The red letters

[B-A-C]

If we start in the "regular" order that most Bibles put the books of the New testament in. The first time we see Jesus speak is here.

Matt 3:14; But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"
Matt 3:15; But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him.

Isn't it curious that Jesus used a man's actions ( John the Baptist ) to "fulfill all righteousness."
Would Jesus have been fully righteous if John the Baptist wouldn't have baptized Him?

The very second passage we read where Jesus is speaking is when He is tempted by Satan in the wilderness.

Matt 4:1; Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matt 4:2; And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
Matt 4:3; And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
Matt 4:4; But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Matt 4:5; Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
Matt 4:6; and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"
Matt 4:7; Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
Matt 4:8; Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
Matt 4:9; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."
Matt 4:10; Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
Matt 4:11; Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Part of the "Lord's Prayer" as we like to call the passage in Matt 6 says "lead us not into temptation", and yet we are tempted quite frequently. In my case almost everyday.
It's a little surprising to some people that the Holy Spirit is the one who led Jesus out into the wilderness to be tempted ( verse 1 ).
Sometimes God allows us to be tempted. Satan demanded permission to "sift" Peter. ( Luke 22:31; ) Shortly after this Peter denied Jesus 3 times.

This passage is where much of a doctrine called "the Son of Man" comes from. Jesus called Himself the "Son of man" more than any other name. Now wouldn't being the
Son of God be much more important than being the son of a man? But Jesus had to be fully human. He had to feel what we feel, hurt like we hurt, be tempted like we are tempted.
Jesus had to overcome Satan as a man. In the passage above, Satan tries to get Jesus to use His "God powers" to do things like turn stones into bread, and make the angels catch you when you jump off the temple.
Jesus could have done these things, but He didn't. He defeated Satan using only the Word (scripture).

 

[B-A-C]

After the tempting in the wilderness. The next time we see Jesus speak, He is starting His ministry.

Matt 4:17; From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The first thing Jesus ever taught mankind was... "repent". Some churches turn this verse completely opposite and say, don't need to repent because the kingdom of heaven is here.
But Jesus said "Repent"... because the kingdom of heaven is here. Jesus did this before He even picked His disciples.

Matt 4:18; Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Matt 4:19; And He *said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Have you ever wondered what the phrase "fishers of men" means? It's simple, you simply catch men, like you catch fish. What you do with them once they caught gets spoken to later.

 

[B-A-C]

Now here we are at Matthew 5, and Jesus has only said 6 sentences up to this point. (Go back and count them) But get ready, because now Jesus has something to say.
In fact pretty much the entire chapters of Matthew 5, 6 and 7 are Jesus speaking. Most of this is called the sermon on the Mount. It starts off with something called the beatitudes.

Matt 5:2; He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
Matt 5:3; "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:4; "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matt 5:5; "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matt 5:6; "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Matt 5:7; "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matt 5:8; "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matt 5:9; "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matt 5:10; "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:11; "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Matt 5:12; "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

"the poor in spirit" - generally this is taken to mean those who are humble, and do not esteem themselves very highly.
"those who mourn" - some people block their emotions, and don't allow themselves to feel any emotional pain, but even Jesus wept. ( John 11:35; )
"the gentle" - this verse speaks to me, because I am not always the gentlest. I like to come in with both guns blazing.
"those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" - they will be satisfied. If we take this with Matt 6:33; ( the next chapter over ) we will satisfied both spiritually and materially.
-- you may not have everything you want, but you'll have what you need.
"the merciful" - are you forgiving to those around you?
"the pure in heart" - an entire thread could be written about this, but the Bible says "out of the heart" come evil things. ( Matt 15:18-19; Mark 7:21; Luke 6:45; ) my heart isn't
always as pure as I wish it was.
"the peacemakers" - too few of these people around, too many like me... both guns blazing. I see a lot of guns blazing here on TalkJesus sometimes.

Verses 10, 11 and 12 are about rewards for being persecuted. Make no mistake, at some point in your life, you will likely be persecuted for your faith, even if it's just a little teasing and poking at.
For others, persecution could cost them their lives.

.. to be continued ...

 

[B-A-C]

I love how Jesus sets up this sermon. He starts off by saying if you are merciful, righteous, gentle or a peacemaker, you are blessed.
Now then,... for the rest of you trouble-makers let me tell you how it is.

Matt 5:13; "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Matt 5:14; "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
Matt 5:15; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Matt 5:16; "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Who is Jesus speaking to here? Believers! How do we know? He says you are the salt and the light of the world, are unbelievers the salt and light?
But He warns some salt becomes tasteless and needs to be thrown out. This is one of many passages that goes against OSAS. "How can it be made salty again?"
Are you still salty? Do people see something different when they see you? Or do you look like and act like everyone else in the world? If you live just like all the un-saved people, maybe it's time to take a
look at yourself. Maybe you're close to being thrown out.

