Luke 6

Luke 6

The Twelve Apostles

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: 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.

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: 6:14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 6:15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 6:16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

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. Which carry supreme authority, for Jesus said to them, “you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27). They have an authority that no one after them can claim. 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 belivers 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). The breaking of bread was an acceptance of forgiveness for their sins, which came from Jesus.

       The names of the apostles are so important to God, that he places their names on the “twelve foundations” of the wall of New Jerusalem (Rev 21:14). Thus, it is impossible for any other minister or teacher of the gospel—to assume the title for themselves, of Apostles. If anyone does claim the title of Apostle, they should be called “false teachers” (2 Pet 2:1).

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 Tyre (today about 300 miles), 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 the question, “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 and cavity filled teeth became all new, white and perfect in size and fit. A boy that is crippled from a fall, his mother takes his hand to touch the hand of Jesus as he is passing by and the boy jumps up with perfect legs and even has grown to his normal height, all in a second, almost before he knew it. There were very sick infants unable to hardly take a breath and the mother held the child’s hand, and it just barely touched his robe—and the baby takes its first deep normal breath and falls 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 created by people’s praise and the use of their bodies in ways that before was 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 as it ran through their bodies imparting health and vitality in seconds. Nobody could hold back the screams of joy, excitement, delight and wonder as they test out their healed bodies in running, jumping, climbing steps, hugging their family and friends.

       The Apostles of Jesus were also given the gift of healing. When Peter was about to enter the temple, a crippled 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.” (Act 3:6-8).

  Something interesting happen after that, “while the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished” (Acts 3:11). The crippled man was so grateful he kept hugging Peter and John. It would be reasonable that this is what happened many times to Jesus. Children would be holding on to his legs, man and women would look 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 really the Son of God, who came from a place out of 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 overall 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, which implies authority in the cosmos, before the Milky Way or any other of the billions of Galaxies that are visible in deep space. It shows that nothing in all the cosmos was before him. The Son together with the Father, are the oldest in authority and existence. In the language that we humans only know the beginnings and endings of everything, the Son and His Father are before all things, above all time, not subject to the limitations of time. 

Answer: Jesus, even while on earth was still one with the Father God. He clearly said,  “I and the Father 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 “Son is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15)

Why is this so important? 

If Jesus was less than the image of God, the real Son of God that has no beginning, being in existence to God our Father. Then there could be no real atonement from his blood on the cross. Our sins could not be forgiven if He was less then God in human flesh, instead Jesus was one of a kind.

Some of 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 the power of Jesus was thinking of what this 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 be the envy of all of Rome. He could have created pillars of marble with advanced electronics in the home. He could have even purchased a home in the area; with funds he as solicited from others in appreciation of their healings. But He did not. He could have created gold, out of just 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 created vast wealth for his disciples, as an inheritance for them to use in their mission work of spreading their mission. 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” (Act 3:6,7).

 Wisdom Literature of Jesus

Matthew’s and Luke’s Sermon of the Mount

  Luke 6:20-49 is the abbreviated part of the Sermon on the Mount, exact portions very similar to Matthew’s account. Considering their similar content, it is a possibility Luke was 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 on Matthew and separately from Luke, who learned directly from eyewitnesses, is a strong indication that the accounts we have in front of us today, is very accurate.

Jesus—Greater Wisdom the 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 saying, “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 from thinking about its meaning to 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 intended for us to take everything literally, but to look for the broad meanings of passage, and find ways to apply it in your life. Such as 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 required years of thought and prayer to discern the truth and learn to appreciate it. The opening two verses of the book of Proverbs tells 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 

  Amplifies the character of God our Father, to which Jesus knew Him the best. Such as the simple teachings that we are to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). Consider reading these short saying of Jesus, with much prayer. With a desire to apply the broad principles of the passages to our life. Don’t expect easy answers upon first reading of these passages but look at them as important and eternal truths.

Jesus always points to God the Father

  Jesus amplifies the character of God our Father, for Jesus knew Him the best. Such as the simple teachings that we are to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). Consider reading these short saying of Jesus, with much prayer. With a desire to apply the broad principles of the passages to our life. Don’t expect easy answers upon first reading of these passages but look at them as important and eternal truths.

 Teaching Style of Jesus Not like the Torah

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

       Instead the following 18 separate teachings of Jesus, in Luke 6:20-49, will make for the best of friends, neighbors and families. It will create a safe environment to raise a family. It will make for sound mental health with an abundance of natural trust in each other. When a church adopts these and other sayings of Jesus, they are building a “a house…laid the foundation on the rock” (Luke 6:48) “and that rock was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4). As the results 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 comes 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 the rock” (Lk 6:48), which is “My sayings” (Luke 6:47).

The Teachings of Jesus is Spirit, Pure Spirit Words

       The following 18 Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom are words of wisdom framed by the Spirit, taught by the Son of God who, was speaking the thoughts of God, full of the Spirit of God.     

Jesus’ teachings are Spirit, 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)

       These Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom, are 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 a spiritual life into the believer. It is the start of a relationship of Christ that centers our life in 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 take on greater importance. 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 takes us to a new level of total engagement.

       Thus it is very important that the ministry of the Spirit be taught side by side with the Spirit given Words that Jesus taught. Otherwise it is impossible to understand the deeper, heart changing life altering teachings of Jesus.

1st Blessing on the Poor

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

   Jesus speaks directly to “a large crowd of his disciples” (Lk 6:17), telling them who wish to be his disciples, how they are to live their lives. It would be good for all ordained minister of the gospel to have these “blessings” and “woes” to be explained at their ordination service. 

