Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think what was confusing me was the way the statement is structured. Just looking at light doesn't really make your body full of light in any concrete way, or your heart either. Just looking at evil doesn't make your body full of darkness. But if you take it in the context of the passage that comes before (don't store up treasures on earth), and the passages that comes after (no one can serve both God and finance and don't worry about your earthly needs), it becomes more clear that the eye focused on the hereafter has different priorities than the eye focused on getting ahead in the world.
So, as for 6:22-23, Jesse has answered you well. The eye is often thought of as the window to your soul. In these verses the eye is said to be a light into one's body, so perhaps in this instance, if your eye is evil it reveals the darkness in your being, but if it is single, then it shows the light/goodness in your being. I understand that by saying that the eye is 'single" Jesus means without deceit, malice, or ill will towards one's neighbor or rebellion towards God. Truly, only believers in Christ can have a 'single' eye because non-believers are in darkness of sin and separated from the eternal light and life of God. But in Christ, we are in the light as He is in the light and have our consciouses cleansed by the removal of our sin by Christ's sacrifice. Therefore, a believers has the light of Christ in our beings and His eye was truly "single", without any semblance of actual sin in Himself. He was truly the light of the world and when we are in Him, we too have that eternal light of life in us, too. We, too, can love God and our neighbor as Jesus is explaining in this Sermon on the Mount.
This was helpful, as I noticed that one of the translations for what the eye should be is related to the word for generous, or also candid. Could it possibly translate as trusting, as opposed to cynical? Don't know the Hebrew word for either of these.
Matthew 6 is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus expounded on the Law of Moses, bringing out nuances and deeper meaning and therefore both external and internal responsibilities to obedience.
In verses 22-23 Jesus is speaking of contentions between siblings or fellow believers (brother). He is saying that we are to settle disagreements and offenses with each other right away with sincerity and love. We are not to hold grudges or continue to "grind" about an offense, nor are we to resort to name-calling (fool) as this is not loving your neighbor as oneself.
He is also telling us that we are to restore this relationship before bringing and offering before and unto God, speaking of the OT offerings of fellowship and/or sin.
So, we cannot expect to have right fellowship with God if our fellowship with a brother in Christ is broken. This does not mean we have to have restored fellowship with those who live wickedly or who refuse right fellowship in Christ. But it does mean that we are to work at keeping our Christian relationships clean of offenses and grudges, bickering, gossiping, etc.
This is very difficult to do, so, like the other admonitions Jesus gave in this Sermon, He explained how one is to keep a law from the heart, which only He could truly do. His emphasis was that when we examine our lives and hold them up to the standards He laid out in this Sermon, we see our utter hopelessness in being perfectly aligned with the demands of the law. Therefore, we see our need for a Savior, as we realize that our heart is still sinful even if we keep the law outwardly. We deserve to not enter the kingdom of God on our own merits. But, in Jesus, we have the forgiveness of sins and the power of the Holy Spirit to become more and more like Jesus..
I think that these verses remind me that we can always improve on how we treat others, either in privated or publically, in what we do or say, and in what we think or desire in our hearts.
In Matthew Chapter 6 Verses 22 and 23, Jesus talks about the eye.
He said the light of the body is the eye: and therefore if your eye is single, the whole body is full of light. But if the eye is evil, the whole body shall be full of darkness. Therefore if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Here's what that means from a Hebrew standpoint:
First of all the word "single" has to do with focus, for the good eye is a generous person. The bad eye is a stingy person in the eyes of the Jews.
So if you have a good eye, and you are generous, then your focus is right. If you have a bad or corrupt eye, you are stingy and your focus is in the wrong place.
In other words, when it is focused on the single object of the light, then your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
That is a Hebraism by the way. The Jews used to say that a person who had a single eye, a good eye, is a generous person. They are focused on one thing and that's the need of other people. But a person who has an evil eye is a selfish person and is only looking to get for themselves.
