Matthew 6:19-24 – Proper attitude toward treasure and wealth

Like fasting, followers of Christ must also put Him first with regards to earthly treasures. This is needful because man has the tendency to place importance on money and earthly treasures, over that of loving and serving God. Here we are told not to hoard earthy treasures that are not only temporal, but also subject to decay and rust. Furthermore, they can be stolen. Instead, Jesus asks us to store or build up for ourselves eternal and heavenly treasures. That’s because treasures are durable and not subject to corruption, and can never be stolen.

Verse 20 implies that believers must begin to do so now, while on earth. Why? It’s because whatever becomes our primary desire in life would also cause us to set our heart and passion on it. It’s true that what captures our mind really captures us. But how do store heavenly treasure now? The key is to get our priorities in life right. We do so by living for God. We do so by being conscious of His presence in every moment of our lives. We must think, say and act to please our Heavenly Father.  

The Lord Jesus went on to illustrate this with the eye being the lamp of the body in verses 22-23. This is also a plea to be rightly focused in life. Our priority in life is to fix our eyes on God. Of course this cannot be done literally because we cannot see God with our naked eyes. So it means that our first consideration in everything should be God. Here, Jesus is also telling us to be careful what we look at physically. A fascination can happen when we become obsessed with what we are longing at long enough. It will literally control our desires and lead us to take a certain course of action. So it’s important what our physical eyes look at all the time. When we are not focused rightly, we can’t see things in perspective. And when we can’t see things in perspective, we will forever be going in the wrong direction. Again the Lord is talking about priority.  

Without a doubt what Jesus tells us here is true. We simply cannot have two bosses. We cannot serve money and God at the same time. Try to serve two bosses at the same time will put us in a dilemma concerning who we should give priority. The appeal here is for us to make God our priority. Someday when we are looking in retrospect we will realize that putting God on the top of our priority list has been the best wisest decision in life.  

Matthew 6:16-18 – What not to do when we are fasting

The issue in these three verses is about having the right motive when we are engaged in a fast. This theme is similar to what we see in Matthew 6:1-6 concerning giving and praying. Fasting is something a person should do in conjunction with prayer and devotion. Jesus expects His followers to fast periodically. His words were “whenever you fast…” and not “If you fast….” Hence we surmise that fasting is part and parcel of a Christian’s devotion.

The issue Jesus is addressing is the motive that some people would have during periods of fasting. Instead of making fasting a personal devotion and a personal time with God, some people would make fasting a public show. Hairs, and possibly beards, would be disheveled, unkempt and entangled, and even the face would be coated with ashes. As a result, fasting becomes a drama and a farce. It becomes like an act of a dramatist with a mask on. This is what hypocrites would do. The whole plot is carried out to draw the attention of men. 

During periods of fasting, Jesus advocates that we should act and behave as we usually would. We must have our face cleansed and hair properly combed. (And even head anointed with oil, which was commonly done in the time of Jesus). We should put our focus on God and not on someone or something else. Jesus’ instruction is for us to make our fasting a matter between God and us. When that’s our motive, we will be enriched in Him.  

Matthew 6:7-15 – The framework for prayer

In verses 5-6, Jesus points out the flaws of prayers of the hypocrites. Here in verses 7-8, He shows the flaws of much of prayers offered by people in the non-Jewish community. Their prayers usually contain lengthy, mindless words and incantation to some sort of gods or goddesses. Many of their prayers follow some sort of formulae and words that would be repeated over and over.  They are spoken in the hope of impressing and manipulating the deities for the self-interest of the one praying. The Lord tells His people not to emulate them in prayer.

So in verses 9-15, Jesus provides a model for prayer. He is not prescribing a formula but rather providing a framework for how we can approach God in our prayers. The Lord’s Prayer begins with addressing the Heavenly Father. And He is not a man-made image or idol but the Almighty Living God, the Creator of heaven and earth. It tells us to make honoring God’s character, reputation and presence our top priority. The Kingdom of God is about His presence being fully realized in the physical and earthly realm. It’s not about taking man to heaven, but for the glory and beauty of heaven to be translated into real experiences here on earth.

On the foundation that we have a good Heavenly Father, the Lord tells us in verses 11-13 that we can then seek His provision for physical sustenance, forgiveness for our fractured relationships and guidance for our daily journey. On seeking forgiveness, this prayer tells us that we must be forgiving people ourselves. Verses 14-15 tell us that if we will not forgive others, our hearts will somehow remain closed and incapable of receiving God’s offer of forgiveness.

Verse 13 implies that there would be difficult times - times of testing and trial, and even temptation that would cause us to wander into dark and evil paths. Because we are following Jesus, we will not be spared these moments. But we can pray to be kept in Him.  So let’s learn from the Lord’s Prayer and put it into practice in our own prayer, as we walk with our Lord and find our victory in Him!

Matthew 6:1-6 – Tips on right giving and praying

The Lord is interested in how we behave as His people. Therefore, we do have obligations. How we live and what we become will either reflect the Lord or displace Him. There are three basic practices - giving, praying and fasting – that the Jews considered and still consider as their basic responsibilities in life. However, we need to know that Jesus’ primary concern for His people in each of these practices is the same – their motive. What motivates us to give or pray or fast matters to Him. The Bible is clear that God is more concerned about our heart. When we perform for the eyes of others, the motive is wrong and rotten to its root.   

The Lord assumes that believers will practice and exercise these religious duties. It’s needful to give to the poor, to pray daily and to fast periodically. While each practice is good and necessary, it is more important to be doing it simply to and for God Himself. We must never let personal interest, to look impressive to men and hence to receive their applause, replace God in the process of doing them. We need to know that the Father desires to reward us. Yet the reward should never be our primary purpose in these religious obligations. For just knowing God better is already reward enough, and we can be assured that He will add other things to our lives as well. So the call is to do everything to please God and Him alone. Be sure that men’s eyes will be watching us, but we must carry out our duties to please God alone, and not as a performance to get men’s approval.  

In these six verses, Jesus highlighted two of the three obligations – giving and praying. He said when we give, don’t make a big show out of it. There is no necessity for big publicity and needless hullabaloo. We should not do it to draw attention to us. We must do so privately and secretly for the eyes of God. This will be more pleasing to Him and we will have our reward from Him.  

So also for our prayers. Jesus tells us that we don’t need a public platform to pray. Our prayers will not be heard just because they contain high sounding words and well constructed, and impressively articulated. We don’t need to be showy like the hypocrites, who love to offer such prayers. A good prayer is one that comes from the heart and spoken to God, especially when offered in private. So let’s cultivate a daily, one-on-one with God, private closet moments where no one else is looking. These are moments that will please the Father who awaits us each time we draw near. Know that in giving as well as in praying, The Lord invites us to a life of congruence, where our inward life matches our outward life. For He watches both aspects of our living and awaits to reward us. 