  For believers today, these following words of Jesus, his words of spiritual wisdom are a means to 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 designed for us to pray about and then seek in prayer to God for understanding where we need further spiritual growth.

  We should always bear in mind the One that the spoke these Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom, did so with the power of the Spirit that brought conviction and new determination to be changed men and women. If these words are read as with no meaning or conviction, we should seek God on our knees until this instruction has exploded our self-confidence and brought us to tears of repentance. It is sad that these words are not given more attention than they deserve! Now you, by prayer, have opportunity to perceive value to the plain teaching of Jesus.

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

The Men Jesus Chose

  The men Jesus chose, many the world would say, are not likely to be successful in inaugurating the single greatest social, religious movement in the history of the world. It will changed Judaism, it changed the whole world, not just in 30 AD, but for hundreds of years the movement is still strong and growing. 

  This choice of Jesus was not done carelessly. He “spent the night praying to God” (Lk 6:12), before he chose his “apostles” (Lk 6:13). It would be easy to believe that many came asking to be a disciple. From this group, Jesus said about His disciples, in his prayer to God, “They were yours; you gave them to me” (John 17:6). God the Father with his Son, chose these men, out of all the possible candidates that would be willing to follow Him.

  Later in his ministry, Jesus “appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (Lk 10:1). There is no doubt that many others were chose by Jesus for specific tasks, but only twelve were chose as Apostles.

  It was the Apostles that became the foundation fabric the early church, not any of the seventy-two. The Apostle’s words and teachings carried an authority above all other prophets, teachers and other followers of Jesus during his time on earth. No doubt they were very active in visiting and strengthening new followers of Jesus that did not know him personally.

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 is looking at this small group of men speaking directly to them, with personal pronouns of you and yours. Jesus gives them four single sentence “blessings” and four “woes”, with one reason to “rejoice”. Now the disciples have several years to think about these small bit size pearls of wisdom. They will never grow old, as belonging to a past historical period of little interest today. Yes, they belong to us today, as much as yesterday and they belong to all the next generation. Let’s make these pearls of wisdom our own today.

  They are distilled down to the most common level for us to understand, the way of living for true leaders. This is the ideal that Jesus taught how leaders are conduct themselves in their ministry. Every church leader, every pastor, bishop, religion professor and evangelist should model these ideals. Or they will become “blind guides” that have created follower that also blind 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 to not 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 changer” (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 was very important these temple pastors, it was a sign of God’s blessing.

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 with thousands attending and in large letters was the pastors name on the buildings.

The early church led by the disciples, never collected tithes or offerings themselves. So they could have better houses, string of donkeys or better clothes than others. Their offerings were 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. For 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).

Blessed Are You Who Are Poor—Deep Humility 

  This is the very first requirement to be chosen as a disciple, and the most important. It is like the first beatitude in the Sermon of 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, the humble are promised the kingdom.

  This is the first absolute, non-negotiable spiritual quality, to be an apostle. Jesus is not demanding of them poverty but instead to acknowledge their 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.

  The power of God is  set back, by pride. It was the original sin of Satan who said, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa 14:14).

  But more than that. Pride is the antithesis the opposite of faith in God. The power of God is hindered, set back, by pride. It was the original sin of Satan who said, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa 14:14).

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 can learn an important truth, humility is more important than closely held beliefs.

  Jesus makes humility a universal testing truth. No proud, arrogant, boastful, self-assured, domineering, demanding, controlling person that 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 down others so they 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 and only to them. Although saving grace is given freely and undeservedly, it must receive from with childlike humility. This is the heart of worship.

Jesus comments about the two worshipers in the temple. “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 their sins and restored with honor in the presence of God. To be exalted, is to be honored with the presence of “God’s Spirit” (1 Cor 3:16).

  To the Temple leadership Jesus told them “The greatest among you will be your servant,” which would be very difficult for them to do. Jesus continues “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matt 23,12,13). Jesus is telling 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 advices the “shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care,” not to lord “over those entrusted” (1 Pet 5:3) to them. To be a controller, a manipulator or dictator of the church. Because humility was to characterize their leadership.

  Peter gives advice to 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 up in due time” (1 Pet 5:1-6). This if an amazing fact, that the arrogant, bossy, demanding, self-assertive or prone to humiliate others, is opposed by God. They may think their position warrants them a place among the redeemed, but they will be sadly be disappointed. This same fact is also acknowledged by James, Chapter 4, verse 6.

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). The sign when we need more humility is when we value others above ourselves, feeling we are somewhat more blessed in talents, education, family heritage, careers or beauty.

       To the Colossian congregation Paul pleads with them to embrace all the qualities that humility brings us into contact with. “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). We cannot bear with others’ faults, or be very patience—without true humility.

Teaching the Gospel with a Sense of Spiritual Poverty

  The effectiveness of teaching the gospel, is founded on humility. Not knowledge, not high degrees of education, not personality, not vast wealth, not to one seeking higher honor, larger salary with benefits and privilege 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, in giving honor above oneself, there can be no love. Because to love your neighbor, while we exalt ourselves, as better than our neighbors—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 religious life has the potential to be distorted by pride. He says that when religious beliefs or doctrines make a person feel superior to others, it shows a departure from genuine faith. This is because, according to Lewis, God's presence fosters humility and self-forgetfulness, while pride is a form of self-exaltation that can be detrimental to 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 AI)

Mathew Learned his Lesson

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

  The disciples, after Pentecost, scattered out 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 experiences in his two letters. He wrote to the world of belivers 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 mentions 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 pronounces 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 will be 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 were God lives and rules. In heaven, in the New Jerusalem where God will be with us forever. When we will be in what Jesus called “my Father’s house” (John 14:1). It is a real place when the humble will hear “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).

