40. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - How to Forgive

You have heard that it was said, ”Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:38-41)

The above passage can be summarized in one word: forgiveness. But what is forgiveness? We hear “forgive and forget,” all the time. Also, “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins,” (Matthew 6:15).

When I was a young pharmacist, my friend John, a Christian man, gave me a position managing his pharmacy. Being inexperienced, I acted very ethically, which is not always good for business. The customers complained to John, and he, being a nervous, impulsive man, said that we need to either cancel the contract, or I would spend the rest of the contract time sitting in the back of the pharmacy while he managed it.

I agreed to cancel but was bitter. In the weeks following, it so happened that I had to walk past the pharmacy to the post office every day to get my mail. I grumbled at him every time I passed the shop, but he didn’t know. Then late one evening, after the shop was closed, the Lord told me to stop. He then told me to forgive John.

“I forgive him,” I said willingly, for I loved to obey the Lord, and started to walk on.           

“Wait,” the Lord whispered, “now you must bless him.” 

“Bless him?” I said. “If he prospers, it will prove to him that I’ve made a mess. No, I can’t bless him, but I’ve forgiven him.”

The Lord just gave me that all-knowing frown of His. I quickly blessed my brother’s business.

A few days later, I remembered that John had promised me a percentage of the profit as an annual bonus, so I went to claim it.

“You ruined my profit,” John said. “You don’t deserve a bonus.”

Since it was not true, my anger rose, and I started to storm out of the shop.

“Tell him he doesn’t have to pay you the bonus,” God spoke to my heart.

I have learned that when the Lord speaks, you do what He says. So I told John, trying not to sound like “you can stick your bonus up your you-know-what.”

“You don’t need to pay my bonus, because I’ve forgiven you.”

But the Lord was in control. Not long after that, my bonus cheque came in the mail. To this day, John and I are good friends.

Since then, I can’t hold anything against anybody. I can’t sue or force money from anybody. I can’t stay angry for longer than a few moments, and I do have quite a temper. I have lost a lot of money, but because God is true to His Word, I have been forgiven a lot as well. I also maintain the principle that when someone overcharges me or doesn't pay me back or stole from me, I bless them with the money. That way I receive my blessing since I haven't lost something to someone, but has given it away. This attitude sets one free.

If you read our passage once again, you’ll see that this testimony is a practical example of what Jesus tries to say. Forgiveness is more than words or thoughts. It is a lifestyle of giving and blessing for the sake of peace and a good testimony. If our focus is on the Lord and His plan and desires for us, we won’t even notice other people’s wrongs toward us. What God thinks of us is what will be important.

“Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but with blessing,” (1 Peter 3:9a). “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 the sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked,” (Luke 6:35). See also Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27.

True love is an action and not a feeling. Do you think that anybody ever feels like doing good to their enemies? There is a reason why he is your enemy. You don’t like one another, and you don’t feel like helping him or caring for him. If love was a feeling, how could one possibly love his enemies? However, since love is not a feeling, how do we love our enemies? Isn’t it by doing love, even if you don’t feel like it? You don’t have to like him to love him. This is what this passage is all about—doing things that will astonish a world of people accustomed only to giving and being polite as long as it does not affect their personal comfort.

The Lord expects us to love one another as well as our enemies. Then His name will be glorified, and His Kingdom will grow. Our pride causes us to retaliate and harbour bitterness. God is the one who will sort out our enemies. The Lord said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Apart from forgiveness, our verse also highlights an attitude of humility and trust. The carnal nature and pride demand that we look after ourselves, that we fight for what is rightfully ours; in short, that we stand on our rights. If someone demands that I walk a mile with him, I’ll dig up some money for bus fare instead. If someone takes my tunic, I’ll slap him, shoot him, or take him to court, not to mention what I’ll do if he hits me. This is often how we feel, isn’t it? Human nature and pride want to retaliate, cover, and protect our own interests, but the Lord wants us to expose ourselves, make ourselves vulnerable so that we can learn to rely on Him and trust Him. He wants us to be the least because the world expects retaliation. If they see humility and love, it makes them wonder about the God of these Christians and thus brings Him glory. It also opens the opportunity for us to testify about the Lord’s goodness.

The closer we live to the Lord, tapping from the sap of the Vine, the more we will learn to love and trust our Advocate to sort out our enemies.

