Think about it:

When we deal with outward results we are not solving the inward

problem.

Memory Verse- John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”

Your Thoughts Why do you do what you do? Sometimes we

do or believe simply because that is what we have been taught. Other times we believe or do just because that is what we have seen others doing. There are other areas of our lives that we have no idea why we do what we do. There must be a source and foundation for all that we do in life. The Pharisees dealt with the outside appearance. What we all see. Clean up the outside by doing this and not doing that. A list of do’s and don’ts. This is the method that the Pharisees used in Jesus’ day and what religion uses in our day. It never gets to the source of the matter. Read Matthew 5:21-48. Jesus now illustrates His comments on the law from verses seventeen through twenty. Jesus digs into the deeper more spiritual morality it demanded. Read Hebrews 1:1-2. Jesus teaches the fuller meaning of each commandment and God’s original intent. Jesus deals with the inside or source of behaviors, the heart. Behaviors are just outward signs of inward beliefs. When we deal with the results we are not solving the problem.

5Reverse Your Thinking about Anger & Enemies

THE BIBLE WAY TO HEAVEN

Realize That God Loves You. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

The Bible Says That All Men Are Sinners. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory to God.” (Romans 3:23).

God’s Word Also Says That Sin Must Be Paid For. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The Good News Is That Christ Paid for Our Sins. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

We Must Personally Pray and Receive Christ by Faith as Our Personal Saviour. The Bible Says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

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Your Thoughts

Think about it:

A person can commit murder without

shedding a drop of blood.

Think About it:

Our unconditional love to those who do not deserve it is what

draws people to Jesus.

Thou shalt not kill is the sixth commandment from Exodus 20:13. Jesus reveals to us the deeper truth about murder. Anger is the same as murder! Anger is a violent passion of the mind usually accompanied with a desire to take vengeance. Jesus reveals three levels of anger that are the same as murder. First, anger without a cause. This is one harboring resentment towards another without a cause. The result is the judgment. This refers to the lower court of Jewish law. It is a hearing before a council of three in a local synagogue. The next step is anger that explodes into an outward expression of harsh words. “Raca” means empty headed person. It would be the same as

degrading a person by saying “you idiot”. Internal anger tends to bring outward words and actions. The danger is a hearing before the council or the Supreme Court. Lastly, the outward expression reaches its height. “Thou fool” means

What it Means to Walk in Christ’s Footsteps Lesson 5

harsh ways. The natural reaction is to get angry and take vengeance especially in our words and actions. How we react and treat these people is the true test and indicator of being a follower of Jesus Christ. There should be a marked and distinct difference in our lives. Jesus reminds us that even publicans and sinners love each other. There is nothing unusual about that. Our love to an uncaring and undeserving world is what draws people to Jesus in our lives. Read John 13:34-35. Is this easy to carryout in life? Absolutely not! Only the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives can help us. Only walking with Jesus each and everyday reading and meditating on His word can help us live this out. Who are you angry with or have problems with right now? Who has a problem with you? What do you need to do this week to fix it?

Your Thoughts

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR ENEMIESTHE TRUTH ABOUT ANGER

Being a Doer of the Word

rebel, worthless, or scoundrel. It is a serious derogatory charge in Jewish life. The danger is hell fire which refers literally to the Valley of Gehenna on the southeast of Jerusalem. This is where garbage and criminal corpses were burnt. There could be no worse shame for a Jew. Reconciliation is so important that it must take precedent over worship. Verse twenty-three says if a person has a problem with you, whether justly or only in their mind, you are to stop your worship and go to that person to reconcile. Read Galatians 6:1-2 and Matthew 18:15-17. Jesus urges us to settle the issue outside of court lest the matter go to a public trial.

Read Matthew 5:43-48. The commandment was to love thy neighbor from Leviticus 19:18 but the religious rulers had added “hate your enemy”. Jesus reveals the reality of what it means to love our neighbor. Jesus lists four degrees of offense and what our reactions should be. We are to love our enemies. Those who are against us and do not like us. Read I John 4:20. We are to respond calmly and with friendly words to those who curse us. Read I Peter 3:9. We are to do good to those who hate us. Actions speak louder than words. This is a greater proof of our love over a verbal response. Lastly we are to pray for those who despitefully use and persecute us. These are people who are mean and treat us in