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)

 Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

2nd Blessing Given to those Who are Hungry

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 the things that 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. The disciples of Jesus did have spiritual hunger.

What Hinders Spiritual Hunger?

       Some are so certain they are right on some point of doctrine; they don’t want to hear any possible explanation that might counter their ideas. Some will persecute and ostracize those who question their spiritual narrative. They will reach conclusions that are often just the opposite of what the Scriptures say. The history of Christianity has many illustrations of religious authorities demanding that all of their followers can only believe something the way they have explained it. All other viewpoints of truth are declared to be in error. This robs believers from Spiritual hunger for Scriptures, for “wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).

Spiritual Hunger is Constant for Every True Christian.

   Every morning we are to have a healthy spiritual appetite, a strong desire for Scripture study and prayer. In this life hunger and thirst are never to be satisfied in our pursuit of God, in 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 mankind,

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 and parched 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). 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.

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 in the week for longer times of 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: 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 Scriptures? Do Scriptures thrill me,  bring me tears, call out praise and thanksgiving, all at the same time? Are Scriptures drawing     me as a magnetic force, 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 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 for more understanding of Scripture. For more on knowing the will of God 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 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 will 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 Demonstrate Spiritual Hunger

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

  In 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 the honour of God. Revelation to see the consequences of certain actions, answers to dilemmas and fresh insights into Scriptures that strengthen you.

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

  In Paul’s forth 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).

 Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

3rd Blessing Given to those Who Weep

3rd Blessing: Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh

Blessed are You who Weep Now

    I want you to imagine the face of God, close to you in your faith in God, the ministry of Angels presents around you, as you weep at loss over family and friends. Over loss sustained because of your faith in Christ.  God cares about our suffering.     

  This is the third requirement to be chosen as a 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).

Those who are not moved with emotion and often 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).

Heartfelt Repentance is Often with Tears

  Deep repentance before God is often in tears of sorrow for our mistakes, our open sins, for our shameful hidden thoughts or for the deeds that were 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).

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 must be significant.

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 the troubles we had 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)

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” (Act 13:52). Can you imagine the goodness that was felt 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 knowing it fully, was writing about a time in the future, beyond his own time. He explains the event in the future in the language that he was familiar with. The views Jeremiah gives of that time “when we all get to heaven, what a day that will be” with wonder, amazement and 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

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

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

4th Blessing of Being Mistreated

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

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 a commitment to Jesus that was unbreakable.

Not every man can do this, perhaps a small number. We are glad that not all followers of Jesus are tested to degree that would overwhelm them.

       Yet, these disciples, except Judas, were able to be insulted, and treated with hatred and never deny the Lord they love. Jesus knew this about these men, and he was happy. He blessed them with his presence, and He promised to 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). That is what they did. Jesus could see their future and knew they would persevere against all odds and succeed, even if in a violent death from those who hate the Gospel.

Blessed are you…

       This blessing, although personally given to the disciples, has a wider application. Blessed is 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).

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, blessed with 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 sufferings. He set a vision before us that is unimaginable, “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).

       There are many more inspired statements about suffering trials with patience. Let us not be worried about what tomorrow is, but what we face today. Strength is given for today for want we need right now.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

1st Woe To The Well Fed

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 has a different meaning today as “the comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment.” 

The Rich Laodicea Church: Who Think They Know  Everything and are Proud of it

     This woe is the exact opposite of the blessings Jesus gave to the “poor” (Luke 6:20), those that have humility before God and others. The rich are those who don’t know their condition as sinners, in need of grace.

       In the description of the seventh church of Revelation which is called the Church of Laodicea which says: “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 church entitled Laodicea, in prophecy, 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 are proud of the unique doctrines that set them apart as better than all others.

God Hears them Boast, Again and Again

  The interesting part is that God hears them boast, about what they tell everyone, about themselves in the first person, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.”  The word wealth has a double, meaning, for Modern Christianity is wealthier than the past several thousand years. There is a higher standard of living with more availability of goods and services. The second meaning of wealth is spiritual pride which crowds 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 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 were “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 has warned us of the danger of self-promotion before others, to receive praise from them. 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 having no need of anything more. This is unparalleled deception, what God sees and how we see ourselves are diametrically opposites.

Their 3rd Condition: They are poor

       The reference to being poor is the opposite of considering themselves to be rich. Their poverty is in reference to spiritual wealth, which they have very little of. Why? Because they regard their traditions, their well-structured organization, their history, the colleges, their books of doctrines, their miracle stories as evidence they are the true church of God. In approved statements of faith, their esteemed religious leaders and historical structures of long standing, they put their trust.

       They think they have spiritual riches for the world and for themselves, in their teachings, in their correct theology, in their organization and the powerful gifted leaders. But they do not know they were spiritually poor in understanding. They thought they were indeed very rich in their service to God.

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. So little humility that they see their accomplishments in gospel work as due to their abilities, 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). This means they not what they claimed to be.

       Second, nakedness is what God see, not the church. They are boasting and proud of 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 building 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 displayed them 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 the time, congratulating themselves and recording every detail.

Life and Death Message

       Unless they go to God and secure pure gold of faith, be 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 should be considered as a life and death message to our generation who look within themselves 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” and “I have” and “wealth,” they have failed to see their nakedness before God, their need of repentance and humility. Which alone can give them white garments which is “love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).

  The gold this church is to receive from God is refined, having removed all impurities of its boastfulness and pride. They do not look long enough at the cross of Christ, to realize the seriousness of the sin of pride. 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 righteousness, 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 received, “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. In meekness, in humility, with no praise to one’s own abilities 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).

