"study The Scripture"

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

DOCTRINE OF RESSURECTION

Job 19:25-27

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

Isaiah 26:19

19 Your dead shall live;
Together with my dead body[a] they shall arise.
Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust;
For your dew is like the dew of herbs,
And the earth shall cast out the dead.

1) Romans 1:4

4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

(authenticity)

2) Acts 2:25-31

25 For David says concerning Him:
‘ I foresaw the LORD always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’[a]
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

(prophesy fulfilled)

3) 1 Corinthians 15:45

45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”[a] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

(He came to bestow life on the spiritually dead)

4) Ephesians 1:19-20

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Romans 6:4

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

(to impart power so we may walk in newness of life)

5) Ephesians 1:22-23

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

(to make Him head of a body of believers)

6) Ephesians 4:8

8 Therefore He says:
“ When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

(to give gifts)

7) Romans 4:25

25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

(to pay our debts)

8) 1 Corinthians 15:23

23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

(the firstfruit of the harvest)

PHYSICAL DEATH= SEPARATION OF SOUL FROM BODY
SPIRITUAL DEATH= SEPARATION OF SOUL FROM GOD


And so ends another study.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I've been working on a study of Matthew chapters 5=7
the Sermon on the Mount
that needs alot of work

So, I'm going to try to shake the cobwebs off my back
get moving on what God's doing in my life
and hopefully get around to the next study soon

God bless everyone with His will in your lives

Lorene

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

We have all been blessed with the power to strengthen the works of God in our lives and in those around us.

In encouragements we give others the courage of perseverance.

In prayer we open the window to God's work in others lives even tho they themselves may have rejected Him. And pours forth blessings into those who have already accepted Him.

We strengthen the children of God in this forum when we represent Jesus and His ways.

We bless and in return are ourselves blessed within it.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I wrote the psydo testimony and it left me really wanting to
write my true testimony.

I had written this out when I was asked to give testimony at a church that I attended many
years ago.

The only thing I remember about Jesus when I was growing up was that He loved me. And
whoever taught me that , taught me well, b/c I never stopped believing it. Maybe it was
Jesus that showed me at a very young age His concern for me when I prayed for money to start
a piggybank, found 35 cents in the boy closet (risking my life to go there) and spending it
on a rainbow popsicle. I begged Jesus for forgiveness and he's been looking over my shoulder
ever since.

I was born into a very disfunctional family. My mom was always there but always distracted
by what could have been and my dad was either at logging camps or drunk. With 5 siblings it
was pretty much a dog eat dog world, fighting for scrapes off the table. We were very poor
and tho we seemed close, the fighting never seemed to seize either. It wasn't until I was in
my 30's and had to go to AA (court induced) did I ever learn a different way of functioning,
and probably never would at that if I didn't have exemplarary members take me under their
wings, to AA dances and talk the steps to me w/o me realizing I was learning. My first
mentors, to whom my gratitude belongs.

Most of the kids from my Surrey neighbourhood grew up to be Hell's Angels , drug addicts or brunts of jokes. 2 of my
brothers died of herion overdoses before they were 30. (one apparently left a note that no
one saw, and the other was asking about a rumoured hit on him 3 wks previous) Such was life.
I was involved in importing drugs into the country, lots of booze and eventually phsych
wards.

I know that Jesus tried to intervene in my life numerous times. One person gave me a book
(Satan is alive and living on earth- Hal Lindsey) that literally brought me to my knees ,
begging Jesus to take control of my life. I remember a dream of Jesus, seeing Jesus, and
being surrounded by Love for 3 days while on a roadtrip visting jazzjams and being the only
white person there, (maybe I needed Jesus then cause I had all kinds of cute visecops
sitting with me)

Someone else gave me a bible (a travelling preacher) and someone else showed me Jesus in
there, in the tabernacle, how He gave up His majesty to come and save us.

And yet, thru all that my life didn't change. I still had the same attitude as before. Even
after I'd gotten Christian friends and started doing the recreational bible-reading thing. I
still just didn't get it. My attitudes were still the same.
Then , one day, I was reading 1st John, I think it was, and read about me being God's kid.

It was like I had found gold. Like scratching around in the dirt of my life and finding
gold. And the more I scratched around, the more gold I found and it seemed to lead on the
path of how God wanted my life to be.

And there was power in those words. Power to change my life. And I knew it was worth giving
everything up to go after. To give up my bad habits. So, I poured my heart into it and my
life began to change. I felt clean inside and I started to like myself.

