In Matthew 5-7, Jesus taught the people of His day in a lengthy discourse often referred to as “The Sermon On The Mount.”  In it, He described a people who would please God not only by what they do, but by what they are in their hearts.  It is immediately obvious to the reader that no man can, of himself, attain unto such a life as described in the sermon—It would require help, constant help from God.  Jesus’ first advent was to afford such a help.  He came to purchase man’s pardon for sin, to translate him into the kingdom of God, to give life in exchange for the spiritual death that had been wrought by our sin.  These treasures, and so much more, belong to those who, by faith, surrender and commit themselves to Him as both Lord and Savior.

  In His sermon, Jesus spoke of those who describe themselves as being “All Set,” when it comes to their relationship with God—men and women who will be shocked to hear Him say, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23)”  These are sincere people, but sincerely wrong.  They will argue, “…Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:22)”  They will have lived their lives with a false sense of security pertaining to their eternal future.  Their security will be based upon what they have done to please God, rather than what He has done to rescue them from their sin.  Salvation for fallen man, cost God His Son, and only by faith in the work of His Son will anyone live in His presence. 

  The Bible is clear, if you and I are saved, it is, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)”  Here is the simple truth: He is our holy and just, Creator God.  You have offended Him with your sin.  You can do nothing to save yourself.  He sent Jesus to purchase your pardon with His own blood.  His forgiveness can only be received as a gift.  To be saved you must repent of your sins, place your faith and trust in Him to do for you what you cannot possibly do for yourself.  Those who are truly saved, know God personally and are known of God!

  Just after the terror attacks on 9/11, I had a missionary friend speak at my church whose flights back to Spain had been cancelled for several days.  When planes returned to the air, I asked him if he was afraid to travel.  He answered, “No brother, I’m not afraid of anything.”  He was confident that the Lord would protect him.  After all, “If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)”  Later, as I thought about his answer I was reminded of the many “fear nots” of the Bible.  e.g. Jesus taught, “…fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul… (Matthew 10:28)”  Neither Satan, nor demons, nor evil men are able to affect our eternal souls, so, while there are trials inherent for all living things, we truly have nothing on earth to fear.  As a matter of fact, God tells us, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)”

  Conversely, the Bible is filled with verses that instruct us to “fear the Lord.”  The rest of Matthew 10:28 (above) says, “…but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  At least31 times you’ll find the words, “fear the Lord” in the scriptures,and 27 times the phrase, “the fear of the Lord.”  Only God is able to affect our souls, and determine their destiny.

  From The Proverbs:  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (1:7);  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,…(8:13);  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (9:10);  The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (10:27);  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. (14:27);  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. (15:33);  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (16:6);  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. (19:23);  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. (22:4);  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. (23:17)”

  Most people are quick to admit that they want to be well thought of, to be appreciated for what they contribute to the cause, whether it be scoring a goal for their team on the ball field, providing delicious desserts for a picnic, or challenging the masses to think by public oratory, article or essay.  But God has instructed us, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31)”  A problem arises when we desire the glory for ourselves—when we stand between God and His glory.

  The first sin in the universe was the sin of pride, and it was committed by Satan.  “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

    Pride in a preacher might make him say things like, “I want people to like to hear me preach, so that they will come back for more.”  I have determined that, though this might sound innocent enough, it can easily be rooted in pride.  How much better to say, “When I preach God’s Word, I want people not to notice me, but to go away knowing that they have heard from God.”  Truth of the matter is, when we do something for the Lord, it is not about you or me at all.  We should consider the words of the Apostle Paul, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1Corinthians 4:7)”

  Whether we are talking about a preacher, a chef, a barber, a pilot, a doctor, a housewife, or a greeter in the local department store, God wants us to know that, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)” and “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (16:18)”

 Praise the Lord! my Mom is still living, and though over a thousand miles away, I’m still able to talk to her, and occasionally visit.  Thinking of her causes love to swell up in my heart.  She gave me life you know, and helped my dad to raise me so that I would, at age 7, make Jesus Christ the object of my faith.  Without my Mom, only God knows where I would be today.  Now she is old, but still out ahead, in a love relationship with her Savior God, that encourages me to be faithful too.  Who can ascribe a value to a loving mother, or what’s more, to a godly, loving mother?  I love you Mom!

   When God chose the young woman who would miraculously, give birth to His Son, He chose a Jewish girl named Mary.  It is only logical that we examine her life to discover what God regarded in one of the greatest mothers to walk on the face of the earth:

  Mary was a woman of moral purity, a virgin.  “…the angel Gabriel was sent from God …To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26-27)”  She was a woman of purpose—the most noble cause ever.  “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (1:31)”  She was a woman who was happy in the Lord.  “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (1:46-47)”  She was a woman of humility.  “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:… (1:48)”  She was a woman of faith in, and fear of, God.  “For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. (1:49-50)”  She was a woman of simplicity.  “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (2:6-7)”  She was a woman of quiet spirit.  “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (2:19)”

  Motherhood was God’s idea, and as He said after His creative acts, “It was very good.”  Happy Mother’s Day!