution that Lasts to War, Revenge, and Bitterness

This is the only solution to prevent bitterness, revenge, and hate from building up in our hearts, which will drive away the love and Spirit of God and influence our lives. Only prayer can change hearts hurt by others' unkind actions. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to say, “forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matt 5:12 NLT).

Jesus made forgiveness a test of our salvation. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 5:14,15 NLT). We must not waste a minute in hatred that refuses to forgive others. It is dangerous, for it cancels the eternal life that God has promised us. No matter what church you attend, what day of worship you keep, how much tithe and charity you give, how kind you are to others, or how faithful you are in attending church and taking part in it. It has “0” value in God's personal welcome into an inheritance that brings eternal joy in life. Unforgiveness is a ticket to hell; nothing else you have done in life matters.

Paul’s Teachings to Slaves

 To prevent slaves from growing bitter and resentful toward their master, Paul applies Jesus' teachings in practical suggestions. What is the alternative? It is to lose love, lose faith, lose God, and lose your soul.

Paul writes to Titus what to teach slaves who are members who have become followers of Jesus. “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything [all things], to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Col 3:22,23).

The first advice is to obey their masters in everything. Even if the treatment was unfair, cruel, or abusive. Paul did not teach insubordination or insurrection for mistreated slaves. Although the law was anti-Christian, inhumane, and open to possible physical or sexual abuse. Paul did not seek to change or challenge Roman law.

Paul's second piece of advice was to try to please them. Instead, they were to have a forgiving spirit, which was only possible through much prayer.

To the Ephesian church, Paul wrote that “Slaves” were to “obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people [master], because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. (Eph 6:5-8)

Slaves were to obey their masters as if it were the will of God, as if God had instructed them. What a wonderful attitude designed to free the slave from all bitterness. They knew that God counted their assigned task as serving Him. In doing so, they honor Jesus' teaching that we are to be good to our enemies, the harsh slave master; love them and pray for them. The alternative for a slave is to grow more bitter, revengeful, with hate that grows more intense with the passage of time. This will leave the slave spiritually bankrupt.

• Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Pet 3:9

Listen to Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” 

Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday 2019 

A group of Muslim terrorists bombed 3 Catholic Churches while they were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, killing 250 members. As a result, there were waves of retaliation against the Muslim minority of the country. Muslim shops and homes were burned, and many were attacked and some killed. 

A few days following the destruction of his churches, a Catholic bishop in his sermon to a grieving crowd of his church members said: “No one has a right to take a life given by God. People might come to us to point to some groups as the culprits. We should not accept that. We must never harm the innocent. That is Christianity. We should spread love, even to the people who have committed these crimes. This is the pinnacle of Christianity.” 

• If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Prov 25:21-22

Poison or Wholesome food

It is a fact that we are all broken. With many, no matter how hard we try or what we do, people don’t always love us back. When they don’t love us back, we have a choice. We can hold on to the fact that we aren’t loved or wanted; we can let it fester and live out that pus-filled bitterness—or we can learn to love again.

God made every heart to pour out love. It is what we are made to do, what our hearts are made for. Hatred shrivels and distorts love. Retaliation for a wrong done pours poison out of our hearts. We get to choose—Poison or Antidote, which is forgiveness. Life or Death. Love again or live in hate. You choose, so what will it be for you today? Love the Lord your God, love your neighbor, and in doing so you love yourself.

• "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."  Martin Luther King Jr.

2nd Wisdom Toward Material Things

Luke 6:29-30

Luke 6:29 If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. NIV

6:29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 6:30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods, do not ask them back. NKJV

This passage reminds us to guard against an obsession with material things that perish with use. All over the world, people thirst for materialism. They have a strong desire for more things: electronics, cars, property, and clothes. Jesus tells us not to consider our possessions ours. We just manage them for God; therefore, we have no right to hold on to them when others are in need.  Everything we have belongs to God, the maker of heaven and earth. If they exclusively belonged to just us, we would end up in serious spiritual trouble.  

The antidote to accumulating wealth and devotion to houses and lands is being willing to lose them. Be willing to give them away, should the time and reason come. In prayer, ask God to detach you from them, from the love and dependence on them, as if they could give you eternal life. As if they could love you, although we may love them.

Material things do not determine who we are. Our identity is not in how much we own, but in our willingness to give it away. This is the basis of charity, which reveals the state of our hearts. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21).

Do Not Demand it Back

This is Jesus's wisdom, not meant to be taken literally; instead, it prompts us to examine our attachment to material things. Some would rather die than part with anything they own.

We know an elderly neighbor in her upper nineties who needed to move into a small Nursing Home facility. Her health was very poor. Her house was full of things she couldn't take with her. Yet she was unwilling to part with almost anything. We suggested she give away boxes of canned goods that were already expired or would expire soon. She wanted them all, even though the home she was moving to provided all her meals. So we filled a very large trailer with her belongings, even though she was moving into a small room in a Nursing Home. Sadly, she died a few days after she arrived there, and her trailer was never unpacked.

Yes, we need our home and our clothes. We need our furniture and cookware. This is right. But we don’t love them and live for them. They are just material things that perish and wear out in use. If someone needs them, we willingly share them. This is what Jesus means by the expression Do not demand it back.

Worst of all, the more we have, the more we risk being blinded by them, clinging to them, and loving them. Each of us must assess our condition before God, so we are not blinded by owning more wealth than many and being very proud of it. Worst of all is believing our wealth is due to our goodness and our talents. Thus, they believe their possessions belong to them and no one else.