I think it was at this time that Jesus won the victory of my life, when He won me to His
ways.

I thank God for all the blessings He's given my life and all the spiritual giants He has
placed there for me. Usually they are just out of my grasp enough for me to keep me
striving, but where ever they are they never fail to boast me on their shoulders when I need
it.

So, that's my testimony. Thanks for listening.

 

[abigale]

Hope to see the study soon, mihi
God bless

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

THE PORTRAIT OF JESUS, GOD AND MANKIND (Jesus's character was His acheivement)

PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM (LINES DRAWN FROM WHICH WE ACQUIRE THE DIVINE NATURE)

MATTHEW CHAPTERS 5-7

The sermon on the mount naturally falls into 6 great divisions

1) The goal of life= to be or complete as the Father in heaven is perfect and complete (chap 5:48)
a) the 27 marks of this perfect life (5:1-17)

2) a diognosis of the reason why men do not reach or move on to the goal: Divided personality (chap 6, 7:7-11)

3) the Divine offer of an adaquate moral and spiritual re-inforcement so that mankind can move on to that goal: The Holy Spirit to them that ask Him (7:7-11)

4) After making the Divine offer it gathers up and emphasis in 2 sentences our part in reaching that goal.
Toward others_ we are to do unto others as we would that they should to us. (7:12) toward ourselves_ we are to lose ourselves by entering the straight gate (7:13)

5) the test of whether we are moving on to that goal. or whether the Divine life is operative within us: By their fruits (7:15-23)

6) the survivor value of this new life lived in any other way: the house founded on rock and the house founded on sand. (7:24-27)

I'm going to try to present this as it's being written using this outline as a guide.
So, feel free to join in the discussion. God bless ya'll!

Matthew chap 5 (outline)
5:13-16
what they are to the world
17-20
what they are to the past
21-47
in intimate relations with others
48
what they shall be
REVERENCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE:
21-22
below us
23-26
same social level
27-28
women
29-30
our own personality
33-37
reverence for truth in speach
39-41
for those in class above
42
economically beneath
43-47
reverence for our enemies

Chap 6 Life's rewards are in the makeup of Character

Chap 7 Divine cooperation with the divine

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Matt5:2-12
What beleivers are in themselves (3 Parts)


Matthew 5:2-12
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
**************************************************************************************
Part 1

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.

(Want nothing, yet share everything.Are spiritually fit to survive and rule)

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(self renounced, receptive)

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.

(the servant burden bearers)

5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.

(become the meek, not tempted or bought)

tbc
comments?

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

MEEKNESS

It must be clearly understood that the meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power. The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was “meek” because he had the infinite resources of God at His command. The believer is to cultivate meekness for the same reason. Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is an equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.


This is well illustrated in the case of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was neither depressed by the rejection of His service nor elated by the plaudits of the multitudes that would have crowned Him, for He was “meek … in heart,” Matthew 11:20–30.


In 2 Corinthians 10:1 the apostle appeals to the “meekness … of Christ,” with obvious reference to Matthew 11:29,

and to the quotation from Zechariah 9:9 in Matthew 21:5, “thy King cometh unto thee, meek….” Christians are charged to show “all meekness toward all men,” Titus 3:2, for meekness becomes “God’s elect,”

Colossians 3:12, since they are “builded together for a habitation of God,” Ephesians 2:22; 4:1, 2. To this virtue the “man of God” is urged; he is to “follow after meekness” for his own sake,


1 Timothy 6:11, with which the present passage may be associated; and in his service, and more especially in his dealings with the “ignorant and erring,” he is to exhibit “a spirit of meekness,”


1 Corinthians 4:21, and 6:1, even “they that oppose themselves” are to be corrected in meekness, 2 Timothy 2:25.


So for the apostle Paul. James exhorts his “beloved brethren” to “receive with meekness the implanted word,” 1:21, and declares that a life lived and good works done, not in an ostentatious way, but in that meekness which characterizes wisdom, is evidence of a “wise and understanding” heart, 3:13. Peter commends to women “the incorruptible apparel of a meek … spirit,” 1 Peter 3:4; and to all “meekness” in setting forth the grounds of the Christian hope, 3:15.||


In Matthew 11:29; 21:5; 1 Peter 3:4, quoted above, and in Matthew 5:5, quoted from Psalm 37:11, praos (praus) the corresponding adjective is used.||

Vine, W. (1997, c1996). Collected writings of W.E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
***********************************************************************

Meekness seems properly to relate to ourselves, but it may be referred either to God or our neighbor. When this due composure of mind has reference to God, it is usually termed resignation, a calm acquiescence in whatsoever is his will concerning us, even though it may not be pleasing to nature; saying continually, “It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good.” When we consider it more strictly with regard to ourselves, we style it patience or contentedness. When it is exerted toward other men, then it is mildness to the good and gentleness to the evil.


