Divorce?

Matthew 5:31-32

New International Version (NIV)

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[a] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 5:31 Deut. 24:1

When I read this my first instinct was to leave this to the marrieds.... as I am not yet in that category.... and at this rate might never be.... a fact that I am surprisingly starting to get really comfortable with.

On further thought I realised that a man should not any other grounds besides sexual immorality divorce his wife.... and this really got me thinking.... is it the same for women? How many men out there divorce their wives for lesser reasons... how many women stay in marriages even when they are aware of the sexual immorality going on? What are the boundaries that define sexual immorality?

I tried looking online for definitions of sexual immorality and that opened up a whole new can. Most definitions base it on social standards.... however these differ from one society to another!

In other words the grounds for divorce are shaky...... work it out......don't rush into marraige ...... and do not get divorced!

And you wonder why single life is starting to become more appealing to me! ;)

Adultery

Matthew 5:27-30

New International Version (NIV)

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[a] 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 5:27 Exodus 20:14

This is a follow up from  yesterday's post and makes me really think about sin as not just a physical act but more to do with our hearts and minds. Thinking it or feeling it before God is just as good.... or bad in this case as doing it!!!

Furthermore, we should do everything humanly possible to rid ourselves of sin.... literally fight a battle against sin and do what you must.... it won't be easy and sometimes the sacrifices will be really huge! But those sacrifices are worth it if they draw the line between heaven and hell.

This is one of those verses that feels like it is easier said than done..... Lord please guide and give me strength when I need it!

Murder!!!

Matthew 5:21-26

New International Version (NIV)

Murder

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt

Something that I have learnt growing up as a person is the value of human life.... Murderers and Rapists are the most looked down upon people in any society world wide. So much so like the worst possible crime (so it seems) that one can do is kill a person.... if you haven't done that then you can get away with almost anything else..... you are still not yet the scum of the earth... there are people out there who are worse that you.....

These words of Jesus made me look at Murder in a whole new light. It is not just about the physical act of taking someones life.... its about our hearts and minds as well.... the thoughts we have and the feelings we feel when we are angry.... the fact that sometimes we think we are so smart that others are fools. Just like taking a human life is not for us to decide as humans, thinking we are better than others isn't either!!!!! We are all creations of God. After all, our thoughts and feelings do become us!

For what right have we to come before God if we consider ourselves better than others? How can we come before him through the Grace of the cross if we ourselves do not understand the basic concept of Grace... How can we say we understand Grace if we think ourselves better than others...whether it is as murder....anger.....contempt.....or insult!!! How can we say we love if we can not see people as Christ does.... How do we look past the physical, the standards set by this world and see people as Christ does?

Verse 25 felt a bit out of place for me... like he just went off on a tangent... all I could think about is how people have used this verse to justify corruption back home by paying off cops in order to cheat the system. Then I looked up the definition of adversary and it said opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute. And it just came down to "handle your business and don't let it get out of hand" Everybody has misunderstandings... and this life we live is a life of conflict!!! So...... due to lack of a better way to put it... HANDLE YOUR BIZZ!!! 

Law!!

Matthew 5:17-20

New International Version (NIV)

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

This is one of the things that used to really confuse me as a young christian.... Old testament VS New testament! it took me a while to learn that the two are not either or but and... not supplementary but complementary.

The word does not contradict itself but compliments itself as a whole! 

Verse 20 though gets me thinking.... It is not just about seeming to teach and follow the law.... but to also live it and by it.... make it alive and real for you....

Lord help me to be truly righteous .... To fulfill all righteousness like you that I may enter the kingdom of heaven

Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

New International Version (NIV)

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The main questions I kept asking myself when I read this were, Have I lost my saltiness? I am I useless now? Can I be made salty again? Have I been thrown out to be trampled on? I'm I being trampled on? How do I share this message with fellow christians to help them remain salty?

I hate bland food..... and I would go crazy if I added salt to my food and nothing changed coz it had lost its saltiness.

But then again, salt in essence is saltiness. Can salt exist without being salty?

I'm I light? How do I shine? Good Deeds? Haven't fully digested this one... not sure what to make of it for me.


                                           

                                                       

Supreme Blessedness - Beautification

Matthew 5:3-12

New International Version (NIV)

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When I read this my heart broke at the realization of how far I have fallen.... I used to be blessed, I used to hunger and thirst for righteousness...  but I'm not lost forever..... I can still be these things..... the question is, Do I want to? 

I'm I poor in Spirit? How do I recognise the poor in spirit? What does poor in spirit really mean?

I have mourned and been comforted, I have been with people that are mourning but I dont think I was very comforting. What are the right words to say? How do you say them? Do you just sit there in silence? Do you mourn with them? Is it not up to you at all, can that sort of comfort only come from God?

Meek.....now this I am not! I wish I was sometimes... sometimes I'm proud and glad I'm not! Is this who or how God wants me to be? If it is, how do I become this? Do I want to inherit the earth? What does that even mean? 

Hunger and thirst for righteousness.... I used to... not so much recently... I know I want to.... I am trying to find my way back. 

Merciful.....not always..... I do try

Pure in heart..... far from it!!! If I could wake up one day and be pure in heart..... Oh what a glorious day!!! I don't even know where to start with this one or if it is even an option for me.

Peacemaker..... not always.... I should try harder though.

Persecuted because of righteousness....... I was when I was working towards it...... not anymore.... thought it would make life easier.... I thought it had worked for a while.... accept my humanity....accept who I am.... but it did not last long....this is not the definition of me... this is not who I am...long story short....I'm trying.

People insult, persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against me because of Christ........I don't know if I'm ready for this or if I will ever be.....

Food for thought....not really sure what to make of all this.

Fishing Men

Matthew 4:19 (New International Version)

  19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

The ultimate calling... the purpose we are all christians on this earth... seems basic but when you come down to it, it really isnt as easy as it seems.... not for me anyway!!!

Come.....
Leave whatever you are doing and just come, no reason, no justification, no debate, no determining whether you feel like it of not.... nothing about you or how you feel or if you want to.... Just Come!!! How do I do this?

Follow Christ.....
You don't have to know where he is going, how long he will be there for or the grand 10 year plan of how it all works out. You don't need a full job description or contract. Sometimes it might not even make sense to you at all.... All he is asking is that you follow.... sounds  easy....Why can't I????

Fishing....
Just thinking about it... all the hard work.... the uncertainty of results.... the stillness and complete surrender... I don't know if I can fish to save my life!!!

Men...
If catching fish isn't hard enough try fishing men!!! I don't even know where to start with this one.

I don't know what it is about my life right now but I'm not in a happy place, I feel I have lost sight of my purpose in life and have no motivation to get anything done anymore...getting out of bed is a struggle and doing what I should be doing is unaccomplished. Sad thing is, I know all the reasons I should be doing what I have to but it doesn't make me want to do it or even do it. Despite the fact that it is more than reason enough o. My mind no longer drives my heart or my will or my body. I'm lost in a pit I don't know how to get out of. Help!  

Needless to say, I am aware that fishing men has absolutely nothing to do with saving me or me getting my act together and I am aware that it is not about me at all... just saying.