KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:20 KJV” For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

We continue with our walk with Jesus through the gospels. The Lord continuous with His teaching on the mount. This time His focus was on the fact that those who would be children of God would have to exhibit a higher righteousness than that of the scribes and the Pharisees. What kind of righteousness did the Pharisees and the scribes manifest? The Pharisees were strict observers of the law. They were self righteous individuals. (Luke 18:11-12) The Pharisees also acted in such a way to attract public attention Mark 12:40.

Now what type of righteousness should the Christian manifest?

The Christian must manifest supernatural righteousness. This is a righteousness by faith. These people have a religious righteousness without knowing the God they were serving. We must serve God knowing the God we are serving.

These Pharisees served God without loving this God. We are to serve with love for Him. The Christian manifests a righteousness that proceeds from the God kind of righteousness which we have by faith in Jesus. Philippians 3:9 KJV” And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

The Lord in His teaching explained the higher righteousness as the righteousness from the heart. He said if a man looks on a woman to lust in his heart, then he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. This is the righteousness that demands that you do not smile facially with an individual whiles you hate him at heart. It is a relationship with all persons based on sincerity. The Lord made statements like, if one slaps you on one cheek, give the other to him to slap as well. This statement was not to be treated as literal, that is to literally give the other cheek when slapped, but the idea was not to be offensive at all, but rather to be a person of peace. This is a higher righteousness and since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are able to demonstrate a higher righteousness than that of the Pharisees.

CONFESSION

I am born of God. I manifest a higher righteousness than that of the Pharisees. I have a sincere heart towards God and always keep my heart pure from every impure thought. Thank you, Lord. for the Holy Spirit who enables me to live according to your word.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 5:28 KJV” But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”.

Matthew 5:22 KJV” But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:18 KJV” For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

After our Lord Jesus talked about fulfilling the law in His life, He added that every part of the law, in this context every word of God stated in the law will be fulfilled. He said, till we come to the end of the age everything written in the law will be fulfilled.

The Lord Jesus remarked in John 10:35 as follows “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;” The fulfilling of the law of God is in two ways:

1.If one does what the law or word of God says, whatever promise attached to it would be fulfilled in that individual’s life, and on the contrary those who fail to honour the word will experience the repercussions of disobedience. Secondly it also means every prophetic word written, would be fulfilled.

The Lord’s statement about the word of God shows the authority the word of God holds. Creation is held in place by the word of God.  Hebrews 1:3 KJV Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; God’s word is forever settled in heaven. The word expresses His action towards all persons. Everyman will be very wise to just submit to what the word says. In the Lord’s statement, He said, not a jot or tittle shall pass away. A jot and a tittle are the smallest part of the Hebrew alphabets. As small as these words are, they would not fail, but come to pass.  Every scripture is absolutely reliable.

Dear child of God, all that our discussion has tried to establish is that God does not lightly treat or attend to any word. If he said it, He would follow through with it. Secondly it also means every written word is inspired by Him. When apostle Paul talked about the inspiration of all scripture he was literally talking about the words of the old covenant or old testament. 2Timothy 3:16 KJV “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”: This word simply means God’s breath or Spirit is in every word. Believe it, talk about it, act on whatever the word says. It may sound unreasonable., yet so long as God said it, you can depend on it.

CONFESSION

All scripture is given by the inspiration of God. I believe the words of scripture. They make me wise unto salvation. They lead me in the paths of life and my life is preserved. Thank you, Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 119:45 KJV And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

Psalms 119:89 KJV LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:17 KJV” Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

The Lord Jesus in our key scripture tells his audience not to think that he has come to abolish or destroy the law, but rather he came to fulfill it.

 What do we make of what the scriptures talk about grace and the law? These matters are very important to consider because there are some people who hold very strongly to the law as the real dispensation of the church.

 The Bible said the following concerning Jesus and the law. Galatians 4:4 KJV” But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” Since he was made under the law he had to live under the law and fulfill all the requirements of the law. He said, he had come to fulfill the law because, He was born under the law.

Please note that before He was crucified on the cross, He introduced a new covenant. The law is, the old covenant, which the Bible talks about its introduction in Exodus 24:7&8.  Exodus 24:8 KJV “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.” The old covenant was established by the sprinkling of blood.

The Lord Jesus, at the tale end of his ministry also introduced a new covenant. Mat 26:28 KJV” For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  The old covenant was promulgated by the sprinkling of Blood. The new covenant was also promulgated by the shedding of Jesus blood. The old covenant was the law given through Moses What was then the new covenant? The answer is as follows. John 1:17 KJV” For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”. The new covenant is the covenant of grace. The scriptures present this so beautifully this way, Gal 3:24 KJV “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith”. In Christ we are saved by grace through faith. (Eph 2:8&9) This is what it means to be justified through faith.