Jesus is using this concept again for the body. Your mind, your intake that ministers to your mind and feeds information to your mind, is the eye. If your body is full of light, if it is light then your whole body is full of light. And when it is evil your body is dark.
Hi , I used to struggle with this also . Finally I've come to this conclusion , though I may have it wrong and I'll be interested to hear any other explanations , it's about what we are focused on , the previous verses are talking about the difference between worldly things and heavenly things , if we are focused on heavenly things then we will be full of light and others might even see our light which comes from Christ in our hearts , if we are focused on worldly things , money , gain , greed etc then we will show that to the world and we will not be full of light but full of darkness . I only have to spend a short time with atheists , listening to their worldly conversation about cars and houses and holidays and money and I know I'm in the wrong company . I'm sure atheists find me a very boring person to be around as I'm not interested in the same things as they are so I don't have much to talk to them about . Hope that helps , I'm looking forward to reading some better replies than mine :) .
Am having trouble with Matthew 6:22-23. Can see it's a metaphor, but not really sure what the metaphor is. Read the commentaries, but don't feel solid with them. Feedback, anybody? Thoughts and guesses welcome.
Always enjoy your input, and glad to hear that you are on board with loving Jesus and not the world.I think today Christians (including me) have major difficulty divorcing ourselves from all of the fleshy worldly things. I believe this is a major roadblock that we place in front of true and real relationship with God.
Jesus tells us Matthew 6:25-34 If we are preoccupied with providing for ourselves, including and specifically more than we need, are we depending on ourselves more than we are on Him?
Wanting newer bigger homes, and more luxury, cars, clothes, jewelry, vacations, fancy meals/restaurants, opera, hollywood entertainment, sports, I could go on..All of the time spent pursuing these things take away from the time we can be spending with God..
I don't believe Gods Holy Spirit guides us, or approves us, to be pursuing all of the fleshy worldly things.serious problem here.who is keeping us involved with this world?
I really am starting to see the validity of this verse. Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
I don't think we as Christians really take this verse to heart! If we think we can continue to live worldly lives and make it to heaven.I think we are fooling ourselves, and it's not just us fooling ourselves, it is the devil, and Matthew 7:15
Hello everyone, Had an interesting question asked at our men's Bible group. " Our we sinners because we sin, or do we sin because where're sinners". Would like to hear your comments based from the Bible . Thank you
MountHoreb Response to Leoj:
When reading the bible, A Sinner is someone who has a leaning or urge to go against the will of Jehovah God ( Psalm 83:18)
God Saids one thing; a Sinner is inclined to go the other way. we have an example at Genesis 3
Point: Romans 5:12-15
There is Hope: John 3:16,17; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; John 17:3
Jehovah ( psalm 83:18) is not looking for perfection. he is like a father and we are like his Children prone to mistakes.
our father is looking for us to tell him the truth, to be humble, to cry to him and repent especially if it's something that
is to difficult to handle on our own. as sinners we need the spirit of God in order to have self-control in all things. This is why Jesus said what he said at Matthew 6:9-12; 1 Peter 5:6-11
Luke 12:3 and Matthew 12:36 are eye opening; as we are to give account for everything said and nothing is secret to God.
I would like to say that I don't do any grumbling or complaining; but alas then I would be lying. Thankfully anything but blasphemy against the Spirit can be forgiven. As Jesus pointed out to the self-righteous Pharisees; these bad fruits come from within. And 2 Peter 2:21 makes it clear that it is better not to have known the truth than to become reprobate. The blood of Christ is our only hope as Jeremiah 17:9 shows how sick the heart is.
There are Post Millennialists who dispute this; but I don't believe anyone from the church age who is a believer will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. I DO have the opinion that since the verse indicates that those who aren't in the Book of Life are going to the lake of fire; there is room for those who physically survive the Millennial period to go through that as saved people and hence be translated into heaven without dying.