A Must-read Golden Nugget - The "Translation Disaster"

    

 For most of my life I’ve mainly read the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible because it reads so easily. I knew of the errors it has, but I reasoned that it’s okay for general reading. During the times of serious Bible study, though, I would compare different versions and would then identify the errors.

It seemed I was not the only one to use the New International Version as a base, for in one particular verse, which I’m going to discuss now, three little words were added and taught, which affected the faith of billions. What am I talking about?

     In Matthew17:14-29 we read of the healing of the demon-possessed boy and how the disciples asked Jesus why they could not drive the demons out. Jesus answered them in verse 20:

     He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

     Do you see the words “as small as”? Was it correctly translated like that?

     It is general knowledge that the King James Version is the most accurate translation of the Bible into English, as are the 1933 and 1953 translations into Afrikaans. Let’s look at this verse in the following translations.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Authorised King James Version AKJV))

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (New King James Version NKJV)

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (English Standard Version ESV)

     The paraphrases of the Bible I compared also refer to the size of the mustard seed. These are read widely because they are so easily understood and many sermons are preached from them.

     But it seems that an assumption was made that Jesus referred to the size of the mustard seed. I believe the Holy Spirit, however, showed me something entirely different about the meaning of these words of Jesus based on the correct translations, which will affect the lives of believers significantly.

Based on the NIV version of this verse, I have made the statement for years that most people don’t even have faith the size of a mustard seed, for how many believers see powerful things happen in their lives, such as healing, deliverance from demons, etc? Because of this passage believers also tend to put the focus on their faith with statements like:

“I did not have enough faith.”

“Her faith was not big enough.”

     Immediately the focus is turned from the great God we serve to the size of our faith. This causes us to either become boastful because of our great faith when God answers our prayer or feel timid and inferior when we feel our faith is small.

     But let’s look at faith from the perspective of the Bible versions that translate this passage as follows: If you have faith as (or like) a grain of mustard seed (KJV, NKJV, and ESV).

     A mustard seed is a very small seed, but it becomes a very large tree. I’ve seen a picture of such a tree – it’s extraordinarily large. The tiny mustard seed has a great expectation of becoming this big tree, and it actually does. If seeds could talk and the mustard seed had to tell the acorn what the size of his expectation is, the acorn, looking at this tiny seed compared to itself, would probably have a good laugh. ‘How could it be possible,’ it might have thought.

     Therefore, if we look at the meaning of Jesus’ comparison of faith to mustard seed from the perspective of these translations, we see it’s not the size of our faith that counts, but our expectation. He compared our expectation in faith to the expectation a mustard seed has of what it would become. Our faith does not have to be great, but we ought to expect great power and results from a great God. Just as the mustard seed, being so small, expects to become an extremely large tree, so we must expect powerful results, not from our great faith, but based on the Word of a great God.

     Verse one of the famous chapter on faith, Hebrews 11, reads: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV) The word hope does not have a negative meaning such as we often talk; “I hope things will change,” but I don’t really believe it would. No, the word hope in this context actually means “having a glad expectation”, and expectation of something great to happen!

What do we hope (have an expectation) for? Do we hope (have an expectation) that our faith would be big enough to convince the Lord to do something? Or do we hope (have an expectation) that the Almighty God we serve will actually keep the promise He gave us from His word and do what we ask for?

     The attitude we have in our hoping and in asking often also determines the result of our prayer. If we, for instance, pray for healing and silently hope to create a great impression with the onlookers, it’s very likely our prayer won’t be answered, for God is much more interested in our character than in our well-being. But if we pray with the hope, the expectation that God will be glorified and that the faith of the person being healed would be boosted, our prayer would likely be answered. For example, we ought to truly expect to see the healing taking place there and then.

We have been trained in praying for healing, and have learnt to expect healing to take place there and then. Now I usually see healing take place every time I pray for healing.

     I hope this will affect your perspective about faith like a mustard seed in our Almighty God and that when you pray, you will not rely on the size of your faith, but on the great power of God, expecting results.

39. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - Why was Jesus so adamant in Matthew 5:33-37?

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.” But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” ”No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37)

These words were motivated by the Lord’s love for His people. He knew the power of the tongue, of words. He knew that spiritual forces, good or bad, are activated by words. He knew the responsibility that one takes by calling the Holy God as a witness. He, therefore, knew the trouble his children could land themselves in by vowing and swearing.

