Deut 30:19 (NLT)
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
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In my study of Jesus Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11, NKJV), I began to reflect on the nature of opposites to better understand the context of certain scriptures. Jesus in the numbered versus was communicating as the Lamb of God (Defense) versus the Lion of God (Prosecutor). This sermon was a way to influence the listener to fulfill the law of God not by punishment but through grace, mercy and loving kindness…in other words he wants you to love him not because you HAVE to but because you WANT to:
Matthew 5:3-11 (NKJV)
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely for My sake.
Now if you read the above your spirit will respond because it is a better approach (choosing love) than below which is also justified as true (choosing law)
– Cursed are the ambitious in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of darkness –
– Cursed are those who are uncaring, For they shall never rest.-
– Cursed are the prideful, For they shall lose everything.-
– Cursed are those who hunger and thirst for sinfulness, For they shall be empty –
– Cursed are the vengeful, For they shall obtain punishment. –
– Cursed are the impure in heart, For they will not see God –
– Cursed are the peacebreakers, For they shall be called sons of Satan –
– Cursed are those who are celebrated for sinfulness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of darkness –
– Cursed are you if you revile or slander another brother and sister of faith who is living for Christ without compromise. –
The curses are only meant for those who reject Christ or are disobedient to God. He is the righteous judge and no one will escape whether alive or dead. HOWEVER, he would rather that you choose not out of fear of punishment in HELL but out of love, respect and appreciation and all that HEAVEN has to offer. There is only one who can erase the impact of the curses in this life while magnifying the blessings and favor he has planned for you and that is Jesus Christ.
So you have a choice to make. Life or death, blessings or curses…I say choose life and accept Christ. I promise that if you do you will never be the same.
~ Pastor Andre Martin
#beatitudes #teststhespirits #grace #judgement #chooselife