Matthew 5:43-48 – Loving even those who are not our own

There is a necessity for us to know what the terms “neighbor and enemy” in verse 43 constitute. For knowing what constitute a neighbor and an enemy will help us to understand the Lord’s intention. A neighbor should be seen as anyone within the community that loves God, and keeps His commandment. An enemy is one that doesn’t belong to that community of lovers of God, and thus consider a hater of God. In the Lord’s situation, the Romans that occupied Israel was considered their national enemy. Their enemy also included other religious groups and even one’s personal enemy. 

The call of Christ here is for Kingdom people not only to love those within the believer’s community, but also those outside of it. Yes, and even our oppressors. One concrete way to demonstrate that love is to pray for them. This call to love is not based on any humanitarian ideals but on the very loving nature of God, who loves everyone without partiality. It is also based on the promise of a future reward. The Lord tells us that we will not be applauded for loving those who love us. But we will be applauded if we will love those who don’t love us. 

We are called to be people with a difference. To prove His point the Lord illustrates it with the tax collectors. They are the cronies of the Romans. They would betray their fellow Israelites by collecting more tax than they were supposed to do. Hence, they were seen as dishonest and were greatly despised, and considered as scums by their own people. Even those scums knew how to love their very own and would greet each other cordially. How different would we be from them, if we could only love people of our own mold? When we only treat those of our own kindly, we are truly no different from anyone of them.  

What's tough in this passage is that we are called to be like our Heavenly Father who is  perfect. He had left us an example. We can see from how He causes His sun to rise on  the  evil and  the  good, and sends rain on  the righteous and the unrighteous. Our Heavenly Father did not call Israel to Himself in order to play favorite. As a nation, Israel was not called so that they could feel special. They were called so that they could represent God. Like them, we are also called to represent God and our role is to be salt of the earth and light of the world. How else can we fulfill our role effectively unless we emulate our perfect Father who shows no partiality?   

Matthew 5:38-42 – Going beyond retaliation

In the Old Testament, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” command was to prevent revenge from getting out of hand. Knowing human nature, people won’t be satisfied just getting angry, they want to get even. And worse still they want to exact a revenge with escalating intensity that would certainly create an endless feud. So this instruction limits what someone could do to an offender.

In three examples, Jesus proposed something better for us, His disciples. We are not to retaliate. We are to act in ways that will reflect the nature and character of a kind God. What Jesus proposed is for us to be magnanimous, like He is. We can do something that will shock our offender. Instead of hitting back when one is struck on one side of the cheeks, one is to offer the other. A slap on the face is certainly an insult, but when one hits back, the evil will be perpetuated. The offering of the other cheek is a call to act differently. Instead of insisting on one’s right to hit back, we allow our security in God to express in ways that would disarm our offender.

Similarly, when one is being sued in court for one’s shirt, Jesus advocates the offering of one’s outer cloak as well. This is of course not to be taken literally again. It’s Jesus’ way of saying that we don’t need to insist on our rights, legal or otherwise. We can be secure in God enough to divest of our right, and be willing to renounce it in the interest of others.  

Verse 41 reflects Roman military occupation. There was a practice that a Roman soldier or a government official could insist that a citizen carry his equipment for a prescribed distance and no further. Here the Lord said that His people should do more than what is required by this law. When asked to carry for a mile we make it two.

What is in all these illustrations for us? Regardless of what situations we are in, we must think through carefully and consider how best to reflect God’s love. Whether in tension or aggravation, and irritation or frustration, we must remember that we are still salt of this earth and light of this world.         

Matthew 5:33-37 – Being truthful

In these verses the Lord turns to deal with making oath and truthfulness. The crux of what the Lord is saying is explicitly clear. We are to say what we mean and mean what we say.  In fact, what the Lord says here will help us not to take the name of the Lord in vain. This is so because in the everyday conversation people often vow to be speaking the truth. In so doing they are unwittingly swearing by God.

The Lord’s point is this: We must merely speak the truth sincerely and honestly. What we should do is to think carefully before we open our mouths. It is better to say exactly what we are thinking, without needing to add on. To say anything more will cause us to say less than what we mean. And when we need to swear to prove that we are speaking the truth, we will inevitably put a huge question mark on our truthfulness. 

Jesus puts it so succinctly here: Just let our yes, be yes and no, be no. Anything beyond comes from a source that’s evil.  So let’s just say what we mean and mean what we say.  

Matthew 5:27-32 – On lust and marital fidelity

Matthew 5:27 states the seventh commandment God had given through Moses. This commandment forbids adultery. And by definition, adultery is the act of having sexual relationship with anyone other than one’s spouse. Here the Lord brings us some insights to how adultery usually happens. The beginning point of any adultery is lust. If it’s not checked, it can trigger a process leading up to an illicit relationship.  So the Lord’s call is for us to deal ruthlessly with lust before it has any opportunity to bring an adultery into full bloom.

We know that it is impossible to avoid admiring someone we deem beautiful and lovely. However, we need to know that problems begin when that admiration becomes an unhealthy fascination. When that happens, it will cause one’s mind to create unhealthy fantasies before long. So using hyperbolic languages in verses 29-30, the Lord tells us to pitilessly deal with any source that could lead to that immoral act. These two verses are not meant to be taken and applied literally. Otherwise there will be many disfigured, dismembered, crippled and maimed people walking around in church. Plucking out the eye and cutting off the hand, are Jesus’ forceful way of saying that lust must be mercilessly dealt with, before it takes root and create trouble for one’s life.

If lust can be contained, adultery will be avoided. If adultery can be avoided, divorce and remarrying will be contained. Of course this is a very simplistic equation because life is far more complicated in this world. That’s why churches worldwide are grappling with this controversial subject of divorce and remarry. Anticipating that, the Lord dealt with this issue briefly in verses 31-32. Together with other passages in the New Testament, such as Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; and 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, we see that the Lord is against divorce. We can conclude that marital infidelity and adultery on the part of one spouse, would be adequate ground for divorce.  Suffice to say that as Kingdom people, we should seek the Lord’s help in a sticky situation like this. And we should seek never to be the one that causes the split. 

Jesus is more concerned with us being salt and light. This is precisely the Lord’s point. We need to deal ruthlessly with what could lead to an adultery and cause us to become unusable salt or a very dim light. As soon as lust rears its ugly head we must chop it off. Lust, a passion stokes by the fire of hell, must be kept in check. Denying lust the space to express itself fully in one’s life, is undeniably an important Christian discipline. One effective way to deal with it is to let the Holy Spirit fill our lives and to develop the fruit of self-control in us. This can help to curb the spirit of lust. 