We play with the evil forces in the sense that they will eagerly get involved in manipulating our lives according to our vows. We are in spiritual warfare. In an ordinary war, information or intelligence is of cardinal importance, because if you know what the enemy is up to, you are able to get ahead of him or manipulate his next move. Information gives us power to fight with.

In the same way, if we give the evil forces anything to fight with, they will use it against us to their advantage. If we make a vow and can’t keep it, or if we tell a small lie as part of a vow, the devil will be quick to tell you about it. “You filthy sinner, you call God as a witness to your lies. What kind of Christian are you?” Often he reveals it to an unbeliever, and it can become a stinking mess or at least leave you with guilt feelings. He will also accuse you before God, and then Jesus must cover for you once again. In a few translations of Ephesians 4:27 we read: “and give no opportunity to the devil,” (ESV), “Neither give place to the devil,” (MKJV), “And do not give the devil a foothold,” (NIV), “And don't give the devil a chance,” (CEV). Do not create a situation where the devil will have the right to attack or accuse you.  

So what must you do if people don’t want to believe you? It’s quite simple. Just live an honest life with the Lord as your Master and let your “yes” be “yes” and our “no,” “no.” Then God Himself will verify the truth of what we’re saying. This is what faith is all about. We don’t have to cover for God. He can look after Himself. I refuse to take an oath in any form. The police always have to change their documents if they take a statement from me because, based on this passage, I object to taking the prescribed oath. I then make only a solemn declaration, and nobody ever questions me, because my “yes” is “yes” and my “no,” “no,” and the Almighty verifies it.

If you have to swear, it creates the perception that something is wrong with your relationship with God, because you have to try to prove that you can be trusted. The real problem is that, instead of relying on faith in God to help you through an inner relationship rather than an outward vow, you try to do things in the flesh. It is important to experience God as an invisible, powerful friend who walks with you all the time and will assist you in whatever situation you find yourself.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

38. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - A Real-life Example of Consequences

In the previous post, we were discussing the consequences of disobedience to the Word of God relating to marriage and promised a real-life example. These are not real names.

Jenny was married to Jock. Neither was born again. Julia and I became friends with them before Jock left Jenny for another woman and Jenny filed for divorce. It was not a pretty divorce. We followed it closely because Jenny and Julia had built a strong friendship. The court stipulated that the children must remain with Jenny and may visit Jock at certain times. Yet every time the children came back from Jock’s house, they were confused because Jock and his new woman tried to lure the children away from Jenny.

Then Jenny met Mark. He had three children with his ex-wife, Theresa, and they were about the same ages as Jenny’s. Eventually, they decided to get married. Shortly after their marriage, Theresa, who loved her freedom and was not exactly maternal, realized that she could dump her children—usually unexpectedly—on Jenny. During these visits, Jenny realized how neglected the children were. In time, Theresa proved so bad a mother that Jenny and Mark agreed to look after the children permanently.

Unfortunately for Jenny, Mark’s children were troublemakers. Before long, Mark only punished her children and spoiled his. If this had been the only problem, it might have been tolerable, but Mark wasn’t as he appeared. All the signs were there that he did not love Jenny. He hardly ever took her side, covered for her, or protected her.

Then one day a hard blow hit Jenny. Jock had the children for the holidays, and when they returned, he suggested that they come and live with him. There they would each have their own room and attend an excellent school. After some research, Jenny discovered that he had spoiled them with gifts, attention, and their own rooms, while in her house they had to share rooms with troublesome step-siblings. The worst for Jenny was that Mark took Jock’s side because the burden of her children would then be off his shoulders. Jenny ended up raising another woman’s children while a stranger raised hers.

Did God intend for Jenny to have such a life? No. Did Jenny honour God by getting a divorce? No. Did she honour God by marrying again? No. Did God bring all these problems on her as punishment? No. Why then did it come upon her?

King David received forgiveness after he had realized what he had done when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, but he still had to bear the consequences of his deed. Achan repented when God demanded consecration, but he had to bear the consequences. If God had withdrawn the consequences, He would have declared Himself a liar, for he expressly warned them of the consequences of disobedience.                       

Jenny, through her disobedience, committed adultery with the evil forces, causing a separation between herself and God. The door then opened for the evil forces to do what they wished with her circumstances.

