Live As Jesus Did

As Christians, the apostle John urges us in First John to "live as Jesus did."

1 John 2:3-6 NIV

[3] We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. [4] Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. [5] But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: [6] Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

We keep His commands and "live as Jesus did."

How did He live? He was a servant. He lived to help other people. He was not selfish AT ALL. He loved all people, including His enemies. He laid down His life for all people. He obeyed the Father's will, even when He did not want to. Remember His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? He did not want to be crucified, but He did it anyway because He knew that would take away the penalty for all sin. He did the Father's will. All these aspects of Jesus's life, we learn over time to be more like Jesus. So, we can "live as Jesus did."

Why do we want to live like Jesus did? Because as the Church, we represent Jesus to everyone around us. Remember the common goal of the Church, as a whole, is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who has not been saved yet. We help anyone become "born again." So they can go to heaven too. God works through us, so others will be saved. 

So if we live as Jesus did, that facilitates His will in our lives. His will on Earth is this: "He wishes that none would perish but all would come to repentence." He wants everyone to live with Him forever in heaven. If we live as Jesus did, we can help make that happen.

If you ever wonder if you are living as Jesus did, ask yourself, "Would Jesus do that?" Very simple.

If you are not saved, if you are not going to heaven when you die, then read my blog "Do You Know the Lord Jesus Christ?"

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Keep On Moving Forward

Dear readers,

I got you all started on studying the commands and teachings of Jesus, so we all could build a foundation for our lives. We build our foundation first on Jesus and His teachings. Then we branch out from there. Jesus said we are wise if we do that and that we show Him we love Him by doing so. 

Instead of doing that day by day through this blog, I am going to trust you to continue exploring His teachings in the four gospels on your own. This will free me up to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me like He has been doing all this time. Do not let your individual study of the gospels intimidate you. You can do it because you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is inside you and Jesus said He will "teach you all things." He knows you better than anybody. He knows what you need to learn and when. So, just open your Bible and let Him teach you and give you understanding as you continue in the gospels. 

My hope is that you will do just that, starting where we left off at, which is Matthew 7:7.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Do Not Judge Others

 As we continue our study of the teachings and commands of Jesus, He teaches about judging people in Matthew 7. This is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 7:1-6 NIV

[1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

[3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 

[6] “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Jesus starts this passage by saying "Do not judge or you too will be judged." If you do then you'll receive the same kind of judgement from others as a result. You'll get whatever you give to others. So, He starts off by saying just do not judge others. Verses 3-5 does not give you permission to judge someone else when you remove the "plank" out of your own eye. He just said do not judge others. Verses 3-5 emphasizes that we all have sin in our lives and are in no position to judge or condemn someone elses actions. 

Keeping in mind the central thought of Romans 13:10, that "Love does no harm to a neighbor," we do not judge or condemn people, because that is causing them harm. It hurts them, makes them feel bad, or rejected. We never want to push people away by our words or actions. Just because we don't approve of their behavior, we have no right to judge them and make them feel bad about themselves. We ALL "fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. Everyone has specks and planks of sin in their lives.

In another situation, these guys caught a woman in adultery and brought her to Jesus. Jesus did not condemn her, but chewed out the guys that brought her to him. They said she was supposed to be stoned to death according to Mosaic Law. Jesus said Okay then you who do not have any sin, throw the first stone. Of course they all had sin as we all do, so they could not stone her. They dropped their stones and walked away. See the point? None of us are ever in a position to judge someone else, because we all have sin in our lives. Plus, this brings harm to another person which is not loving them like we are supposed to do.

So, just love people. Do not ever judge, condemn, rinder an opinion, or whatever else that could cause harm. We want to bring people to Jesus, not push them away.

The end of this passage is simple. It says don't tell people about Jesus who don't want hear it. When they don't want to hear it, we should respect that and move on. Don't infuriate people by persisting, because they might attack us. So we just move on to people who are receptive to the gospel of Jesus.