Matthew 5:21-26 – Dealing with anger and hostility

In Matthew 5:20, Jesus shows us what is required of the people of His Kingdom. In the lives of the scribes and Pharisees, we see people who tried their best to live out the demands of the law to a point of absurdity. But as disciples of Jesus, the demand He makes on us is even greater. He is not dealing with the acts per se but with intentions.

There are ideals demanded by the law.  They outlined for us what God requires of us in our earthly relationships with others. The sixth commandment God gave through Moses demanded that we must not commit murder. And it is right that we must not murder. Here, the Lord Jesus takes us even further. He deals with what could possibly lead up to an eventual murder. Jesus knows what must be done to contain anger before it leads into a murderous act. The best way to go about it is to contain anger before it progresses into hostility. If we do not deal with anger when it first surfaced, we would eventually end up acting aggressively toward our offender. The acts worsen in degrees and ending up in the actual murder or its equivalent.

As people of God’s new society, we know what’s demanded of us. We know the ideal, but how do we actually work this out in our everyday life? So the Lord leaves us something that help us to live this ideal in a practical everyday living. Here, His call is for us to be reconciled with our offender and not allow any anger to escalate into hatred, and then into murderous intention and even into the act of murder.

It is pointless to be excessively religious and be found in church seemingly worshipping the Lord, when we refuse to deal with an anger against someone. The Lord does not want any anger against anyone to be seething within when we come to worship Him. He wisely tells us to deal with that first. We must go and seek reconciliation even when we are not the one who had created the offence. If we don’t we will have to deal with dire consequences eventually. So wisdom dictates that we should obey and act as He had instructed us. Don’t let anger against anyone fester, deal with it immediately. If we keep on seeking reconciliation with our offenders, there could come a time when we will not take any offence to heart when we come to worship God. Our worship will be so much sweeter when we know we are at peace with God and with everyone.  

Matthew 5:17-20 – The mission of Kingdom people

In the days of Jesus, there already existed many teachers known as Scribes and Pharisees. They were regarded as the experts of the law and the writings of the Prophets. People would turn to them for the interpretation of the Scriptures. And when Jesus arrived at the scene, it invoked questions concerning Him and His teachings. In the people’s mind was the question, “How different could Jesus be from those so called experts?”  

It is certainly true that the scribes and the Pharisees had imparted, as best as they could, the interpretation of the Law. They were calling people to be faithful to God, urging them to behave in a way that would express their covenant faithfulness to God. But now with Jesus’ arrival, the sovereign reign of God has broken into human realm. Those who would come under the realm of His rule had to live in ways that far exceed those prescribed by the Scribes and the Pharisees.

Jesus made it abundantly clear that He was not here to call for the abandonment of the law and the prophets. He, in fact, is the culmination of all the Old Testament Scriptures. Every promise of God, every command of God, every minute detail, finds in reality and full expression in Him. So boldly He declared that… ‘unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven’. How can we unless we embrace Him as our King? He has in effect opened up a way to make God’s covenant a reality in the lives of His people.  Through Him and His teachings, our hearts and minds are changed.

Israel, as a nation, failed to be the salt and light of the world. They failed to shine for God, they failed to be the nation God had intended for her to be. So Jesus came to fulfil the mission that Israel failed. Jesus is the true salt of the earth and the true Light of the World. He came to be placed on a hill known as mount Calvary. He was crucified before the world and set on the hill to become the Lighthouse, beaming the saving light in a dark world.  In Him everyone can find new hope and life. In Him every one of us can now find the way back to the Father to offer our worship.  

Herein is the key to understand verses 13-16 regarding salt and light. The mission Israel was called to fulfill - to be salt of the earth and light of the world – now rest on the shoulders of His people - the people of His Kingdom. We, the church, is that city set on a hill. We, His followers and disciples, must now follow Him and depend on Him as our source, and take up the mission to be salt and light. How has this challenge us individually in our calling as Kingdom people? How can we best express ourselves as salt and light effectively? People out there in the world still need salt and light. Are we providing what they truly need?       

Matthew 5:13-16 –Being the Salt of the earth and light of the world

In these verses the Lord uses three metaphors to describe His disciples. He said they are salt, light and a city set on a hill.

Salt has three capabilities – it creates thirst, it preserves and it adds flavor. Disciples of Christ are expected to cause people to thirst after the Christ they worship and follow. As preservatives, they are to prevent the further decaying of the community. By their presence and good behavior, they help to change the moral climate of the society. Besides, their presence should also add the right flavor to living, helping people to live lives that are contagious and glowing.

As light, disciples are to provide light to this darkened world. We have all been to a darkroom at night, where there is no light and had to fumble around. How good it is when someone flip on a switch and provide light. No longer do we need to fumble around. Many in the world without Christ had to grope around. Here’s where we can guide by showing them the way to Christ. The Lord further tells us that no one lights up a lamp, then hide it underneath a basket. He would rather put the lit lamp on a lampstand to provide light. As Christians and disciples, we are placed on God’s lampstand to provide light to those outside of Christ. We need to understand that we are God’s light in the world. Therefore we must function as light and guide people to Him by the way we conduct ourselves. 

Disciples, corporately, become God’s new community. As a community which Christ had called out of the world to Himself, we are seen as a city on a hill. We become a place of refuge for people in our fallen world. In this community, we can experience the peace of Christ and grow together in Him. Let’s be the salt of the earth! Let’s be a light to the world and let’s together be a place of refuge for people seeking the peace and presence of God! 

Matthew 5:1-12 – The beatitudes

The beatitudes are a set of nine assertions of Jesus that the people of the Kingdom of God ought to live out. They are part of a larger message known as the sermon mount. Here we are told that Jesus went up to the mountain when he saw the swelling crowd. Going up to the mountain was Matthew’s way of putting emphasis on Christ, and not to tell us the place where Jesus shared the message. This very same sermon in Luke is titled sermon on the plain.  Matthew, in this Gospel, deliberately styled it in such a way so as to parallel Moses of the Old covenant. Like Moses, Jesus’ birth was foretold by an angel in a dream. And like Moses, Jesus will work miracles to save His people. Like Moses, He also went up to the mountain, and He also gave authority, command, etc.  

To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge one’s spiritual poverty, which will enable one to connect with God and enjoy His reign. To mourn or realize one’s wretchedness, will open up doors to receive God’s comfort. To be gentle is the way to conquer the earth. To hunger and thirst after righteousness is a prerequisite to being satisfied. To show mercy enables one to receive mercy. To be pure in heart helps one to experience the reality of God. To be a peacemaker befits the character of God, and shows one to be a child of God. Kingdom people can endure persecution for righteous sake, for they have great rewards.       

