The Sermon On The Mount is God's instruction manual . His desire is for us to live a full and productive life. "I've come that you might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:19) To be blessed and be a blessing depends on who is in control because "no one can serve two masters" (v.24). In salvation we transfer ownership. "Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace? (Rom.6:14). Yet, the lure of our old nature under Satan's control is not easily understood or fully acted upon in our new nature. That is what sanctification is all about! We are saved from the penalty of sin at the point of conversion but we are being saved from the power of indwelling sin throughout our earthly pilgrimage. One day we shall be saved from the very presence of sin at death or when Christ returns. Meanwhile the struggle continue (Gal. 5:17). What are the principles Jesus outlines under His management.
1. A Simple Strategy (vs.19-21) "lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth"
Jesus warns us that the lure of materialism will enslave the heart, the mind and the will. Treasures stored just for yourself is subject to decay, loss or theft. Is Jesus advocating monastic poverty? No! But He is trying to get us off the old treadmill of worrying about money, clothing, and storing up selfishly for our self. Verses 20-21 reminds us that under His management we are children of destiny and our investments of time, talents or possessions shared in kingdom ministry become"treasures in heaven".
2. A single Focus (vs.22-23) "the eye is the lamp of the body."
These 2 verses explain the meaning of verses 19-21. The "eye" is an illustration of the heart. What is the thing that takes up all your time, energy, and attention? "As one thinks in his heart, so is he." When I was 19 years old I began having trouble with my vision. I could not see at a distance because I was near sighted. Glasses gave me back the full range of vision. "If the eye is good (meaning clear or single) the whole body is full of light." Jesus wants His children to have a clear and full vision of who He is and how he wants us to live our our Christian lives.
3. A Superior Manager (v.24) "no one can serve two masters"
This word "master"is (Gr.) "lord" and refers to a slave owner. A slave owner has total control of the slave. The old Slave owner keeps us in bondage worrying about ourselves, what we can accrue, accumulate and keep for the here-and-now. But we eventually die and leave it all. Our new Master frees us from the tyranny of self-indulgence "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" (John 8:36). He then invites us to become His stewards so that he can authenticate through us the validity of Christianity to the unbelieving world by the way we love, forgive, and freely share in the lives of others. Joshua 24:15 should be our testimony: "choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
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