This is the Last Church

       They are rich, in having many Bible Translations, books about God, by the millions. This is the last church of the ages. God is calling believers out of this church to see their need of grace, “the surpassing grace God has given you” (2 Cor 9:14). “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).

How to Prevent Becoming a Laodicea Church

(1)  First sing songs of praise.

(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 be the first and greatest of all subjects.

(3)  Teach Scriptures and only Scriptures. Keep the focus on New Testament themes the majority of times.

(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).

(5)  Talk less about yourself, your life, your witness, your activities, your family, your clothes. Keep the spotlight off any praise to the church and its activities.

(6)  Left up groups of people rather than individuals praised above others. There are exceptions for a witness that looks to bring honor to God alone, as they hide themselves in the grace of God that deserves the praise.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

 2nd  Woe to the Well Fed

Luke 6:25 The 2nd Woe: Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry

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

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

3rd Blessing: Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh

Blessed are You who Weep Now

       This is the third requirement to be chosen as a 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).

  Those who are not moved with emotion and often 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).

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 the troubles we had 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)

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” (Act 13:52). Can you imagine the goodness that was felt 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 knowing it fully, was writing about a time in the future, beyond his own time. He explains the event in the future in the language that he was familiar with. The views Jeremiah gives of that time “when we all get to heaven, what a day that will be” with wonder, amazement and 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

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

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

3nd Woe to those Who Laugh

3rd Woe Luke 6:25 Woe to you who laugh now, for you will morn and weep

You who laugh now

       Those who spend much time at theaters, throwing parties, merry making, drinking, smoking, displaying of wealth, abundance of food and secular music that glorifies violence and sex. Unless they repent of their sins and seek the Lord for forgiveness. They will in the judgment, be “cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 8:12).

  They have spent much of their lives in seeking after pleasure, “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:4). As Paul said, “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, 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 in joining in the laughter of society over things that should really make them sad.

You will morn

  “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth 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)

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

4th Woe When Popularity is Your Goal

Luke 6:26 4th Woe Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. NIV

 Speaks will of you

       One way that people may speak well of you: Because you have compromised your faith or you have no faith at all.

       Second that people may speak well of you: Because you enjoy all the same drinking or smoking and loose moral language that your unbelieving friends indulge in. You enjoy the same popular movies that are violent or have mature oriented themes as everyone else does.

Third way that people may speak good of you: You hide your faith, so that it will not create conflicts with your friends or colleagues.

False Prophets

       The Israelites loved the false prophets, which told them what they wanted to hear. In 1 Kings 22 is an account when the 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.

       Some false teachers will tell others that you have power in your own words. If you believe in a positive outcome, you will have financial prosperity. All you must do is repeat this and claim it as yours and you have success in life, free from failures. This is the gospel, that false gospel preachers teach, speak well to yourself, tell yourself that you are talented and special them expect God to honor your positive words of pride with great wealth.

Spiritual Wisdom Peals That Lead to Salvation

Overview of Luke 27-49

(1)  All the pearls are addressed to those who are willing to listen 6:27

2)    There are 3 parables: 6:39; 6:40; 6:46-49

3)    There are 4 single sentence wisdom pearls: 6:30; 6:31; 6:37; 6:38

4)    The longest single wisdom pearl is: 6:46-49

5)    There is only one “do not” negative pearl: 6:37

6)    Jesus who knows God best gave us a 6-word description of God the Father, “God is merciful.” 

Overview: These wisdom pearls of Jesus are far different then reading the law, in Exodus or Deuteronomy. For one, they are more comprehensive with a far wider scope then the Ten Commandments of Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5.

       These words of Jesus were spoken in double strength, from the very Son of God and His Father that directed him to teach these things. They are streams of light on how to honor God in our lives. They are word pictures, given in a thoughtful style of teaching, and are designed to penetrate our often-self-deceived conditions.

  We should look at these wisdom pearls as the commands of Jesus. He said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Those who love Jesus, will value his teaching. As the results Jesus has promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit is promised to those who love his teachings.

All Ten of Jesus Teachings Will Determine our Eternal Desteny  

  We should view all ten 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.

  In the fourth challenge Jesus gives to “love our enemies” he says that we are 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 idea of receiving a reward will take place 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” (Mat 16:27).

  When Jesus told us to “Forgive and you will be forgiven” is a requirement to pass into eternal life. This same lesson is repeated in the Sermon of 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 to all who have been divorced and have not forgiven the other. Forgiveness of others is an absolute requirement to enter into heaven. If you find yourself harrowing hard feelings against anyone, flee to the Cross of Christ, asking for repentance and to give you forgiveness and power for the Spirit to totally forgive others.

  In the tenth lesson Jesus has taught us is about two houses, one built on the words of Jesus and the other is a believer that “heard and did nothing” (Lk 6:46). The house we build is our life, our habits and 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.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

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 A 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. 6:29A 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. To this group Jesus is speaking to, 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, is anyone that treats us with unkindness, rudeness, and injustice.

  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 too, because it is the only good thing we can possess. Because love increases with warmth, from youth to old age, because God makes us able 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, to love some that are very unlovable, we may have to love from a distance. For to be around them is to subject yourself to greater abuse. To these, you can pray for 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 last, to war, revenge and bitterness

  This is the only solution to prevent bitterness, revenge and hate building up in our heart, which will drive the love of God and the Spirit of God influencing our lives. Only prayer can change our hearts that have been hurt by the unkind actions of others. 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 testing truth for 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 your faithfulness in attending church and even taking part in it. It has “0” in value, in your personal welcome by God into an inheritance bringing eternal joy in life. Unforgiveness is a ticket to hell, nothing else matters at all, that you have done in life. 