I assume that there are happy second marriages, but the previous partners cannot be wished away, and neither can the enemies of God. Even though things might appear happy on the surface, perfect happiness is often impossible because of external influence. The same applies to the influence of impure thoughts on a relationship due to pornography and previous sexual relationships.

I do know of Christians who assist divorced persons, through counseling, to make their second marriages more successful. However, this is how we should live: God said it, I do it, and that settles it. God chose one man for one woman, and He is more than able to make any marriage happy, providing the couple submits to His authority and everything is undertaken under His personal supervision. 

Having said all this, however, it is important to remember that in verse 32 of Matthew 5 Jesus made an exception by which divorce is acceptable, which is marital unfaithfulness. This includes marriage partners who refuse to keep their marital vows to love and to both physically and emotionally care for their spouse. A woman who divorced under this condition will therefore be exempt from the command concerning remarrying and is not considered an adulteress when she remarries.
I do realise that many Christians have been divorced and remarried, and I don't think it should be an issue for condemnation. All Christians have made mistakes that caused disobedience to God's Word. However, we should all strive to live as obedient as possible to all of God's commands as written in His Word. This way we will have more joy, power, victory, and revelation of who Jesus is (John 14:21, 23).

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

37. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - The Fruit of Disobedience

We are busy discussing God's perspective on adultery based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:31-32: It has been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Maybe you'd like to refresh the context in your mind by reading posts 35 and 36 again.

Jesus always meant what He said. It is we who do not always take Him seriously, but He is the one who will one day do the judging. In this section, we will focus on the disasters of marrying a divorced person.

God always has a reason for what He says. When Israel was about to destroy Jericho as recorded in Joshua 6:18, He said, “But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise, you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.” 

We then read that Achan had taken some of the goods that the Lord had forbidden. Next, we read that Israel had lost against the little city of Ai, and when Joshua sulked about it, the Lord told him to call on Israel to consecrate themselves. We then read in Joshua 7:15, “He who is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the Lord and has done a disgraceful thing in Israel!” Achan was discovered and he and his family destroyed.

Why did God forbid them to take of the devoted things, and why was His punishment so severe? (It was not only of Achan, but also of the whole of Israel through the withdrawal of His support during their battles.) The devoted things were given to other gods. The spirits of the other gods (effectively God’s enemy Satan) were attached to these things and would have claimed their worship in due time, which is why they should have been destroyed as per God’s command.

The same principle applied throughout the Old Testament in Israel’s relationship with ungodly nations. God’s basic command to His people was, “Stay away from the heathen nations, don’t mix with them, and when you go to war against them, destroy them completely.”

They did not destroy the people, as the Lord had commanded them, but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they became unclean by their acts and played the whore in their deeds (Psalm 106:34-39). The reason Israel had to destroy the heathens completely, which they didn’t do, was that failure to do so would cause them to be corrupted by the heathens, which often happened as we read above. When Israel was obedient to this command, it went well with them. When they committed adultery with the heathen, it went disastrous with them.

What does this principle have to do with our study? Jesus Christ (also the God of the Old Testament) is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The heathen nations of the Old Testament were a type of the evil forces of today, and Israel was a type of the church of today. Remember Nathan’s words to David in 2 Samuel 12:14: “Only, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme.” Every time Israel committed adultery with heathen nations, they caused these nations to laugh at God. Every time the church commits adultery with evil forces, she causes the evil forces to ridicule God.

The result is that God has to deal with the adulterer. How does He do that? He may withdraw his support and protection, causing us to experience the devil’s attacks directly (Isaiah 59:1,2). He also disciplines through circumstances (Hebrews 12:4-11).

How do we commit adultery with the evil forces? Having a relationship with God means that we trust His commands and judgment concerning our lives. If He decided that a certain person would be a suitable spouse, then we need to trust His judgment. If we then use our own judgment and ignore His commandment, we are saying to God that we don’t trust a relationship with Him. We’d rather trust him who suggested the “better” idea, in other words, the evil forces or our carnal nature. We then enter into a relationship with God’s enemies and commit adultery. This affects our love for God and violates the first Great Commandment to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.