In any event; 1 Corinthians 3:15 indicates that one can make it into heaven and suffer loss. That would be analogous to losing rewards as Revelation 3:11 warns. Paul indicates how we run for the prize. Only a few gain great rewards; as would be indicated by those making 100 fold as opposed to 30 fold returns or others ( Mark 4:20). We should not be confined to just the saved and lost divisions when scripture gives us admonitions for certain crowns that those who persevere; are martyred or are pastors as well as other situations are given for faithfulness.
Matthew 6:19-21 shows us that our treasure is to be in heaven. And that means that He must trust us with earthly riches as well ( Luke 16:10-12) as a test; a prerequisite for heavenly riches. Our brothers in Christ that we support in the ministry will be able to enjoy the harvest with us (see John 4:37). That and personal witnessing are components of fulfilling the Great Commission to finish well.
But I noticed something when I read the verse in Matthew 6:33 that you mentioned in your post.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
What does the scripture mean be saying to "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness"; and all these things (OUR NEEDS IN LIFE) shall be added unto us"?
How does one seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?
To give you a hint about how I thought about it, 1. Jesus talks to his disciples, believers already, 2. He saId that after He had given commandments to them. 3. He also asked them not to be embarrassed about the needs in their lives. 3. God will provide for them if they ...?
- So here Satan Knew very well what He was doing and one fact that you Mention in your post is that peter was a friend of The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God and Satan attempted to use this friendship and this moment to tempt The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God Also Satan knew very well what is written in Matthew 6:54 ,54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?.
- And to get a clear understanding of how Satan took over peter, remember the events of Judah when Satan entered him resulting to the betrayal of The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. it's written in Luke 23:3-4 , Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them.
hence you see here Satan was responsible for enticing both Judas and peter, Therefore Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God Rebuked peter by saying get behind me Satan. Jesus The Living God never said this word because he was in a cranky mood, but he rebuked Satan who was enticing peter to speak those words which he spoke to Jesus.
So, what lessons do we learn from this Events?
1. Always be on your Gurd as a Christian who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God, for our weapons is not carnal but might through God and we do not wrestle Flesh and blood but persons without bodies who are always looking for opportunity to entice us to Sin. so Put on the whole armor of God. its written in 2 Corinthians 10:3 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2. Satan will even attack someone close to you Just to get through to you and this is an example of his Attacks and it's important for every believer who believes the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God to Read your Bible To be given in Prayers and to fast before God and if anyone Lucks wisdom let him pray and ask the
-Please pray for understand for God will give him who ask freely.
It's written in John 10:35 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35, If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
meaning the bible cannot contradict itself. infact Jesus Has Said this in Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing froward or perverse in them.
So, my advice to you is to Kneel down and repent of your unbelief and ask The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God to Help you understand His words The sharp two- Eged sword.
In Matthew 6:22 -23. 22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
-What we fail to see here is this, Satan entered unto peter and he is using peter to try and deceive Jesus Christ not to Go to the Cross and if The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God would have not gone to the cross then the whole bible would be compromised, and every word of prophecy would collapse just by that one action. remember Just before Jesus was arrested by the temple Gurds/solders What He said unto them. in Matthew 27:53-54
53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
The "Our Father" prayer gives me great comfort when I can't find the words that's why I am sharing and praying it during this time of loss, please also accept my deepest respect and sympathy regarding your loss.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ( Matthew 6:9-13)
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In both Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke Chapter 12, Jesus says "Take no thought for your life." This comes from the Greek word MERIMNA and it means to occupy the attention of the mind. Jesus said that we only have the capacity to serve one thing. So if my mind is occupied with other things, and I am only supposed to be serving the one person (Christ), I've got a problem!
In Matthew 6:25-30, Jesus went on to say, and He mentions three necessities: He says why are you anxious (MERIMNA) about what you eat, or what you drink, or about your clothing? He says that even if we don't have clothes or food or drink, that we are not to be occupied with it.