Hard For the Rich to Enter Heaven

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus replied that he should keep the Commandments. The man answered, “I have kept all of these,” that is, all the Commandments. Thinking this was all that was required, he asked Jesus what more he needed.

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt 19:21-24).

So why is it so hard for a rich man to make it to heaven? Because he is self-centered, devoted to his money and possessions. Thus, he is unwilling, mentally and spiritually, to become detached from them, or almost any of them.  His self-image is his wealth.

The camel represents our many possessions, loaded on top of it. To pass through a narrow place, a needle, we must leave our possessions and our camels and go alone to meet God. We may claim to be a believer in God, but this is likely to be a false assumption that we are forgiven and justified before God. In heart and soul, we love our material things more than the Spirit's presence in our lives.

How to Break from Wealth Addiction

 Ask God to set you free from wealth addiction, and open ways for you to give to others in need. This is an act of faith.

Ask God to place the “love of God in your hearts” (John 5:42). As that grows, the love of material things grows dimmer and becomes less important.

Ask God to give you “joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17), so that it radiates throughout your being and the love of material things seems far less important than before.

Ask God for deeper repentance and to show you the sins you need to confess. As repentance deepens, material things seem less important by contrast. “Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5 NLT).

Ask God to take ownership of your property. See yourself as a steward or manager of all your physical assets, for God has given you co-ownership of His property.  

Those Who Live For Money

An observation: A stingy, tight-fisted person, unwilling to pay employees a fair wage, unwilling to charge fair rent, unwilling to forgive a debt owed to them—we can be sure, no matter what church they attend, they are not walking in the way and will of God. They are not walking with the Spirit. They need deep, heartfelt repentance, without which there is no entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

If the world’s riches attract us so much that we cannot part with them, then we will lose the “riches” of our “glorious inheritance” in heaven. Lost to the love of clothes, your cloak or tunic.

Faith and “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8) will create a new person of humility, for the “poor in spirit,” inherit the “kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3).

Freeing Ourselves from the Love of Materialism

“Then the Lord said to him, 'Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed [love of money] and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you” (Lk 11:39-40).

The religious leaders focused on legal obedience, as prescribed by the law, as the way to be right with God. Jesus disagreed; instead, he taught that generosity cleanses us from within. Jesus’ wisdom is not to let our possessions become the love of our lives and blind us to others in need. Material things tell us falsely that when we give them away, we diminish our own wealth.\

Paul taught the Corinthian church to “excel in this grace of giving” (2 Cor 8:7), meaning they should measure their generous gifts to the poor by the grace they have received from God. “As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever’” (2 Cor 9:9).

A Quarrel Between Two Brothers of an Inheritance

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man [friend], who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them—"Watch out! [Watch yourself]. Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist of in an abundance of possessions” (Lk 12:13-15)

Wealth has a deadly flaw. The more we own, the more we want, and this is greed. We are never satisfied with what is essential, only with what we can keep buying and owning. Until our barns are so full that we have to build new barns to store them, at the cost of eternal life.

3rd Wisdom of the Golden Rule

Luke 6:31

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. NIV

6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. NKJV

Emphatic wisdom of Jesus

The wisdom of Jesus is simple, understandable, general, specific, thoughtful, generous, kind, unselfish, not-judgmental, wholesome attitudes in life, and calling us to a higher, ever higher standard of personal conduct. This is a philosophy for all of us. Place yourself not as better than others, not more privileged than others, not as the professor over a class of students—but as an equal. Equal in human feelings, hopes, desires, joys, and love of life itself.

• The "goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Tim 1:5).

This is the exercise of wisdom at the highest level—choosing what is best for others while weighing all decisions and actions first on ourselves, our own feelings and dreams. Before we dish out words and directives to others that are often harsh, degrading, or critical, it is best to first recall the Golden Rule. 

Jesus presents ideals to aim for and to walk toward. We grow in this wisdom throughout life. They are not absolutes like “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex 20:15); instead, they require much thought and prayer as we navigate life's circumstances and the dispositions of the many people we meet. 

Our personal relationships challenge us to love and forgive. Especially when we feel the need to strike back and hurt our offender in return. This is a call to prayer.

• We "must turn from evil and do good...seek peace and pursue it" (1 Peter 3:11)

Matthew’s Account

Matthew’s account of the Golden Rule included an added statement. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7:12). For believers in God and His Son, this is a higher law than all the laws given in the Old Testament. It is not primary. 

The expression in everything presents the ideal of considering others' feelings; compassion for them is of first importance. This is the wisdom we learn to apply in life. Not just once or twice in life, but every day, month, and year of our time on earth.  We often learn this through our mistakes. Our Golden Rule reflects a desire to do good for others; it guides our behavior. Even so, we will make mistakes that we confess and daily ask God for the wisdom of silence or a soft answer. 

The Law of Christ

Paul said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). Paul is pointing to the sum of Jesus' teaching: love one another. In the New Testament, love from God and the Spirit becomes the driving force of obedience. The Law of the Ten Commandments points to a time when a believer no longer needs to read the Law to know what is loving. They already know the Law, even if they have never read it, through the Good News about faith.

• "Christ has fulfilled everything the law was meant to do. So now everyone who believes [in Him] can be right with God" (Rom 10:4 NIRV). The Law finds its purpose in Christ; through faith in Him, we receive all the righteousness of the law, credited to us, giving us full access and friendship with God, and His mercy, grace, and love. 