God said that we are not to divorce our spouse because it causes the spouse to commit adultery. We are not to marry a divorced person because then we also commit adultery. As we know, both practices occur every day. We also know that the result is often gross unhappiness for all parties, children included. This affects our love for our neighbour, which violates the second greatest commandment. May this be because God withdrew His blessing due to disobedience and ridicule? Deception is very subtle and we often content with a second-grade life, having chosen to harbour disobedience, instead of enjoying the fulness Jesus promised in John 10:10 by living in complete obedience. To be continued with a real-life example.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

36. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - God's Power made Perfect in Weakness

We are busy discussing divorce in the light of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:31-32: It has been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Let’s talk a bit about the practicalities of divorce and marrying divorced people. Apart from Him being humiliated, God had another reason why He forbids adultery through divorce: He loves us and doesn’t want to see us hurt.

In Matthew 19:6, Jesus said that married people are no longer two, but one. In order to separate them, you have to tear them apart, causing terrible wounds. I want you to picture this spiritual process as if it were physical. Imagine you take Siamese twins and tear them apart. Can you picture the violence, the agony, and the cries? Divorce is not much different, except it is emotional instead of physical. The pain, however, is the same; the wounds are the same: large and agonizing.

But what if your spouse has been hurting you all your life? Jesus stated that divorce is not allowed “except for marital unfaithfulness.” If the spouse has been unfaithful, divorce usually is a release, but the hurt and effect on children and other family members will still be there. However, if it is a case of just having difficulty living together, misunderstandings, or weak communication, there is no reason to divorce. God can solve the problem. It will take time, effort, and assistance from able servants of God, but He will do it if we are willing and if we call on Him. To divorce and run from our problems says to God, “You are not able to help us make it work. We would rather make our own decision.” Jude 24: “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” The Lord can do anything if we trust Him, wait on Him, and rely on him.

A lady we know lived a godly life, but her husband did not care much for the Lord. She served and loved her husband until and even after he divorced her. Although he was unfaithful to her, she stayed faithful to him and to the Lord as an example of obedience to Jesus’ commands.

A couple I know, Mark and Cindy, had a difficult relationship. Even though they were very much alike in their interests, they always clashed. But they both loved the Lord and had decided long ago that divorce was not an option. Apparently, a lot of prayer and intense and open communication went into their marriage. During a time of weakness, Mark was even tempted to get involved with other women, an issue which the Lord dealt with, but Cindy was true to her commitment before the Lord and fought for her man. Mark repented and came clean before the Lord and Cindy.
They knew the Lord had put them together and had a purpose with them as a couple. Satan. however, wanted to destroy the power of their unity and worked on their weaknesses to urge them on to break their unity. But the power of the Lord was made perfect in their weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) and they came through as conquerors; still married after several years and as happy and fruitful as never before.
In a study like this, we don’t attempt writing a handbook on marriage, but rather just try to see things from God’s perspective. Next time I want to spend some time considering the consequences of divorce and marrying a divorced person.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

35. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - Have you Humiliated God?

It has been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31, 32) 

This is a challenging command. How could Jesus have been so radical? People do make mistakes in their choice of marriage partners, don't they? When you're young you do not always have wisdom in your choice of marriage partner, have you? 
I've been thinking and praying about Jesus'words "except for marital unfaithfulness" and will first give some of my impressions. We tend to see marital unfaithfulness as having an affair with a third party. However, an abusive partner or one neglecting you physically and emotionally and who refuses to change is also unfaithful to their marriage vows. Therefore, if after you've done everything in your power to make the marriage work and having prayed much for help, the partner continues to make life unbearable for you, I guess divorce can be seen an acceptable option in God's eyes based upon the passage above.
If, however, you want to opt out for selfish reasons, or are too unconcerned to work out solvable problems through communication and changing of yourselves with the help of God and other professionals, divorce is not an option and it is to you that Jesus is talking.

How does God regard divorce?

If anything is a serious issue to God, the devil makes serious effort to cause us to sin in that area. Have you ever wondered why divorce is so widespread?

            How could Jesus, in His infinite love, put two people who seemingly made a mistake in a position like that? Why call a divorced woman an adulteress? Shouldn’t such people be forgiven and allowed to remarry? Many Christians believe this is the human thing to do, even if it is directly against Jesus’ commands. 