Christ did not intend these to be just a set of things for believers to do to receive God’s blessings in the future, but rather an introduction to the characters that covenant people should already be practicing.  The present tense in each of the nine indicates that they are something that are to be present with the people of the Kingdom of God. The people of the Kingdom are expected to live these assertions here and now. In the book of Deuteronomy we see a list of blessings and curses for God’s people, for their obedience or disobedience. Matthew here seeks to identify the list of blessings for the New Covenant people.

We are often mistaken that the promise of each of the assertions that it carries, is for the future in God‘s Kingdom, somewhere in the by and by. They certainly will make sense for the future which God has promised. But in Christ Jesus the future has arrived. And in Him we are called to live these assertions. Let’s live them and experience the goodness of God here and now! 

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Matthew 4:18-25 – Piercing the kingdom of darkness

For Kingdom revolution to succeed, the Lord needs people who understand and would buy into His mission. Two pairs of brothers were the first few that He had enlisted. Namely, Peter and Andrew, John and James. These were fishermen. The first pair, Peter and Andrew, were actually fishermen and were fishing. But they left their nets and followed Him. The second pair, John and James, the sons of Zebedee, were actually with their father and were mending their nets. The Zebedees had a fishing business, a small business perhaps. All four of them immediately left their respective careers and followed Jesus to enlist people for the Kingdom. None of them could guess what their callings would entail. They just knew that it was a worthwhile cause. And we shall see that in the process, they would realize the sacrifice they each had to make and were willing to do so. Today God is still calling people into His redemptive purpose. And He is still recruiting redemptive agents. Some of us will be enlisted into His service as a fulltime Gospel vocation worker. Others of us may still have a fulltime secular job but our primary calling is still to enlist Kingdom movers. Let us discern His call upon our lives. Like Peter, Andrew, John and James, we must respond immediately.   

Here we also see Jesus’ early ministry in Galilee. He went about teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. As we have discovered, there is a revolution in progress. The Kingdom of God has appeared and the kingdom of darkness is being invaded. The message of God’s Light was and still is penetrating the sphere of darkness. People of that kingdom are captives. How do we know? They live a sin dominated and their disease infested lives. Because Christ the King has arrived, the forces of darkness has to take a bow. He spearheads the invasion in the unseen realm of darkness. The result is seen emphatically, the sick were healed and those demonized were delivered. In the Lord’s ministry, people brought their sick folks – the epileptics, the paralytic and those suffering pains were all healed. And even those who were demonized were all delivered. Large crowds from the regions followed Him. Mentioned in verse 25 are just a few from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and even from beyond the Jordan. They all followed the King. Are we?     

Matthew 4:12-17 – The message of the Kingdom

There are at least two conclusions that we can make from the prophetic words of Isaiah quoted in verse 15-16. First is the truth that God plans well in advance. Five hundred years before Christ came to the scene, God already had in mind for Him to come to the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. The Lord coming to this region merely fulfilled God’s plan. Secondly, these verses reveal the largeness of God’s heart. He had the salvation of the Gentiles in mind. These verses reveal God’s desire to bring light to those people in darkness. Verse 16 tells how He wants those people living under the shadow of death to be introduced to the Kingdom of His marvellous Light. Isaiah inferred that the population in Galilee was more Gentiles. So Jesus came and settled in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee to reach out to them. 

Here we are told that the circumstance that led the Lord’s move to Capernaum was John’s custody by the Roman authority. What seems like an unpleasant incident was God’s signal that it was the season for His Son to begin His public ministry. So the Lord began to proclaim the message saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Notice that “the Kingdom of heaven” is used instead of “the Kingdom of God.” This is because the Jews would not casually mention the word “God.” So this tells us that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are being used synonymously to refer to the realm of God’s reign.

Christ Jesus came to call believers into the realm of His reign. This realm is also known as the Kingdom of Light. The use of the word Kingdom is significant, for the people in the New Testament understood perfectly that this has to do in the change of rule. Israel was a subjugated nation. They were dominated by the Romans for 60 over years. The Romans even installed Herod and his sons to rule over them. As a Jew, they had always believed that God is their real King. It is a Kingdom that God is ruling! It’s a Kingdom many Jews had hoped and longed for, and still many more had prayed and would gladly die for, and were prepared for a revolt to overthrow the rule of the Romans. What they didn’t know was that what Christ came to proclaim was about a realm that’s invisible and that the naked eye cannot see. We need to know, though the realm in which the Lord reigns cannot be seen by naked eyes, its effect, however, could be felt in the physical realm.

While the call to the Kingdom of heaven is welcome, the call to repent is often not.  Yet this is precisely where the rubber meets the road. The act of repentance is so critical to entrance into this Kingdom. Why? It’s because the revolution we are called into is not against any earthly domain, but against the empire set up by the forces of darkness. To enter the kingdom of God calls for a radical change of heart and perception. Are we prepared for the change so that we can be Kingdom movers for God? Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!      

  

Matthew 4:1-11 – Overcoming the devil’s scheme

Jesus just had a wonderful baptismal experience at Jordan. And the Holy Spirit had marvellously alighted upon Him, and the Father had clearly declared that He is His beloved Son and is well pleasing to Him. Nothing can be more fulfilling to hear the Father’s own affirming words. It is for us, and we can be sure it must have been for our precious Lord as well. Every time God tells us something, it is an invitation to lean on Him and trust Him in His affirmation. This was true in Jesus’ life.

Immediately on being affirmed by God, He was led into the wilderness by the Spirit and face the inevitable test. The devil came to test His experience and try to make Him doubt the Father’s words. Jesus could either trust God and walk in obedience or doubt God and succumb to the temptation. Knowing that He had just fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was hungry, the devil’s first temptation for Him was to turn stone into bread.

Notice that it was something that Jesus needed most physically, at that moment. But the devil’s suggestion more than meets the eye. He was making Christ doubt God Who had just a while ago told Him that He is His Son. The words the devil used was “If you are the Son of God command these stones to become bread.” Jesus was so sure of the Father that He needed no proof to confirm His status as the Son. He just knows He is. Notice how the Lord resisted the temptation by rightly appropriating another portion of Scriptures. So He told the devil that while physical need awaits to be met, trusting God and His Word is more important and needful in life.

Failing to trip Jesus, the devil quickly followed up with the second temptation. He took Jesus into the city and to the pinnacle of the temple. There he challenged Him to sensationally throw Himself down if He was the Son of God. The devil quoted from Psalm 91:11-12. Firmly the Lord used another portion of the Word and appropriately applied it to resist the suggestion of the devil. Implicitly, He told the devil that God’s Word is totally believable. And that God should never be tested, for He had never spoken and will never speak something without bringing it to pass.