Here are other passages about not judging people:

Luke 6:37-38 NIV

[37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Romans 14:4, 10, 13 NIV

[4] Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

[10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

[13] Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

James 4:11-12 NIV

[11] Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Do You Know the Lord Jesus Christ?

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of God's one and only Son. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who came to save all mankind from their sins, the One who made a way for us to live for all eternity with God. Jesus died on the cross to take away the penalty of sin, to truly take away the sin of the world. He laid down His life so that you and I could live. He was raised from the dead and now sits at the Father's right hand in heaven right now, so that you and I could receive the free gift of eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Being in the new year now, do you know the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you been "born again?" Do you have the greatest gift ever offered to all mankind? God wants to give you this free gift right now!! What is the gift? Eternal life in heaven with Him!!!!

John 3:16-17 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.3.16-17.NIV

He wants you to be born again by the Holy Spirit, so that He can adopt you into His family forever, which is the Kingdom of God. He wants all of us to be His sons and daughters forever. He loves you and me THAT MUCH. God made a way for all mankind to live with Him forever.

How? By believing in His Son, Jesus Christ.

When you believe that Jesus Christ is real and that He died on the cross for you and was raised from the dead for you, then you are born again by the Holy Spirit and adopted into the family of God. You are given eternal life right then.

John 3:3-8 NIV

[3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.3.3-8.NIV

1 John 5:1a. NIV

[1] Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,...

Jesus is the Light that came to shine in a dark world. Whenever you believe in Him, you are born again by the Holy Spirit and become a child of God.

John 1:9-13 NIV

[9] The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.1.9-13.NIV

When you believe in His name, you are born again. You receive the gift of eternal life by being adopted into the kingdom of God, by God!!

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.2.8-9.NIV

1 John 3:1 NIV

[1] See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.3.1.NIV

Do you want to live with God forever in heaven?

Then believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God right now! Do what Paul tells you to do now!

Romans 10:9-11, 13 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 

[13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.10.9-13.NIV

Call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!! Be born again and adopted into God's family!! Then be baptized!!

Acts 2:38 NIV

[38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/act.2.38.NIV

God made you. He loves you. Jesus loves you. He wants to add you to His family. He wants to give you eternal life by adopting you into His family. Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Jesus? Then come to Him today!! Come to Jesus Christ today!! Make Him your Lord and Savior today!! And you will receive the gift of eternal life today and you will become a child of God forever!!

NOTE: Dear Christians, please share this blog with those who haven't been saved yet!!

Come to Jesus now!!! I love you today!! Whoever you are!!

I Love You All Dear Readers!!

Jeffrey Post

Trust In God!!

As we continue our study on the teachings and commands of Jesus, we look at Matthew 6, continuing in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:19-24 NIV

[19]  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [22]  “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! [24]  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

[25]  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? [28]  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This whole discourse from Jesus, He is saying to trust in God and nothing else. He is our heavenly Father, so seek Him first, trust in Him only, and He will take care of us.

Do not hoard up for yourself all kinds of wealth and possessions because there is no security there. The only security we have in life is what God, our Heavenly Father gives us. Seek Him first and He will always take care of us.

By faith, He rewards those that seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

[6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

So this whole passage is saying have money but don't let it have you. Do not be controlled by money and possessions. Let them be tools to store up treasure in heaven as we trust in God to take care of us.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV

[17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Luke 18:22 NIV

[22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

You make treasures in heaven when you use your resources to help the poor and needy. While we work day by day, we will have resources to help those in need and will not be dependent on anyone.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV

[11] and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, [12] so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

As we trust in God alone, he supplies all our needs, so we can help others. When we help others, this shows the love of God in our lives, and opens doors for them to be saved too. Because "love never fails."

So let's place ALL our trust in God and not in riches or wealth. Let's make treasures in heaven by always helping those who are in need. Let's show the love of God with our resources.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

To Be Seen of Men?