The Golden Rule

Paul teaches us, “When Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law” (Rom 2:14). The expression “law to themselves” means that God judges those who have no knowledge of God’s law on how to live their lives. They know from within that others should be treated the way they would like to be treated. In the day of judgment, this matters to God.

In the judgment of the nations in Matthew 25, Jesus said eternal life is given to those who put the Golden Rule into practice. 

The Golden Rule is a Universal Law

It is a universal law found in most human cultures. A Google search reveals how widespread its practice is. This is the one Law that God has given to many civilizations.

1.    Greece (624-546): "Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing." 

2.    Plato (42- BC – 347 BC): "May I be of a sound mind, and do to others as I would that they should do to me." 

3.    Zoroastrianism (c. 300 BCE–1000 CE): "That nature alone is good which refrains from doing to another whatsoever is not good for itself." and "Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.

4.    5th Century BC--Confucius  "Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself."

5.    6th Century BC, Buddhism: “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself, do not do unto others”

6.    Ancient Vedic texts—Ancient India 1000 BC and 600 BC, states, "may all beings look at me with a friendly eye, may I do likewise, and may we look at each other with the eyes of a friend".

7.    Gandhi: “To see the universal and all-pervading Spirit of Truth face to face, one must be able to love the meanest of all creation as oneself”

8.    Jainism: “In happiness and sorrow, in joy and in pain, we should consider every creature as we consider ourselves” (Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara – 6th century BC).

9.    Judaism: “Never do to anyone else anything that you would not want someone to do to you” (Tobias 4, 15 – 3rd century BC).

10. Islam: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself”

Golden Rule Is:

• The essence of compassion

• The essence of God's own character

• The essence of kindness

• The essence of mercy

• The essence of love

• The essence of unselfish care of others

• The essence of purity, with no ulterior motives.

• The essence of helpfulness

• The essence of friendship

• The essence of a long happy marriage

• The essence of goodness

• The essence of trust and dependability

• The essence of peace within oneself 

4th Wisdom's Call to Love: A Lifetime Challenge

Luke 6:32-36

Luke 6:32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 6:33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. NIV

6:32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 6:33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 6:36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. NJV

Do You Deserve Credit for Just Loving Your Family?

You, as a believer in Christ, if this is what you are doing, it is the bare minimum.  Even the pagans and heathens who do not know God’s love do the same thing. We call this self-centered ethics. Long-lasting love among friends, spouses, and children is highly valuable. It is fruitful and most often sweet and abiding.

What if God loved Just His Own Loved Ones In Heaven?

 As God’s voice was heard from heaven speaking to His Son at his baptism, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). What if God had said, “The love I have for my Son is enough; what need do I have to love all those human strangers. What claim does this motley crew of human beings on that distant planet called earth have on my love? My love is complete in my Son; my need to love is satisfied in the relationships I now possess.”

To any human who calls on God for a portion of his love, God gives a small amount of time and interest. God replies, “Who are you to me? What right do you have to me, to my love? I love my Son, and this is very fulfilling to me.”  Thankfully, this is not a description of God’s love.

Insight into What God Loves to Do

God loves to do good, to give to wicked, ungrateful human beings—not expecting anything in return. No acknowledgment, no thanks, no appreciation. Instead, they may hate God, blaspheme Him, and pay no attention at all to the gospel God has provided through His Son.

God does not give men more attention than women. He does not favor one skin color over another. He does not treat women unequally compared with men. He does not give one more love than another. Someday, when we can see, it will be surprising to learn how much God loved the unknown, the unloved, and the ungodly on earth.

God’s care is unseen, given without the receiver knowing it. God gives talents, abilities, opportunities, a home, a good spouse, travel opportunities, or privileges; He passes out these gifts to different people all over the world. Because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

The gospel is about the goodness of God, His grace and love—which is good news to us

“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

What is so Important to God that He Would Love Us?

God wants us to see His character copied in our lives. To be like God the Father, we must copy His goodness and His love for the unworthy and those who will not even return a thank you. This is the result of God's love for us; we extend God's goodness in millions of ways. We become his hands, feet, and eyes to do good to others.

 This is the character and actions of the Lord's redeemed. “Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:11).

What does God want of us? “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col 3:12-14).

God Surprises Us

 God gives us a reward that never ends. When we copy his goodness, his love for others. God promises us a great, stupendous reward. God goes one step further, declaring he has adopted us, and we are children of the Most High. We will have this honored position in the cosmos, in the universe, starting now on earth and continuing into the future, everywhere, all the time—forever. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3).

• "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." Prov 3:3,4

• "Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people." 1 Thess 5:15

• "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36

Jesus, who knew God his Father more closely and better than any of us, gave us a simple description of what God is like. The following is a list of what God is like to us:

• God is merciful (Luke 6:36)

• God is love (1 John 4:16)

• God is Spirit (John 4:24)

• God is one (Mark 12:42)

• God is faithful (John 3:33; 1 Cor 1:9)

• God is for us (Rom 8:31)

• God is able (2 Cor 9:8)

• God is just (2 Thess 1:6)

• God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29)

• God is light (1 John 1:5)

• God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he  speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Num 23:19)

• The Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him. (Deut 4:7)

• God is God; he is the faithful God (Deut 7:9)

• The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut 33:27)

• God is with you. (1 Sam 10:7; 1 Chron 17:2; 2 Chron 13:12; Isa 8:10; Zeph 3:17; 8:23)

• God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior (2 Sam 2:3)

• God is gracious and compassionate (2 Chron 30:9)

• The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him (Ezra 8:22)\

• God is greater than any mortal (Job 33:12)

• God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Ps       18:2)