Thirdly, the devil took then Jesus to a great height and showed Him the multi-faceted domains of this world and its glory. What he thought could cling the deal was the offer to Jesus to simply fall down and worship him. Fully conscious that God alone deserves worship, the Lord firmly and assuredly told that devil that God is the only One worthy of our worship and service. Immediately, the devil left Him and the angels of God came and ministered to Him.   

Many of our temptations may be different from what the Lord had faced, but the end goal of the devil in every temptation is the same: to doubt God, to sin against Him and hurt His heart. The devil will do anything and everything to distract us and thwart God’s purpose in our lives.  Remember, like our Lord, we have God’s Word and we also have the same right to use it to thwart the devil’s scheme. We must memorize God’s word, store it in our heart and rightly apply it to resist the devil. Let’s stay focused and keep our eyes on Jesus. Trust the Lord and resist the devil to the end. Seek to glorify Christ every moment of life!

Matthew 3:11-17 – The Lord’s baptism and affirmation

Although John had quite a following in his ministry yet he was conscious that he came serving One who is greater than him. He recognized that his ministry was to call people to repentance and water baptism, in preparation for Jesus Christ, who is the real deal. And effective as John’s ministry might be, it would be pale in comparison to the Jesus whose sandal he felt he was unworthy even to untie. He baptizes his followers with the Holy Spirit and fire to make them conscious of God’s presence in life, and to purify them in their walk with God.   

Like a skilful farmer with a winnowing fork, the Lord Jesus will separate the chaff from the grain. In saying that He will clear the threshing floor and gather the wheat, John meant that the Lord will gather together all true believers to Himself. Those outside the Kingdom are but chaff that will finally be burnt up with unstoppable fire.

Verse 13 tells us that Jesus came from Galilee to where John was in Jordan and sought to be baptised by him. The Baptist’s first reaction was to stop the Lord from being baptised. After exalting the Lord Jesus and His ministry so glowingly, John couldn’t imagine being the one to baptise Him. However, the Lord knew that the record must be set right. The righteous Lord came to identify with us, sinful humanity. He became as we are, to reach us in our weakness.  

Unknown to John, the Heavenly Father was waiting to affirm His Son. So just as soon as the Lord Jesus came out of the water of baptism, three things took place. The heavens opened; the Holy Spirit descended and alighted on Him in the form of a dove; and the Father spoke audibly from heaven affirming His Son. These three features would mark the Lord throughout His earthly ministry.  

To operate under an open heaven is to have constant revelation and communion with the Father. The Holy Spirit coming on Him tells us that His walk and work were guided by the Holy Spirit. He did not call on His divinity to accomplish what He needed to do on earth. He effectually walked and ministered depending on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, we must also depend on the Holy Spirit to guide our lives and direct us in ministry. The voice of the Father’s affirmation was the delight of the Lord. In the same way, we believers must serve not for men’s applause but the affirmation of the Father.

Like John, we need to realize that Jesus is the real deal in our lives. Like the Lord, let’s first be identified with Him in water baptism. In ministry, let’s seek to operate under an open heaven. This only happens when we have an unbroken connection with the Father. We must also serve, guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. And we do all things for the affirmation of God and not men’s applause.  

Matthew 3:1-10 – John the Baptist and his message

John the Baptist was a voice from God after a long time. Prior to his coming there was a period of silence which God did not speak or reveal himself to His people. All the while they were yearning to hear from God. So when John came, speaking for God, his arrival was welcoming and refreshing, because God’s voice was heard once again. Large throngs of people were attracted and would come to River Jordan to receive their water baptism and confessing their sins. John is described as a simple man with an unusual diet consisting of locusts and wild honey. Even his dressing was simple and modest. But his message was powerful and compelling. Through it, we see how God desires to connect with His people, and how He yearns for His people to return to the realm of His rule.  

John came to introduce the King and His realm. Being Jewish, the term “God” was considered too sacred and unworthy for mortal to flippantly and casually mention. So the word heaven was used to substitute the word ‘God’. That’s why John called this realm, the Kingdom of heaven instead of the Kingdom of God. The one pre-requisite for anyone who wants to come under the domain of the King is for one to turn away from their sinful past and acknowledge the King. And to indicate one’s willingness to severe with his past, one must submit to water baptism. The act symbolizes a life that’s cleansed. And only people who would genuinely, sincerely and willingly turn away from their past, are qualified to go through this ceremony of cleansing. John refused to baptise those who did not show genuine departure with their sinful past. That’s the reason he told the Pharisees and the Sadducees to examine their conduct and depart from those conduct before coming to him for cleansing.

He pointed out several things to the Jews who felt that they were special, and that God would deal with them with favour, because of their forefather Abraham. They were seeking special favour because of their connection with Abraham. John told them not to presume on their relationship. For it is of no consequence if one does not have a personal relationship with the King. He wanted them to know that a new era has arrived. It’s an era which God seeks a personal relationship with anyone who would repent from his sinful past, acknowledge His Kingship and come under His rule. John underscores for us that every tree that fails to bear fruit is at the risk of being cut down and thrown into the fire. By implication, we see that trees that can bear fruit are those whose lives are connected to God. We need to know that God is looking for fruit bearing trees.

The Lord is seeking for people who would embrace His kingdom. He is seeking for people who would turn away from their sinful past. His water is still ready to cleanse. His axe is still laid at every fruitless tree. His fire is still rekindled to burn away the dross. He is bringing justice and joy to everyone who turns to Him. Let us hear and discern the voice of the Spirit!    

Matthew 2:13-23 – Guided and protected

Many Christians wish they have a secret line to God so that they can know what will happen to them, long before an event comes to pass in their lives. Can that possibly happen? Today’s passage tells us when we are living in close connection with God, He will let us know in advance before things happen. These few verses also suggest that He could reveal to us because He is all-knowing, and knows the end from the beginning. Because of this attribute God can quite easily warn us and guide us into safe ground.

Matthew 2:13-15 tell us that God knew what Herod was going to do. He saw Herod’s tirade and action well in advance. He knew that he was going to search out the baby Jesus to kill Him. So God outsmarted him by instructing the magi not to return to him. Meanwhile, He also warned Joseph in a dream, who then took both Jesus and Mary to Egypt for refuge. There they remained until Herod’s death. And when that happened, God led Joseph to bring the family back to Israel. This act fulfilled what Hosea 11:1 had prophesied, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Mathew 2:16-23 describe for us what Herod did when the magi did not return to him with the information he requested. In his anger he ordered that every male child, two-year old and under, living in Bethlehem and the vicinity nearby, be killed. We are also told that God even saw this long before it happened. This event was prophesied many years back by Jeremiah. And after Herod’s death, God again appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt, and told him to take Jesus and Mary back to Israel. This Joseph was about to do obediently, when he heard that Archelaus, Herod’s son, had taken over the reign in Judea. So, he hesitated about going back. And God then affirmed again in a dream to show that the delay was right. Joseph then took his family and went to Galilee and lived in the city of Nazareth, which again fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus will be called a Nazarene.  

