Friends in Christ Weekly Message
February 12, 2011

     You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
Matthew 5:21-22 (CEV*)

I find this a challenging teaching. It seems hard to live up to the standard Jesus sets forth here.

Jesus has reached beyond specific actions that society has forbidden to the underlying attitudes and the words we use with others. He is calling us to not just follow a legal code prohibiting certain extreme actions, but to allow our hearts to be transformed to the point where we are naturally loving to people and extend them grace.

This is not something we can do in our own wills. We must immerse ourselves in the Spirit of Christ, allowing ungodly attitudes to be washed away and for us to to have the heart and mind of Christ.

Christ is ever ready to work within us. He yearns to teach us the abundance of His life. But we have to put aside distractions and devote time to sitting at His feet in order for this work to be done within us.

* Contemporary English Version ©1995 American Bible Society.

Bill Samuel

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