Jesus says let your light shine before men. Don't hide the fact you are a Christian. It's almost as if some Christians are afraid to tell people they are saved.
He says let people "see your good works".. this will "glorify your Father who is in heaven". Some churches are so dead set against any kind of works, it's almost like you will go to hell if you do anything good.

Matt 5:17; "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Matt 5:18; "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Matt 5:19; "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:20; "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven

Jesus didn't abolish the law, He fulfilled the law. In fact He says the law won't go away until heaven and earth pass away... guess what, heaven and earth are still here.
He goes on to say whoever teaches against the commandments will be called the "least in the kingdom of heaven". Now some will say... "but at least I'm in the kingdom of heaven anyway".
But the Bible says the stumbling blocks will be removed out of the kingdom, being the least in the kingdom is not a good place to be.

Matt 13:41; "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, (yet another verse against OSAS)

Now a lot of churches say "Jesus fulfilled the law" I don't have to do anything. But in the very next verse Jesus says unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you're not going
to be in the kingdom of heaven either!!

.. to be continued ...

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Who is Jesus speaking to here?

JEWS, of course. This is OLD TESTAMENT written to the ones who were "Supposed to be the Salt and the Light of the world", but who WEREN'T. They'd Forgotten (if they ever really knew).
SO trying to tie it to the "salvation" of a bunch of Old Testament, NOT Born Again rebellious faithless JEWS is nonsense. Until John 20:22, NOBODY was Born Again. It wasn't possible.

WE live in the NEW Testament, and under the NEW covenant. The PURPOSE of the Old Testament, and the LAW was to demonstrate to the Israelites their TOTAL INABILITY to obey the LAW and and their stiff-necked REBELLION against God. I think it's quite possible to "Fall away" as a Born-Again Christian. but not becase of "WOrks" (which are useless for salvation). The real issue is FAITH - which DEPENDS on a LIVING relationship was God, and when we let that slide through neglect, Living FAITH becomes the fading memory of havig HAD a living faith - once - and that's when you're in danger. I've found that He DOES send wake-up calls. Pretty brutal ones if need be.

 

[PloughBoy]

Just a little input, and I don't know why. in late and early 70's and 80's I did study "The Harmony of The Gospels" and I do understand their "Presentations" and the 4 great narratives, and the "Synoptic gospels" form concerning their presentations as well. 1st in by knowing each presentation. and when it was written and the Character of The writter.


1. Matthew's Theme: Christ, The King, written A.D. 50
2. Mark's Theme: Christ, The Servant, A.D. 68
3. Luke Theme: Christ, The Man, A.D. 60
4. John's Theme: Christ, In His Diety A.D. 85-95

A. The Acts of The Apostles A.D. 60

It seem at 1st , these things were are not important to me, but once I did learn these things and paid attention and bear in mind these elements as I read, time after time, my "hermeneutics" became sharper. But not only knew the contents, but also the "Character" of The Writer, that had a effect upon his wrttings and that writers prospective. as you begin to know the writer and the year of His writings and did he use a amanuensis or not. That is why in studying, The Translation have to be a good and close word for word translation, because you are studying instead of "Reading your Bible" One Bible for Studying and another Bible for reading. Makes plenty of sense.

I started this way from day one, my 1st bible had all of this information in it. So before reading a book I always read the Introduction of the Book or letter of The Bible everytime, and always read that book, and never just look into a letter or book to pick out verses to read. I didn't know better, but begin in the beginning of that book and finish it. I never knew no other way to read the Bible. "I had not got "tainted" yet by Wednesday "Bible classes" and Sunday Schools" and BTU Classes and Vacation Bible School. I was green as a" Olive branch"! Dumb as I don't know what, I thought every Christian did that! LOL! I thought all Christians was "Holy" and perfect when i got saved! I would not step on a Ant! You could not tell me a Christian in the church did anything wrong!
Until That female Adult Bible Class Teacher saw that that old Mother of the church kiss me on the lips and she said she wanted a holy kiss too, in front of everybody, and she slip her tongue across the Rim of My Lips! I found Out what the Bible meant when it said" "Stolen waters are Sweet"! The Bible did not Lie!!! That Serpent is something else! Stay away from there, far away! The Bible spoke to me loud and clear!>

(Proverbs 7)NASV.
25Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26For she has cast down many wounded: yes, many strong men have been slain by her.
27Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.>

I Heard those words clear like a 5 Alarm Fire! That sister would make you eat the fruit out of her hand! and Quoted "Scripture" like Beethoven compose Music!