We can be sure from this account that God delights to help us through every situation in life, particularly those that will fulfil His plan and purpose. He will guide us concerning the steps we need to take, to avoid calamity and enjoy safety. As the all- knowing God, He could see situations in advance and warn us. But we are required to act in obedience.

Perhaps many of us may be wondering if God would speak to us in dreams. Be assured He does. In fact dream is a way God speaks to us. Job 33:15-16, explicitly tell us that God instructs us in dreams. So don’t disregard the dreams you have while sleeping. There is no obstacle that can prevent the fulfilment of God’s will in our lives. But we need to be discerning and learn to evaluate every obstacle. It could well be God’s way of leading us to safety. Once we have ascertained the ground, we must act circumspectly. We must also be mindful that God will work in collaboration with us. And as we take the right step, God will sent affirmation. 

Matthew 2:1-12 – Wise men still seek the King

According to Matthew here, Christ Jesus was born when King Herod was reigning in Judea. And it was about this time that wise men saw a star from the East, that led them to enquire and search for the King of the Jews. On news concerning this King, Herod was deeply disturbed. Threatened, he gathered together the chief priests and scribes to inquire where Messiah would be born. They told the threatened king what the prophet said in Micah 5:2.  Determined to locate where Jesus Christ was, so that he could destroy Him, Herod secretly met the magi. Of course he deceptively told them that he also wanted to worship Him. Although the magi were led to where Jesus was, to complete their mission to present gifts and worship Him, they did not inform Herod where the location of the Lord was. For God had warned them in a dream, so they left for their country by another route.

 

There are many lessons we can pick up form this short account. Here are a few: firstly, we need to know that those who are wise still seek the King. Many can go for the jingles of life. But if we want to have true life, we need to seek and know the King. Secondly, like the wise men, our purpose in seeking the King must be to bring Him a gift in worship. What we are is God’s gift to us, what we become is our gift to Him. The way the magi bow to worship also tells us that the right posture to worship is still humility. Thirdly, when we set our heart to seek Him, we will be guided to Him. Like the magi, God will set the situation and circumstance to guide us to find Him. But we need to be sensitive to God’s guidance and direction. Finally, from the quotation from Micah 5:2, it tells us that God gives us Jesus to be our shepherd and ruler. Who can better lead and guide us but Jesus, our shepherd and King. Bear in mind that wise men still seek the King. They still bow and worship Him! 

Matthew 1:18-25 – Setting the stage for Christ’s birth

In these verses, we see how God prepared the people and circumstances for the Sovereign Lord of the universe to break into history and humanity. We get to see the stage being set for the eternal, timeless God to break into time and space. Here the two key persons, Joseph and Mary, whom God had chosen for this event, are introduced. We get to see the significant roles each played, to bring about the whole divine drama.

Our Lord’s conception was one that was supernaturally engineered. This godly couple was engaged but had not formally stayed together as man and wife yet. Then Mary, the wife to be, was found to be pregnant with a child. Clearly and explicitly, verse 18 tells us that no sexual relationship was involved in this conception. The third person of the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and she became pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ. This would be the one and only time in the history of mankind that a conception could take place without sexual intimacy. So humanly speaking, it would be understandable for anyone to think that Mary was unfaithful to Joseph. No child could ever be conceived without sexual intimacy. The intention of Joseph revealed that this was the way he thought too. And being a righteous man, he did not want to kick up a fuss and disgrace Mary. So, he resolved to secretly dissolve the engagement and to send her away quietly.

As he was pondering how he should go about it, the angel of the Lord visited him in a dream and told him the plan of God. The Son whom Mary was bearing was brought about by the intervention of the Holy Spirit. He name, as we know, is to be called Jesus. It’s a name that encompasses His earthly mission i.e. to save his people from their sins. Again His mission was slated in God’s Divine agenda and announced hundreds of years earlier. Through the prophet Isaiah, God had made known His intention. In the name Immanuel, God also made known His intention. He wants to be the God who is with His people. How can it be any clearer? We are sure glad that Joseph acknowledged that this was indeed God’s ordained plan. He obeyed and took Mary, married her and did not have any intimacy with her till Jesus our Lord was born.

The heart of God is clear. The sinless Saviour was conceived without any human will. His virgin birth is God’s design and He came into humanity perfect and without the sin nature. The book of Hebrews tells us that He was made at all points like us, yet without sin. We are also introduced to the two names of our Lord. They are: Jesus and Immanuel. One tells us that He is the One who would set free us from the bondage and effect of our sins. The other tells us that He will be with us. We need Him near.  Let’s give thanks to God for the removal of our sins. Let’s also daily connect with God and draw near to Him for He is with us! 

Matthew 1:1-17 – The God who came to be known

Matthew, a tax collector from Capernaum, is known to be the writer of this Gospel named after him.  Although he was in a profession greatly despised by the people of his day, the Lord Jesus called him and made him one of His 12 apostles. Also known as Levi, we are told that he left his career and everything immediately and followed Jesus at His invitation. Both Matthew 9:9 and Luke 5:27-28 affirm to this fact. In his account of the Gospel, we will see plenty of Jewish contents that will help us to connect the New Testament to the Old. We can safely surmise that this Gospel was written to address Jewish believers and is a manual for discipleship.    

Matthew’s Gospel began by giving us the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ and brings us to our historical roots. The first 17 verses connect the coming of Christ to the history of the Jews. Here Matthew deliberately selected three groups of 14 generations each: from Abraham to David; from David to the exile; and from the exile to the coming of Christ. He neatly put it this way to show three periods under three different categories of leaders. The first group was led by prophets; the second by princes; and the third by priests. The name of David was mentioned five times in this genealogy, indicating the significant role he played in the linage of our Lord Jesus. This is because the Messiah has to come from his line.

Of this list of people in the genealogy we see four women. They are Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus. Although the society and culture which our Lord was born into was dominated by male, this record reflects these four females. Their presence tell us that God has a place for everyone in His plan and program, regardless of gender. 

What can we take away from this genealogical record of our Lord Jesus? It assures us that Christianity is not a religion of happenstance. Our Lord wants us to know that our faith is real and has deep and definite historical roots. It tells us that God, in Christ, broke into time and space in order to connect with us. It serves as an invitation for us to know Him. In this genealogical account, we have the assurance that Christ Jesus is knowable and we can experience Him. We are invited to draw nearer to Him, closely follow Him, and dearly love Him. And this we should start each day committedly.

