The Commands of Jesus: Preach The Kingdom

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The Commands of Jesus: Do Not Judge

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The Commands of Jesus: Bless Those Who Cannot Repay

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In 1922, American author Emily Post wrote her best selling book “Etiquette” and in so doing became the definitive voice in American manners.

What should you do when invited to a party? Emily writes,

“Your most important obligation as a guest is to respond to the invitation immediately, especially if you are unable to attend. At the very least, it allows your host and hostess enough time to give an accurate count to the caterer.”

             Good advice!

How should you behave at a wedding?
             “Be on time, wear appropriate clothing and be respectful during the marriage ceremony. Pay your respects to the hosts, the wedding party and other guests at the reception.”

Hey, this Emily knows her stuff! I guess they didn’t call her the “Mistress of Manners” for nothing.

But Mrs. Post is not the only one with excellent advice on proper party etiquette.

In Luke chapter 14, Jesus said this,

“When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” (Luke 14:12-14)

Having a party? Better check you guest list.
Make sure that you are not inviting the “who’s who” but the “who’s that?”

Going out to lunch, heading out to the big game, catching the latest movie?
Invite those who cannot pay you back because when you do… God has got your back.

As followers of Christ we must resist our natural tendency to socialize only with those who are socially accepted, and instead we must deliberately fraternize with the socially rejected.

I’m not sure what Emily Post would think of such etiquette and advice.

But Jesus demands it.

The Commands of Jesus: Do Not Worry

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I can honestly say that I have not spent one minute of my life worrying
about the plight of the common sparrow.

I’ve never seen one begging.
I’ve never found one featherless, shivering in the cold.
Apparently, God takes good care of sparrows.

And that’s why Jesus said,

“…Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? …But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:25,26 and 33)

Because God cares so much about His creation (even little birds matter to Him) Jesus therefore says that we should not worry at all about God’s ability to care for us.

And that makes beautiful sense.
So why is it so hard not worry?

Maybe it’s because while you and I do not know any hungry, homeless sparrows…

We have seen humans begging for food. And we have met people under-clothed and shivering in the cold.
And, If those things happened to them – why shouldn’t we worry about those things happing to us?

Dear Christian, here’s why…

Because, as followers of Christ, nothing comes into our lives that does not first pass through the hand of God. And, in the Cross of Christ, God has proven that He is for us and seeks only what is best for us. We need not worry about God’s desire or ability to provide for our ultimate needs – because all things work together for good to those who love God. Our Father always has our best interests in mind and no one, and no thing, can snatch us out of His hand.

So don’t worry about food, or clothing or anything.
Seek first the kingdom of God and let Him worry about you.

 

The Commands of Jesus: Store Your Treasures in Heaven

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I keep my kids in car seats and seat belts when driving.
However, even the addition of airbags and helmets
can not keep them perfectly, completely, safe while we’re on the road.

I carry my laptop in a high-quality protective backpack.
But the durable canvas and thick padding that guard my machine from dings and dents
will not protect it from the sticky-fingers of a determined thief.

It’s true…

A wise man keeps his valuables in a safe place.
A prudent woman protects and guards the things she treasures.

But is anywhere really safe?
Can anyone or any institution guarantee the 100% protection and safety of the things we hold dear?

Nope.

And that’s why Jesus said this,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21)

Yup. The only truly safe place for anyone or anything is in the infinitely mighty hands of God.

Therefore we must make sure that the things we value in this life are things that have will have value in the next.

TVs, smart-phones, houses, cars and even gold bars are all vulnerable to one form of loss or another.

No sense in investing ourselves in those things. One nuclear bomb can ruin their whole day.

But the things we do for Jesus, the investment we make in His kingdom and the age to come, can never be lost, destroyed or stolen.

So - wear your seat belt, lock your doors, protect your laptop, but - store your real treasures in heaven.

 

The Commands of Jesus: Do Good for Right Reason

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The Commands of Jesus: Forgive

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The Commands of Jesus: Be Willing to Be Wronged

#7 in my series: The Commands of Jesus

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The Commands of Jesus: Keep Your Word

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The Commands of Jesus: Be Reconciled