My knees went to knocking and I went to shaking, and I heard the Word of GOD say again:
New American Standard Bible
"Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids."

I was scared to look her in her eyes! I kept saying unto myself, what is going on, why am I hearing these words so loud and clear! and Why I can't look at her eyes. LOL! I didn't tell nobody, what i was hearing, She was a Bible class and Sunday School Teacher, I was the Young "Assistant pastor" green as ever.
Now that is only One story in many other stories, i have been apart of. You have to Flee! You have to RUN! A woman will make you turn your back on GOD, if you hang around there and that devil sprinkle some "Star Dust" on you 2 in the air and she look you in the eyes and grad you, you are goner

Red Letter Edition

 

[B-A-C]

JEWS, of course

Yes Jews, but still believers. Not born again yet, but still believers.

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 5:21; "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'
Matt 5:22; "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Matt 5:23; "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Matt 5:24; leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Matt 5:25; "Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Matt 5:26; "Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

Of course we still can't murder people, but Jesus adds, we aren't even supposed to be angry at people. Simply calling calling someone a fool is enough to make you guilty enough to go to hell.
Jesus was contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant rules here. Under the old covenant you couldn't murder, under the new covenant you can't even think about murder.
We aren't even supposed to go to the altar (our prayer place) until we make things right with our Christian brother (as right as we can as far as it up to us).

Matt 5:27; "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY';
Matt 5:28; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matt 5:29; "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Matt 5:30; "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

Has there ever been anyone who hasn't struggled with this passage. Under the old covenant you couldn't cheat on your wife, under the new covenant, you can't even think about it.
Again, this is enough to send you to hell. I believe the passages about your right eye and right hand pertain to self-abuse (masturbation). What are you doing with your eye and hand that
would send you to hell?

Matt 5:31; "It was said, 'WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE';
Matt 5:32; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Under the old covenant, you could divorce your wife simply because you no longer "found favor with her". ( Deut 24:1; )
Under the new covenant, you can only divorce because of unfaithfulness. ( Paul gives another reason for divorce in 1Cor 7:15; )

.. to be continued ...

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 5:33; "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.'
Matt 5:34; "But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
Matt 5:35; or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.
Matt 5:36; "Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Matt 5:37; "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.

How many of us have ever said anything like "I swear to God" or "I swear on a stack of Bibles". The Bible says don't swear on anything, just keep your word, "anything beyond these is evil".

Matt 5:38; "You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.'
Matt 5:39; "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Matt 5:40; "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
Matt 5:41; "Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matt 5:42; "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Under the old covenant, revenge and payback were the way to handle things. I confess this has been a difficult passage for me. I need to be more giving
and more willing to spend time with people I don't really care for.

Matt 5:43; "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.'
Matt 5:44; "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matt 5:45; so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matt 5:46; "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matt 5:47; "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Matt 5:48; "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Under the old covenant we had to love our neighbor, that part hasn't changed, but now we have to love our enemies as well. ( Not always easy )
We are supposed to pray for or enemies ( something I have struggled with in the past, but feel like I'm doing better with )
".. be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" .. how many of us can say we are 100% successful in this?

... next chapter 6...

 

[B-A-C]

(Proverbs 7)NASV.
25Let not your heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26For she has cast down many wounded: yes, many strong men have been slain by her.
27Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.>

Yes, there is wisdom and verses in the old testament that still apply to our lives today. How much more does the wisdom and verses in the New Testament apply?

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Yes Jews, but still believers. Not born again yet, but still believers.

But, of course the demons, and satan are "believers" also. "FAITH" (Heb 11:1) is what does the trick, and OT folks "believed".
But - SOME Old Testament folks also HAD FAITH that God WOULD DO what He promised to for for them. Unfortunately the Jewish Leadership in Jesus' time wasn't among them for the most part.

 

[B-A-C]

"FAITH" (Heb 11:1) is what does the trick,

I'm trying not to get side tracked here. But everyone in Hebrews 11 did an act of faith.. (i.e build an ark, hide the spies, sacrifice Isaac, leave Egypt, etc... ) .. that's what "does the trick".

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 6:1; "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
Matt 6:2; "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:3; "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Matt 6:4; so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Everyone seems to realize this is about doing things in secret, not bragging about when give to the poor. What many people seem to miss here, is this is also about giving to the poor.
The reward isn't in keeping a secret, the reward is in doing something worthy of bragging about, and keeping it a secret.