Titus 3:9-11 – Dealing with a divisive person

In these verses, Paul gave something for Titus and the believers to avoid. Notice that he did not say Christians should avoid controversies, but only foolish controversies. A careful study of the Bible tells us that even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself had often time engaged in controversies. So also did Paul, Peter, and the other apostles. The word “foolish” qualifies the kind of controversy believers should not engage in. So what are the foolish controversies that Paul was referring to? Verse 9 tells believers to avoid debates on: genealogies, and strife and disputes about the Law. Genealogies would involve tracing their Jewish roots to the Old Testament Patriarchs. They did this as if they would be more favored than others. Strife and disputes about the Law would refer to the intellectual and whimsical methods designed by those false teachers to interpret the Law. Their motive was to regulate and control the lives of the people. The reasons he urged that these be avoided were because they were unprofitable and worthless.

In verse 10, Paul told Titus that a factious man should be rejected. The term “factious” needs to be defined. A factious man is not someone who merely disagrees with our position. It is someone who has a superiority attitude and had taken a certain dogmatic stand with no regard for the centrality of Christ and the Gospel. Such a person would hold on to his position even if it means dividing believers. This person is also stubborn and not teachable and would keep distracting others from the Lord Jesus Christ. He would even ridicule others who do not share their view. Biblically speaking, this man is totally out of line.

In the same verse, Paul showed Titus how to deal with such a man. Firstly, he must be warned or admonished concerning his error. This should be done with the hope that he would repent. If he does not respond the first time, admonish him again a second time. If he refuses to acknowledge his errors despite the second warning, it would indicate that he is perverted. He is one with a twisted and warped mind. This would reveal his real person, one who persists in sin and is already condemned by his own choice. Such a man should be rejected, so have nothing to do with him. 

Titus 3:1-8 – Living right

In Titus 3, Paul began by instructing believers on how to behave among unbelievers. His motive was to get them to live rightly in the world. Four areas were dealt with: believers’ duty; believers’ previous state; believers’ salvation and mission.

Firstly, in terms of duties, believers must be subjected to the earthly rulers and authorities. The word “remind” in verse one tells us that he was not covering new grounds. The topic of subjecting to governing authorities had been taught by him in his other epistles, such as Romans 13:1-3. In fact in I Timothy chapter two, he began by urging that prayers, intercession and supplication be made for them. Now he told Titus to bring back to the believers’ memory, concerning respecting earthly rulers. Believers were told to be obedient and be ready for every good deed. The point here is this: Should believers be obedient to all governmental authorities in everything, regardless? This question is best answered by the incident in Acts 4. We learn something from the response of the Apostles Peter and John in Acts 4:19-20, when they were told by the authorities not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18). They firmly told them why they could not accede to their demands. For they knew that the God they served was infinitely greater than any civil government. From that we conclude that the only time civil government can be disobeyed is when they made unreasonable demand to stop the preaching of the Gospel. Other than that, believers should be subjected to all governing rules of a society. Then with regards to their neighbors, the believers must not malign anyone. The term malign comes from the word that is translated “blaspheme” elsewhere. This word could also mean slander. Thus, Paul meant for believers not to slander another person. We can confront a sinner concerning his sin but we should never defame or denigrate him. Paul went on to say that Christians must be peaceable, meaning they must not be overly contentious. They must also be gentle. Gentle can also be taken to mean reasonable and forbearing. Then they must show consideration for all men. This is the believer’s duty.

Secondly, believers must remember their previous state. This would help them to view the people from the perspective of their own personal unworthiness. For when they were unregenerate, they also behaved like the pagans, indulging in the seven vices.  They were also foolish and lacking in understanding. Not only that, they were also disobedient and enslaved to various lusts and pleasures. They too used to spend their lives maligning others and were filled with envy, hateful and hating one another.

Thirdly, believers ought to remember their salvation. This he did with the objective to let them know that had it not been for God’s grace, they too would be lost, like the pagans. Verses 4-7 form a summary of God’s grace that brought our salvation. It began with the kindness of God because salvation is a divine initiative. When Paul said “His love for mankind appeared …” (verse 4), he was talking about the Incarnation of Christ, especially of His death and resurrection. Without a doubt it was that historical act that had rescued all believers who accept His love. In verse 5, Paul reminded the believers that their salvation was a gift of God and they did not earn it. It was this act of God’s mercy that brought a new disposition in us through the washing of regeneration or rebirth, and renewing by the Holy Spirit. In the act of salvation, an inner cleansing takes place at conversion and believers receive his rebirth. This is not talking about baptismal regeneration, as some would argue. It is referring to the spiritual birth. In verse 6, Paul said that this work of regeneration was through the Holy Spirit poured out on believers through Christ. He is the means of the believer’s salvation and through Him believers are justified and made heirs of the hope of eternal life. 

Finally, believers must be reminded of their mission. In verse 8, Paul shared another one of those trustworthy statements. This statement has to do with all that he had been talking about being good witnesses in a pagan society. Believers ought to engage in careful living consistently, so that their lives could be a constant testimony of the Gospel. Titus was to share those things he learnt from Paul and to speak confidently to believers. Paul wanted the Crete Christians to engage in good and profitable deeds so as to be an influence to all men.

So let us act, speak and live right. This can only happen when we are rightly connected to Christ our Lord and live a life guided by His Spirit. Let’s stay connected to Him and be sensitive to His guidance! 

Titus 2:11-15 – Living in between the two comings of Christ

In these five verses, Paul summarized what he had said earlier. He was calling for believers to live rightly so that they would commend the Gospel to the world. To spur believers on and live triumphantly according to all that he had instructed, Paul now gave two compelling reasons as their motivation: the first and second appearance of Christ. His First Coming was to offer the grace of God and the second appearance serves as a hope for all believers to look forward to. One had already taken place and the other is still to come.

Paul explained the first appearance in later part of verse 13 and also verse 14. The grace of God was offered at Christ’s First Coming when He gave Himself to redeem believers from every lawless deed and to purify or sanctify us. Those who believed in Him become His own possession and should possess the zeal for every good work. 

The second appearance is the hope of all who believe. Christ is coming again in glory. This future event should give hope to believers who expect His coming and are looking forward to it. In the light of this, Paul’s rationale was for Christians to live not just for the now; but also for the future. Believers should live an upright life because of what God had done for them in the past. They should also live their lives uprightly for the future because of the great hope of Christ’s Second Coming.