• God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Ps 46:1)God is the King of all the earth (Ps 47:7)

• God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end (Ps 48:14)

• God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me  (Ps 54:4)By this I will know that God is for me (Ps 56:9)

• Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (Ps 62:8)

• Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death (Ps 68:20)But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth (Ps 74:12)

• What God is as great as our God? (Ps 77:13)

• For the Lord our God is holy. (Ps 99:9)

• The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion (Ps 116:5)

• God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my  defense; he has become my salvation (Isa 12:2)

• Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god (Isa 45:14)God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you (Deut 4:31)

• God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him (Dan 9:9)

• The Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. (Dan 9:14)

5th Wisdom of Avoiding Unkind Words

Luke 6:37

Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” NIV

6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. NKJV

It is good to keep in mind. When we harshly judge others for obvious reasons, remember that God may be leading them to confess faith in His Son in the future. God sees people differently than we do. When Samual was sent to Jesse's home to anoint a king, Jesse had seven sons. "The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).

• Jesus to the religious leaders of His day: "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly" (John 7:24).

Actions that Bring Negative Responses

1)    If we judge others. The opposite will happen to us: God will judge us.

2)    If we condemn others. The opposite will happen to us: We will be condemned.

3)    If we don’t forgive others. The opposite will happen to us: We will not be forgiven.

Actions that Attract Positive Responses

1)    If we don’t judge others. God will not judge us.

2)    If we don’t condemn others, that is, pronounce them guilty before God. God will not condemn us.

3)    If we do forgive others for the mistakes that affect us personally. God will forgive us.

God’s Part

This is the wisdom teachings of Jesus. We are to leave the judging part to God alone. Judging reflects our attitude toward the one we judge and our tendency to take on God's voice and feel justified in condemning them. When we cast them out of our assembly, we paint them to others as unworthy of acceptance. We become the “judge of all the earth” (Gen 18:25). This has happened countless times in the workplace, where someone is judged out of jealousy and a desire to promote themselves above others.

Often, those who condemn others feel entitled to their superior position or wisdom, using it to find fault in others and feel better about themselves. In the eyes of others, they are seen as a very insightful and gifted person, with the talent to discern truth from error. Often, this leads to a terrible miscarriage of justice because of evil in another person’s heart. Evil delights in hurting others who are weaker or more vulnerable. 

• “Be merciful to those who doubt [wavering in their faith]; save others by snatching them from the fire [serious mistake]; to others show mercy, mixed with fear [for yourself]—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 22,23).

God the Protector of the Falsely Accused

The reason Jesus is sharing this pearl of wisdom is to protect the many, all throughout history, who have been falsely judged and condemned, from the entitled, landed, wealthy, or rulers of the countryside. God sees the many tears, broken friendships, lost opportunities, and physical and mental anguish thrown at an individual who was misjudged. 

By His very nature, God tends to rescue the falsely accused. In essence, accusers, those who ruined the marriages or employment of others they deemed guilty, have written their own ticket to “be thrown outside, into the darkness” (Matt 8:12). Reasons Why We Must Leave Judgment to God.

1. We as humans make many mistakes. One day the Giant Goliath shouted to Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? So David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (1 Sam 17:32,33). King Saul’s judgment of David was mistaken.

2. We don’t know what God has in mind for a person we are making harsh judgment against. He could see an entirely different outcome than we do. When we make a final judgment that would cast them out, God stands beside the falsely accused as their defender, for “people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).

3. When we refrain from harsh, unkind judgments, we hope and put faith that God, the only one who can, will bring them to knowledge of the truth found in Christ. Thus we can “be merciful to those who doubt” (Jude 22).

4. The ones most likely to forgive are the ones who have been forgiven. Jesus said to the woman who had anointed his feet with her tears, “I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” (Lk 7:47,48 NKJV). Those who are slow to judge others will give others space to change their ways, for they have been forgiven much. They know they are unworthy sinners themselves, so they extend even to the mistaken, fallen, and guilty person “grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16), like God our Father. 

5. If we supplant God’s infinite wisdom, “the everlasting God” (Isa 40:28), who knows the end from the beginning of everything, with our finite wisdom. Is this wise? When our judgment arises from our human nature, twisted by sin, shaped by our environment, inherited from our families, and cultivated by our choices, is this wise?

6. God leads all of us as a gentle shepherd. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isa 40:11). We may judge the music, the dress, or the diet of another, but God may be leading them gently. We cannot see the years ahead when they will come to repentance and be renewed into a clean image of Christ. We cannot know with absolute certainty that our opinions are right. Mistreating others whom God is leading can discourage them. We must all learn that we cannot read hearts. We cannot read God’s plans for others whom He is gently leading, giving them lessons they can embrace with joy.

7. We must realize the music, dress, and diet are often very individualized and influenced by culture and family. Southern Gospel, or music with drums and cymbals, is not the same as northern hymns. Each needs patience and love, NOT judgment or condemnation. Doing so when Scripture has not addressed this subject is spiritually dangerous.

Paul has advice for the church, both together and individually: Don’t judge over disputable matters.

 Paul says that we are to:

• “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” And likewise accept another “person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them [both]. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand… You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:1-4, 10,17)

How often, in Christian churches, are friendships broken over diet, dress, music style, skin color, education, political parties, countries of origin, and everything, even small theological differences? Jesus' wisdom would have us overlook these unproven, human ideas of what someone says is right. Not to judge them with our human, finite, poorly educated, often narrow-minded, incomplete, with a host of prejudgments and opinions we think are right. However, our supposed issues are not seriously consequential.