Jesus gives us two reasons for this when we get to Matthew 6:32. It says "for all these things the Gentiles seek. This would be non-believers. Second reason: It says, "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." God already knows, so we are not to have our minds occupied with the things God already knows we need.
Jesus then gives instruction in Matthew 6:33. He says "But you seek the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added." Now the reason they will be added is because we can't seek God and seek those things that occupy the attention of our mind (MERIMNA) at the same time. God says you seek me. You seek me and I will take care of everything else. I will supply your needs!
The conclusion is given to us in Matthew 6:34. Jesus says take no thought about tomorrow. Again, take no thought comes from the word MERIMNA (the occupation of the attention of our minds). Jesus says don't even worry about it. Don't worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Where is our focus right now? Is our focus on Christ who knows what we need (the necessities of life)? Or, is our mind occupied by worrying about other things, the things God tells us to take no thought of?
In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus talks about the eye. He said the light of the body is the eye: and therefore, if your eye is single, the whole body is full of light. But if the eye is evil, the whole body shall be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Here's what that means from a Hebrew standpoint:
First of all, the word "single" has to do with focus, for the good eye is a generous person. The bad eye is a stingy person in the eyes of the Jews. So, if you have a good eye, and you are generous, then your focus is right. If you have a bad or corrupt eye, you are stingy, and your focus is in the wrong place.
Please Lord Jesus Christ intervene in Michael's situation and guide him through this challenge he is facing. Please Holy Spirit comfort him with your spiritual gifts and Bible scriptures that he will be a testimony for others I pray in Jesus name!!!
Please consider reflecting on Psalm 91, Psalm 121, Matthew 6:33-34, 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 15:5-6.
Read Ephesians 4:32. When we truly are saved, we become a new creation in Christ. The old is passed away. We are forgiven. As Christians we are to be doers of the word. Jesus said in John 14:15, if you love me, keep my commandments.
1John 2:4
1John 4:20-21
The Lord is my Shepherd.
I am lifting you all up in prayer today. Jesus Christ is coming soon. We are living in the last of the last days, and hell is a real place of torment. Eternal. I don't want to go there and I don't want you to go there.
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:50
2Thessalonians 1:9
Psalms 145:20
Hebrews 10:26-31
So let Jesus work in your heart and life. No one can put Him there. You must see your need for Him and repent (stop sinning,stop hating,forgive,stop rejecting Christ) REPENT of YOUR own evil deeds, ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14-15
He paid for our sin with His life's blood when He was crucified on the cross.His gift of forgiveness is free. Please accept it. Repent and be baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.
HE IS COMING BACK SOON. If YOU are not ready, the Bible says you will be eternally lost. I would not wish Hell on my worst enemy. No, on the contrary. I want to spend eternity loving and worshiping Jesus Christ together with them.
( Matthew 5:44)
May the Lord richly bless you today in Christ Jesus!
Helpful tip; touch the verse addresses in red and they will open up. You won't have to look them up separately.
For the believer, Jesus is our hope ( 1 Timothy 1:1), He is our peace ( Ephesians 2:14), He is the light of the world ( John 8:12), He is the good shepherd who gave His life for His sheep (All those who have surrendered their life to Him ( John 10:11), He is the head of the church ( Ephesians 1:22), He is the only one who sets us free from our sin ( John 8:36), He is our redeemer ( Job 19:25), He is the only atoning sacrifice for our sin ( 1 John 4:10), He is the Savior of those who receive Him ( Luke 2:11, John 1:12), He is the creator of all things ( Colossians 1:16-17, John 1:1-3), He is the word of God, and He is God ( John 1:1, Isaiah 9:6), He is our only way to salvation ( John 10:9, John 14:6).
There are many, many more descriptors in the Bible that tell us who Jesus is, but it would take many more posts to list them all.
There is a difference between the Kingdom of God (Christ inside you) and the Kingdom of Heaven (a place to come on earth). Please view Robert Breaker video on you tube labeled The Kingdom of God vs The Kingdom of Heaven for in depth Bible scripture.