We hear and read much about divorce. Many teachers talk about the feelings of the parties and practical aspects around them, about forgiveness and restoration after the divorce. Very few, however, seem to notice or consider important the second part of our passage, or maybe for the sake of convenience, they ignore it. “Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Based on this instruction of Jesus divorce should be discouraged. 
Why is marrying a divorced woman considered adultery? Jesus called such a woman an adulteress simply because sleeping with another man while her husband is alive is adultery in God's eyes. Anybody sleeping with another person outside of marriage is an adulterer/ess. She was chosen by God for another man. Why don’t people notice or obey it? Why do ministers marry divorced people left, right, and centre without blinking an eye?

It is because most Christians have a humanistic worldview. As long as it does not damage the human body or another’s rights, it is okay. 
However, the Great Commandment Jesus gave in Mark 12:30-31 has two legs on which it stands: (1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,’” and (2) “and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”

Too few Christians are God-minded (considering His rights so to speak), loving the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength and with all their mind. Nathan challenged King David with an eye-opening statement. He confronted David concerning his adultery with Bathsheba and said the following in 2 Samuel 12:14: “But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”

God forgave David and even blessed him. We know this because the heir to the throne was born from Bathsheba, an expression of God’s amazing love. But God got humiliated through his behaviour. Both God's human enemies and the evil spirits in the heavenly realms mocked God because of the behaviour of "the man after God's own heart".  In Mark 12:30-31, much more emphasis is placed upon love for God than upon love for neighbours, like the song says: “It’s all about Jesus.”

Many Christians are too man-oriented and too little God-minded, doing what is acceptable to people rather than fearing God and obeying His commands. We tend to see things from a physical or carnal perspective instead of a spiritual perspective. When we disobey God’s commands, even though nobody sees us, there are still beings that see us: the evil spirits. We give them great occasion to blaspheme God, to laugh at Him. We cause God to be humiliated in the eyes of His enemies.

         Whenever Jesus gave a command, He kept both God and man in mind, but especially the honour and glory of God. He is gracious and loving, but in order for us to live a life of blessing, it is better to obey (1 Samuel 15:22) and to believe and trust (Hebrews 11:6), because that pleases God. He is more than able to save a marriage if we trust Him. If a couple, therefore, divorces, the woman becomes an adulteress and if a man marries a divorced woman, he commits adultery according to Scripture. Disobeying this New Testament command brings dishonour to God before his enemies, even though it is acceptable to man, just like with any other act of disobedience. So what are we to do? To be continued.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

34. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - Why did Jesus only Mention the Right Eye and Hand?

If your right eye causes you to sin, 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. And if your right hand causes you to sin, 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. (Matthew 5:29, 30)

Jesus did not preach mutilation of one’s body but wanted to stress the seriousness with which we need to deal with sin. One need not literally remove his eye if it causes him to stumble, because a blind man can also lust after a woman. Jesus tried to impress on the reader’s heart that the eternal health of the soul is much more valuable than the temporary health of the body. He wanted us to realize the serious consequences of sin.

If we look carefully at this passage though, we see that there is more to it than meets the eye. It intrigues me that Jesus mentioned both the right eye and the right hand. He literally referred to the right side of the body. Metaphorically, that is a place of honour or authority. The eye is often a metaphor for the mind, and the hand can be a symbol of help, as in a helping hand.

Since the body can also denote a number of people closely united or a family, we can conclude that this passage can refer not only to an individual stumbling because of sin, but also to the body of Christ. Jesus seems to say that if a person teaches or helps from a position of authority and causes the body of believers to stumble, he should be cut off from the body and cast away before he causes them to lose direction and end up in hell. The Lord specifically mentioned the right eye and hand because people will listen to and believe only those who speak with authority.

Without unity, an organization, whether secular of Christian, is weak. We see it many times in politics. If a group of people manages to work together, they have a strong system. It does not matter whether the system is effective or not, they will stay in power as long as they work together. Therefore Jesus and the Epistles stress at several occasions the importance of working together.

However, people, in our selfish nature, have often partnered with the enemy in his strategy to divide the Church. For example, the Bible is interpreted in many different ways concerning such issues as baptism, pre-destination and the working of the Holy Spirit. Often, different churches spend too much time protecting their precious viewpoints, being too proud to compromise on their differences, instead of working together to accomplish the Great Commission. Selfish ambition, pride, and love of money and power often cause people to follow their own agenda rather than God’s. As a result, the Body of Christ consists of hundreds of small bodies, each with its own head.