The 7th Church in Revelation—Impaired Judgment

This last church, described in the prophetic book of Revelation, portrays a group of Christians who are least qualified to make any judgment about others at all. Because they “are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” Rev 3:15,16).

Since this group of believers is so self-deceived and unable to see their own condition, they should recognize that their judgment is greatly impaired. Any self-righteous decision they make is likely flawed, setting them up for God's judgment.

The Great Testing Truth for All Who Will Be Saved

• “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 6:14,15).

Just consider how broad this promise is. Many will be in heaven, some of whom would be considered mostly heathen, but they are forgiven. They loved others even when they were rejected, and they were kind to the unkind. They may not have known about the Trinity or been able to list the 10 Commandments. But they spent their lives doing good. “God will render each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek [in search of God’s] glory, honor and immortality, he [God] will give eternal life” (Rom 2:6,7).

Forgiveness Comes from God

It was first God and His Son who provided the means to be forgiven of all our sins. All our desire to be forgiven comes from God, for “in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:32). For “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Lk 24:47).

The reason we may find it hard to forgive is that we ourselves have never truly repented of and forgiven our own sins.

Forgive Others, and God Promises to Forgive You

Because we have been forgiven, we are able to forgive others. God, in response to his grace dwelling in us, who has forgiven us and given us repentance in the first place—promises unilaterally to forgive us, where we find justification and the “righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21), “credited” (Rom 4:3) to us by faith alone. All this is to the glory and goodness of God.

Judging When it is Necessary

There is a difference between discernment of a “good tree” and a “bad tree” (Lk 6:43). We are to know the difference by the words that come from their mouth. By the good or evil they often do to those they choose. Believers must know whom to trust, whom to listen to, and whom to counsel. The good tree uplifts others; the bad tree regularly brings them down. The good tree does not dwell on evil or wish evil on others. They are ready to forgive, even at their disadvantage.

We may come to understand that someone acts with evil intent, and we must protect ourselves with prayer and the guidance that comes from walking in the Spirit. Even as we discern the evil that runs out of another, we should be careful not to sit on God’s Throne and remove eternal life from them. We are to pray and hope for a better day for these individuals.

When evil intends to harm us, it is wise to move out of the way. As Jesus taught the disciples, “If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place” (Mark 6:11). Also, Jesus said, “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt 10:16). This means to be aware of one's surroundings and potential dangers that lie ahead. Most snakes, when they see danger in the path, will move away and hide until it passes. If they confront it, they are likely to be hurt in the conflict.

 6th Wisdom of Generosity 

Luke 6:38

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured [back] to you. NIV

6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. NKJV

Gifts of God for Daily Living

Since God “is merciful” (Lk 6:36) and “is gracious and compassionate” (2 Chron 30:9), He wants us to copy His character as His children. God sets the example. But He goes one step further than just an example. God looks for generous, giving, kind-hearted, non-judgmental, and caring people. They give unselfishly to others so He can give them more. It may be in a hundred ways, such as a good son or daughter, a blessed business, or just comfort and love from the Father God, to the generous.

Jesus taught that God is good and generous to all, the good and bad. Thus Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:44-45). God’s generosity to the generous is not salvation; it comes from within His own goodness.

When King David asked God to forgive his sins, he depended on God's goodness. “Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord” (Ps 25:7 NKJV).

• “Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy” (Ps 109:26 NKJV).

• “Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love” (Ps 6:4)

In our generosity, let God's goodness be present, let us be thankful for God’s goodness to us—in our gifts to others.

The foolish Rich Man

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Lk 12:16-21)

Here is the amazing thing: being generous to others is giving riches to God. Of course we can never out give the Lord, for God’s good measure will be given back to us.  Because “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

By contrast, the selfish person gathers everything to themselves: an extra-large mansion, many cars, and large savings accounts. They take more than they need from their debtors; they sue over small things, they live in aparments and houses while they pay no rent. They steal when they can get away with it.

What do they lose? First, they lose God's generous hand in their lives, which brings gratitude to God and big-hearted love for others. Second, they lose everything twice, at death and on judgment day, excluded from “the gift of God [which] is eternal life” (Rom 6:23).

The Generous Deposit Funds in “The National Bank of Heaven”

Jesus has told us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt 6:19-20).

None of us has any idea what it means in the future to draw from Heaven’s Bank. We, the redeemed of the Lord, live our busy, joyful, contemplative, fulfilling lives with a bright future in view. What does it mean to draw from the deposits you place in that bank, from your generous life on earth? We wonder what the interest rate will be for the basket of tomatoes you share from your garden with others. From those tomatoes, God deposited funds into your account at the National Bank of Heaven, with interest always growing into eternity.

A Good Measure is a Good Heart

 Jesus is addressing us individually. Only a good heart can truly be generous, expecting nothing in return but the joy and privilege of being generous. Later Jesus says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart” (Lk 6:45).

Paul encouraged the brothers and sisters of the church, “never tire of doing what is good” (2 Thess 3:13).

A Good Measure is a Loving Heart

 Jesus is addressing us individually. Only a good, loving heart can really be generous and expect no favors in return. In Paul’s famous chapter that describes love, he writes, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:3).

A Good Measure is a Generous Heart

Doing good things from our hearts. Not to be seen by others. Not out of necessity. Generous, when, as a rule, even at a loss.

• "A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Prov 11:25

A Good Measure is a Non-Judgmental Heart

When we do good to others, it is not wise to judge some as forever lost, not deserving of generous kindness. Because God has given us a better example. For God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). We are sure that some of the men and women Jesus died for were, at the time, not very good people; they were practiced sinners and proud of it.

