Radical Attitudes from a Radical King
Hello Church family!
As we study the beatitudes together, we are discovering that the attitudes Jesus taught are antithetical to the culture. King Jesus was pushing against the attitudes that we are bombarded with daily, by the world around us. The attitudes Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5:1-12, are opposite of how our culture thinks and operates. For instance, Jesus said blessed are those who are poor in spirit (spiritually and moral bankrupt), but the culture says, blessed are those who are self-sufficient. Jesus says, blessed are the merciful, but the culture says, blessed are those who “get even.” Every good selling Hollywood movie has a revenge theme, right?
Further down in chapter 5, Jesus says,
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Do you see how radical and opposite this teaching is from what we are taught by our culture? How many of us find it hard to turn the other cheek, or go the “extra mile”? The words of Jesus are night and day different from the world/culture around us.
So, as a follower of Christ, we will look different from the culture. It will be difficult for us to blend into the world around us. We will stand out like a white shirt in a mud-slinging contest or like Daniel in the city of Babylon. When we live under the rule and reign of King Jesus, we are called to live by a different set of values. Our attitudes will change. We will operate in humility instead of pride. We will trust and yield control to God verses trying to control every aspect of life. We will be sensitive to sin and seek peace, instead of justifying sin and trying to win every argument. Kingdom living sets forth a different set of values than the world and culture around us. I really believe that is why the apostle Paul stated that we are aliens and strangers in this world, because this world is not our “real” home. Our real home awaits us; we are just passing through. May God’s grace and strength give you courage to stand up for the King of kings in this worldly kingdom, while we await the heavenly Kingdom. Keep shining the attitudes that set us apart for Christ!
Praying you have a Jesus-filled week!
Pastor Todd
As we study the beatitudes together, we are discovering that the attitudes Jesus taught are antithetical to the culture. King Jesus was pushing against the attitudes that we are bombarded with daily, by the world around us. The attitudes Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5:1-12, are opposite of how our culture thinks and operates. For instance, Jesus said blessed are those who are poor in spirit (spiritually and moral bankrupt), but the culture says, blessed are those who are self-sufficient. Jesus says, blessed are the merciful, but the culture says, blessed are those who “get even.” Every good selling Hollywood movie has a revenge theme, right?
Further down in chapter 5, Jesus says,
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Do you see how radical and opposite this teaching is from what we are taught by our culture? How many of us find it hard to turn the other cheek, or go the “extra mile”? The words of Jesus are night and day different from the world/culture around us.
So, as a follower of Christ, we will look different from the culture. It will be difficult for us to blend into the world around us. We will stand out like a white shirt in a mud-slinging contest or like Daniel in the city of Babylon. When we live under the rule and reign of King Jesus, we are called to live by a different set of values. Our attitudes will change. We will operate in humility instead of pride. We will trust and yield control to God verses trying to control every aspect of life. We will be sensitive to sin and seek peace, instead of justifying sin and trying to win every argument. Kingdom living sets forth a different set of values than the world and culture around us. I really believe that is why the apostle Paul stated that we are aliens and strangers in this world, because this world is not our “real” home. Our real home awaits us; we are just passing through. May God’s grace and strength give you courage to stand up for the King of kings in this worldly kingdom, while we await the heavenly Kingdom. Keep shining the attitudes that set us apart for Christ!
Praying you have a Jesus-filled week!
Pastor Todd
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