In the extended teaching by the Lord on the Mount spanning Matthew 5 to Matthew 7, hidden therein are the many elaborative amendments to the Mosaic Law (Matthew 5:21-48) that should preoccupy the heart and life of the New Testament believer – the priority consideration of God’s name and God’s kingdom. Explicitly stated in Matthew 6:9-10 (NLT) and Matthew 6:33 (NLT) are 3-keypoint requisite demand on all who call Him Father

• Not to misrepresent, not to tarnish God’s principal attribute or nature, His holiness
• To live in earnest expectation of His kingdom
• And to align our lives with His will, living righteously

These come ahead of any earthly-focused needs in the sequence of the prayer Jesus taught us and represent the daily life priority to be pursued by every believer.

The apostles expanded on these demands emphasizing the need to be separate from the world, the need to be pure and have a lively expectation for His coming. For a witness, please note:

Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him. Beloved, we are God’s children right now; however, it is not yet apparent what we will become. But we do know that when it is finally made visible, we will be just like him, for we will see him as he truly is. And all who focus their hope on him will always be purifying themselves, just as Jesus is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 (TPT)

But we are a colony of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body. And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 (TPT)

Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory! Colossians 3:1-4 (TPT)

Titus 2:11-13 (TPT) summarizes it

God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone. This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age. For we continue to wait for the fulfillment of our hope in the dawning splendor of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus, the Anointed One. Titus 2:11-13 TPT

Oh glory hallelujah. This is all well captured in Dunsin Oyekan’s inspired song City of God

Eden is no more a place
I am the city of God
I bring heaven
Heaven here and now

Shalom.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele