SDCCM Blog

Matthew 5:20 – For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

This is a powerful statement by our Lord that draws a line in the sand regarding righteousness. Jesus came to establish righteousness as God intended. The Holy Spirit was sent to produce His righteousness in each one that puts their faith in the work of Christ. Titus reminds us, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The “surpassing righteousness” of which Jesus is speaking became established in the work of the cross as He bore our sins. Our Father in heaven accepts the righteousness of Christ on our behalf. A believer is accepted by God as one fully fulfilling the Law of God, and its entire requirement for dealing with the penalty of sin. The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11), and He is now given as God’s gift to all who trust Christ. He washes us, causing “regeneration” that is, He makes alive what was dead. The Holy Spirit “renews” us to the original purpose of God when He had created man.

As soon as we receive the work of Christ we are ushered into the kingdom of God. Some think that the kingdom is a future event. The Scriptures make it clear “the kingdom is now, in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). In the future, there will be a greater manifestation of God’s kingdom. Presently, each believer is to live under the reign of King Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Jesus was teaching two important principles. First, it takes a righteousness which exceeds the attempt of keeping the Law. This righteousness is connected to entering Jesus’ Kingdom. Second, in the Romans passage above, Paul teaches that we enter the kingdom by receiving the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit of God supplies the grace of righteousness and only the Spirit of God can usher us into the kingdom where Christ Jesus reigns as Lord.

Be renewed today in the righteousness of God. Let go of your own attempts to please God. Fully trust in Christ, that is in all He has done. Enjoy His kingdom rule, and walk in His righteousness through the power of His Spirit.

Matthew 5:17 – Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.

Some teach that the Law has been done away with in the sacrifice of Christ. Some teach that the Old Testament is not relevant because we are now living in New Testament times. “Fulfilled,” does not mean done away, but to accomplish the purpose. The Ten Commandments are eternal truths. That means they cannot be put aside and neglected. It took the righteousness of Christ to fulfill all of the intent of the Law of God. Under the Law, the Sabbath was kept on prescribed days that were sanctified by God. Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath by becoming our Sabbath. Our rest is found in His Work, “For the one who entered His rest has himself also rested from his works as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:10). The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest …” (Hebrews 4:11).

God began His Sabbath rest in Genesis. He then established it in the Law and the Prophets, and found its completion in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why Paul told the early churches not to let anyone act as your judge concerning food, drink, festival, new moon or Sabbath days (see Colossians 2:16). The whole second chapter of Colossians addresses this freedom that Christ purchased for all of us. The Holy Spirit has been sent from Heaven to be our Comforter and to bring forth the life of Christ in us. He enables us to enter into God’s Sabbath Rest and live out the life of Christ fulfilling the Law and all that the Prophets had envisioned. Today, the people of God can live in obedience to God’s commandments, not through religious works, but by the grace and rest of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are burdened with religious works and guilt, release them today to the Holy Spirit. In faith receive the rest of Christ. Be free to obey the Word of God, not by your works, but by His grace and power supplied in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:14 – You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

The light in the world is the Lord’s church. Imagine what it would be like if the church was non-existent in the earth. Try to imagine America without the effect of the gospel on the Constitution and her laws. In fact, America would not exist as we have known her. As Jesus produces light in individual lives, whole nations are changed for the glory of God. “You” are the light of the world. Your world is where you have the opportunity to influence others for righteousness. Somebody asked the question, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” I hope so! If so, it would mean that you are a shining light for the Lord.

As the oil of the Holy Spirit is poured into our lives, it fuels the flame that emits the light from within. That light is manifested through your personality, the way you take care of yourself, and reaching out to others in the name of the Lord. His light is demonstrated by your unwavering conviction and obedience to God’s Word, and your faithfulness to God’s people through committed relationship. A life of service and humility demonstrates the work of the gospel in your inner man. Through the ministry of “Halloween Harvest,” which was created by my friend, Mick McCoy, a pumpkin would be used to illustrate the need to first repent and allow the Lord to remove the sinfulness in our hearts, so the Holy Spirit can “light our candle.”

Ask the Holy Spirit for fresh oil. We are leaky vessels and need to be filled afresh regularly, in fact many times in a day. He is present to fill you with His oil so you can keep the light burning brightly.

