CAN YOU AFFORD TO MISS THIS?

“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” -Matthew 5:20

This morning, I felt this nudging of the Holy Spirit to read Matthew chapter 5. So I said, “God, I already know about the beatitudes, why do I have to read them again? I want to read something else.” I heard immediately, “I have something there for you. Go read it!” I seriously wonder at times what God must think when I answer Him as I do.

On second thought, I don’t think I really want to know.

As I was reading, I came upon this verse I quoted above. I mean, those words stopped me, jumped at me, they just leaped out of that page. Like the Holy Spirit took over, enlightening my mind of a very important truth we need to understand and follow.

This is Jesus speaking, directly to the crowd. “But I warn you!” Halt right there! He’s not suggesting. He’s not arguing. He’s not joking. If you're a parent, I could put it this way for you to understand. When I mean business with my kids and I’m not going to compromise, negotiate, or even listen to their opinion on the matter, I say, “I’m warning you!” My kids get this right away. They know, for a fact, if they even dare to test me they will regret it big time. They know my punishments will cost them ALL of their technology.

The punishment Jesus is talking about here is the most horrific kind of all -eternal separation from Him. I would say this is not a punishment that any of us want to test Him on. Unfortunately, many people don’t heed that warning, and that is so very sad. They live by manmade rules, ideas, and thoughts, and they forgo the warning of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, costing them eternal separation, and eternal separation means no heaven, being separated from God for all eternity.

What does it mean then, “Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees....?” God never makes His word hard for us to understand. This verse is a continuation of the Beatitudes! Jesus outlined what we must do. “Those who.” And the word “blesses” comes before “Those who.” Wow, God, you're more than just amazing and awesome. Just in awe of you! And then He added, “I warn you...”

Please listen. Our salvation and our righteousness has nothing to do with manmade rules. It has all to do with our love for the God who is love. He is righteous and because He is righteous, we need to be righteous too. It translates to us being like Him in following His laws and His ways. In Matthew chapter 5, he clearly, unmistakably, and undoubtedly states the blessings of those who take the warning seriously.

I love the fact God starts with the positive first. I love positive people. Even when I warn my children, I start with the blessings, they will have if they obey me. If you ever been on the phone, in my home, restaurants, car, or places, you have heard me tell my children first the blessings for obedience and my wrath in full force if they disobey. Jesus does the same right here in this chapter. He outlines these beautiful blessings, then comes His warning. His warning is quick, simple, and to the point. “You will never enter!”

Today, please take the warning seriously. It’s not of me. I was told specifically to read this chapter. God has a message and an important one at that.

We live in a world where we are told what to do and how to do it. Moral issues are thrown literally under the bus as we say. People who live by the Bible are made fun of, called all sorts of names, and hated for doing what is right before the Holy and Righteous God. It’s not just the religious leaders in places of worship. It is people around us. You ever wonder why do people push their agendas and ideas onto others who are not even arguing what they think? Unrighteousness living loves to take down righteous living. Be strong in your determination to love God and His laws more then manmade religious mumbo jumbo.

Look at these blessings of the Beatitudes.

• God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

• God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted

• God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

• God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

• God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

• God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

• God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God

• God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

• God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

Friends, religion is made up of men and their ideas, ideologies, and need for rules and regulations. Jesus hated those religious leaders. He called them a brood of vipers, meaning what they spewed was poisonous.

Following our Lord means we love people; sometimes we got to love them from a distance, but we are still called to love and not judge. We must do good in the midst of evil, regardless of what we think or feel. We promote peace and not hate. We must understand we don’t debate what’s evil. Rather, we conquer evil with good.

Jesus message was clear, and it cost Him His life. What makes you and I think following His ways would win us a popularity contest? Put your hand to the plow, move forward, don’t look back, keep your eyes on Him who is able and willing to bless you and bring you straight to the kingdom of heaven.

Isn’t Heaven where we all want to go when our time on Earth comes to an end? Follow God and not man! I personally love God and His Word. Therefore, I want every single one of those blessings. And I’m going to receive each one because I refuse to compromise no matter what or who thinks evil of me. What God has to say about me is all that matters, and despite hardships and pain of its deepest hurts, I’m so blessed I can’t contain it.

Today, choose Him above everything, securing your future, heaven bound.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro Chief Executive Officer, Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc Founder and President, Thread of Hope, Inc

INSIGHT: We all make choices-good or bad. With every choice comes rewards or consequences. When we choose life (obeying God, living for Him, loving Him with all our heart, loving our neighbors, and the like), we will be walking in blessings and headed on the road to our eternal home in Heaven. However, when we choose death (everything and anything that goes against God), we will be walking in destruction and headed to hell. Is it worth gaining everything this world has to offer only to end up eternally separated from God?

MEDITATE: “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” -Mark 8:34-38

Worldly pleasures may give you a "feeling" of happiness, but they will never give you the lasting joy that comes from God alone. Everything in this world including everything it offers you will eventually fade away. One cannot expect to live like the devil and expect to make it into Heaven. Either you will serve God or Satan. You cannot serve two masters because you will love one and hate the other. Therefore a choice must be made. Will you live for self or will you live for God? Will you seek the approval of man or will you seek the approval of God? The choice you make is a matter of life and death because your eternal destiny depends on it.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the Holy and Righteous One who is able to save and to destroy. Father, I humbly ask for forgiveness for putting other things in my life before You. I recommit myself to You, O God, and give You full control. Teach me Your ways and how to live by Your Holy Spirit. Keep me on the path You have laid out for me. I give myself to You to use for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

Executive Director

#TopicArticle #choices #decisions #hell #heaven #eternity #everlastinglife