They who are truly meek can clearly discern what is evil, and they can also suffer it. They are sensible of everything of this kind, but still meekness holds the reins. They are exceeding “zealous for the Lord of Hosts,” but their zeal is always guided by knowledge, and tempered in every thought, word, and work with the love of man as well as the love of God. They do not desire to extinguish any of the passions which God has for wise ends implanted in their nature, but they have the mastery of all; they hold them all in subjection and employ them only in subservience to those ends. And thus even the harsher and more unpleasing passions are applicable to the noblest purposes; even hatred, anger, and fear, when engaged against sin and regulated by faith and love, are as walls and bulwarks to the soul so that the wicked one cannot approach to hurt it.


It is evident this divine temper is not only to abide but to increase in us day by day. Occasions of exercising, and thereby increasing it, will never be wanting while we remain upon earth. “We have need of patience, that after we have done [and suffered] the will of God, we may receive the promise.” We have need of resignation, that we may in all circumstances say, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt.” And we have need of “gentleness toward all men”; but especially toward the evil and unthankful. Otherwise, we shall be overcome of evil instead of overcoming evil with good.


Heritage of great evangelical teaching : Featuring the best of Martin Luther, John Wesley, Dwight L. Moody, C.H. Spurgeon and others. 1997, c1996. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God (v. 3). Isaiah 66:2 helps us understand this verse. God says through the prophet, “On this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.”


The poor in spirit are deeply aware of their spiritual poverty and conscious of their utter dependence on God. Theirs is the kingdom of God, for utter and complete dependence on God is the key to living in His kingdom.


Isaiah 66:2 For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the LORD.
“ But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.

Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.


Matthew 19:14-25
14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good[a] Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.[c] But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’[d] and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”[e]
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth.[f] What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
With God All Things Are Possible

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”



Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.


Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.


Proverbs 16:19
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.



Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“ I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.


1 Corinthians 1:26

Glory Only in the Lord

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.



Blessed are the poor in spirit,… Not the poor in purse, or who are so with respect to things temporal: for though God has chosen and called many, who are in such a condition of life, yet not all; the kingdom of heaven cannot be said to belong to them all, or only; but such as are poor in a spiritual sense. All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy with; they are in debt, owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay; and in such a condition, that they are not able to help themselves.


The greater part of mankind are insensible of this their condition; but think themselves rich, and increased with goods: there are some who are sensible of it, who see their poverty and want, freely acknowledge it, bewail it, and mourn over it; are humbled for it, and are broken under a sense of it; entertain low and mean thoughts of themselves; seek after the true riches, both of grace and glory; and frankly acknowledge, that all they have, or hope to have, is owing to the free grace of God. Now these are the persons intended in this place; who are not only "poor", but are poor "in spirit"; in their own spirits, in their own sense, apprehension, and judgment: and may even be called "beggars", as the word may be rendered; for being sensible of their poverty, they place themselves at the door of mercy, and knock there; their language is, "God be merciful"; their posture is standing, watching, and waiting, at wisdom's gates, and at the posts of her door; they are importunate, will have no denial, yet receive the least favour with thankfulness. Now these are pronounced "blessed", for this reason,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; not only the Gospel, and the ministration of it, which belongs to them.


"The poor have the Gospel preached": it not only reaches their ears, but their hearts; it enters into them, is applied unto them, they receive and embrace it with the utmost joy and gladness; but eternal glory, this is prepared for them, and given to them; they are born heirs of it, have a right unto it, are making meet for it, and shall enjoy it.


Gill Commmentary

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

THOSE WHO MOURN

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (v. 4). In Jesus’ day it was customary to hire professional mourners to accompany a funeral procession. We can imagine many who, while busily wailing and shrieking, inwardly rejoiced as they counted their earnings. But here Jesus speaks of those who are deeply moved by the condition of society and the plight of others. It is also true that it is the person who truly cares about others who will be comforted. Not only do they look forward to God’s ultimate setting right of all things, they are the ones who reach out to others to offer help. In being others-centered rather than self-centered we discover the blessing of God.