In our continuing study, Jesus deals with an issue of the heart, which is pride. God hates pride. Pride is what got Satan and his followers cast out of heaven. He tried to exalt himself above God and God kicked him and his bunch out of heaven. So, Jesus talks about 3 things people did and their motivations for doing them. The three main things the Jewish culture did was giving to the needy, praying, and fasting. He advises us here not to do things "to be seen of men," which is seeking the approval of men. Do things without having to be praised or noticed by people. Then one day, God will "reward us openly (KJV)" for all we've done.

Do not do things to lift yourself up, or exalt yourself, or to gain the praise, approval, and admiration of men. We should always humble ourselves before God and men. This will prevent pride from taking root in our hearts. Why stay humble? Because pride, arrogance, and conceit is misplaced worship. Prideful, arrogant, conceited people worship themselves instead of worshiping God. They love for others to worship or praise them. They crave man's glory, honor, and praise more than God's. We should only seek the "approval of God."

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 

So let's look at this passage and let it speak to you, by the Spirit inside us.

Matthew 6:1-18 NIV

[1]  “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. [2]  “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [3] But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. [5]  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [6] But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. [7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9]  “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10]  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11]  Give us today our daily bread. [12]  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13]  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ [14]  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. [16]  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18] so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

(*NOTE: The Lord's Prayer in verses 9-13 is a framework to build our prayers from. We're not to say this prayer exactly like this, which has been a tradition for many years. Use it as an example on how to pray and what to pray for as you talk to God.)

Okay, moving forward. What rewards is He talking about? The rewards that Jesus will give us on Judgement day. All Christians will stand before the Judgement seat of Christ and we will "receive rewards" or "suffer loss," for what we did while we were on the Earth. These are rewards in addition to going to heaven and experiencing eternal life. 

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV

[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. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. [14] If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. [15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

So, our actions will be rewarded or not rewarded on the Day of judgement. 

Now, Jesus is saying here that if we do things for man's praise or approval, then that praise and approval is the only reward we will get. He won't give us a reward at the Judgement Seat of Christ when we stand before Him on that Day.

So let's be good and do good just because it is the right thing to do, laying up for ourselves "treasures in heaven." Letting our "light shine" so people will experience our good works and glorify "our Father in heaven."

Do not seek attention, praise, admiration, or approval from mankind. Stay humble and be and do good so God will be praised! Remember, love God and love people, so they will be saved too.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Love For Enemies?

Continuing our Sermon on the Mount study, Jesus tells us to "love our enemies." Let's dive into the text:

 Matthew 5:43-48 NIV

[43]  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

He says "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." These are all the people we don't get along with. God says love them too. He is impartial and does not show favoritism, so we shouldn't either. Verse 45 shows us this when He says, "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." 

So, He shows us how to live by treating everyone the same. Love everyone the same. How? Again, Romans 13:10a.

Romans 13:10 NIV

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

We never do harm to anyone. Enemy or friends. This is how we love everyone. Never do harm to anyone. 

Then it says we are being "perfect" like God is.

So, Jesus is showing us a new way to live, which is loving everyone. Never doing harm to anyone, friend or foe. Always love impartially. Do not show favoritism. Love everyone. So good!!

This ends chapter 5. So, now on to chapter 6 of Matthew.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Oaths and Revenge

Next in our study, Jesus talks about oaths and revenge.

Regarding oaths, or swearing by something, or making promises:

Matthew 5:33-37 NIV

[33] “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ [34] But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. [37] All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Here Jesus tells us to have integrity. Be people others can count on. When you have integrity, then you can say simply "yes" or "no" when someone asks you to do something. You don't have to swear or make promises to people. Having integrity, people know you can be trusted to do what you say you will do. That's what He is saying here.

Next, Jesus talks about revenge. 