Now we live under the new covenant of the grace of God, in which the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us by the power of the Spirit through faith. (Rom 8:4)

CONFESSION

I have been saved by grace through faith. Now the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in me. It is now my nature to walk in the righteousness of the law by the power of the Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 8:3 KJV” For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”

Galatians 3:10 KJV “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:14 KJV” Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

The Lord Jesus in some of His teaching taught about things that His audience could not easily grasp, because he was referring to a kind of people who were not in that gathering as yet. I mean those who would be born again. He said the same thing in the gospel of John, this time he revealed how they could become light of the world. Joh 8:12 KJV “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” It is the light of life in us that also makes us light of the world. Dear reader of this article, you can’t become light of the world without the light of life. You need to accept Jesus as Lord of your life, before you can have this light of life, that also makes you the light of the world.

To be light has two main abilities or properties. As light you have absolute power over Satan who is darkness and functions with darkness. Joh 1:5 KJV “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”. The second ability is to give light to the world without hindrance.

Some Christians seem to be over powered by darkness. How could that be possible. This can only be possible when the child of God allows the devil to deceive or control him or her, so His light is deemed or may be put out. He becomes ineffective and can be messed up by the enemy.

The Christian as light should never be overpowered by the devil, so don’t allow him to deceive you (Ephesians 6:10-18). You are a city set on a hill, and so you must shine. Shinning means drive away darkness. The Lord Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. This must be your focus. Manifest love where hatred reigns. Encourage when everyone seems hopeless. Inspire faith when unbelief and fear seem to dominate. Act righteously when crookedness abounds. Stand for the truth when manipulations and lies seem to be the order of the day.

The Lord said, let your light so shine, that men may see your good works, and give glory to your father who is in heaven. This also means come against any work or operation of Satan. Heal those that Satan has bound with diseases. Know that as light you have authority and power over devils and so you would continually stop their works, whenever you encounter them.

CONFESSION

I am the Light of the world, and I have the Light of life. Darkness can never overpower me. I shine by manifesting righteousness, Preaching the goodness and revealing the glory of God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 6:11 KJV “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Matthew 5:16 KJV” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:13 KJV “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Salt has a multi purpose. It is used for flavourings and preserving food. It can also be used for tanning, dyeing, bleaching and in pottery, soap and chlorine production. It is used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce various medications. Salt is a very useful substance. The Lord says you are the salt of this world. You are a solution provider. Ephesians 2:10 says ” For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Our source of saltiness is our make up. We have been manufactured from our Lord Jesus Christ. As he is so are, we in this world. (1st John 4:17). We manifest our saltiness when we acknowledge who we are and act likewise (Philemon 1:6)

 Among the many benefits of salt, two uses stand out clearly. They are, being a preservative and a flavourings agent. As a preservative we are those who keep our world from decay. We do this by living the Christlike life. We are in the world, yet we are not of this world and so we bring the heavenly life of holiness to bear on our world.

 Our Lord Jesus greatly impacted our world with his life of love for all and His power to break the works of man’s ‘enemy, the devil. This is exactly what we are designed for. The life of Power of the church is mostly confined to the church walls. This is exactly what the Lord acted against. He went out and demonstrated this power to the world. Healing the sick and delivering the oppressed.

The Lord taught that we must not be conformed to this world. Beware of worldliness. Worldliness is not about dressing, but anything that makes your heart cold towards the Lord and his ways. Maintain your love for Jesus and keep doing what He tells you. This is the way to keep salty all the time.

HOW can salt lose its saltiness?

1.Sin is an evil power of corruption and decay. (Heb 3:13) Kill every sin from your life, if you must remain salty.

2. Lack of knowledge of who you are and the power of God available to you. (Isaiah 5:13)

3. Failure to acknowledge who you are. The Lord never ceased saying He is the answer to man’s crisis. He called them Gods to whom the word of God came to. (John 10:35) Acknowledge you are one or in the class of our master Jesus.

4. You would establish your saltiness, if you share the good news and heal the sick.

IF you fail to be salty, men would trample upon you. This should never be. Take your place and be the salt that you are.

CONFESSION

I am the salt of the world. I am filled with a divine life and power to be a solution to my world. I commit my life to the ways of my Master and I bring His life and power to bear on my world.