Isaiah 61:2-3
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”


John 16:20
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.


2 Corinthians 1:7
And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.


Revelation 7:17
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”


Revelation 21:4
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

2 Cor 7:10 godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation. “Godly sorrow” refers to sorrow that is according to the will of God and produced by the Holy Spirit . True repentance cannot occur apart from such a genuine sorrow over one’s sin. The word “leading” is supplied by the translators; Paul was saying that repentance belongs to the realm or sphere of salvation. Repentance is at the very heart of and proves one’s salvation: unbelievers repent of their sin initially when they are saved, and then as believers, repent of their sins continually to keep the joy and blessing of their relationship to God.

Isaiah 40:1-2
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her time of suffering is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of Jehovah’s hand double for all her sins.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Want nothing, yet share everything. Are spiritually fit to survive and rule.

So, how to summerize the first 3 in Part 1

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.

(The poor in spirit, they who mourn and the meek)

Why are they spiritually fit to survive and rule?

tbc.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Endurance Joy and Powerful Works (Fit to survive and rule)

Those who mourn.


Being comforted isn't a big plus for leadership. But the strength derived from endurance would be. The firm belief that God will set things right IS confident faith in His mercy/justice system.
The ability to look beyond themselves and see others pain and become a partaker of that pain when it isn't required by human standards rather than to persue the joy the world has to offer, for aren't those enjoying now recieving the reward in this lifetime.

The poor in spirit.

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs 16:19
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Again we see the preference for things that the world doesn't hold in high value.

1 Corinthians 1:26

Glory Only in the Lord

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

The poor in spirit have a heart rich to God and they receive and embrace it with the utmost joy and gladness, which s the makings of the mighty, for where there heart is so shall their treasure be. These will not lose rewards so will be given the kingdom in it's full reward.


The meek.

The fruit of power in the divine temperence.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Discernment of evil, yet suffers it would have the power of God behind it to accomplish that.



Eph 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

THE PORTRAIT OF JESUS, GOD AND MANKIND (Jesus's character was His acheivement)

PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM (LINES DRAWN FROM WHICH WE ACQUIRE THE DIVINE NATURE)

MATTHEW CHAPTERS 5-7

Matt5:2-12
What beleivers are in themselves (3 Parts)

Matthew 5:2-12
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
**************************************************************************************
Part 2

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.

(passion for Righteousness, Compassion for mankind. Seek Law, Show Love,See God)

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

(passion for goodness ie: Mt. Sanai)

7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

(Father forgive them, Mt. Calvery)

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.

(Seers)

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Passion for Righteousness will be Filled

6:20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness.

—Literally, “free to righteousness”; that is to say, righteousness laid no sort of bond upon them, they had no relation to it in any way.

To “seek first” means to desire God’s kingdom above everything, and to actively pursue the lifestyle of righteousness that marks its citizens.

Only one who has committed himself or herself to Jesus can experience the release from anxiety that Christ promises here. The peace that frees us to give priority to the kingdom is a peace that only God can provide.

5:6 hunger and thirst for righteousness.

This is the opposite of the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. It speaks of those who seek God’s righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of their own

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;


What they seek will fill them, b/c it will satisfy their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Mt 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst,… Not after the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world, but
after righteousness; by which is meant, not justice and equity, as persons oppressed and injured; nor a moral, legal righteousness, which the generality of the Jewish nation were eagerly pursuing; but the justifying righteousness of Christ, which is imputed by God the Father, and received by faith. To "hunger and thirst" after this, supposes a want of righteousness, which is the case of all men; a sense of want of it, which is only perceived by persons spiritually enlightened; a discovery of the righteousness of Christ to them, which is made in the Gospel, and by the Spirit of God; a value for it, and a preference of it to all other righteousness; and an earnest desire after it, to be possessed of it, and found in it; and that nothing can be more grateful than that, because of its perfection, purity, suitableness, and use: happy souls are these,
for they shall be filled: with that righteousness, and with all other good things, in consequence of it; and particularly with joy and peace, which are the certain effects of it: or, "they shall be satisfied", that they have an interest in it; and so satisfied with it, that they shall never seek for any other righteousness, as a justifying one, in the sight of God; this being full, perfect, sufficient, and entirely complete.


Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Mt 5:6
They which do hunger and thirst - As the body has its natural appetites of hunger and thirst for the food and drink suited to its nourishment, so has the soul. No being is indestructible or unfailing in its nature but God; no being is independent but him: as the body depends for its nourishment, health, and strength upon the earth, so does the soul upon heaven. Heavenly things cannot support the body; they are not suited to its nature: earthly things cannot support the soul, for the same reason. When the uneasy sensation termed hunger takes place in the stomach, we know we must get food or perish. When the soul is awakened to a tense of its wants, and begins to hunger and thirst after righteousness or holiness, which is its proper food, we know that it must be purified by the Holy Spirit, and be made a partaker of that living bread, Joh 8:48, or perish everlastingly. Now, as God never inspires a prayer but with a design to answer it, he who hungers and thirsts after the full salvation of God, may depend on being speedily and effectually blessed or satisfied, well-fed, as the word χορτασθησονται implies. Strong and intense desire after any object has been, both by poets and orators, represented metaphorically by hunger and thirst. See the well-known words of Virgil, Aeneid iii. 55.
- Quid non mortalia pectora cogis,
Auri sacra Fames!
"O cursed hunger after gold! what canst thou not influence the hearts of men to perpetrate?"
How frequently do we find, inexplebilis honorum Fames-Sitiens virtutis-famae Situs, the insatiable hunger after honor, a thirst for virtue, thirst after fame, and such like! Righteousness here is taken for all the blessings of the new covenant - all the graces of the Messiah's kingdom - a full restoration to the image of God!

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Matt 5:7

Here is where we see the Pursuit of God's ways (Mt. Sanai's giving of the law) stoop to show Mercy to others that are not so well informed (Mt. Calvary's forgiveness)

(The Old Testament had continually desired love and mercy rather than sacrifice)

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.


Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 12:7
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned the guiltless.

(This attitude can be seen with statements such as

Ezekiel 18:23
Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?


(What all do you think is involved in the spiritual concept “unbelief” that provokes the patience, mercy, and love of God?)

Hebrews 3:12-19
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.


Psalm 95:7-8
7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,



Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

(Mercy triumphs over judgment. The person whose life is characterized by mercy is ready for the day of judgment, and will escape all the charges that strict justice might bring against him because by showing mercy to others he gives genuine evidence of having received God’s mercy.)

(BUT, It doesn't go well for those who show no mercy

James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

(A person who shows no mercy and compassion for people in need demonstrates that he has never responded to the great mercy of God, and as an unredeemed person will receive only strict, unrelieved judgment in eternal hell)


William Burkitt's Expository Notes
Mt 5:7
Here our blessed Redeemer recommends to us a compassionate regard towards the miseries of others, and that both in soul and body, name and estate; to be forward to pity and pardon, to relieve and help, to give and forgive.
And as an encouragement, he adds, that as we deal with others, God will deal with us; our charity towards men shall be crowned with mercy from God, and that in abundance too; for our rivulet of charity we shall partake of an ocean of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Learn, That the merciful man is a blessed man, and therefore blessed because he shall obtain mercy, when he most wants it, and most desires it. Mercy, not wages.


Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Mt 5:7
Verse 7. Blessed are the merciful. That is, those who are so affected by the sufferings of others, as to be disposed to alleviate them. This is given as an evidence of piety; and it is said that they who show mercy to others shall obtain it. The same sentiment is found in Mt 10:42. Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water only unto one of these little ones, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward. See also Mt 25:34-40. It should be done to glorify God; that is, in obedience to his commandments, and with a desire that he should be honoured; and feeling that we are benefiting one of his creatures. Then he will regard it as done to him, and will reward us. See the sentiment of this verse, that the merciful shall obtain mercy, more fully expressed in 2Sa 22:26-27; and in Ps 18:25-26.
Nowhere do we imitate God more than in showing mercy. In nothing does God more delight than in the exercise of mercy, Ex 34:6; Eze 33:11; 1Ti 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. To us, guilty sinners; to us, wretched, dying, and exposed to eternal woe, he has shown his mercy by giving his Son to die for us; by expressing his willingness to pardon and save us; and by sending his Spirit to renew and sanctify the heart. Each day of our life, each hour, and each moment, we partake of his undeserved mercy. All the blessings we enjoy are proofs of his mercy. If we also show mercy to the poor, the wretched, the guilty, it shows that we are like God; we have his spirit, and shall not lose our reward. And we have abundant opportunity to do it. Our world is full of guilt and woe, which we may help to relieve; and every day of our lives we have opportunity by helping the poor and wretched, and by forgiving those who injure us, to show that we are like God. Cmt. on Mt 6:14.

