THE HEART OF THE COMMANDMENTS Our righteousness which is imputed on us in Christ must surpass our outward appearance and piety. Jesus came to introduce to His followers a righteousness that was no more occasioned by human effort but by grace in His finished work. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 (KJV) The Pharisees were rebuked by Jesus with criticism in several of his teachings because of the following; 1. 🧱 Burdening People with Rules: Jesus condemned the Pharisees for placing heavy religious burdens on others without offering help. They created complex, rigid interpretations of the law that made it hard for ordinary people to follow God (Matthew 23:4). 2. 🎭 Hypocrisy: – They preached righteousness but didn’t practice it themselves.  Jesus said they were like “whitewashed tombs”—beautiful on the outside but full of decay on the inside (Matthew 23:27). 3. 👀 Seeking Public Praise: The Pharisees performed religious acts to be seen and admired. They loved titles, prominent seats, and public recognition rather than genuine devotion to God. (Matthew 23:5–7). 4. 🚪 Blocking Access to God: Jesus accused them of shutting the door to the kingdom of heaven. Not only did they fail to enter themselves, but they also discouraged others from access and entry. (Matthew 23:13). 5. 💰 Misplaced Priorities: They focused on minor religious details while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.  Jesus rebuked them for tithing herbs but ignoring the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23). If we will love above the law and have a righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees, we must ensure these five points above do NOT describe us. The heart behind the commandments is love. Whether the ten commandments written by God’s hand on the mountain, the levitical laws of Moses or the laws of nature itself, they all bow at the heart – which is love. Paul rightly penned that against love there is no law. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10 (KJV) Let’s focus on the heart of the law, not like the Pharisees but with love for God and people. The Master warned that we must be careful of the Pharisees’ yeast. Acting like them can deny us the favour and crown from the Master. In biblical literature, yeast often symbolizes influence—especially one that spreads subtly and pervasively. Pharisees’ yeast refers to their hypocrisy, legalism, and self-righteousness. They emphasized outward religious performance while neglecting inner transformation and justice. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 16:6 (KJV) Reflection: – Am I more focused on appearances than on the heart? – How can I align my motives with God’s heart? – What does true righteousness look like in my relationships with God, family and people in general? Prayer: Dear Father, help me to pursue your heart of love. Make my heart a picture of You. Keep me from the yeast of the Pharisees that my righteousness will be that which is pure and true that flows from You. “Yeast is one of the smallest ingredients, yet it affects the whole dough. So too does hypocrisy, if left unchecked, infect the heart of faith.” – BibleHub Shalom!

LIVING ABOVE THE LAW Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17 (KJV) In addition to the Beatitudes, Jesus went on to emphasize the divine purpose of His coming – to fulfil the law. The heart of the law is Love. Nothing more – nothing less. A man obeys every rule but lacks love while a woman breaks a few rules but loves deeply. Jesus said, she understood the heart of the law. One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the town who was an especially wicked sinner, when she learned that He was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment (perfume). And standing behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with [her] tears; and she wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed His feet [affectionately] and anointed them with the ointment (perfume). Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw it, he said to himself, If this Man were a prophet, He would surely know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him– for she is a notorious sinner (a social outcast, devoted to sin). And Jesus, replying, said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he answered, Teacher, say it. A certain lender of money [at interest] had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they had no means of paying, he freely forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more? Simon answered, The one, I take it, for whom he forgave and cancelled more. And Jesus said to him, You have decided correctly. Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but she from the moment I came in has not ceased [intermittently] to kiss My feet tenderly and caressingly. You did not anoint My head with [cheap, ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly, rare] perfume. Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her–because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little. And He said to her, Your sins are forgiven! Luke 7:36-48 (Amp) The Heavenly Father’s original intent is not that we follow robotically a rudimentary set of rules but that we understand His heart and follow out of deep love (as a response to His love towards us). Christ fulfilled the law and through that redeemed us from its curse. Now He calls us to a higher life. A life pivoted in love for God and love for people. I can’t easily get over the woman’s story. Look at the adjectives the Amplified version of the Bible used to describe her: “A woman of the town who was an especially wicked sinner”. “A notorious sinner (a social outcast, devoted to sin)”.  And yet to such Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven”! Her love was greater than the law. She became above the law. Obeying God’s commandments must become an act of love. Even if we fall asleep long as our hearts are truly in love with Him, His mercy will flow unabated.   If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 (KJV) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21 (KJV) Reflection: – Do I follow God’s commands out of love or obligation? – How can I live beyond mere rule-keeping and embrace the Spirit of the Law? – What does fulfilling the law through Christ look like in my life. Prayer: I love you, Lord. With all that I am and all that I have I am totally enamored by you.  Help me to love you more and obey your commands in Jesus’ name. Amen.    “God’s commands are designed to guide you to life’s very best. You will not obey Him if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him.”.” – Henry Blackaby   “When obedience to God contradicts what I think will give me pleasure, let me ask myself if I love Him.” – Elisabeth Elliot Selah!