Paul’s teachings to slaves

       To prevent slaves from growing bitter, 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 that are members that 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).

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

       Paul second advice was Try to please them. Instead they were to have a forgiving spirit, only possible by 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. The knowledge that God counts their assigned task as serving Him. In doing so they are honoring the teaching of Jesus who says 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. Which 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.” 

Sir 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 the results there was waves of retaliation against the Muslim minority of the country. Muslim shops and homes were burned, and many attacked and some killed. 

  A few days following the destruction of his churches a Catholic The bishop in his sermon to a grieving crowd of his church members: “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 that 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 and no matter what we do—people just 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 puss filled bitterness—or we can learn to love again.

  Every heart is made by God 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 out of our heart poison. We get to choose—Poison or Antidote, which is forgiveness. Life or Death. Love again or live in hate. You choose, so what is going to be for you today? Love the Lord your God, love your neighbor and in doing so you love yourself. You do a favor for your health, your family, your friends and your eternal life.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

2nd Wisdom Toward Material Things

Luke 6:29 (B) 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

  The wisdom of this passage is we are to be aware of an obsession with material things that perish with their use. All over the world, there is a thirst for materialism. A strong desire to have more things, electronics, cars, property and clothes. The point Jesus is making to us is that we should not consider our possessions belonging to us. We are managers of them, thus there is no fight to hold on to them, should others be in need.  For all that 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 accumulation of wealth, devotion to houses and lands is to be willing to lose them. To be willing to give them away, should the time and a reason occur. 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 with the amount of material things we own but are willing we give them 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 the wisdom teaching of Jesus, not to be taken literally, all the time and for everything. But to cause us to think about our attachment to material things? Some would rather die than part with anything. We know an elderly neighbor that was in her upper nineties, needed to move into a small Nursing Home facility. Her health was very poor. Her house was full of many things that she could not take with her. Yet she was unwilling to part with hardly anything. We suggested that she give away boxes of canned goods that were already expired or soon to be. She wanted them all, even though her meals were all provided, in the home she was moving to.

  So she packed up a very large storage container to be moved to her new address. Sadly, she died in few days after she arrive there.

  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. Should a reason occur that someone is in need, we willingly share them. This is what Jesus means by the expression do not demand it back.

  Worst of all, the greater our possessions, the more in danger we will be blinded by them, clinging to them and loving them. Each one of us must assess our condition before God, so that we are not blinded by ownership of greater wealth than many own and we are very proud of it.

To not expect it back, is to teach us forgiveness of the one who may refuse to return the object you loaned them.

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. As if thinking that this is all that is required, he asked Jesus what more could he possibly need?

       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 on his money and possession, he is devoted to material things. Thus he is unwilling to, mentally and spiritually, become detached from them. His self-image is his wealth.

  The camel represents our many possessions that are loaded on top of the camel. To go through a narrow place, a needle, we have to 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. While we, in heart and soul, are lovers of our material things, more than the presence of the Spirit in our lives.

How to Break from Wealth Addiction

      Ask God to set you free. To open ways you can use what you own to benefit others. 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 of less importance than before.

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

  Ask God to give you deeper repentance, to show you your sins that need to be confessed. As repentance grows more comprehensive, so in contrast does material things seem of less importance. “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. Look upon yourself as a steward or manager of all of your physical assets to which God has given you co-ownership of His property.  

Those who live for money

       An observation: A stingy, tight fisted, unwilling to pay a fair wage to employees, unwilling to charge a fair rent, unwilling to pass over a debt owed 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 heart felt repentance, without which there is no entrance into the kingdom of heaven. 

  If the world’s richest so attract us that we cannot part with them, it is certain that the “the riches” of our “glorious inheritance” in heaven will be lost. 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 were focused on exterior obedience as prescribed by the law, as the way to purity before God. Jesus disagreed, instead he taught that being generous—makes us clean inside. Jesus’ wisdom is to not let our possessions be the love of our lives so that others in need are not our problem. Material things tell us falsely, that when we give them away, we diminish our own wealth.

  Paul taught the Corinth church that they were to “excel in this grace of giving” (2 Cor 8:7). Meaning that they were to measure their generous gifts to the poor in terms of 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 in it. The more we own, the more we want and this is greed. We are never satisfied with what is essential, but only what increasingly more can we purchase and own. Until our barns are so full, we have to build new barns to store them, at the cost of life eternally. 

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

 3rd Pearl of Wisdom

All-Wisdom in 10 Greek Words

The Golden Rule

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

  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 us. Place yourself, not better than others, not more privileged in others, not as the professor over a class to students—but as an equal. Equal in human feelings, hopes, similar desires in life, joys and love of life itself.

  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 and critical.

  Jesus presents ideals to aim for and to walk toward. We grow in this wisdom throughout life. They are not like absolutes “Thou shalt not seal” (Ex 20:15), instead they need much thought and prayer.

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

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).

       The expression in everything, presents the ideal of considering the feelings of others, having compassion for them is of first importance. This is the wisdom we learn in life to apply.

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 out the sum of teaching or Jesus to love one another. In the New Testament, love from God and the Spirit, become the driving force of obedience. The Law of the Ten Commandments points to a time when a believer does not need to read a Law, to know what is loving. They already know the Law, even if they have never read it.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 

not looking to your own interests

but each of you to the interests of the others. Phil 2:3,4

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, how to live their lives. What they know from inside is that others should be treated in a similar way they would like to be regarded. In the day of judgment, this matters to God.