Matthew 6:33 (keyword is FIRST... implying there is something to follow - second)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
You can not "see" or "observe" the Kingdom of God.
Luke 17:20
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Matthew 3:2 "And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 7:21 (Heaven is a place)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
I commented on 5:22-23
So, as for 6:22-23, Jesse has answered you well. The eye is often thought of as the window to your soul. In these verses the eye is said to be a light into one's body, so perhaps in this instance, if your eye is evil it reveals the darkness in your being, but if it is single, then it shows the light/goodness in your being. I understand that by saying that the eye is 'single" Jesus means without deceit, malice, or ill will towards one's neighbor or rebellion towards God. Truly, only believers in Christ can have a 'single' eye because non-believers are in darkness of sin and separated from the eternal light and life of God. But in Christ, we are in the light as He is in the light and have our consciouses cleansed by the removal of our sin by Christ's sacrifice. Therefore, a believers has the light of Christ in our beings and His eye was truly "single", without any semblance of actual sin in Himself. He was truly the light of the world and when we are in Him, we too have that eternal light of life in us, too. We, too, can love God and our neighbor as Jesus is explaining in this Sermon on the Mount.
.
Matthew 6 is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus expounded on the Law of Moses, bringing out nuances and deeper meaning and therefore both external and internal responsibilities to obedience.
In verses 22-23 Jesus is speaking of contentions between siblings or fellow believers (brother). He is saying that we are to settle disagreements and offenses with each other right away with sincerity and love. We are not to hold grudges or continue to "grind" about an offense, nor are we to resort to name-calling (fool) as this is not loving your neighbor as oneself.
He is also telling us that we are to restore this relationship before bringing and offering before and unto God, speaking of the OT offerings of fellowship and/or sin.
So, we cannot expect to have right fellowship with God if our fellowship with a brother in Christ is broken. This does not mean we have to have restored fellowship with those who live wickedly or who refuse right fellowship in Christ. But it does mean that we are to work at keeping our Christian relationships clean of offenses and grudges, bickering, gossiping, etc.
This is very difficult to do, so, like the other admonitions Jesus gave in this Sermon, He explained how one is to keep a law from the heart, which only He could truly do. His emphasis was that when we examine our lives and hold them up to the standards He laid out in this Sermon, we see our utter hopelessness in being perfectly aligned with the demands of the law. Therefore, we see our need for a Savior, as we realize that our heart is still sinful even if we keep the law outwardly. We deserve to not enter the kingdom of God on our own merits. But, in Jesus, we have the forgiveness of sins and the power of the Holy Spirit to become more and more like Jesus..
I think that these verses remind me that we can always improve on how we treat others, either in privated or publically, in what we do or say, and in what we think or desire in our hearts.
In Matthew Chapter 6 Verses 22 and 23, Jesus talks about the eye.
He said the light of the body is the eye: and therefore if your eye is single, the whole body is full of light. But if the eye is evil, the whole body shall be full of darkness. Therefore if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Here's what that means from a Hebrew standpoint:
First of all the word "single" has to do with focus, for the good eye is a generous person. The bad eye is a stingy person in the eyes of the Jews.
So if you have a good eye, and you are generous, then your focus is right. If you have a bad or corrupt eye, you are stingy and your focus is in the wrong place.
In other words, when it is focused on the single object of the light, then your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
That is a Hebraism by the way. The Jews used to say that a person who had a single eye, a good eye, is a generous person. They are focused on one thing and that's the need of other people. But a person who has an evil eye is a selfish person and is only looking to get for themselves.
Jesus is using this concept again for the body. Your mind, your intake that ministers to your mind and feeds information to your mind, is the eye. If your body is full of light, if it is light then your whole body is full of light. And when it is evil your body is dark.
Always enjoy your input, and glad to hear that you are on board with loving Jesus and not the world.I think today Christians (including me) have major difficulty divorcing ourselves from all of the fleshy worldly things. I believe this is a major roadblock that we place in front of true and real relationship with God.