Jesus spoke to the apostles in this passage. He gave them part of the blueprint of a perfect church. Had they and their disciples stayed with the blueprint, the Body would have remained in unity and would have been a power to be reckoned with. But the strength of carnal desires combined with the enemy’s energetic temptations caused the church to divide. The enemy used our selfishness to create doctrines and powers that divided the church. Roman Catholicism, for example, had been used to pollute the pure gospel that was preached and practiced up to that point. Even after the Reformation, parts of the church have not returned to that same purity, maintaining some of the doctrines introduced by Roman Catholicism. 

Apart from this, there have always been and will always be agents planted in the church who will cause the church to stumble and divide. These men and women influence fellow church members to believe false doctrines and often tear away part of the church to follow them. These agents don’t always realize that they are playing into the enemy’s hands. They think they are right and even that they are doing well. They are properly deceived.

It is the church’s responsibility to discern the deception and handle it according to Matthew 18:15-17: “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two brothers along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

These are the ”eyes” and “hands” that need to be gouged out and cut off in order to protect the body of Christ from decay. It is important that the discerners of these actions have the courage to alert the leadership in order to have the person dealt with.

We are not talking only about wrong doctrines, but also the causing of the members to be passive, introspective, or lukewarm. These are often greater dangers. If the church doctrine causes its members to be content with their spiritual condition (in other words a belief that everybody who is ”good” is okay and will go to heaven) people are deceived and are often on their way to hell without knowing it. Such people become introspective, looking after only one another, not concerned about a lost world. They believe that as long as we adopt the church’s doctrines, we are okay, and it doesn’t matter whether you know Jesus or not. Such deception usually does not preach salvation and the need to make a decision to follow Jesus, to be born again. In such a case, we find that the deception is vast and is not caused by an individual in the local church anymore. This is a purposeful satanic attempt to blind people and church organizations to God’s only plan of salvation: to become a new creation in Christ Jesus through rebirth.

Some of these “eyes” and “hands” within the international church are so vast, with whole church organizations taking people to hell, that it would be impossible to gouge them out of the body. In such cases, it would be better to “gouge” lost souls from them. Intensive prayer for those church leaders to change and for the souls in the church to find salvation would make a difference. The Holy Spirit wants the church always to be alive and progressive and will always alert somebody to do something about dangers in the church.

Just as we, who obey Jesus, should be the salt that deals with the degradation of this earth, so we need to deal with deception within the church. Many innocent people are being misdirected and miss the fullness they could have in Jesus. Some even miss out on salvation. These are our responsibility.

            Jesus wants each of us to consider His Kingdom as important and to be more involved in taking care of it. Ex Unitate Vires – Unity brings Might.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

33. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - What is the issue about Pornography?

You have heard that it was said, Do shall not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27, 28)

Why has pornography become such an issue? Not only do sales soar, but the offer of free pornography on the Internet is vast as well. Since the world’s main motivation is money, why do so many people give away as much pornography as possible?

Why are a few pornographic pictures such an issue? Why does pornography enslave men as drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes do? Men who are enslaved by it can’t live without it. They have to see more and more, worse and worse and more perverse. The temptation can be continual, especially for Christian men who had been enslaved before they were saved. A married man may experience more excitement and stimulation from it than when he looks at his wife. Why would this be?

The devil always entices people to sin in areas that are serious to God, because God hates sin. The most severe issues of sin and crime in this world are direct disobedience to the Ten Commandments: murder, theft, adultery, using God’s name in vain, and so on. Not all of them are classified as crime, but society considers all as sin or moral crime. Every rule God gave us is for our benefit. Satan opposes God by enticing us to sin in order to displease his enemy, God. Therefore, evil forces work hard to enslave men in pornography because Jesus has uttered the words in the passage under discussion, which is a serious issue to God.

Some of the Old Testament commandments were made even stricter by Jesus’ teachings and commands. Up to the moment of the Sermon on the Mount, adultery occurred only if a man slept with a woman other than his wife or a woman slept with a man other than her husband. With Jesus’ new law, looking lustfully at another also became adultery, a rule for Satan to break.

What is lusting after a woman? When does looking at a woman become adultery? Are we as Christian men not allowed to have some joy from the beauty of life? The Afrikaans translation says that if you look at a woman and desire her, you commit adultery. Yes, a man can look at a beautiful woman and appreciate her, but the danger lies in the thought life and the way we look at her. Naturally, it is impossible to look at a naked woman and not have a desire after her physically, but looking at beautiful, clothed women also holds its dangers.