John Wesley's Notes on the Bible
Mt 5:7
Verse 7. The merciful - The tender-hearted: they who love all men as themselves: They shall obtain mercy - Whatever mercy therefore we desire from God, the same let us show to our brethren. He will repay us a thousand fold, the love we bear to any for his sake.


Psalm 41
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor;
The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive,
And he will be blessed on the earth;
You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

 

[xxkingskidlmxx]

Matt 5:7

Here is where we see the Pursuit of God's ways (Mt. Sanai's giving of the law) stoop to show Mercy to others that are not so well informed (Mt. Calvary's forgiveness)

(The Old Testament had continually desired love and mercy rather than sacrifice)

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.


Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 12:7
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned the guiltless.

(This attitude can be seen with statements such as

Ezekiel 18:23
Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?


(What all do you think is involved in the spiritual concept “unbelief” that provokes the patience, mercy, and love of God?)

Hebrews 3:12-19
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.


Psalm 95:7-8
7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,



Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

(Mercy triumphs over judgment. The person whose life is characterized by mercy is ready for the day of judgment, and will escape all the charges that strict justice might bring against him because by showing mercy to others he gives genuine evidence of having received God’s mercy.)

(BUT, It doesn't go well for those who show no mercy

James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

(A person who shows no mercy and compassion for people in need demonstrates that he has never responded to the great mercy of God, and as an unredeemed person will receive only strict, unrelieved judgment in eternal hell)


William Burkitt's Expository Notes
Mt 5:7
Here our blessed Redeemer recommends to us a compassionate regard towards the miseries of others, and that both in soul and body, name and estate; to be forward to pity and pardon, to relieve and help, to give and forgive.
And as an encouragement, he adds, that as we deal with others, God will deal with us; our charity towards men shall be crowned with mercy from God, and that in abundance too; for our rivulet of charity we shall partake of an ocean of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Learn, That the merciful man is a blessed man, and therefore blessed because he shall obtain mercy, when he most wants it, and most desires it. Mercy, not wages.


Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Mt 5:7
Verse 7. Blessed are the merciful. That is, those who are so affected by the sufferings of others, as to be disposed to alleviate them. This is given as an evidence of piety; and it is said that they who show mercy to others shall obtain it. The same sentiment is found in Mt 10:42. Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water only unto one of these little ones, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward. See also Mt 25:34-40. It should be done to glorify God; that is, in obedience to his commandments, and with a desire that he should be honoured; and feeling that we are benefiting one of his creatures. Then he will regard it as done to him, and will reward us. See the sentiment of this verse, that the merciful shall obtain mercy, more fully expressed in 2Sa 22:26-27; and in Ps 18:25-26.
Nowhere do we imitate God more than in showing mercy. In nothing does God more delight than in the exercise of mercy, Ex 34:6; Eze 33:11; 1Ti 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. To us, guilty sinners; to us, wretched, dying, and exposed to eternal woe, he has shown his mercy by giving his Son to die for us; by expressing his willingness to pardon and save us; and by sending his Spirit to renew and sanctify the heart. Each day of our life, each hour, and each moment, we partake of his undeserved mercy. All the blessings we enjoy are proofs of his mercy. If we also show mercy to the poor, the wretched, the guilty, it shows that we are like God; we have his spirit, and shall not lose our reward. And we have abundant opportunity to do it. Our world is full of guilt and woe, which we may help to relieve; and every day of our lives we have opportunity by helping the poor and wretched, and by forgiving those who injure us, to show that we are like God. Cmt. on Mt 6:14.

John Wesley's Notes on the Bible
Mt 5:7
Verse 7. The merciful - The tender-hearted: they who love all men as themselves: They shall obtain mercy - Whatever mercy therefore we desire from God, the same let us show to our brethren. He will repay us a thousand fold, the love we bear to any for his sake.


Psalm 41
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor;
The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive,
And he will be blessed on the earth;
You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

so, your saying be nice or God will get you for it. sounds fair.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

so, your saying be nice or God will get you for it. sounds fair.

Well, it could be something like this

or this

or best yet, this

by doing this.

because

Therefore

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Hi Mods will you please close this thread for me. Thank you.

 

[JacobsDream]

Close at OP's request.