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NASB | Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:33 "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right--the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. |
Subject: Should this be taken only personally? |
Bible Note: Good explanation, Nolan. I like what you said about 'relationships based on love.' I don't want to digress too much from your subject but you have hit upon an important concept. One commentator (not on this forum) said that the Sermon on the Mount in many ways reflects how people will treat each other as the are led by the Spirit of Christ in them. This echoes the truth that you stated about letting our relationships be ruled by love instead of by loving rules. Here is an analogy that helps me. BTW, I AM NOT calling you a legalist, brother. I am drawing an illustration :). Jesus says, 'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.' - John 14:15. A legalist (I used to be one, still being set free) looks at this verse and sees, "If I really love God, then I had better keep His commandments. If I don't keep them, then I must not love God." His motivation is based on rules - if this...then this. Period. A 'gracer' looks at this same verse and sees, "As I abide in the love of God (because He loved me first) and reflect that love back to Him and to others, I will keep His commandments." His motivation is based upon relationship - "Since God has done this...I can, through Christ, do this..." Jesus' new commandments are to love God and to love others. All men will know we are His disciples not because of the rules we keep, but because of His love that we exhibit. We don't even have to try to drum up the love that we think God 'requires.' What God wants from us, He Himself supplies: Rom 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. The love of God HAS BEEN poured out within our hearts through the Spirit. So even what God desires from us, He first gives us. What grace! Sorry to digress...(Ok, not really) Lord bless you, Bill Mc |