2 Chronicles 13:5 – Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?

Salt in the Scriptures speaks of covenant. Offerings in the Old Testament were made with salt. As 1 Chronicles 13:5 states, God made a covenant of salt with David that “his sons would rule over Israel forever.” God fulfilled His word to David when David’s greater Son was seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who is now reigning as “the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

On the mountain, Jesus taught His disciples, and now teaches us that we are to demonstrate the quality of salt. If we lose that divine attribute, we will be like sand, trodden under foot. Sand looks like salt, but is not cohesive like salt. Because the nation of Israel lost its saltiness, it was trodden underfoot. In like manner, the church has lost its ability to influence society as it once did. All is not lost though, because God desires to revive His people. He revived the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament. His purpose was fully completed in Christ, the son of David. Jesus had in mind the restoration of the House of Judah and Israel, who became divided after the reign of Solomon. His message of repentance was to the nation of Israel to repent and receive the New Covenant sealed in His blood. The majority refused and thus was trodden underfoot in 70 AD, when Jerusalem along with their Temple was destroyed.

Today, God is reviving His church which, like Israel of old, has lost her saltiness. Jesus’ words ring strong and true as they did when He spoke on the mountain. Today, He is calling His church to be revived and be the salt of the earth. His message is also going out to Jewish people. “Come to your Messiah, the son of David, and He will revive you and place you in the “household of God.” In the same way He spoke to the seven churches of Asia Minor, He speaks today, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).

Father, I pray for Your revival power to be manifested in my life. Thank You for the covenant of salt made with David. Thank You for the covenant’s fulfillment in Christ Jesus our Lord. Father, make me salty to my generation. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and use me to lead others to Your covenant promises.

Matthew 5:13 – It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Jesus is warning the multitudes of Israel. For centuries this people had been “stiff-necked and stubborn” (Acts 7:51). For the next forty years, from the time Jesus returned from the desert to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the gospel was preached throughout Israel and the Roman Empire. That preaching reached out to the nations where the children of Israel had been scattered many years prior. Although only a remnant of Israel believed, many Gentiles turned to the Lord and became the salt God was seeking.

Over time, the church began to lose its saltiness and God would have to send the reviving power of the Holy Spirit. There comes a time when people won’t receive what God the Holy Spirit is doing. I call this “becoming crystallized” in doctrine and form. God moves by His Spirit to revive His church and a remnant receives the present work of the Holy Spirit. Many that accepted the previous move of God become stuck and reject what God is currently doing. The last move becomes “tasteless” and “good for nothing” in effecting God’s purpose.

We are presently in what some have called a “post-denominational” time. That means “denominationalism” is becoming less and less important. Each of the denominations served a purpose at a particular time in history, but when they crystallized, they began becoming salt less. I respect the denominations and their respective contributions to God’s restoration plan for His church. Many precious saints are part of a particular denomination, but are also embracing the larger work of the Spirit in the whole of His Church. Paul helps us understand the Lord’s view when he says, “He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Ask the Holy Spirit to enlarge your view of His work in the earth. Ask Him to protect you from being tasteless. Ask Him to fill you afresh with Himself, that you might share with others the wonderful news of His salvation.

Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth.

Gentleness demands humility. The arrogant do not practice gentleness or meekness. One evidence of a Spirit-filled life is the fruit of gentleness (Galatians 5:22). There are many who try to move ahead in life with an arrogant attitude. Usually, this person is filled with selfishness, only thinking about their success no matter how it may affect others. This character flaw is especially seen in the business world, the entertainment industry, and the political arena. A drive for power and control is behind arrogance and selfishness. It can be observed that most of these people end up losing in life. Many times their dreams are dashed by heartbreak and loss.

The Scriptures teach, and many lives demonstrate, that gentleness is the way to success. Jesus is teaching a key to life’s success in Matthew 5:5. Humility, which demonstrates gentleness, will help bring success. Through gentleness the Holy Spirit touches the hearts of people and opens opportunities. Individuals are moved to reach out and help the gentle person. Opportunities come, doors open, and a way is made for the gentle person to be received as their reputation begins to be spread.

Some people are gentle by nature. This is a human quality which is rare and honorable. As Jesus brings into focus His Kingdom, He is anticipating those that would be filled with His Holy Spirit, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in all of their relationships. Paul said, “All things are ours. So then let no one boast in men, for all things belong to you” (1 Corinthians 3:21). All things belong to the child of God, but we must see this corporately. As an individual, I cannot claim all things at all times, but the Lord blesses His body throughout the earth. Remember Paul’s teaching when he said, “There are many members, but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). As members of the body of Christ, we enter into His promised inheritance through humility and gentleness, not arrogance or pride.

Ask the Holy Spirit to increase growth in you regarding gentleness. Ask Him to show you what He has set aside in the earth as your inheritance. Father, I thank You for Your promise that the gentle shall inherit the earth.