Heralds Digest

  ““For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭ 6:14-15 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.6.14-15.nkjv If self-interest can be wronged, divine interest gets more wronged because of the additional influence of the spirit of bitterness. And while it is easier for all to dot around in demand for the respect of personal interests, the will of God gets easily trampled to the background. Unfortunately, the same man is often trigger-happy to hold on to fellow man’s offence. Therefore, Jesus rounded up the teaching on the secret of prevailing prayer with a solemn lesson on forgiveness: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”. Clearly, self-interest is a major setback, against man’s life deman...

  “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.6.7-8.nkjv The most painful thing for believers to admit in all prayer sessions is that we often do not know what we really need in life. By approaching the throne of grace like the heathen do, believers are tempted to offer prayers as if to an unknown God, using vain repetitions in the words of Jesus Christ. Invariably, dishonest hearts do live for food, fame and fortune. Whereas, God knows that the greatest need of man in life is fellowship. Yes, fellowship with the One who truly know the basic needs of the body for food, fame and fortune. When Jesus says “Therefore, do not be like them”, He simply admonished every heart to be honest with the offering of an open door before approaching the thron...

  “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.6.3-4.nkjv If we consistently confront frustration and disappointment in our public services, there is likelihood that the secret service components are weak or they are non-existent. Since a focus on human reward system in the public and charitable services is self-centred, it is bound to attract jealousy, sycophancy and delinquency. And the service providers in this kind of system at home, workplace, fellowship and in the society have a frustrating diverse interest to satisfy. Therefore, when Jesus admonished that ‘do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing’ in all charitable deeds, He simply wants His disciples to always let their secret services drive the public services. In secret services (most...

  “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭ 5:19 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.19.nkjv The concept of least law is borne out of respect for liberal minds. Whereas, there is a clear dividing line between righteousness and wickedness in the eyes of God. In reference to the Pharisees’ struggle with the doing of the law, the Saviour drew the attention of disciples to the implication of living with liberal minds, especially against the commandments of the Lord. When the law says “ do not kill ”, there is no exception to escaping the penalty of murder in the eyes of God, even if human law accepts the excuse of the act under certain circumstances. All of God’s law deals with the motive in the heart of man rather than the method in the hands. When Joseph said “ how can I do this great wic...

  ““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭ 5:14-16 ‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.14-16.nkjv If you haven’t struggle with criticism in almost all of life’s endeavour, there is a greater chance that you have been flocking around with wrong people or sycophants. Criticism does bring the best out of any project in life. Unfortunately, the human nature enjoys complements more than criticisms; and will possibly do everything to sideline critics in the workplace, social circles, and even at home. When Jesus told His disciples ( who have just listened to the relevance of persecution and all forms of ill-treatment to beatitudes)  “You are the light of the world”, He was emphasizing the importance of ...

  ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.5.3-5.nkjv The beatitude provides a deeper dimension to the concept of prestige: in the eyes of God versus in the eyes of the common people. What readily matter to most people includes the state of being rich in substance, living as celebrity, and relating with people in authority. Those who care for prestige at home, social circles, and in our society must provide the evidence of being in possession of the kingdom of this world, living in affluence, and the ability to influence people in position of authority. Whereas, the concept of prestige in the eyes of Jesus is clearly the opposite. His beatitudes embrace “[Blessed are] the poor in spirit...the mournful men, and the meek ministers of the gospel”. Unfortunately, many pilgrims often beli...

  “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mat.3.8.nkjv Haughty hearts always find the magic words ‘I am sorry’, ‘I have sinned’, etc, strange, even when convincingly convicted. And there are many struggling or separated homes, relationships, and fellowship that could have been saved by humble disposition of the heart. Unfortunately, we often live with haughty hearts in our relationship with God. Like the Pharisees in the days of John the Baptist, many do believe in bribing their ways into the presence of God with religious activities and humanitarian services, while righteous relationship is thrown into the dustbins. There are many activities in the public space that may be worthy of reception with men; but they may completely be alien or unworthy of repentance before God. Real repentance comes from humble hearts; and when it says ‘I am sorry’ or ‘I have sinned’, it truly means ‘I am sorry’ or ‘I have sinned’.