Jesus tells us Matthew 6:25-34 If we are preoccupied with providing for ourselves, including and specifically more than we need, are we depending on ourselves more than we are on Him?
Wanting newer bigger homes, and more luxury, cars, clothes, jewelry, vacations, fancy meals/restaurants, opera, hollywood entertainment, sports, I could go on..All of the time spent pursuing these things take away from the time we can be spending with God..
I don't believe Gods Holy Spirit guides us, or approves us, to be pursuing all of the fleshy worldly things.serious problem here.who is keeping us involved with this world?
I really am starting to see the validity of this verse. Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
I don't think we as Christians really take this verse to heart! If we think we can continue to live worldly lives and make it to heaven.I think we are fooling ourselves, and it's not just us fooling ourselves, it is the devil, and Matthew 7:15
God Bless
Hello everyone, Had an interesting question asked at our men's Bible group. " Our we sinners because we sin, or do we sin because where're sinners". Would like to hear your comments based from the Bible . Thank you
MountHoreb Response to Leoj:
When reading the bible, A Sinner is someone who has a leaning or urge to go against the will of Jehovah God ( Psalm 83:18)
God Saids one thing; a Sinner is inclined to go the other way. we have an example at Genesis 3
Point: Romans 5:12-15
There is Hope: John 3:16,17; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; John 17:3
Jehovah ( psalm 83:18) is not looking for perfection. he is like a father and we are like his Children prone to mistakes.
our father is looking for us to tell him the truth, to be humble, to cry to him and repent especially if it's something that
is to difficult to handle on our own. as sinners we need the spirit of God in order to have self-control in all things. This is why Jesus said what he said at Matthew 6:9-12; 1 Peter 5:6-11
Point: Luke 24:45-48; Romans 7:7-25
Hope these scriptures help. Thanks
I would like to say that I don't do any grumbling or complaining; but alas then I would be lying. Thankfully anything but blasphemy against the Spirit can be forgiven. As Jesus pointed out to the self-righteous Pharisees; these bad fruits come from within. And 2 Peter 2:21 makes it clear that it is better not to have known the truth than to become reprobate. The blood of Christ is our only hope as Jeremiah 17:9 shows how sick the heart is.
There are Post Millennialists who dispute this; but I don't believe anyone from the church age who is a believer will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. I DO have the opinion that since the verse indicates that those who aren't in the Book of Life are going to the lake of fire; there is room for those who physically survive the Millennial period to go through that as saved people and hence be translated into heaven without dying.
In any event; 1 Corinthians 3:15 indicates that one can make it into heaven and suffer loss. That would be analogous to losing rewards as Revelation 3:11 warns. Paul indicates how we run for the prize. Only a few gain great rewards; as would be indicated by those making 100 fold as opposed to 30 fold returns or others ( Mark 4:20). We should not be confined to just the saved and lost divisions when scripture gives us admonitions for certain crowns that those who persevere; are martyred or are pastors as well as other situations are given for faithfulness.
Matthew 6:19-21 shows us that our treasure is to be in heaven. And that means that He must trust us with earthly riches as well ( Luke 16:10-12) as a test; a prerequisite for heavenly riches. Our brothers in Christ that we support in the ministry will be able to enjoy the harvest with us (see John 4:37). That and personal witnessing are components of fulfilling the Great Commission to finish well.
But I noticed something when I read the verse in Matthew 6:33 that you mentioned in your post.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
What does the scripture mean be saying to "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness"; and all these things (OUR NEEDS IN LIFE) shall be added unto us"?
How does one seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?
To give you a hint about how I thought about it, 1. Jesus talks to his disciples, believers already, 2. He saId that after He had given commandments to them. 3. He also asked them not to be embarrassed about the needs in their lives. 3. God will provide for them if they ...?
So what do you think?