A Good Measure is a Cheerful Heart

 A cheerful heart enjoys being kindhearted even to those who don’t expect it and don't deserve it. Cheerfulness overrides a tight-fisted attitude. It doesn't demean others when you're short a few pennies. Cheerfulness makes up for the rudeness and selfishness of the narrow-minded who wish to build bigger barns to store their goods.

In the parable, Jesus talks about a very prosperous farmer: “‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” (Lk 12:18,19). This is the worldview of the good life. Live to have all the wealth you may wish for, retire early, and enjoy it. Others, in your mind, deserve what they earned; I owe them nothing but scorn.  

• “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Prov 17:22

A Good Measure is a Quiet Heart

Jesus said, “Whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward! But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matt 6:2-4)

A Good Measure is the Measure of God’s Blessings

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor 9:6). The generous nature of God wants to see us as generous as He is. When God sees us as good, kind, and cheerfully generous, He does what He does best: He sends more blessing so the generous can be more generous.

• “I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.” Ps 27:25,26

• “One person gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unduly [more than should], but comes to poverty.” Prov 11:24

7th Wisdom of Eyesight

Luke 6:39

Luke 6:39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit [cistern]? NIV

6:39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? NKJV

The temple leadership in Jesus' day often created new spiritual laws for people to keep. For example, Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath'” (Matt 23:16). This law was all nonsense and a burden to others. It was not from Moses or the prophets; they made it up.

No student of the gospel has the right to teach what Jesus or His Apostles did not teach, for any reason. If anyone adds a new requirement to the gospel story, they are blind guides. 

• “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master" (Matt 10:24).

• "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher" (Luke 6:40). 

• "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him" (John 13:16).

•  "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!" (Gal 1:8).

Who are the Blind

If we look back to the start of this section of the Four Woes (Lk 6:24-26), we have a picture of how blind leaders and their followers may behave. 

1) Their followers feel spiritually satisfied with a very low level of spiritual health. Their leaders build large buildings to their honor. They promote themselves in all public ministries as great, as authors of many books, and as highly regarded because of their Ph.D.

2) The spiritual food given by their leaders has very little Biblical content, except what they can twist to support their ideals. Programmed Bible studies that teach their doctrines replace a contextual, open Bible approach. 

3) They use entertainment themes frequently, so all their listeners will find false comfort in their sermons. 

4) They teach that money given to the church is given to God and is a requirement for salvation.

5) The leaders promote themselves. They are focused on themselves and those who approve of them. They love praise and honor.

The Essenes, a strict, ascetic Jewish sect in 2nd-century BC Roman Judaea, lived around the time of Christ and were known for communal living and separation from mainstream society. They created many extra-Biblical rules for their community and kept them as if they were the Commandments of God. But they were all nonsense. 

• Silent, Sacred Meals: They ate together in strict silence during scheduled daily meals, which were blessed by a priest

• Daily Ritual Bathing: They performed daily cold-water purification baths before eating communal meals.

• Purity and cleanliness Was considered so important to the Essenes that they would refrain from defecation on the Sabbath. AI Overview

To the leadership, Jesus again said, “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matt 23:24). This expression is intended to be graphic. A gnat is insignificant compared to a camel. This means they focus on small issues that don’t really matter while allowing the larger moral violation to go unchecked. For instance, a group may require women to wear long, modest dresses as if God Himself required it. While they allow men to divorce their older wives and remarry a younger woman, something that Jesus disapproved of. They are blind guides. All their followers will fall into a ditch. 

Today, many in our religious landscape demand things Scripture does not support. Some demand a vegetarian diet, while other groups demand tithe, something that the New Testament church did not practice or require. Now it rests with you to look closely at your fellowship group's religious teachings to see whether they match Scripture, as they claim. 

8th Wisdom of Being A Good Student

Luke 6:40

Luke 6:40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. NIV

6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. NKJV

Jesus Is Our Teacher

Jesus was often called teacher. When Jesus said to “Simon, I have something to tell you.” His natural response was, “Tell me, teacher, what do you want to tell me?” (Lk 7:40).

To His disciples Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am” (John 13:13). Then, as their teacher, He washed their feet, doing the work of a hired servant. By His example, Jesus taught that gospel ministers should not seek the highest place. Instead, they were to practice servant leadership.

In the minds and hearts of Jesus' disciples, they are not to regard themselves as superior to a lady who follows Jesus and volunteered to clean their clothes. Both share the same title, “children of God” (John 1:12). Both are called “God’s children” (Rom 8:16). Both are His “dearly loved children” (Eph 5:1) and both “will inherit eternal life” (Matt 19:29).

No student of the gospel has the right to teach what Jesus or His Apostles did not teach, for any reason. If anyone adds a new requirement to the gospel story, they cannot be trusted.

• “The student [His followers] is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master" (Matt 10:24).

o Our Master is Jesus; nobody is to take the place of Jesus, our master, as if they have additional requirements for His followers to please God and secure their salvation.

• "The student [His followers] is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher" (Luke 6:40). 

o A graduate from the School of Christ will repeat His lessons in faithfulness and truth. A false teacher will mix in new ideas unsupported by Jesus and proclaim them true.

• "Very truly I tell you, no servant [His followers] is greater than his master, nor is a messenger [religious leaders] greater than the one who sent him" (John 13:16).

o No religious leaders can claim an allegiance to their teachings as approved by God. Every true teacher must defer to the New Testament as the ultimate revelation of truth and submit to His testimony without question.