How to accomplish all these in a practical sense? Paul asserted that believers have moral obligations. He began by stating the negative that they should avoid and then went on to the positive that they should engage in. Believers must first learn to say no to ungodliness and worldly passion. They must also be godly, living sensibly and uprightly in this present age. This is how they should live in between the two appearances of Christ.

Paul urged Titus to teach these things. What things was he referring to? They are all that he had said so far. It appears as if Paul was about to conclude the letter at this point. He did not because he had some other thoughts he wanted to share with them. What did he intend to say? We shall discover them later.

As recipient of His grace, we must live expectantly because of the hope we have in Him. Let’s strive to be godly, sensible and upright in conduct. We must deny all actin that would lead to ungodliness and refuse to embrace worldly passion. Let’s live to glorify Him!

Titus 2:1-10 – Living a life demonstrating the effect of the Gospel

Titus was told to live diametrically different from those false teachers. He was expected to teach things that reflected sound doctrines. Mindful that the believers were under the watchful eyes of the world, Paul wrote urging Titus to instruct them to live a life that would be appealing to the world.

He began by identifying the different groups of people that instructions should be given. He mentioned older men, older women, younger women, younger men, slaves and even elders (implied). Why such inclusiveness? This is because the Kingdom of God is for everyone regardless of age, gender or status. Paul was concerned about life as it ought to be lived, and how each group should fit into the whole body. Of the groups mentioned, the elders would play a crucial role. They formed the link between these different groups. Elders were expected to be blameless in their teaching and to model the teachings in their lives. They were the ones who must do the teaching to the different groups.

Having dealt with the different groups, Paul then went on to tell them how the Christian life ought to be lived. One could be excessively spiritual about Christian living and begin to border on mysticism. Here, Paul was talking about living one’s life in the ordinary affairs of human existence. In each group Paul gave some aspects for their consideration.

Paul began by providing instruction for the older men. He said that firstly, they must be temperate. This term does not just refer to not being intoxicated with wine, but could also refer to being sober-minded and clear in thinking. Secondly, they must be dignified, meaning that they should be serious in purpose, or to have personal dignity. Thirdly, they must be sensible. A sensible person is always a balanced person who does not give in to excessive impulsive passion. Fourthly, they must be sound in faith. Their belief in God must be sound and healthy. Fifthly, they must be sound in love. Having trust in God, age should make them more loving, not more bad-tempered. Finally, they must be sound in perseverance. They should remain faithful to God in the face of difficulties in life.

The next group Paul dealt with was the older women. He said that these older women must firstly be reverence in behavior. Their inner character must demonstrate their reverence for God. Secondly, they must not be malicious gossips. They should not damage the character of others by their malicious talks. Thirdly, they must not be enslaved to wine. Fourthly, they must teach what is good. The teaching here refers to teaching younger women. The word “good” has the connotation of attractiveness. Their teaching should encourage younger women to be godly homemakers.

In defining the teaching role of the older women, Paul went on to deal with how young women ought to conduct themselves. Firstly, they ought to love their husbands. Secondly, they ought to love their children. Thirdly, they must be sensible and rational. Fourthly, they must be pure. Paul was probably talking about sexual purity. Fifthly, they should stay home to make their home a beautiful place. Sixthly, they should be kind. Seventhly, they should subject to their own husbands. The reason Paul gave these instructions was to ensure that the Word of God would not be discredited.

The next group Paul talked about would be the young men. They were exhorted to be sensible. This seems to be the only instruction for younger men. It poses the hope that young men can be sensible.

Having dealt with the instruction to be given to young men, Paul urged that Titus and the elders should live lives modeling good deeds. Not only that, they were also encouraged to be pure in doctrines, dignified in character, sound in speech and to be beyond reproach. Paul reckoned that if Titus and the elders lived such a life, there would be nothing for the enemy to lay hold of to malign them.

Finally, he gave some instructions concerning the slaves. First of all they must be subject to their masters in everything. Secondly, they must be well pleasing not argumentative. Slaves must provide cheerful service and must not talk back to their masters. Thirdly, they should not pilfer or steal from their masters; but be loyal and trustworthy. In so doing, they would demonstrate the fact that they had followed the sound doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Why should we Christians behave in the ways as prescribed by Paul? We can see three clear reasons: firstly, the Word of God would not be maligned (verse 5); secondly, the elders and believers will not be scorned, but respect will be accorded to them (verse 8); and thirdly, the Gospel would then be attractive to others (verse 10).

Titus 1:10-16 – Identifying Pseudo teachers

Reading this paragraph clarify why Paul thought it necessary to appoint elders in every town. The presence of false teachers working mischievously to lead the people away from the truth made it necessary to have elders to safeguard the believers. In these verses, Paul sought to show Titus how these false teachers could be identified, and how they should be dealt with.

Firstly, these false teachers were totally insubordinate, leaving Paul to label them as rebellious. They refused to submit to the faithful Word. Secondly, they were empty talkers, people who had no substance. It meant that their teachings were devoid of spiritual nourishment. Thirdly, they were deceivers, in that their teaching led people away from the truth. Paul was referring more to the circumcision group. They were probably Jews who were obsessed with Jewish myths and endless genealogies.

In verse 11, Paul said they must be silenced. Why? The later part of verse 11 gives us the answer. The influence of these false teachers was growing and they were upsetting the whole church families. They taught things they should not teach. Furthermore, they were motivated by greed in their false teachings and taught them for dishonest gains.

The two words “sordid gain” so triggered Paul to talk about their reputation, so he set out to describe their dubious character. Even their own Cretans prophet testified and affirmed their duplicitous traits. “They were liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons” (verse 12). In quoting the Cretan’s prophet, Paul had put the false teachers on the spot. If they acknowledged what Paul had brought up, they would condemn themselves as liars. And if they chose to refute Paul, they would make that Cretan prophet out to be a lair. Hence, the conclusion is true that Cretans were lairs, and needed to be reproved severely. The objective of the reprove was to help them to return to sound doctrines in the faith. It would cause them to re-focus and turn from the Jewish myths.

From the last half of verse14 to 16, Paul then went on to show where the false teachers were fundamentally wrong. Their first error was that they paid attention to the commandment of men who turned away from the truth of God. Secondly, they had a totally mistaken idea about purity. They valued external purity rather than the purity that is internal and moral. The third error was that their action and profession did not tally. They claimed to know God but their actions showed otherwise. Hence, they were detestable, disobedient and worthless of any good deeds.

One of the surest ways to identify a fake is the incongruity between what he teaches and how he acts.  We measure a person not based on what a person teaches but also his willingness to act on what he had taught. It’s perfectly normal to desire to know God more but we need to be careful with whom we are learning the truth. A good tree never produce bad fruits. Hence, let’s take to heart what the Lord Jesus said, “You know a person by his fruits.”