The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Matthew:5:21-26

kjv@Matthew:5:21 @ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment;

kjv@Matthew:5:22 @ But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

kjv@Matthew:5:23 @ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

kjv@Matthew:5:24 @ Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

kjv@Matthew:5:25 @ Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

kjv@Matthew:5:26 @ Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Today's notes: Angry Adversaries

Context:

Inclusive - Sermon on the Mount
Before - exceeding righteousness
After - adultry and lust

What is man believing/doing?:

murder is against the law
anger without cause between spiritual brothers not considered in same vain

What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:

Law of Moses forbids murder - letter of the law and common morality
murder ends in the loss of life, anger without cause between brothers does not necessitate the loss of life (or does it?)
spiritual/eternal death not seen in same light as physical, nor is death of body's public reputation or opportunity

Notes:

The spiritual death of both parties is evident in the lack of spiritual reconciliation and effects their relationship to God, their relationship to the body, the body's relationship to itself and to the outside world. To this day it remains a killing field a million times over and is killing plenty of opportunity for others to see the blessed work of Christ as being His light/salt/city. It is worthy of the very judgment this passage talks about.

The parties would rather kill each other and the very image of Christ on earth than resolve their ought, They are neither poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungred for righteousness, sufferring for His name/righteousness sake, nor do they exceed all other manly righteousness. They reflect not His light and have become unsalted leading others to the same hidden course.

For the rest the Law is against murder, for the believing body exceeding extends even to the anger and ought.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

The mind will agree to the definition of sins just beyond it's moral ability, yet self justify those that it is quite accustomed to.
The mind will not see the two as equal because it would rather not consider spiritual death as equal to physical death from lack of experience. The mind would rather seek it's good by offering upon the alter than reconcile itself first to those brothers it is angered at.
Some minds will cherry pick this passage from context it was meant and apply it to all forms of anger. While it may be true in a similar human sense amongst all peoples, not all peoples are spiritually living in order for that spiritual life to then be taken, nor do they reside/abide in the body of Christ. There may even be case where human forms of anger have actually brought individuals to Christ to receive spiritual life.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Matthew:5:21-26
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:5:21-26 rwp@Matthew:5:21-26 mhcc@Matthew:5:21-26
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

< Matthew:5:17-20

Matthew:5:27-30 >