• "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!" (Gal 1:8).

o Paul knew in advance that “Satan himself” will come to people “masquerading as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14). Thus, we must be on guard not to accept any messenger, any pastor or prophet who may claim to receive instruction even from angels. Scriptures are adequate. Jesus pinpointed why the religious leaders in His day held misleading doctrines. Jesus told them, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matt 22:29).

A Fully Trained Teacher

A fully trained teacher is an expression that points to a qualified, well-educated teacher. One who has spent time with their Master Teacher to learn His ways, to follow His example, and to understand the lessons He taught.

If a religious professor, pastor, or class teacher does not teach the Bible in harmony with Jesus' words and lessons, they cannot be trusted.  They have not graduated from the School of Christ, no matter how many theology degrees they have.

Student Not Above Teacher

 No gospel teacher has any right whatsoever to promote any added test or doctrine to believe, not required by Jesus or His Apostles. They cannot create new rules, even to demand a tithe, which the early church did not practice. They cannot ask supplicants to pray to a dead saint, a practice not found anywhere in the Gospels. Prayer is to be directed to God in the name of His Son. As Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 16:23).

If a Christian leader tells you to eat certain foods to please God, don’t listen, because “Jesus declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19). This doesn't mean all foods are healthy; rather, food doesn't create sin that needs confessing. For “food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do” (1 Cor 8:8).

 Consider your own fellowship group. Do they request or demand things not clearly written in the New Testament? Be careful not to judge, that is, to deem an individual as so far from Christ that they are unredeemable. Avoid doing what they tell you to do if it isn't supported by Christ or his Apostles, without condemning them personally. Don't form a front against them by gathering supporters for your views. It is far better to dwell on our own faults than on others', no matter how glaring they may be. Pray when your leaders stray from humility and Bible-based teaching. Look for ways to do them good, and to love them as children of God.

Know for yourself what Jesus and his Apostles have taught as truth. Be faithful to the Spirit's voice. Be faithful to Scripture. Love, in Christ, through his love for you, in Christ’s love, you love them. Even if they are unfaithful shepherds to the flock of believers. Let God take care of all the problems. Trust Him, not yourself. You may have to move to another Christian group for your spiritual growth, because those who teach as truth what is not Scripture are often spiritually compromised themselves, and darkness surrounds them.

9th Wisdom of Good Eye Sight

Luke 6:41-42

Luke 6:41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 6:42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6:41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 6:42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?

In simple terms, the plank in their eyes makes them quick to criticize others' faults while seldom seeing their own errors. This becomes especially serious when Christian leaders, blind to their own faults, direct others. When a spiritually blind leader is careless in their own spiritual life, they will lead their followers into the same ditch they have walked into.

Religious leaders have a solemn responsibility to watch themselves and keep a “clear conscience and clean hands” (Gen 20:5). Paul said he strives to “always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16). If religious leaders don’t practice complete honesty with themselves, they will become blind to their own faults, thus becoming blind leaders. The same can be said for fathers and mothers, who set the example for their children.

Paul counseled the young pastor Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (2 Tim 4:16).

Paul and his team declared to the Corinthian congregation: “We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor 4:2).

• “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).

• “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).

• “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction… But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Tim 4:2, 5).

• “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9).

• “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:25-27).

• “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Heb 2:1).

Lesson for All of Us

Every believer should examine their own faults carefully through Scripture, study, and prayer. If someone does not see their own faults, past and present, very clearly, it is because they see themselves as nearly perfect. A beam in their own eye creates self-blindness that keeps them from seeing their own faults. If they considered how often they have called on God for forgiveness and grace, they would be ready to forgive others for their small mistakes.

Rules-Oriented Religion

 When rules are more important than people, when rules offer no exceptions for difficult circumstances, many will grow beams in their eyes. At the end of Paul’s chapter that defines true love, in the first verse, Paul concludes, “Follow the way of love” (1 Cor 14:1). This means, “Love is patient, love is kind…. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor 13). When a beam is in the eye of a church member, they will gladly see the small faults of others.

One Sabbath day, when the disciples were hungry, they passed a grain field and picked some wheat to eat. The Pharisees, who had a plank in their eyes, said, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” If they had cell phones, they would be taking pictures of Jesus violating the Sabbath. Moses had said, “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest” (Ex 34:21).

Jesus addressed them, recounting when David and his companions were very hungry. They entered the Hebrew temple and ate the consecrated bread. Both actions were forbidden by the Laws of Moses. Only priests could enter the temple and eat the consecrated bread. Yet, the Jews did not condemn David, due to his circumstances of being hungry.

Then Jesus said to them, “If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent” (Matt 12:1-8). In other words, acts of mercy that meet human need do not violate the law, but fulfill it. A person with a plank of wood in their eye would be quick to condemn someone who disregarded written law, even if for a good reason. Jesus says those who are quick to find fault are often blind to their own faults.

A Speck VS A Large Plank of Wood

 A speck in the eye represents a very small problem. Perhaps they are addicted to sweets, or their property is not as well kept as it should. The person with a plank in their eye excuses their larger faults, such as divorcing a loyal spouse, for their own convenience. Yet they broadcast others' small faults on social media.

Who Is Most Able to Lead Others?

 Those who spend considerable time in prayer and listen to Scripture are most able to lead others. If they are married, they will listen to their praying spouse's advice. They have confessed their sins. They practice repentance, which requires considerable reflection, and pray that God will lead them to “live holy and godly lives” (1 Pet 3:11).

