The Strand Study Bible

MATTHEW

MATTHEW

1492

II Cor 5:10-11 ) 5:6 Christians who hunger and thirst after righteousness now (embrace the eternal perspective), because they have learned to continually yield themselves to the Word of God ( II Cor 4:18 ), are promised a full future ( Rev 2: 12- 17 b ). 5:7 Christians who are merciful now (have some form of compassion for others), because they have learned to continually yield themselves to the Word of God ( Jude 1:22 ), are promised a merciful future ( Rev 2: 8- 11 ). 5:8 Christians who are pure in heart now (have the proper motive for why they do what they do), because they have learned to continually yield themselves to the Word of God ( II Cor 5:14 and Rev 2:4 ), are promised a personal audience with God in the future ( Rev 2: 1- 7 ). 5:9 Christians who are peacemakers now (are willing to share the gospel with a troubled world), because they have learned to continually yield themselves to the Word of God and tell others about Christ, are promised a shameless future ( Rev 3: 1- 5 a ). Peacemakers are not social reformers, but believers who have been reformed by the power of the Gospel and are not ashamed to spread the Good News (Rom 5:1). They are ambassadors of God’s message of peace (II Cor 5:18-20). 5:10-12 Christians who are persecuted now (experience joy in the face of adversity), because they have learned to continually yield themselves to the Word of God ( Neh 8:10 a, 17 and Acts 16:25 ), are promised a rewarding future ( Rev 3:7-12 a ). 5:13 Our Lord draws his most flattering designation of the nature of the believer when he says, “ Ye are the salt of the earth .” There are four characteristics of salt: 1. Salt provides flavor (We are to show compassion - vs 7 and have the proper motive for why we do what we do for God- vs 8) 2. Salt purifies and prevents corruption (We are to stand against moral corruption - vs 4) One of the seven-fold works of the SPIRIT ( I Cor 12:11b ) is to restrain evil (to an extent), i.e., to stem lawlessness and hold back the world from destroying itself again (Gen 6:1-7 & 8:21). The SPIRIT does this through the influence of the believer ( Ye are the salt of the earth ). Derek Prince in Shaping History Through Prayer & Fasting notes: Our presence commends the earth to God’s mercy. Without us, there would be nothing to make the earth acceptable to God. But because we are here, God continues to deal with the earth in grace and mercy rather than in wrath and judgment. It is our presence that makes the difference. This principle is vividly illustrated in the account of Abraham’s intercession on behalf of Sodom, as recorded in Genesis 18.16-33. The Lord has told Abraham that He is on His way to Sodom to see if that city’s wickedness has come to the point where judgment can no longer be withheld. Abraham then walks with the Lord on the way toward Sodom and reasons with Him about the principles of His judgment . 1 Truly, our presence here (as salt) makes the earth acceptable to God. 3. Salt promotes thirst (We are to create a thirst in other people to want what we have - vs 6 and Lk 14:34 & 17: 26- 32-33 ) 4. Salt corrodes (The only characteristics of salt that is a liability is that it damages things. We are not to hurt others spiritually) NOTE - Salt is not only considered the “spice of life” (providing flavor), it is used for healing purposes (purifying and preventing corruption). Salt also creates thirst, but according to Mark 9:50 , Christians are to have salt in them, not on them. 5:14 Our Lord adds another flattering designation of the nature of the believer when he says, “ Ye are the MJHIU of the XPSME .” There are seven characteristics of light ( Gen 1:3 b ): 1. Light never changes; it’s consistent (Christians are to keep their word - Psa 15:1-4). 2. Light never dirties (Christians are not to complain - Phil 2:14-15 and I Pet 3:9 and Mt 5:44). 3. Light never bows to darkness (Christians are to resist the Devil, not succumb to him - Jms 4:7-8). 4. Light never fails (Christians are to be dependable, disciplined ones. They are to possess character). 5. Light makes everything else visible (Christians are to SFGMFDU UIF 4PO KVTU MJLF UIF NPPO SFGMFDUT UIF TVO). 6. Light makes everything else understandable (Christians are not to remain spiritually ignorant - II Pet 1:5-9 and II Tim 2:15. They are not to sleep concerning spiritual matters - I Thess 5:4-7). 7. Light makes life possible (Christians are not to stagnate, i.e., stand still and do nothing for God - Jn 7:38). Christians are not to be cisterns, but springs of living water. NOTE - Parable #2 ( The candle under a bushel ) is aimed at believers who desire the blessings of God . The character flaw – assuming that the blessings of God are unconditional . They are not. The blessings of God are conditional. They are based solely upon our willingness to exemplify “salt” and “light.” According to verse 15, Christians are commanded to light their world from a candlestick. According to Revelation 1:20, a candlestick is a depiction of the local church. Therefore, Christians are to light their world from their own local church. Christians who are not a part of a some local church cannot “light” their world. 5:16 a Some would argue that religion is personal and that it should be kept to oneself. However, that’s not what Jesus taught. He commanded Christians to “ -et your light so shine . ” 5:16 b THE ADAGE IS TRUE: People know us by what they see , not just by what they hear (Jms 1:22)

1 Prince, Derek. Shaping History Through Fasting & Prayer , Old Tappan, NJ, Revell, 1973. Print.