FURTHER STUDIES

 1 John 4:17 KJV” Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

Matthew 10:1 KJV” when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:10 KJV” Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Lord Jesus iterated in John 15:20 as follows,

” Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they have kept by my saying, they will keep yours also “This implies, as the Master was persecuted, so would we His followers be likewise persecuted. Persecution may come in varying degrees. It may be either a neglect, an insult, a beating or even an outright killing, all in the name of one’s service and love for the master. The world with their god hates that, we live in righteousness, and would do everything to deter men from living godly. 2Timothy 3:12 KJV” Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”. Persecution is Satan’s way of deterring men from living godly. Choosing to suffer for Christ is the happy way for all Children of God. You would be counted worthy for the kingdom of heaven.

A mind that is ready to suffer persecution is secured from being dominated by sin.

1Peter 4:1 KJV” Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin”. (Don’t suffer for doing the wrong things any way.) According to this scripture, although Satan seeks to use persecution to stop your service and love for the master, one is rather armed against sin when he or she has a ready mind to suffer for the cause of Christ. In the light of the above, serving Christ implies we also suffer for His name

Philippians 1:29 KJV “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”. This truth must be fully accepted by every child of God.

From the above discourse it is fully established through the teachings of our master Jesus that suffering for the sake of our Lord is part of our service unto him. Does conditions like sicknesses, demonic dominance part of the sufferings? Our Lord Jesus on the cross made an atonement or made a substitution for us, which we must no more bear. His atonement covers our sins, sicknesses and every demonic control (Isaiah 53:1-10). During the Lord’s walk on this earth, he demonstrated that man should be free of all sicknesses. (Acts 10:38, Luke 13:16,) Psa 103:3 KJV “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases”; Don’t accept sicknesses as part of the persecutions of Christians. Persecutions are Satan’s means of using men to resist the children of God from serving their master in various capacities. When you stand for God, it is a testimony to those men of your love for Jesus and a witness to them to believe in Jesus. Welcome such persecutions, but give no place to any form of satanic direct aggression against you. The Bible clearly teaches us to steadfastly resist the devil in faith. (1st Peter 5:9)

CONFESSION

The Lord calls on us to a life of glory in Him, plus persecutions. I have armed myself to suffer for His name sake. I count myself blessed to suffer for the cause of Christ. It is a means of testifying to the world that my Lord Jesus is alive and I am ready to stand for Him as a means of witnessing (MATYRS) to His Lordship.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 10:30 KJV “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. “

Romans 8:17 KJV” and if children, then heirs; heirs of him, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:9 KJV “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Peace makers are the lubricants of our associations, and so are simply indispensable. Every Christian is supposed to be a peacemaker. What are some of the ways., we do make for peace?

1.We make peace by preaching to others about the prince of Peace.

 Rom 10:15 KJV” And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

2.We make peace by being fair to parties that are at longer heads with each other

3. We make peace by giving up on our difficult stands with others. (James 3:17)

4. We make peace by forgiving those who offend us.

5. We also make peace by praying for the spirit of peace 1Tim 2:1 KJV” I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

There are certain actions that divide friends which we ought to be aware of;

1 A whisperer who slanders others separate friends Prov 5 :28 KJV” A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

2 THE man who repeats wrong information to others. Pro 17:9 KJV” He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

3.When people get unnecessarily difficult by taking entrenched positions which does not create peace for all parties.

4 When people seek to take advantage of others.

The underlying grounds for division and disunity is selfishness or self-centredness. Our place in Christ means our old selfish nature was crucified with Jesus. We no longer live for ourselves in anyway. Say to yourself my tongue would never destroy anyone nor carry false information about anyone. As a peace maker, always ask yourself the following questions before making comments about others

 1 Would I be pleased if such words were said about me?

2 Are these words I am about to say to others from the devil or the Holy Ghost

3.Are these things I am about to say about my neighbour true.?

4 If they are true, is this the right place and time to talk about these things.

5 Are words from my leaps seasoned with salt?

With proper answers to the above questions, you may now make the right comments avoiding those that would create trouble for others

CONFESSION

I am a peacemaker. I live by the power and nature of Christ. I handle all matters whether personal or about others by the Spirit of God. My words bless and heal. Men are lifted and encouraged by what I say, glory be to God.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:8 KJV” Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”.

Purity of heart is a highly priced virtue that every child of God must keenly work hard to be establish in his or her life. It is non negotiable and indispensable. The Lord says people with a pure heart would see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14) Seeing the Lord also means encountering His power. Prophet Daniel put it this way, Dan 11:32 KJV “……: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” The pure are normally free from certain demonic harassment. This makes the pure in heart a more peaceful person and subsequently a happy person.