Matthew 5:38-42 NIV

[38]  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [39] But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. [40] And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. [41] If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. [42] Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

This is another command where we "do not conform to the patterns of this world." Where we don't do what everyone else in the world does. We never return evil for evil, no matter what anyone else says or does. Paul clarifies this teaching in Romans 12.

Romans 12:17-19 NIV

[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

This totally goes against the patterns of this world, especially for men. This not saying to be a doormat or let people walk all over you. It is saying don't do to them what they did to you. "Overcome evil with good." That is what Jesus is teaching here.  Overcome evil with good and let God handle the rest. 

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Divorce

Continuing in Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about divorce.

Matthew 5:31-32 NIV

[31] “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ [32] But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.31-32.NIV

Simply? If you are married, do not get divorced. If you need a divorce, the only way to get one Biblically is if your spouse has committed adultery, which is having sexual intercourse with someone else other than you. 

American society allows people to get divorced for any reason. That's why Paul said in Romans 12:2, "do not conform to the patterns of this world." As Christians, we don't just do what everybody else does. We listen to Jesus and do what He tells us, along with the other writers and teachers of the Bible. 

That's why we are in this ongoing study, to learn His teachings and commands.

What do you do if you are already divorced for other reasons than adultery, like many people are? Repent and confess that sin, and don't do it anymore. What's done is done and cannot be undone. So confess it and don't do it again.

1 John 1:9 NIV

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I. Corinthians 7 is a great chapter for learning about relationship issues also. Learn about it there.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 NIV

[1] Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” [2] But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. [3] The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. [4] The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. [5] Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. [6] I say this as a concession, not as a command. [7] I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. [8] Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. [9] But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. [10] To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. [11] But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. [12] To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. [13] And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. [14] For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. [15] But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. [16] How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? [17] Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. [18] Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. [20] Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. [21] Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. [22] For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. [23] You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. [24] Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. [25] Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. [26] Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. [27] Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. [28] But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. [29] What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; [30] those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; [31] those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. [32] I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. [33] But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— [34] and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. [35] I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. [36] If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. [37] But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. [38] So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. [39] A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. [40] In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

So, His teaching is pretty straightforward here. If you are married, stay married. Don't get a divorce. Also at the end of His passage He tells us not to marry divorced people or that makes them adulterers or adultresses. Not good.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Adultery and Lust

 As we continue learning the teachings and commands of Jesus, still being in the Sermon on the Mount, we learn about adultery.

Matthew 5:27-30 NIV

[27]  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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.

Committing adultery is when a married person has sexual relations with someone who is not their spouse. Physically having sex with someone else other than your husband or wife. In American society, we call that "cheating" on your spouse. So, I presume the readers here understand what adultery is here in the text.

Now, once again, Jesus sets a new standard over what it said in the Old Law. He says that if you even look at another person lustfully, like you see a person and wish you could have sex with them, or you're sexually aroused by them, you commit adultery with them in your heart. 

You have heard it said,"thinking it is as bad as saying it?" Well here, thinking it is the same as doing it. So, we want to see all people from a healthy perspective, not a sexually motivated perspective. Put yourself in situations where you see people in a normal way, and you'll never commit adultery in your heart because of lusting after someone.

He goes on to say,

Matthew 5:29-30 NIV

[29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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.

Figuratively, here He is saying to deal with sin directly and quickly. Confess and repent of sin, and then drastically cut it out of your life. Get rid of it immediately. Take measures to remove it from your life immediately. Then we will be good to go.

Don't entertain sin, or play around with sin, or let it casually remain in your life. It is a seed that will grow and cause all kinds of trouble. We don't need that, right? Life is hard enough as it is, without us adding to it. So, Jesus is saying that here. Get it out of your life immediately!!

So good! I love His teaching!!

If you want to get in touch with me, leave me your email address in the comments section below and I will reach out to you.

Stay tuned as we continue learning the commands and teachings of Jesus!!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post