Matt 6:5; "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:6; "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matt 6:7; "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
Matt 6:8; "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matt 6:9; "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Matt 6:10; 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:11; 'Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt 6:12; 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:13; 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
Matt 6:14; "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt 6:15; "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

This is commonly referred to as the Lord's prayer. A shorter version of this in Luke 11:2-4; This is what Jesus answered when the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray.
Again, don't be a hypocrite and brag about your praying. Pray in secret (there is a time for corporate prayer)
This ends with the verses about forgiving others, if you don't forgive others, neither will you be forgiven.
There is a a whole thread that could be written on this... but then I would never get to the rest of what Jesus said.

.. to be continued ...

 

[PloughBoy]

But, of course the demons, and satan are "believers" also. "FAITH" (Heb 11:1) is what does the trick, and OT folks "believed".
But - SOME Old Testament folks also HAD FAITH that God WOULD DO what He promised to for for them. Unfortunately the Jewish Leadership in Jesus' time wasn't among them for the most part.

and " the intertestamental period?"

 

[Bob Carabbio]

I'm trying not to get side tracked here. But everyone in Hebrews 11 did an act of faith.. (i.e build an ark, hide the spies, sacrifice Isaac, leave Egypt, etc... ) .. that's what "does the trick".

None of which has anything at all to do with personal salvation, which has nothing to do with "Works". You (and other "Works salvation" theologians) confuse "Results" with "Causes".

 

[B-A-C]

None of which has anything at all to do with personal salvation,

Which makes me wonder why you brought up Hebrews 11?

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 6:16; "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:17; "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face
Matt 6:18; so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Fasting, I haven't done this often in my life. I know some Christians and churches that never do it. It may not be a requirement, but it's recommended.
Still, I have seen some Christians, when they fast they complain about how hard it is. There is no reward for those who complain about it.

Matt 6:19; "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matt 6:20; "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
Matt 6:21; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:22; "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.
Matt 6:23; "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Matt 6:24; "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Another great passage ( aren't they all? ) An entire thread could be written about this passage as well.
But where is your heart? What are you looking for in this life? Nice houses, nice cars, boats, planes, bank accounts, stocks and bonds? These things are temporary, you can't take them with you.
Where you treasure is... that's where you heart is. What do you spend time and money on? Your body? Your kids? Your job? Your house? Be careful they do not consume your heart.
What are your eyes looking at? The world? New cars? Bigger houses? A faster boat? A younger woman/man? Your eyes can reveal your heart. What do you spend time looking at, longing for, envying?
You can't serve these things and serve God at the same time.

... to be continued ...

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Which makes me wonder why you brought up Hebrews 11?

Because it makes clear what the REQUIREMENTS are in order for what one calls "Faith" to comply with the Biblical requirements thereof.
It must possess SUBSTANCE
It Must Stand as an EVIDENCE of what you don't see.

"Belief" has no "Substance", and is an "evidence" of nothing, except how you happen to feel at the time.

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 6:25; "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Matt 6:26; "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Matt 6:27; "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
Matt 6:28; "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
Matt 6:29; yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
Matt 6:30; "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Matt 6:31; "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
Matt 6:32; "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Matt 6:33; "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matt 6:34; "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

A favorite passage for many Christians. It may not seem like it first, but this really about trusting Jesus... not just for salvation, but for material needs.
God will make sure you have food to eat, clothes to wear, and enough to survive. We shouldn't worry about these things.
This is similar in some ways to Rom 8:28; Instead of seeking security in material things, we should be "seeking the kingdom of God"... and ... (don't forget the "and") His righteousness.
What this means is... we should be seeking to have a righteousness like Jesus.

... next Chapter 7.

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 7:1; "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
Matt 7:2; "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Matt 7:3; "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?
Matt 7:4; "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
Matt 7:5; "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

A lot of people take this passage to say we shouldn't judge others, but that's not what it says. It says don't be a hypocrite.
If you're judging someone else's sins. Make sure you remove your own sin first. There are several verses in the Bible that say we should judge
other believers.

Matt 7:6; "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

An entire thread could be written about this one verse. It is talking about both spiritual and material things. Sometimes we give nice things to someone because we like
them, or they are attractive, then they tear it up, lose it, or give it away. This could be our family, children, friends and relatives, or even c-workers.
Sometimes we give them good Biblical advice, but they toss that out the window also. Then later they accuse you of doing nothing to help them.

Matt 7:7; "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matt 7:8; "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matt 7:9; "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
Matt 7:10; "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
Matt 7:11; "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

God knows what we need. ( He knows what we want also, but we want isn't always good for us ) But He wants us to ask Him for things.
He knows what we need before we even ask, but He still wants us to ask Him. ( There are several passage about this ).
God gives us good things, and things that are good for us.