There are a number of Christians who are unfortunately given to very impure ways. They would break the trust reposed in them. Because of the wrong impure thoughts that they allow their minds to fellowship with, they find themselves, stealing, cheating, fornication, getting drunk and many more. This cut across all levels of life. From the church, the home, business setting and many more. Such actions rub the culprits of their peace and happiness. Rom 2:9 KJV” Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; “Such anguish of soul and distress of life is simply unnecessary for the Christian to find himself in them. Every child of God has been called to peace and happiness. Dear child of God, kill the impurity from today.

HOW would a child of God become impure? If he feeds himself with impure stuff, and less of the word of God. 1Co 15:33 KJV” Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. “The next thing that creates impure thoughts or heart is meditating on the wrong things (Rom 8:6)

To maintain a pure mind

1.Decide to have a pure mind

2. Listen to messages that challenge you unto uprightness.

3. Refuse any thought or suggesting that is contrary to the word of God.

4.Meditate on the word and declare, my heart is pure. Saying it, is very important, because it establishes you in that light.

IF you would do the above your heart would not be grounds for demons, impure thoughts, but be filled with holy thoughts that make you peaceful and happy always.

CONFESSION

I have a pure heart, devoid of suspicion bitterness, lust, theft and what have you? I am filled with love, sincerity and many more. I give no place to wrong fleshly views to hang around my mind. Thank you Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 12:14 KJV” Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

Ephesians 4:27 KJV” Neither give place to the devil”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:7 KJV “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

The Lord gives further another tonic for happiness. He says those who are merciful will live a life of happiness. If you are always feeling depressed or disturbed then you might not have been showing mercy. Mercy is the foundation on which forgiveness functions. There are many people who are finding it very difficult to forgive their offenders. They justify their grounds not to forgive. Well, this is most unfortunate, because your happiness and joy will remain buried. Hebrews 12:15 KJV “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Mercy protects you from failing of the grace of God. By mercy bitterness will not take a hold of you.

IT takes mercy to help the poor. Prov. 14:21 KJV” He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he”. It is a sin to despise the poor when you are in the capacity to help. Dear child of God mercy for the needy gives you a great standing with God. How can you be depressed when God is favourably attracted to you? Prov 19:17 KJV He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay by him again. Can you imagine investing in God for a latter time withdrawal? Mercy makes this possible.

Mercy will turn turbulent hurting homes into havens of peace. All the quarrels and the heart breaks in our homes proceed from disobeying the call to show mercy. What is the biggest barrier and hindrance to a life of mercy? The answer is SELFISHNESS. As a Christian you have been delivered from every selfishness. Jesus died and slew the old man of selfishness. It is Christ who is presently alive in you. Let the Spirit of Christ show mercy to the one who has hurt you. Show mercy to the poor. God will likewise show mercy to you. Whatever is legally claiming your life will be stopped because God has had mercy on you.

CONFESSION

GOD has shown mercy on me, so I likewise show mercy to all persons. To the man or woman who hurts me, I show mercy. I am favourably attracted to the poor because I show mercy on them too.

FURTHER STUDIES

Prov 21:13 KJV “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

Prov 22:9 KJV “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” .

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:6 KJV “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

There are two kinds of righteousness revealed in the scriptures. There is righteousness as a nature of God, received by faith and becomes our nature through salvation Rom 3:22 KJV” Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”. There is a second kind of righteousness which is right living This could be defined as righteous acts. Our key scripture is referring to the second type of righteousness. It says those who will hunger and thirst after living an upright life shall be satisfied. To be hungry or thirsty for a thing is a very strong desire and could be described as a desperate desire for something. Men by nature have a heart that is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). It is the heart that has been regenerated through faith in Jesus that turns favourably towards God. (Titus 2:11&12).

Pursuing after righteousness is the escape of the soul from mundane actions and freedom from satanic influences. The sorrows, soul distresses. and all the pain in the hearts of men proceed from going after unrighteous ways. As children of God, it is our nature to do things that are right. We have been created that way. Eph 2:10 KJV” For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are new creations in Christ and the old nature with its ways are no more with us. As a Christian any longing for that which is unrighteous is very abnormal with us. Fight it, refuse it and give it no place.

The Apostle Paul says such things, which are the works of the flesh should not be named among us. Certain Christians have lived in the midst of the ungodly corrupting their righteous souls, to a degree that certain wrong acts have become normal with them. We are the righteousness of God and so we pursue and go after righteous ways. We do not allow our flesh to dictate to us. When a man pursues right ways, according to the Lord, he is filled or satisfied. Such a man has escaped the sorrows, pain and worries of this life caused by the deceptions of sin

CONFESSION

I am the righteousness of God. It is very normal with me to seek and pursue after righteous ways, because that is who I am. I am filled with peace, joy and full of life for these are the fruits of righteousness. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of righteousness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Titus 2:11 KJV” For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Romans 2:7-10 KJV “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life, But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:”