The Gold Rule is a Universal Law

  It is a universal law found in most human cultures. A Google search reveals how widespread is its practice. 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”

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

4th Pearl of Wisdom

Love like God the Father Loves

An Everyday Call to Love Again When It Seems Unappreciated

A Lifetime Challenge

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.

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 ethic s. Although there is much value in long lasting love of friends, spouses and children. It is fruitful and most often sweet and abiding.

What if God loved just His own loved ones?

       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 that calls on God for a portion of his love, a small attention of time and interest to them. 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 the 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 acknowledgement, 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 with inequality to men. He does not give one more love than another. Someday, when we can see, it will be surprising that learn how much God loved the unknown, the unloved and the ungodly on earth.

       God’s care is unseen, given without the receiver having knowledge of it. God gives talents, abilities, opportunities, home, 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, his 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. For us to be like God the Father, we are to copy his goodness, his love, to the unworthy and those who will not return even a thanks. This is the results of the love of God to us, we extent the goodness of God, in millions of ways. We become his hands, feet and eyes to do good to others.

   This is the character, the actions of the redeemed of the Lord. “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 does not end. When we copy his goodness, his love for others. God promise 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 in 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, closer and better then any of us, gave us a simple description of what God is like. The following is a list 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)

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

 5th Pearl of Wisdom

Wisdom Teaches us to Avoid Unkind Judgments

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

Actions that Bring Negative Responses

1)    If we judge others. The opposite will happen to us: We will be judged by God.

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 has to do with our attitude toward the one we have judged and our tendency to take on the voice of God and feel justified in condemning them. In casting them out of our assembly, painting 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 due to jealousy and desire to promote themselves above others.

  Often those doing the condemning of others feel entitled by their superior position or wisdom to find fault in others, making themselves feel better. Creating in the eyes of others, as very insightful and gifted by talent to discern truth from error. Often there is a terrible miscarriage of justice that takes place, due to the evil in another person’s heart. Evil that delights to hurt others that are weaker or more vulnerable.

God the Protecter of the Falsely Accused

  The reason Jesus is sharing this pearl of wisdom is to protect the many, all throughout, history that 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, physical and mental anguish that has been thrown upon an individual that appeared to be mistaken. God, by his very nature, tends to come to the rescue of the falsely accused. When God does this, he also prepares the end-of-life judgement of the accusers. In essence these accusers, those who ruined marriages and employment of others they have deemed guilty of something, they have written their own ticket to “be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (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 that 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 that have been forgiven. Jesus said to the woman that 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). The ones that are slow to judge others and they give space to change their ways—are the ones who have themselves been forgiven of much, and they know it is true. They know that they are unworthy sinners themselves and thus they extend to even to the mistaken fallen and guilty person, “grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16).

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 out of our human nature that has been twisted by sin; cultured from our environment, inherited from our families, and cultivated by our choices, is this wise?

6) God leads all of us as 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, that God is 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 we are right in our own opinions. To mistreat others that God is leading in their lives, it can possibly discourage them, which is done as if to Jesus. We must all learn we cannot read the heart. We cannot read God’s plans for others, that He is gently leading, giving them lesson as they are able to 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. Patience and love are needed for each other, NOT judgment or condemnation. To do so, when Scriptures have not addressed this subject, is spiritually dangerous.

Paul’s has advice to the church, 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? The wisdom of Jesus would have us overlook all these, unproven, just human ideas of what someone says it’s right. Not to judge them with our human finite poorly educated, often narrow-minded, incomplete, with a host prejudges and opinions we think are right. However in time they are, of no consequences.

The 7th Church in Revelation—Impaired Judgment

       This last church described in the prophecy book of Revelation, portrays a group of Christians that 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 belivers are so self-deceived, unable to see their own condition, they should be aware that their judgment is greatly impaired. Any self-righteous decision they make is likely to be impaired, setting them up for judgment from God themselves.

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, which some would consider to be mostly heathen, but they are forgiven. They loved others in return of their own rejection, and they were kind to the unkind. They may have not known the Trinity or could list the 10 Commandments. But they spend 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 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 that has provided the means to be forgiven of all our sins. All our desire to be forgive, 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 why we may find it hard to forgive is because we ourselves have never found true repentance and forgiveness for 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 from 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. From the good or evil that they often do to those whom they choose. It is essential for belivers to know who trust, who to listen to, who they can council with. The good tree uplifts others, the bad tree downgrades others, in regularity. 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, for which we must protect ourselves with prayer and 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 Thorne and remove eternal life from them. We are to pray and hope for a better day for these individuals.

       At times, when evil is intent on bringing us harm, 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 killed in retaliation.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

  6th Pearl of Wisdom

Giving a Good Measure to Others

Brings Unmeasured Results

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 wishes us to copy his character, as his children. God sets the example. But He goes one step further then just an example. God looks around to find generous, giving, kind-hearted, non-judgmental and caring people, belivers or not. They are giving unselfishly to others, for Him to give more to them. 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.

       God’s generosity to the generous, strictly speaking is not salvation. However, when God is generous to the generous, it most often results in a higher view of morality and acknowledgment that God as good to them.

       Let this view of God be ever present. Generosity brings additional gifts from God’s touch, unsought by the giver.

The foolish Rich Man

  “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 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. 19 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, to be generous toward others is to give riches to God.

By contrast, the selfish person gathers everything to themselves, extra large mansion, many cars and large saving accounts. They collect more than necessary from their debtors; they sue others for small things when little is gained in the process.

  What do they lose? First experiencing the generous hand of God in their lives which brings a sense of gratefulness to God and big-hearted love for others. Second, they lose everything twice, at death and in the 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 have any idea what it means in the future, when we can draw from Heaven’s Bank. We, the redeemed of the Lord, while living their busy, joyful, contemplative, fulfilling lives, that always has 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 into your account funds in 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 really be generous and expect nothing in return but the joy and privilege to be 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 our heads Not out of necessity. Generous, when as a rule, even at a loss of product.