What does one think when one looks at a woman lustfully? In the case of an unmarried man, he wonders what it would be like to sleep with her. In the Lord’s mind, this man has already slept with her. A married man might compare the woman with his wife and desires certain aspects of the other woman’s beauty which he doesn’t find in his wife. Pornography controls a man’s mind.

God made His laws and rules not to control or manipulate people, but to protect them. The health laws in the Old Testament, such as not eating pork, were made to protect people against illness.

Adultery pollutes the relationship between spouses and future spouses, because a man does not forget what he saw and experienced. What would a woman do if she found out her husband slept with another woman? How would she feel? How would a woman feel if she knew her husband constantly thinks of other women while with her?

Adultery is sin and brings division between people and God. If we are separated from God, Satan has an open door to influence our relationships and emotions, and unhappiness is the result. Torturous guilt feelings and controlling temptations make that man’s life unbearable. To relieve this pressure, that man often yields to temptation, and in the end, this sin becomes an idol controlling his life.

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. (John 14:23,24a)

Therefore, my dear brothers, let’s consider our wives if we are tempted to desire other women. And sisters in Christ, please consider your brothers when you (and your daughters) dress for church activities and wherever you go. Not all Christian men are tempted equally with adultery of the thoughts, but those who have the problem have enough suffering resisting this sin in the world, let alone having it in church. Please pray for our brothers in this suffering. Pray that He will not let them be tempted beyond their ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that they may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Pray that the Lord's power will be made perfect in their weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). And be careful to judge them, lest you yourself may be judged (Matthew 7:1-2) for all of us have some sort of plank in our own eyes (Matthew 7:3-5).

This weakness is not easy to admit for fear of judgment and rejection, therefore the other servants should have open hearts, allowing such brothers to receive help and healing. Their burden is none different than that of a drug addict; it’s just less visible.  

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.

32. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - Should I Prosecute?

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:25, 26) 
Jesus used the scenario of going to court here, but the principle applies to any disputes you may have with people.

God’s Kingdom functions on a completely different system than that of the world. The world believes in the survival of the strongest and that the greater you become, the more acceptable you are. It believes that the richer you are, the more popular and influential you are, and that you will be remembered according to the amount of power you have.

God’s Kingdom says that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12). If your enemy takes you to court, you have two options: act according to the world’s principles or God’s principles. You either play tough and proud, exalting yourself, or you humble yourself. If you choose the world’s principles, you submit yourself to the world’s judgment and ruthlessness. If you choose to live by the Spirit, by God’s principles, He will overrule the world on your behalf. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In other words, there is nothing in this world that Jesus can’t handle; therefore, if you rely on Him to deal with the trouble the world gives you, you will have peace.

I have had occasions in which I stood before the choice: should I prosecute or should I forgive? I chose to forgive. A number of times it involved a lot of money, which I lost. On the other hand, I have had occasions where I have wronged people, but then I called on the Lord, praying this word He gave me: “Because I love you, You said, Lord, that You will rescue me. You will protect me, for I acknowledge Your name. I call upon You, and You will answer me; You will be with me in trouble; You will deliver me and honour me. With long life will You satisfy me and show me Your salvation. Please rescue and protect me Lord, (Psalm 91:14-16).

 Every time, the Lord came through for me, rescuing me from the unthinkable. I have sown humility and forgiveness. Because it pleased the Lord, and since it is according to His Word and will, I have reaped forgiveness. This has given me some stunning testimonies.

          That is why Jesus said to come to terms quickly with your accuser. In other words, you must be the least. Humble yourself and adopt a give-and-take attitude. Pride often causes stubbornness. Then our decisions are dictated by our pride. These decisions are usually unwise and lead to mistakes. Humility, on the other hand, pleases the Lord and prompts Him to exalt you and judge in your favour. If we act in pride and arrogance, the Lord steps out of the way. Then our adversary may hand us over to the judgement of the worldly system.

Christians are pilgrims in a foreign world, sent from a different Kingdom. As with any tourist or immigrant, we have to interact with the locals. In this case, however, the Christian acts according to the behaviour principles of his King and not that of the foreign world, because the King supports His principles.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.