LIGHT OF THE WORLD Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14 (KJV) In our previous teaching we heard Jesus call us the salt of the earth but today He calls us the light of the world. What’s the difference between the Earth and the world? Though these words are mistakenly often interchanged, they are different.   Earth refers specifically to the planet we live on. It is the physical, astronomical object—the third planet from the Sun. Characteristically it is a scientific and geographical term used in environmental and space contexts. It is capitalized when referring to the planet (e.g., Earth), and in lowercase when referring to soil or ground (e.g., earth). The World on the other hand refers more to the human experience or civilization on Earth. Can mean a realm, domain, or society—not necessarily physical. Its key characteristics are that it is a philosophical, cultural, or social term referring to imagined or fictional realms (e.g., “the wizarding world”) and often used metaphorically (e.g., “a world of possibilities”). With this understanding, Jesus called us the salt of the physical earth and now He calls us the Light of the World (its Realm and human experience). We are the illumination, the revelation, the sense of the world. You are the reason the world makes sense.   The Greek word translated as light here is the word “phōs” (pronounced foce) which means to shine or make manifest, especially by rays – luminousness.   Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 (KJV) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5 (KJV) Jesus was the light of the world while HE was in the world but as he ascended into glory he passed that responsibility to us. It is our duty now to illuminate the world with the love of God and make His glory manifest. When people choose to close their eyes and act like they don’t see our light, we must shine more. The darker the darkness the more relevant our light will be.   And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19 (KJV)   A candle in a dark room doesn’t complain—it simply shines. One by one, others light their candles from it. No candle ever gets dimmed by lighting others. Keep shining; radiating the Father’s glory. I make bold to say, “there is no darkness anywhere – just the absence of light”. If we all let our little light shine as saints, the darkness we feel and see will be dispelled. Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15 (TPT) Reflection: – Where is God calling me to shine His light today? – Do I hide my faith out of fear or let it shine boldly? – What does it mean to be a light in dark places? Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have made me the Light of the world. Help me to stand out. Not to be darkened by the world’s system but to illuminate the world with Your Glory and Power. Amen.    “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” – Francis of Assisi   “We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.” – D. L. Moody Shine!

SALT OF THE EARTH Beyond describing the qualities of the blessed, Jesus moved further to tell us who we are in His eyes. These attributes I call; The Beatitudes extended. You are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13   Jesus made this declaration of Truth about who we are now that we are blessed.   Salt is significant in its ability to add flavour to meals, aid preservation, destroy disease causing germs and bacteria and useful in engendering healing. Literally, Salt was historically valuable—not just for flavor, but for preserving food. So calling someone “salt of the earth” is like saying they’re essential and precious. Figuratively, salt refers to people who are: Honest, Humble, Hardworking, Reliable and Morally grounded Think of someone who quietly does good, helps others, and doesn’t seek praise—they’re the salt of the earth. In the context of Jesus’ teaching salt symbolizes purity, preservation, and value. As his followers we are meant to positively influence the world. You are the salt of the earth. When you step into a place, healing, blessing and preservation should follow. Consider the likes of Joseph in the scripture. Potiphar’s house, the prison and the palace experienced his saltiness and confessed it.    Beloved, be the salt Christ has called you and make the world a better place. Reflection: – Is my life adding flavor and preservation to the world around me? – Where have I lost my “saltiness” and how can I regain it? – How can I influence others for Christ quietly but powerfully? Prayer: Lord in heaven, thank you for making me an influencer. Help me to stay tasty and flavored to be ablessing to all I meet in Jesus name. Amen.     “We are the salt of the earth, mind you, not the sugar. Our ministry is to truly cleanse and not just to change the taste.” – Vance Havner (Evangelist)    Selah!

