THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6-7) has been called the “constitution of the Christian
faith.” In that famous sermon Jesus revealed that knowing God, obeying God and becoming like
God forms the foundation upon which spiritual life is built.
It is only as we learn to trust God that we can be trustworthy in our relationships with our fel-
lowman. It is only as we meet our responsibilities to God that we will consistently meet our re-
sponsibilities to others. It is only as we love God that we will have a proper love for those whom
God expects us to love.
The sermon on the mount also contains practical teachings for personal conduct and for man-
aging all our relationships. But it is highly important that we remember this fact: We cannot hope
to be successful in our spiritual lives by simply learning the principles outlined here--yes, they
must be known, but they also must be believed and put into practice. Nor will our spiritual lives
be successful by merely conforming behaviorally to other ethical or doctrines teachings found in
the New Testament. We must believe (Heb. 11:6). Works without faith is dead--so is faith
without works (Jas. 2:24). Spiritual life is more than just man-made rules and rituals. It is more than a plan or a formula
or a checklist. Christian doctrine and morals do not work simply because they are of better qual-
ity than the doctrines and morals devised by men (although they are). Spiritual demands cannot
be met by any checklist that men have created.
By all this we simply mean that what God requires of us, only He can furnish us to perform.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly fur-
nished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The secret ingredient is, as Paul said, “...Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). In try-
ing to enjoy successful, vital spiritual living, nothing will substitute for an ever-deepening, in-
creasingly closer relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. How do we manage to do this?
Simply by heading 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellow-
ship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” John has
reference to the light of God’s Word: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path” (Psa. 119:105). Dear reader, are you walking with God in the light of His Word!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: If you don’t know, simply say so.
Love ya,
Jesse
faith.” In that famous sermon Jesus revealed that knowing God, obeying God and becoming like
God forms the foundation upon which spiritual life is built.
It is only as we learn to trust God that we can be trustworthy in our relationships with our fel-
lowman. It is only as we meet our responsibilities to God that we will consistently meet our re-
sponsibilities to others. It is only as we love God that we will have a proper love for those whom
God expects us to love.
The sermon on the mount also contains practical teachings for personal conduct and for man-
aging all our relationships. But it is highly important that we remember this fact: We cannot hope
to be successful in our spiritual lives by simply learning the principles outlined here--yes, they
must be known, but they also must be believed and put into practice. Nor will our spiritual lives
be successful by merely conforming behaviorally to other ethical or doctrines teachings found in
the New Testament. We must believe (Heb. 11:6). Works without faith is dead--so is faith
without works (Jas. 2:24). Spiritual life is more than just man-made rules and rituals. It is more than a plan or a formula
or a checklist. Christian doctrine and morals do not work simply because they are of better qual-
ity than the doctrines and morals devised by men (although they are). Spiritual demands cannot
be met by any checklist that men have created.
By all this we simply mean that what God requires of us, only He can furnish us to perform.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly fur-
nished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The secret ingredient is, as Paul said, “...Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). In try-
ing to enjoy successful, vital spiritual living, nothing will substitute for an ever-deepening, in-
creasingly closer relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. How do we manage to do this?
Simply by heading 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellow-
ship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” John has
reference to the light of God’s Word: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path” (Psa. 119:105). Dear reader, are you walking with God in the light of His Word!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: If you don’t know, simply say so.
Love ya,
Jesse
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