Tag: commands of Christ

“Make friends quickly …”

Matthew Sermon on the Mount No Comments
Summary notes
Leave – Go – Be Reconciled – Make Friends

Jesus’ command to, “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law…” is part of the same paragraph as the command to, “…leave your offering …and go …be reconciled…”  Therefore the two ideas are related. 

Previous post link: Leave Your Offering and Go Be Reconciled

Broken Trust Requires Proof
Photo by Dawn Carlson – The Poverty Island Light Station near Green Bay was first lit in 1875. In 1885 a fog signal was added to give this light station a “voice.” Mariners passing by the dangerous Poverty Island Passage at night or in the fog quickly learned that this light station was a friend to them!  Joel Olsteen’s quote is so appropriate to remember when reconciling differences. What I say and how I say it are so important. This image and more can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

When I’ve wronged someone their trust in me is broken so that my words and promises become meaningless to them.   Its only logical that they need some proof of my sincerity.  Reconciling with some people may mean more than just me saying that I’m sorry; I may need to also offer some kind of tangible consideration.  By “consideration,” I mean paying back what I owe them or giving back what I took if possible.  If the offense was a relationship issue, then beyond humbly seeking forgiveness I might consider what actions I can take to demonstrate my sincerity.  I suppose there are innumerable ways to say, “I’m sorry” and to follow up with action. 

Click here for my personal application and your comments link …or Scroll down for my full notes 

COMMAND 9: “Make friends quickly …”

Mt 5:25; Also see Lk 12:58 which is a similar command in a different context.

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain.

Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

CONTEXT:  A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount: 

Mt 5:21-24 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be  guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother,  ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says,  ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty {enough to go} into the fiery hell.  23Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:

Mt 5:25-26 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.  26“Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”

RESULT: 

After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT: 

This is practical information.  When I’ve wronged someone trust is broken so that my words and promises become meaningless unless there is proof of my sincerity.  Reconciling with some people will likely involve asking forgiveness and restitution or some other kind of tangible consideration if property or money was involved. Restitution may have many forms.  If the offense was a relationship issue then humbly seek forgiveness.  

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text

(word: Strong’s #    Greek   pronunciation   — definition)  

make:  G2468  ἴσθι  is’-thee  — an imperative, be thou  

friends:  G2132  εὐνόεω  yoo-no-eh’-ō  — to be well minded

quickly: G5035 ταχύ  takh-oo’  — shortly implying without delay, soon or suddenly

opponent at law:  G476  ἀντίδικος  an-tid’-ee-kos  —  an opponent in a lawsuit

MY PERSONAL APPLICATION:   I encourage you to make your own application

There is an old saying that, “Actions speak louder than words.”  I should be prepared to “make friends” when I go to reconcile with someone.  Perhaps I will consider how appropriate it would be to bring proof of my sincerity with actions and/or restitution.

RETURN TO COMMAND

Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Follow-up to Leave Your Offering and Go Be Reconciled

Follow-up Matthew Sermon on the Mount No Comments
See the Blog Post
What Jesus Said to Do
Photo Artistry by Dawn Carlson    Ships that have come and gone past the Fort Gratiot lighthouse since 1829 often overcame obstacles.   Aside from weather, the channel from Lake Huron to the St. Clair River requires some tight turns in the current to proceed without damage. Reconciling with someone whom I’ve wronged can also have obstacles to overcome. Obstacles such as distance, cost, lost addresses, faulty memory and hurt feelings can make reconciliation even more difficult. Its best to think about it , seek some guidance and practice first!  I like Michael Jordan‘s quote because it applies to this AND so many situations of life! This image and more can be found in the Photo Gallery. Click on the image for an explanation Why a Lighthouse

Jesus said in Matthew 5:24, ”Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

What!?

This command of Jesus is from the first century but it still has a powerful message for today.  When someone came to the Jewish temple in the first century to seek God’s favor they brought something to offer.  But Jesus was telling His disciples that if they were seeking God’s favor with a guilty conscience then they would do well to reconcile first. God was and is not impressed with a fine gift if the giver is mean to people.  Besides that, we know that the effect of a guilty conscience on the mind and body is not good. Stress is the result and long term stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and immunological disorders of the body and anxiety and depression of the mind.

Have you ever offended someone in a big way?

Have you ever done or said some things that you knew were wrong and it offended someone? I have, and it bothered me so that I was sorry about it. This command has through the years reminded me that I needed to try to make things right. With a lot of humble pie I’ve made some apologies and even asked forgiveness on occasion. A wise person told me to do this in person or with a phone call and never use a letter. Remarkably some folks I talked to didn’t remember the event. Others were quite gracious and accepted the apology. Either way, the times I’ve done this have indeed resulted in peace for me. It was like I had finally paid a debt and was free of it.

Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

Let Your Light Shine

Matthew Sermon on the Mount No Comments
Here are my summary notes
You are the light of the world
Photo by Dawn Carlson The South Haven Pier like all lighthouses shines its light after dark to aid navigation. People who work with integrity and skill are noticed as having a good reputation. The voice of such people is validated by their reputation. A good message helps people to navigate their lives.  South Haven Pier Winter Sunset and others are available from the Photo Gallery.  Also find out why I feature lighthouses in Why a Lighthouse.

Jesus called His many followers the light of the world!  He was on a mountainside teaching them  in the hearing of a very large crowd.   I think Jesus was urging His followers to go out into the world and be a positive influence to their families and friends, at work and in business and politics, and in every other relationship and occupation there is. 

Not merely a religious message

But He told these followers that the influence they are to have is not merely a religious message. He told them to live in such a way that actions of good work done with integrity and skill give them the credibility for people to listen to their message.   The message they were to bring to the world was, of course of monumental importance; it was the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

A Contradiction?

Jesus told his followers later in chapter six that they were to do their good works in secret.  His instruction seems contradictory at first.  However, these verses are actually complementary rather than contradictory.  Jesus pointed out that the attitude for doing good to others must not be for self aggrandizement or showy self righteousness because these attitudes and actions have short lived rewards. Long lasting rewards come from doing what is right with humbleness and strength of character that is satisfied by meeting needs and with integrity that is practiced even when no one is looking.

Click here for my personal application and your comments link …or Scroll down for my full notes

COMMAND:   “Let your light shine…”

Mt 5:16

RECIPIENT:  

To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

CONTEXT:  My notes  about the context of this command  

A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount:
Mt 5:14-15   “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does {anyone} light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:  

Mt 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

RESULT:  

After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text

(word: Strong’s #    Greek   pronunciation   —   definition)

light: G5457  φῶς  foce — literally or figuratively luminous

shine: G2989  λάμπω  lam’-pō — to beam

MY COMMENTS AND NOTES:  

Contrast Mt 5:16 with what Jesus said in Matthew 6 (below) where Jesus commands me to do good works in secret. These seem contradictory at first.  However, when I asked the question, “How are these related and how do they make sense together?”, the solution became obvious.  These verses are complementary rather than contradictory.  In each case below Jesus pointed out that the attitude for doing good for others must not be for self aggrandizement or showy self righteousness because these attitudes and actions have short lived rewards. Long lasting rewards come from doing what is right with humbleness and strength of character that is satisfied by the meeting of needs and integrity that are practiced even when no one is looking.

Verses about doing good in secret

Mt 6:1-4 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

Mt 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

Mt 6:17-18 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

MY PERSONAL APPLICATION:   I encourage you to make your own application

Hard work done with integrity and honesty is difficult to hide. Whether on the job, in the family or volunteering, someone will know who did what. The goal is to humbly conduct myself in such a way that when people notice what was done, they are more grateful for the result and give thanks to God or to those whom I represent than to me personally.

Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command

© 2018 Christopher Carlson

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB

6 “Let your light shine…”

Matthew 3 Comments

COMMAND 6: “Let your light shine…”
      REFERENCE:  Mt 5:16

RECIPIENT:   To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain

Photo by Dawn Carlson The South Haven Pier like all lighthouses shines its light after dark to aid navigation People who work with integrity and skill are noticed as having a good reputation. The voice of such people is validated by their reputation. A good message helps people to navigate their lives.

Mat 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

CONTEXT:  A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount:  Mt 5:14-15   “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does {anyone} light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

COMMAND FULL TEXT:  See RESULT

RESULT: 

Mt 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

COMMENT:  Contrast Mt 5:16 with the following instructions that command us to do our good works in secret.  The following verses are complementary rather than contradictory to the command “Let you light shine before men…”   In each case below Jesus pointed out that the attitude for doing good for others must not be for self aggrandizement or showy self righteousness because these attitudes and actions have short lived rewards. Long lasting rewards come from doing what is right with humbleness and strength of character that is satisfied by the meeting of needs and integrity that are practiced even when no one is looking.

Mt 6:1-4 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.  2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  3“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  4so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

Mt 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

Mt 6:17-18 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face  18so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees {what is done} in secret will reward you.”

DEFINITIONS:  Key Greek Words

light: G5457  φῶς   foce  — literally or figuratively luminous

shine: G2989 λάμπω   lam’-pō  —  to beam

GENERAL APPLICATION:   Hard work done with integrity and honesty is difficult to hide.  Whether on the job, in the family or volunteering, someone will know who did what.  The goal is to humbly conduct oneself in such a way that when people notice what was done, they are more grateful for the result and give thanks to God or to those whom you represent than to you personally.

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