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 in a lost condition forever, not deserving 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 even not deserve it. Cheerfulness overrides a tight-fisted attitude. It does not practice demeaning others when short a few pennies. Cheerfulness makes up for the rudeness, selfishness of the narrow-minded who wish to build bigger barns to store their goods.

  As in the parable Jesus talked about a very prospers 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, 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 do your giving, 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 want to see us as generous as He is. When God sees us as good, kind, cheerfully generous—He does what He does best, send 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

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

7th Pearl of Wisdom the First Parable

The Blind Lead their Blind Followers into a Ditch

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

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

Who are the blind?

       If we look back from the start of this section of the Four Woes (Lk 6:24-26) we may get a picture of how blind leaders, and their blind followers can be described.

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, authors of many books, highly regarded because of their Ph.D. (Lk 6:24).

2)    The spiritual food given by their leaders has very little Biblical content, except what they can twist to support their ideals. Programed Bible studies, to teach their doctrines, take the place of contextual open Bible approach. (Lk 6:25).

3)    They use entertainment themes frequently, so all their listeners will find comfort in their sermons. They teach that all are saved, all can be happy about this. That all who say they believe are promised heaven. They teach that money given to the church, is given to God and in a way earns salvation (Luke 6:25).

4)    The leaders promote themselves. They are focused on themselves and those who approve of them. They love to be praised and honored (Lk 6:26).

  The temple leadership of Jesus day had a habit of creating new spiritual laws that the people were 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.

       This was not just in Jesus’ day, but it is very common today, for various religious groups to create doctrines, rules for dress and diet—that are extra Biblical. They are blind guides because they place unessential teaching as saving truth.

       To the leadership again Jesus 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 in comparison to a large Camel. Which means they focus on small issues that don’t really matter, while they permit the larger violation of morality to be unchecked. For instance a group may require women to ware long modest dresses, while the men are allowed to divorce their wives and remarry a younger woman, they say nothing at all.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

8th Pearl of Wisdom the Second Parable

Teacher VS Students

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 Accepted the Title of Teacher

  Jesus was often called teacher. When Jesus said to “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He responded to Jesus, “Tell me, teacher,” what do you want to tell me (Lk 7:40). Whatever Jesus wanted to tell Simon, we should also listen!

       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, the work of a hired servant. By his example, Jesus was illustrating to them that ministers of the gospel, are never to sit on thrones, seek the highest place. Request a higher salary or demand bonuses from the church that is merit based. But instead, in their minds and hearts, they do not value themselves, in a Spiritual sense, over the washer lady who has volunteered to clean their clothes. They are both to inherit the same title of Children of God and both as God’s children, to receive eternal life.  The minister of the Gospel does not get double eternal life in comparison to the washer lady or man.

Fully Trained Teacher

       A fully trained teacher is one who has spent time with the master, to learn his ways. These very pearls of spiritual wisdom should have a prominent place in the thinking, acting and planning of every Christian believer. If a religious professor, pastor or class teacher does not act in harmony with these words of Jesus, they have a lot to learn. They have not graduated from the school of Christ, no matter if they have multiple degrees in theology. No matter if they are a celebrated Christian author or have directed and written quality Christian films.

Student Not Above Teacher

       No gospel teacher has any right whatsoever to promote any added test, not required by Jesus or his Apostles, for acceptance by Christ. They cannot create new rules, even to demand tithe, something not practiced by the Early Church. To request a supplicant to pray to a dead saint is a practice not found anywhere in the gospels. Prayer is to be directed to God in the name of his Son.

       If a Christan leader should tell you to eat certain foods, so as to please God. Don’t follow them, for “Jesus declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19). This does not mean that all foods are healthy, but instead food does not create sin to be confessed. 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).

       It is up to you to think about 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, that is not supported by Christ or his Apostles, without condemning them personally. Do not form a front against them by gathering supporters to your viewpoints. It is far better to dwell more on our own faults than the faults of others, no matter how glaring their faults may be. Spent time in prayer 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 what Jesus and his Apostles have taught as truth for yourself. Be faithful to the voice of the Spirit. Be faithful to Scriptures. 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 problem. 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. 

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

9th Pearl of Wisdom

Sawdust VS Plank

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.

This Section is a Description of the 1st Parable

  “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? (Luke 6:39). In simple words, the plank in their eyes causes them to be very critical of the faults of others and seldom see any errors in their ways. This is a fitting description for Christan leaders, which set the stage for critical analysis of others to be spread broadside into the congregation, fulfilling the adage that the blind lead others into a ditch.

The big Lesson when Working with Brothers in the Church

       All believers should be daily, very carefully, through Scripture study and prayer, examine their own faults. If one does not see very clearly their own faults, past and present, because they view themselves near perfect. It is certain that it is because they have a beam in their own eyes, creating blindness that prevents them from seeing themselves. If they considered how often they have called on God for forgiveness and grace, they would be ready to do same for those who have made similar mistakes.

Rules Oriented Religion, Small Mistakes are Punishable

       When rules are more important than people, when rules offer no exceptions for difficult circumstances, many will naturally grow beams in their eyes. At the end of Paul’s chapter that defines true love, in the first verse of the next chapter Paul concludes by saying, “Follow the way of love” (1 Cor 14:1). Which 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).

  If following the rules, mostly man-made rules, cause one to be harsh, unkind and finds pleasure in the dishonor of others, we can be sure the individuals that are enforcing the rules has a plank in their eyes.

