“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” (Matthew 7:24=27 MSG)
Most of the time, when we refuse to do something, we classify our refusal as being a personal thing. We see it as a choice that we make that affects us alone. But notice the spelling of the word refusal. Do you see the letters “us” right in the middle of the word? This should remind us that when we refuse to follow the foundation words of Jesus, as it relates to the context where we find the text above, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7); when we refuse to build our lives on the instructions He gives us in these chapters, it is not something of which we can say, “This is my choice, and I will live with it.” It may be your choice, but it is not something that just affects you, it affects others. It affects, “us.”
Let’s test this premise by looking at some of the foundational words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. You can look at it more in-depth later in your personal Bible study, but as the opening passage suggest, go further than study and work them into your life. It will benefit you and others, the “us” people you interact with in your daily walk.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).” When you refuse to be a peacemaker and rather act out as a trouble maker or an instigator, you are affecting “us” in a negative way. “You are the salt of the earth…(Matthew 5:13).” When you refuse to take on your assignment of protecting, purifying, preserving, and perfecting the world around you, you are affecting “us” in a negative way. “You have heard that is was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemies. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…(Matthew 5:43-44).” If you refuse to follow Jesus’ words you just read, you are affecting “us” in a negative way.
“And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye (Matthew 7:3)?” If you refuse to acknowledge that Jesus’ words will keep you from judging and criticizing others in regard to some small matter while you have not attended to your larger area of concern, an area where improvement is necessary, you are affecting “us” in a negative way. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).” If your refuse to apply these words in your interactions with others, you are affecting “us” in the negative way.
As suggested, look at the Sermon on the Mount in-depth later and keep in mind the “us” in refusal as you study. A final word: There are individuals in the “us” group that are looking at you and they are in need to see the Christ who dwells in you. They need to be won for Christ because they see how you have worked His words in your life. And there are some believers, saved folks who are in the “us” group that need to make more progress in the area of spiritual growth.
One more thought I don’t want to leave out. Jesus wants us to forgive too, right? Look at the closing verse in concert with this quote by Alan Cohen, “You have the power to take away someone’s happiness, by refusing to forgive. That someone is you.” True. But if we look at Jesus’s words, we know it affects both ourselves and the “us” people in our lives who are relieved by your willingness to forgive.
Now go forward today or as Jesus said, “Go ye therefore,” and as you do, think about the “us” in refusal and instead of having a negative impact on others, have a positive impact. Have a wonderful Tuesday! Be blessed!
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King