Matthew 5:38-48
1 Corintians 3:10-11, 16-23,
The words in our scripture readings that popped out at me while writing and preparing for today were Laws, foundation, temple and serving. So I thought it important to briefly provide my thoughts on each scripture reading to show how these words will enable us to live as God intended.
Law, by its very definition, conveys the idea that someone, or a collection of persons, has the legitimate and binding authority to institute, establish or impose certain standards, expectations, rules, regulations, principles, etc. on others. Since our concern today is divine law, that the One in authority is God, with authority over all His creation including mankind. More specifically, God established a law for His particularly chosen people in the Old Testament, and made that known through Moses.
God wants us to love and serve only him in holiness. Leviticus is the 3rd book of the Pentateuch and a continuation of Exodus. In the beginning of Leviticus Israel is completing the construction of the tabernacle. Also mentioned in the text are the different types of offerings God expected. Further reading makes it clear that Gods is providing instructions for holy living. We have often heard people say I wish that this person or that came with instructions; I know I’ve said that often when my children were growing up. As a parent we want to know the correct ways to raise our children and having an instruction manual attached to their little feet when they are born might be beneficial. Well God provides us each of us with our very own instruction manual. It’s called the bible. In today’s verse in Leviticus God is instructing us the way to be and how to act. Starting with “1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” the instructions continue and are clear, don’t show favoritism, don’t spread gossip, don’t hate your neighbor, don’t seek revenge and very clearly “love your neighbor as you love yourself> These laws were written at first to help the Israelites worship and live a holy life but also for future generations such as ours. “I am the Lord” echoes throughout this text and clearly reminds us that although Moses wrote the scripture God was the enforcer and the author. The connection of the law with the character of God thus marks daily human interaction as sacred. The way one treats ones’ neighbor is an act of devotion to God.
When we heard the Gospel lesson today again we hear more ways in which God wants us as his holy people. We learn God’s laws not to become acceptable to Him but as an expression of our love and trust in Him, How we react and behave to others, how we treat others in public and how we behave behind closed doors should both be worthy of God’s grace. We can put on all the charades we want in public but God can still see us behind closed doors. Loving, praying for and forgiving one’s enemy is an extension of Jesus broader teaching about the perfection of God. Of course, people cannot so easily love those who harm them and shame them. This counter-intuitive act requires prayer. So, Jesus advocates praying for enemies. We pray in the Lord’s prayer, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.,
Keeping in mind forgiving others who have wronged you is crucial to receiving God’s forgiveness as well
Rules, laws, sounds very overwhelming at times, so many to learn, so much information, baby steps, slowly we learn, as we learn we grow and as we grow we become mature Christians. In Corinthians we hear the word foundation. IN verse 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ”
The dictionary’s definition of foundation:
The basis or groundwork of anything: the moral foundation of both society and religion.
The natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.
A foundation is what is built on the earth usually by rock to place on it a house or structure
In this sense, House is the dwelling place of the soul, earth is the affairs and interests and pursuits of natural life and rock is a person’s spiritual life in Christ. Therefore if a person looks for the deep things of God and maintains a spiritual life in Christ, then his life will not be disturbed when trouble comes. If a person maintains a life concerned with the affairs, interest and pursuits of natural life, then that person’s life will be ruined when trouble comes.
A foundation is the beginnings or first principals of a system of truth. A person, who comes to the Lord and hears and does what he says, builds a foundation on rock. When trouble comes that person’s life cannot be shaken. Paul’s ministry was as a master builder of foundations. He was responsible for building foundations of those who has never heard of Christ, and teaching them so they could perceive and understand the signs, wonders and powers of the Spirit of God.
We often seen people over the years who have started a foundation building with Christ and stopped suddenly when they realized that Jesus required them to follow him completely by giving up their will and embracing God’s will only.
How do we build our spiritual foundation?
• By learning God’s laws as God intended,
• nourishing our spirit by spending time daily with God,
• Praising God for our blessings,
• Being thankful in all things,
• Treating others accordingly
For each prayer we pray, each act of kindness, each person we share God’s love with our foundations become stronger.
Talk of foundations leads naturally to another theme in our text: The temple, Given the common foundation in Christ, Paul appeals for unity in Corinth: “Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?”
We need to be aware of the special role that the temple played in the lives of the Jewish people, following its return from captivity in Babylon, Israel rebuilt its’ destroyed temple. This temple received a special emphasis in the lives of the Jews. It was the center of Israel’s worship. Paul’s’ identification of the community with the temple was a real eye-opener. This church heavily divided by conflict is identified as God’s temple. “For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” This is not any ordinary building that is being discussed here, we are talking about our bodies and how we are God’s temple- so how are you treating God’s temple?
Scriptures show the need for regular nourishment.
Our bodies both physically and mentally respond to the environment we create for them. Perhaps we need to move beyond merely talking about the physical benefits of good health, exercise and time management. Feeling good is not the ultimate objective here living a healthy relationship with God is. A daily walk shouldn’t just be for exercise, a daily walk with God is just as important and will provide you with strength in your faith, your spirit and you’re willing to serve.
How much time did you spend this week watching TV?
How much time did you spend on some hobby or outside interest, which may not be immoral but is not necessary? While both are fun, and relaxing, can this time be better spent?
How many hours did you spend studying your Bible?
Which do you nourish the best: your spirit or your body?
Are you feeding your mind on God's word or pleasures?
Christians need regular nourishment from God's word to grow.
God wants us to love and serve him and only him-how do we love and serve Him only? Well let’s review, in today’s text we learned that if we follow God’s laws we become filled with the Holy Spirit and we become skilled in his words, which helps us build our foundation with experience, courage, good values and the right tools, which encourages us to care for Gods temple by being healthy, not over indulging, taking care of ourselves physically and nourishing our mental health. Full circle, Laws, foundation, temple, serving
All of the above provides us as Christians and God’s holy people the ability to serve others which is how God wants us to serve him.
God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than all the busywork we do. In fact, the love and affection we have for God should be the motivation for why we serve Him.
As we continue to follow God’s holy life, building the strongest foundation we can, we can discover an environment in which worship and wellness become a way of life. Faithfulness to God’s word allows his peace and presence to fill our lives.
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