       One Sabbath day, when the disciples were hungry, they passed a grain field and picked some of the grains of 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 into the Hebrew temple and ate the consecrated bread. Both actions were forbidden by the Laws of Moses. Only priest could enter the temple and eat the consecrated bread. Yet, the Jews did not condemn Daivid, 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 to supply human need is not a violation of the law, but a fulfillment of it. A person with a plank of wood in their eyes would be quick to condemn the person who disregarded written law, even if it was for a good reason.  Those who are quick to find fault, Jesus says, often are blind to their own faults.

A Speck VS A Large Plank of Wood

       A speck in the eye stands for a very small problem that the person has. Perhaps they are addicted to sweets, or their property is not as well kept as it should. The person with a plank of wood in their eyes excuses their larger faults, such as the divorce of a loyal spouse, just for their convenience. Yet they broadcast the small faults of another on their social media platforms.

Who are the ones most able to lead others to be conscience of obedience?

       They are the ones that have spent a considerable amount of time in prayer, listening to the observations of their closest friends. They have confessed their sins. But most they have practice repentance, which requires considerable time for reflection and pray for God to 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. Not being critical of others that creates waves of distrust, which leave others broken hearted.

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

10th Pearl of Wisdom

Good Fruit is Good Tree VS Bad Fruit is a Bad Tree

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

I  challenge you, the reader, to tell me what you would say about a good tree and a bad tree? Send me and email. Share your ideas with me. honestscriptures@gmail.com

Pearls of Spiritual Wisdom that Leads to Salvation

Building For Eternal Life, on the Teachings of Jesus

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: Luke 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.”

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.”

Not do the Things Which I say

       The first group of people that Jesus address is those who bring their prayer request to the Lord, saying my Lord, Lord. But do not put in prayerful practice the teaching of Jesus. They heard and did nothing. They did not seem important, or they did not understand, so they were set aside.

       They were, according to the flow of the story, believers that build their house of faith. They had an exterior appearance as they built a good-looking home. They were baptized faithful members of a congregation.

       They had no deep foundation because they did not build on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. “For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11). It the believer’s study is not focused on Jesus, his teachings and that of his Apostles, when the time of testing, illustrated as flood and wind, immediately it fell. Why? They did not “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph 2:20). They were not “rich in good deeds,” they were not “generous and willing to share.” Thus they did not “lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of life that is truly life” (1 Tim 6:18,19).

  They live for a shadow life on earth, surrounded by things that all perish and in the end are taken to the public dumb. They did not live for the future life in heaven, which is “truly life” or real life, which is not temporary, not facing daily death, sorrow, pain, sickness and disappointment. But real life that it opens to all that is worthwhile, science, music, arts, travel with no fear, carrying a passport as children of God.

Not do the Things Which I say—Complete Ruin of Life

  The worst part is that the builder, the believer, had no time to rebuild, the ruin of that house was too complete. Their hope of eternal life was carried away by flood and wind. Forever lost.

  The idea in this parable is that, when we accept Christ, we need to make every effort to lay a real deep foundation in the words and teachings of Christ and Apostles. Our faith, our knowledge, our assurance, our hopes, our love of God, our understanding of the words of Jesus and the teaching of the Apostles, is our foundation. A surface knowledge of acceptable church conduct for others to see will be swept away forever, in the time of testing. “For 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)

House Built on the Earth

       They had one fatal flaw in their home of faith—they ignored the words and the teaching of Jesus, while they professed to follow Him

To Build a House with a Deep Foundation is the Responsibility of Every Believer

  Why are these pearls of Spiritual Wisdom in Luke 6, not often preached or talked about, if ever?

  Possibly it is because Western Christianity tends to dwell on the beginning stages of the believer. Their calling, faith, God’s grace, baptism and acceptance of various church creeds and doctrines of the organized church they attend.  Not on purpose or by design, these deeper more thoughtful teachings of Jesus are lost sight of in the many social and outreach programs that the church sponsors.

  The second reason these teachings of Jesus are not a frequent theme, is that they call our hearts toward behaviors that are very challenging. They show that we need a revival of the Spirit to change our hearts to love the Lord and at the same time love his teachings and embrace them comprehensively.

       The sad part of many believers is that they neglect these teachings and thus build their hope of eternal life on a poor foundation. One that will not stand in the times of coming judgment or testing, because they build their Christian faith without a deep foundation.

  When the storms of life come, they collapse instantly. Why, maybe because they just lost sight of the deeper issues of discipleship, due to their focus, on other matters of lesser importance.

Second Group of Christians who Call on the Lord

       After baptism and receiving of the Spirit. They study Jesus and his teachings, taking them very seriously. These teachings of Jesus are not followed by short promises, they take time. Over time, they become part of the character, not out of works that attempt to win the approval of God, but out of love from God and His Spirit in their hearts. They come to treasure these teachings and use them as a way of life.

   They know their hearts are not naturally in tune with all these words. They pray to be changed. They know that is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). They know that these high principles are only possible as daily they are washed of their sins, regenerated inside their hearts by the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit.

       Under the Spirit’s influence, the teachings of Jesus become part of our heart’s desires, the cry of our heart. They are not seen as commandments, but as a way to be like the Lord they love. They will make mistakes and, more often than they want, find bitterness, pride and jealousy rising from their fallen nature. Thus they turn to God to be “justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7). Every day justified, sins forgiven not in part, but in whole. Every day they “humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21). The “word” that James is talking about is the words of Jesus.

       Make this your commitment, 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, our families, our friends far and wide. Be in Christ Jesus, what a delight.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus

Rom 8:1

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.”

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