REJOICING IN REJECTION “How favored you become when you are hated, excommunicated, or slandered, or when your name is spoken of as evil  because of your love for me, the Son of Man. “I promise you that as you experience these things,  you will celebrate and dance with overflowing joy, and the heavenly reward of your faith will be abundant, because you are being treated the same way as your forefathers the prophets. Luke 6:22-23 (TPT) Rejection is a major hurt we feel. Some have suffered rejection at the workplace, in society, in the family, academically and even in sports – all because of their love for Christ. In some cases, some are denied their promotions, delayed in gratuities and punished unjustly just for their faith in Christ. Rejection is another level of persecution that could have a negative effect on our minds but if we handle it well it can become a holy invitation to grow deeper in faith, love, and purpose. Imagine what Jesus felt while going through rejection. The people he had fed and healed were shouting, “crucify him”, the disciples he had nurtured betrayed and denied him, and most painfully he felt forsaken by the Heavenly Father too. The Prophet Jeremiah while lamenting softly put it as a question:  Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. Lamentations 1:12 (KJV) Handling rejection as a follower of Christ requires both spiritual maturity and emotional resilience. Scripture offers profound wisdom on how to respond when you’re misunderstood, excluded, or dismissed—whether in relationships, the workplace, ministry, or in daily life. Here are four key ways to handle rejection through a Christ-centered lens: 🙏  1. Anchor Your Identity in Christ: Your worth is not defined by others’ opinions but by God’s love. Meditate on who you are in Christ—redeemed, chosen, and dearly loved. Note:  Rejection may sting, but it doesn’t change your eternal value.  “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” — 1 John 3:1 🛐  2. Respond with Grace, Not Bitterness. Remember, Jesus was rejected too—and He responded with forgiveness. Instead of retaliating or harboring resentment, pray for those who reject you. This keeps your heart soft, pure and aligned with God’s mercy.  “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” — Luke 6:28. 🌱  3. Let Rejection Refine You, Not Define You. God can use rejection to shape your character and redirect your path. Ask God what He wants to teach you through the experience. Sometimes rejection is redirection toward something greater.  “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3 ✝️  4. Stay Faithful to Your Calling. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re off course—it may mean you’re right where God wants you. Keep serving in obedience. Jesus faced rejection throughout His ministry, yet He never wavered in His mission.  “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” — John 15:18 Jesus promises us great rewards in heaven for our rejections on earth. Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.  Be glad and supremely joyful,  for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 (Amp)  Reflection – Do I fear rejection more than I desire obedience? – How can I find joy when misunderstood or insulted? – What eternal rewards am I keeping in mind to keep me in hope while facing trials?  Prayer Heavenly Father, sometimes I feel the weight of rejection so strong. Help me to learn the right lessons and become the best version of myself reflecting Christ and glorifying You. Amen. “Rejection is merely a redirection; a course correction to your destiny.” — Bryant McGill Shalom!

JOY IN PERSECUTION Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:10   In the year 2020 during a prayer walk in our community, we were attacked by some politicians using the might of paramilitarians while on our knees praying for the good of the land. I was manhandled, shirt torn, neck choked while been hit with a 2 by 3 hard wood. I ended up needing medical attention and it was all for God’s glory. Several human right organisations and religious leaders suggested that I push for legal action against the perpetuators but as I considered it this was the scripture that gave me the strength and courage to let go and forgive. While Jesus promised the blessed who are meek the inheritance of the earth in Matthew 5:5, he promises that the blessed who are persecuted will inherit the heavens. Wouldn’t you want to be a shareholder of heaven? To have ownership of a city whose maker is God. I recall (my Pastor) Pastor Peter Alao’s teaching in 1985 which showed me that Jesus disciples were excited in the face of persecution. They didn’t complain or murmur. They on the contrary joyfully rejoiced. You can retain your joy in the face of persecution. This helped me as a young believer and I was able to stay in faith even when my parents weren’t born again then. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Acts 5:40-41 (KJV)   1 Peter 4:14 in the Amplified version encourages us with the blessings awaiting the persecuted. If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you–happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:14 (Amp).   Do NOT fret and do not cringe in the face of persecution. It is not pleasant, but if well approached, the rewards will be enormous. Stay strong. Keep the faith no matter what the enemy makes people throw at you. Reflection: – Have I ever faced opposition for doing what’s right? – How do I respond when my faith is tried, challenged or mocked? – What does it mean to rejoice in suffering for Christ? Prayer: Father. I trust in You. I know you have great plans and rewards for me. Help me to keep faith while going through persecution that my reward be not lost. “Persecution is one of the surest signs that we are living for Christ. If we never experience it, we might ask ourselves whether we are truly standing for Him.”— Billy Graham   Great grace!