GBU
- So here Satan Knew very well what He was doing and one fact that you Mention in your post is that peter was a friend of The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God and Satan attempted to use this friendship and this moment to tempt The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God Also Satan knew very well what is written in Matthew 6:54 ,54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?.
- And to get a clear understanding of how Satan took over peter, remember the events of Judah when Satan entered him resulting to the betrayal of The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. it's written in Luke 23:3-4 , Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them.
hence you see here Satan was responsible for enticing both Judas and peter, Therefore Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God Rebuked peter by saying get behind me Satan. Jesus The Living God never said this word because he was in a cranky mood, but he rebuked Satan who was enticing peter to speak those words which he spoke to Jesus.
So, what lessons do we learn from this Events?
1. Always be on your Gurd as a Christian who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God, for our weapons is not carnal but might through God and we do not wrestle Flesh and blood but persons without bodies who are always looking for opportunity to entice us to Sin. so Put on the whole armor of God. its written in 2 Corinthians 10:3 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2. Satan will even attack someone close to you Just to get through to you and this is an example of his Attacks and it's important for every believer who believes the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God to Read your Bible To be given in Prayers and to fast before God and if anyone Lucks wisdom let him pray and ask the
Hi
-Please pray for understand for God will give him who ask freely.
It's written in John 10:35 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35, If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
meaning the bible cannot contradict itself. infact Jesus Has Said this in Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing froward or perverse in them.
So, my advice to you is to Kneel down and repent of your unbelief and ask The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God to Help you understand His words The sharp two- Eged sword.
In Matthew 6:22 -23. 22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
-What we fail to see here is this, Satan entered unto peter and he is using peter to try and deceive Jesus Christ not to Go to the Cross and if The Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God would have not gone to the cross then the whole bible would be compromised, and every word of prophecy would collapse just by that one action. remember Just before Jesus was arrested by the temple Gurds/solders What He said unto them. in Matthew 27:53-54
53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
the bible said he was a righteous man and fearing GOD.
Jehovah ( psalm 83:18) himself called job righteous.
It was Satan doubting Job as a righteous man Job 1:6-11.
Satan planted seeds of Doubt by raising up 3 friends of Job
who spoke without really understanding Job 2:11. Their false
assumptions cause job many pains.
Jesus is aware of the traps of Satan and how he uses deception and lies.
Luke 4 and Matthew 4.
Speaking about things we don't understand in a since can be
like the ways of Satan John 8:44. false accusations and hinderance to do what is
right or what God wants us to do is from Satan- Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:1-5
Jesus wasn't saying Peter was Satan. but he was being a hinderance to
his obedience to Jehovah God. John 3:16,17; Isaiah 12:2
Jesus after his impalement, Jesus came to Peter again. John 21:15-17
We can avoid hindering others by praying.. Matthew 6:9,10,13
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ( Matthew 6:9-13)
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In both Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke Chapter 12, Jesus says "Take no thought for your life." This comes from the Greek word MERIMNA and it means to occupy the attention of the mind. Jesus said that we only have the capacity to serve one thing. So if my mind is occupied with other things, and I am only supposed to be serving the one person (Christ), I've got a problem!
In Matthew 6:25-30, Jesus went on to say, and He mentions three necessities: He says why are you anxious (MERIMNA) about what you eat, or what you drink, or about your clothing? He says that even if we don't have clothes or food or drink, that we are not to be occupied with it.
Jesus gives us two reasons for this when we get to Matthew 6:32. It says "for all these things the Gentiles seek. This would be non-believers. Second reason: It says, "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." God already knows, so we are not to have our minds occupied with the things God already knows we need.
Jesus then gives instruction in Matthew 6:33. He says "But you seek the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added." Now the reason they will be added is because we can't seek God and seek those things that occupy the attention of our mind (MERIMNA) at the same time. God says you seek me. You seek me and I will take care of everything else. I will supply your needs!
The conclusion is given to us in Matthew 6:34. Jesus says take no thought about tomorrow. Again, take no thought comes from the word MERIMNA (the occupation of the attention of our minds). Jesus says don't even worry about it. Don't worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Where is our focus right now? Is our focus on Christ who knows what we need (the necessities of life)? Or, is our mind occupied by worrying about other things, the things God tells us to take no thought of?
In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus talks about the eye. He said the light of the body is the eye: and therefore, if your eye is single, the whole body is full of light. But if the eye is evil, the whole body shall be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Here's what that means from a Hebrew standpoint:
First of all, the word "single" has to do with focus, for the good eye is a generous person. The bad eye is a stingy person in the eyes of the Jews. So, if you have a good eye, and you are generous, then your focus is right. If you have a bad or corrupt eye, you are stingy, and your focus is in the wrong place.
Hope this helps!
Please consider reflecting on Psalm 91, Psalm 121, Matthew 6:33-34, 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 15:5-6.
Read Ephesians 4:32. When we truly are saved, we become a new creation in Christ. The old is passed away. We are forgiven. As Christians we are to be doers of the word. Jesus said in John 14:15, if you love me, keep my commandments.
1John 2:4
1John 4:20-21
The Lord is my Shepherd.
I am lifting you all up in prayer today. Jesus Christ is coming soon. We are living in the last of the last days, and hell is a real place of torment. Eternal. I don't want to go there and I don't want you to go there.
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:50
2Thessalonians 1:9
Psalms 145:20
Hebrews 10:26-31
So let Jesus work in your heart and life. No one can put Him there. You must see your need for Him and repent (stop sinning,stop hating,forgive,stop rejecting Christ) REPENT of YOUR own evil deeds, ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14-15
He paid for our sin with His life's blood when He was crucified on the cross.His gift of forgiveness is free. Please accept it. Repent and be baptized in water and the Holy Spirit.
HE IS COMING BACK SOON. If YOU are not ready, the Bible says you will be eternally lost. I would not wish Hell on my worst enemy. No, on the contrary. I want to spend eternity loving and worshiping Jesus Christ together with them.
( Matthew 5:44)
May the Lord richly bless you today in Christ Jesus!
Helpful tip; touch the verse addresses in red and they will open up. You won't have to look them up separately.
For the believer, Jesus is our hope ( 1 Timothy 1:1), He is our peace ( Ephesians 2:14), He is the light of the world ( John 8:12), He is the good shepherd who gave His life for His sheep (All those who have surrendered their life to Him ( John 10:11), He is the head of the church ( Ephesians 1:22), He is the only one who sets us free from our sin ( John 8:36), He is our redeemer ( Job 19:25), He is the only atoning sacrifice for our sin ( 1 John 4:10), He is the Savior of those who receive Him ( Luke 2:11, John 1:12), He is the creator of all things ( Colossians 1:16-17, John 1:1-3), He is the word of God, and He is God ( John 1:1, Isaiah 9:6), He is our only way to salvation ( John 10:9, John 14:6).
There are many, many more descriptors in the Bible that tell us who Jesus is, but it would take many more posts to list them all.
There is a difference between the Kingdom of God (Christ inside you) and the Kingdom of Heaven (a place to come on earth). Please view Robert Breaker video on you tube labeled The Kingdom of God vs The Kingdom of Heaven for in depth Bible scripture.
Matthew 6:33 (keyword is FIRST... implying there is something to follow - second)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
You can not "see" or "observe" the Kingdom of God.
Luke 17:20
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Matthew 3:2 "And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 7:21 (Heaven is a place)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Hopefully these are helpful too as we pray.
Pray for their salvation. And forgiveness, that God would take their hate for us and soften it, leaving love in its place.
That God would give us an opportunity to show kindness to them in the physical and/or spiritual realm.
I'd like to ask that we all forgive someone today. The one who has hurt us the very most. Even if they have never asked for forgiveness.
In Jesus name
Matthew 6:14-15
Luke 6:27-36
Matthew 5:43-44