Scripture reading: Philippians 3:17–4:1

The Be-Badditudes

Matthew 5:3–20, DSV (Devil’s Standard Version)

 

Blessed are those who have their act together and are spiritually with it, for they illustrate what god’s reign in this world really looks like.

Blessed are those who are healthy, wealthy and happy, for they’ve found the true meaning of life.

Blessed are those with power, money and influence, for they already possess the earth.

Blessed are those who are saved and satisfied, for they don’t have to be bothered by conviction of sin or calls to full surrender.

Blessed are those who have received mercy from God and others, for they know it is more blessed to receive than to give.

Blessed are those who get everything their hearts desire, for they see themselves as god.

Blessed are the winners and those who always get their own way, for this is what it means to be a child of god.

Blessed are those who use godliness for personal advancement, for they have learned how to serve two masters and inhabit two kingdoms at the same time! Blessed are you when you are popular and everyone thinks your religion is really

cool. Blessed are you when many flatter you and say nice things about you.

Rejoice and be glad! It just doesn’t get any better than this.

 

You are the sugar of the earth: be sweet and nice to everyone all the time. This is what godliness looks like. Don’t offend people by your words or actions. But if sugar loses its sweetness, how can it be made sweet again? It’s just white powder; worthless, good for nothing. You might as well throw it away.

You are the mirror of the world, a reflection. So fit in and conform. Don’t stand out as different. Act like the people around you. Reflect popular opinion, don’t try to shape it! And never point out other people’s sin. Let others see how your thoughts and actions are a mirror reflection of their own, then they will see your good works and praise your god in heaven for making you this way. Your life will reassure them that they too can profess godliness and yet live like the devil.

Don’t think that I came to lay a bunch moral obligations on you. I came to abol- ish the law, not to fulfill it! Truly, truly I say to you, every jot and tittle of the law, all those ethical demands of God, it’s all gone, passed away. Therefore, whoever preaches that you have to obey God’s moral law will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever puts those demands aside will be called great. For I tell you the truth, unless your righteousness is less than that of the scribes and Phari- sees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. ]

It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.—Charles Spurgeon

 

point to ponder • A half-truth is more dangerous than a lie.

prayer focus • The ability to discern right from wrong, truth from error.