Bible Study - Distinct (2) - Distinct in My Influence - Matthew 5:13-20 - January 31, 2016

Bible Study – Distinct (2) – Distinct in My Influence – January 31, 2016

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Distinct: Living above the Norm.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 5:13-20.

Make your influence count for what matters.

Our previous lesson prepared us for this week’s lesson. JESUS taught that Christians who had grown and matured Spiritually would manifest the attributes we studied in our last lesson. Such Christians could only manifest these attributes, naturally, as the result of yielding their lives and the leadership of their lives to the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is all about having the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

The disciples of JESUS are to live such that their lives make a difference being salt and light. Christians living as JESUS teaches will be a positive and God directed influence on others. JESUS used salt and light to drive this point home. Salt and light are necessary and a positive witness for CHRIST in the midst of persecution. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 5:13:

Believers “Are” Salt and Light

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. 

Christians have purpose in the world. JESUS made it clear that as HIS disciple you are “salt.” When a person accepts CHRIST on faith he or she becomes a child of GOD. When the miracle of rebirth takes place the new Christian begins his or her journey of Spiritual growth and growing into the image of CHRIST. All Christians are salt and light because they influence others based upon their lifestyle; some positive, some neutral and some negative.

Salt adds flavor to a dish to make it savory. Salt preserves, heals, cures, melts ice, gives traction and the list goes on. Too much salt can be a problem.  Salt can be visible or invisible in its use. Salt comes in contact with that which is being influenced.

In Krakow, Poland there is a salt mine that you can visit or even live in it for short periods, if you have certain medical issues. I have visited the salt mine twice. I felt a peace while in the mine and an overwhelming serenity.  People with various health issues, particularly those with respiratory problems, can live in a lodging area located in the salt mine for certain periods of time.

Pure salt does not lose its saltiness. However, impure or unrefined salt will lose its saltiness because it will lose its ability to flavor due to contaminants and the absorption of water. When that happens the salt is only useful to cast aside.

Christian influence can be compromised when they allow their lives to take on the character of the flesh and the world. The Holy Spirit refines the lives of Christians and they seek and apply truth in their lives. When they do, their influence reaches others as GOD desires.

Let’s read Matthew 5:14-16:

14 "You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Christians are light. Again, Christians are not becoming light but they ARE LIGHT.

Let’s consider light. Light reaches out and touches everything it comes in contact with. Light can penetrate. Light can pinpoint a pending hazard such as a lighthouse or warning lights, airport, etc. Light dispels darkness even in the smallest of space. Light can heal, carry information, be pointed, specific, broad, light can cut through metal, fuse tissue, light our way and the various attributes of light go on. A city on a hill cannot be hidden at night because of its light.

JESUS stated in John 18:12:

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, HE said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

JESUS is light and Christians are to reflect the light of CHRIST to others. Christians must be careful that they do not block the light of CHRIST with unbelief, filters or blinders. Light can be blocked as it is being received and blocked as reflected. May we, as Christians, receive and reflect the pure light of CHRIST. May Christians know the truth and communicate truth to others via their lifestyle.

15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 

The purpose of light is to reveal. It is foolish to sequester the light once it is has been activated. CHRIST admonished Christians to let their lights shine not to bring attention to themselves but to Glorify GOD.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Once a person has received the light of CHRIST, he or she is to let it shine.  This is not to draw attention to him or her but to GOD Who is the source of truth and light.

Often the great debate is “Does GOD exists?” Or if GOD exists can a mere mortal trust HIM? Is there life after death? These and many more questions can only be answered by a person placing his or her faith in CHRIST.  Once a person has experienced salvation the indwelling Holy Spirit answers to many questions come through Bible study, prayer and obedient service as Christians walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a Christian’s assurance of salvation. The Holy Spirit reveals, teaches, enlightens, guides and empowers.

Christ Fulfills the Law

Let’s read Matthew 5:17-20:

17 "Don't assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 

JESUS was making it clear that HIS purpose in coming to earth as a human was to reveal truth. The truth of the Law and the Prophets are good but humans attempt to mechanically follow the Law and miss the intent or spirit of the law.

The Prophets documented exactly all the attributes and ministry of the promised Messiah.  JESUS came to fulfill all that the Prophets had recorded about HIM, as well as, the Law.

The disciples/followers of JESUS knew how the religious leaders, scribes and Pharisees went to extremes to follow the Law. They also searched the scriptures to determine when the Messiah would come and what HE would be like. But guess what? Human knowledge fails when applied to GOD’S plan and purpose.

The religious leaders - scribes, Pharisees, Sadducee's - of that time thought the Messiah would deliver them from earthly rulers. They thought the Messiah would come as a warrior not as the Prince of Peace reconciling GOD and mankind through HIS shed blood. However, we know that Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, yet a follower of JESUS.

It is difficult to discover and understand truth when your mind is made up of what you think is truth. Often, GOD allows those of us who think we know the real truth to discover that our notions are faulty. The Holy Spirit reveals truth when we seek truth.

18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 

GOD decides when all is accomplished.

JESUS assured those to whom HE was teaching that “not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. “ GOD’S Word will be fulfilled down to the dot over the “i” or the mark that distinguishes an “O” from a “Q.”

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches [these commandments] will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

All who teach GOD’S Word, the Bible, are accountable to HIM. Woe to any who will misrepresent, fail to obediently follow or teach others differently than what is written in GOD’S Word. Christians are accountable to GOD but there is also the Grace of GOD. Grace offers Christians the opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to search their hearts to reveal that which is not obedient to GOD’S Word. GOD’S grace keeps Christians in good standing with GOD but those who are in right relationship seek to be in step with GOD.

Being a Christian is not a flippant lifestyle. Christians are the salt and light of the world, thus accountable to GOD. Every Christian is a witness and a missionary to those with whom he or she comes in contact.

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

As a Christian, does your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the most religious person you know or have heard of? JESUS stated very clearly “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Oh, that was then and not now? No! That is for all times and all people. There is but one way as JESUS stated in John 14:6:

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

And the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21:

18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 

19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God." 

21 He (GOD) made the One (CHRIST) who did not know sin to be sin for us (All who place their faith in CHRIST), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The only way a person can exceed the righteousness of the most religious person ever to live is to be born-again by accepting and placing his or her faith in the fact that JESUS gave HIS life, by the shedding of HIS blood, to pay, in full, the penalty for sin.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:4-13:

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them. 

6 But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, "Who will go up to heaven?" that is, to bring Christ down 

7 or, "Who will go down into the abyss?" that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. 

8 On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 

9 if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. 

11 Now the Scripture says, No one who believes on Him will be put to shame, 

12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

If you have never asked CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, now is that opportunity. Do not let this moment go by. Become a Son or Daughter of GOD through the miracle of rebirth in your spirit. Pray and ask CHRIST to lead you to a place where you can be fed Spiritually, grow and mature in your new life in CHRIST. Blessings!!!