They have decided to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14). Notice that holiness is not an abstract truth; it is related to living at peace. Being critical of others creates waves of distrust that leave others broken-hearted, creating stress and dis-ease while destroying peace.

How many marriages have broken up because one spouse failed to forgive their husband's or wife's small faults? Sorrow, pain, and hurt are the consequences.

10th Wisdom of Discernment 

Luke 6:43-45

Luke 6:43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 6:44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. NIV

6:43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 6:44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. NKJV

Bad Fruit from a Bad Tree

Easy to recognize. This person is like a thornbush; being around them is like stepping into a briar patch. 

• They hurt others

• They have little compassion 

• They are uninvolved, 

• They are indifferent, 

• They are rude, 

• They are careless with their words, 

• They are untrustworthy, 

• They are focused mostly on themselves.

• They are unhospitable. 

• They are often in a foul mood

• They will cheat you if they can

• They pretend to be religious

• They are not generous

• They are driven to drive others crazy

• They mislead the youth

• They are too friendly with women or young men

• They want praise and honor.

11th Wisdom of Building a Foundation

Luke 6:46-49

Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 6:47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 6:49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” NIV

6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 6:47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 6:49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” NKJV

To Build a House on the Rock is the Responsibility of Every Believer

• First: A good place to start building a home that will last forever is the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6. Pay special attention to the Lord's Prayer; its concepts should be central to every prayer.

• Second: We need a solid foundation starting with “justification by faith”, as the Apostle Paul has explained in Romans 3-8 and Galatians 2-5.

• Third: The gospel accounts of Jesus' life, from Matthew to John, should have a central place in our thoughts.

• Fourth: Make it a theme of study the ministry of the Spirit and what it means to be “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) or “born of God” (John 1:13). Pay close attention to what Jesus taught about the Spirit in John 14-16 with what the Apostle Paul gives us in Romans 8.

• Fifth: The teaching of the Apostles Peter, John, and Paul’s letters. Don’t neglect John's letters, which promote love's centrality to God and to one another.

• Sixth: Reading the prayers of Psalms for inspiration; they will build trust and faith in God.

• Seventh: Learning to trust God when times are hard, and the fog of life settles around us.

• Eighth: Learning how to pray, spending longer periods in silence and prayer, with Scripture open before us.

• Ninth: Learning to keep our conscience clear and our lives pure every day.

• Tenth: Finding a good fellowship group of believers that love God, study Scripture seriously, and love one another in the name of Christ.

No Foundation At All—Results in Complete Ruin of Life

The worst part of a careless builder is that when the storm comes, there is no time to rebuild. The house was completely ruined. Flood and wind carried away their hope of eternal life.

The sad part is that many believers neglect New Testament teachings and build their hope of eternal life on a shallow foundation. They settle for a little religion. They compartmentalize business, personal life, and faith into separate activities, which spiritually blinds them.

They attend church and publicly call on the name of the Lord, saying "My Lord, Lord." But they did not put into prayerful practice the teaching of Jesus. They heard and did nothing. His teachings did not seem important, or they lacked spiritual understanding, so they set them aside.

A common mistake is accepting ceremony and doctrine as defined by a specific church, and, if followed, believing this is all they need as a foundation for saving faith. They build their faith on men's teachings and commands after being told this is the only trustworthy foundation. 

• Some base their foundation on prophecy, which is often speculative. 

• Some base their foundation on one outward expression as more important than all others, such as speaking in tongues. 

• Some base their foundation on the day they worship, treating it as more significant than anything else in Scripture.

• Some base their foundation on a church prophet who claims to speak for God. They regard the prophet's words as a newer light, even if they add to Scripture. 

• Some base their foundation on what they feel is truth, permitting them to neglect the teaching of Jesus and His Apostles. Their impressions become their home foundation. 

• Some base their home foundation on the YouTube sermons of highly regarded teachers with a large number of followers. Some of this may be very good, but if they leave their Bible mostly unopened and unstudied, it becomes a dangerous foundation. For example, one famous minister of the Gospel, whom we trusted and listened to, was later discovered to have had an inappropriate affair with a college student. Afterward, they removed all his videos; we were very surprised. 

• "Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matt 24:11).

• “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves...Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matt 7:15, 21-23).

No foundation in the Love of Christ Jesus

They never learned to permit “Christ” to “dwell in” their “hearts through faith.” They were members of the church but not “rooted and established in love”; thus, they could never personally “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Eph 3:17-18).

House Built on the Earth

They had one common fatal flaw in their home of faith—they ignored Jesus' words and teachings while professing to follow Him. They built their foundation on the words, books, and traditions of a church that did not fully reflect the teaching of the New Testament.

House of the Rock

Make this your commitment to build a deep foundation for our faith: By the grace of God, by the will of God, by the sanctifying influence of God’s Spirit, by deeper repentance, by justification received from faith in the cross of Christ, by every increasing love for God, for Christ and His children, by more love for our families, our friends far and wide. Seek to be in Christ Jesus; what a delightful life it is.

 Here are Those Who Hear My Teachings and Do Them

• Matt 24:35; Mk 13:31; Lk 21:33—“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

• Mark 8:38—“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words…the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

• John 6:38—"Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”

• John 14:10—"The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”

• John 14:24—"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me."

• John 15:7—"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

“In repentance and rest 

is your salvation, 

In quietness and trust is your strength.” 

Isa 30:15 NIV

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We hold that Scripture is all-sufficient.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

Solus Christus (Christ Alone)

Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)

All Bible quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.

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Written By: Brothers and Sisters in Scripture