PEACEMAKERS AS CHILDREN OF GOD Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God. Matthew 5:9 Wouldn’t you rather be a son of peace than a warrior of pride? Jesus came as The Prince of Peace and His goal was to reconcile men to God and broker peace between these eternal enemies (God and His creation). We had so wandered away from the heavenly Father and His ways that God practically left humanity to our apostate depravity however, Jesus (the Love of God in human form) did all it will require to bridge the gap. He was and will always be the Son of Peace. He said that those who will tread His path of peace will be privileged to be called the Children of God. Are we truly Children of God? Our thoughts, words and actions – do they pursue peace or ignite war. We curse people and things God created whenever we feel they are not acting favourable to our cause. We curse in our hearts, in our words and actions. Worse still, we curse in our prayers! Prayers to whom? To God? How can He who said we should rather bless than curse – even our enemies be pleased with this kind of prayers. We curse diseases, we curse the weather, we curse the brethren and we curse the atheist and the religious. Where did we learn that from. We have been called to make, create, maintain and pursue peace.    If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 The above verse clearly asserts that sometimes conflict is not avoidable but then it still commands as far as we are able to, we MUST live at peace with ALL men. Here’s a short story that gently encourages peacemaking through empathy and understanding: The Bridge of Stones In a quiet village nestled between two hills, there lived two families—The Olus and The Bakos—who hadn’t spoken in years. Their feud began over a patch of land, but over time, no one remembered the reason. Only the silence remained. One day, a boy named Tunde from the Olus and a girl named Kauna from the Bakos met by the river that divided their homes. They were both gathering smooth stones for a school project. At first, they ignored each other. But when Kauna slipped and fell into the shallow water, Tunde rushed to help her. “Thank you,” she said, surprised. “You’re welcome,” he replied, just as surprised. They sat on the riverbank, drying off and talking. They discovered they both loved drawing, mangoes, and stories about the stars. Before leaving, they made a pact: every day, they’d each place a stone in the river to build a bridge—not just of stones, but of peace. Days turned into weeks. Villagers began to notice the growing bridge and the laughter of two children playing nearby. Curiosity softened old grudges. One by one, others joined—placing stones, sharing stories, and slowly rebuilding trust. By the time the bridge was complete, the feud had faded. The Olus and Bakos stood together, watching their children cross the bridge hand in hand. And from that day on, the river no longer divided them — rather, it connected them. Please quit throwing stones to hurt people, rather use them to build bridges to help reconnect them. We are called to be peacemakers – making peace via empathy, humility, wisdom and sacrifice not peacekeepers. While the peace keepers try to enforce a false peace without dealing with the root of the conflict, the peacemaker confronts issues and brings about lasting peace.  Reflection: – Am I a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? Do I confront issues or just avoid conflict. – Where in my relationship is God calling me to bring lasting peace? – How does being a child of God empower me to reconcile others?  Prayer: 🎶 Lord, make us instruments of Your peace  Where there is hatred, let Your love increase  Lord, make us instruments of Your peace  Walls of pride and prejudice … release  We will be His instruments of peace    Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight  Where there is darkness, we will shine His light  Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief  To the millions crying for relief  We will be His instruments of peace.   “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd,” Max Lucado This quote reminds us that peacemakers often take the quiet, courageous path— choosing harmony over applause   Shalom!