IBS Matthew 5:19 (3-27-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:19 (3-27-14)

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

When someone is in error and is teaching others this error, he is in greater judgement because he had power and abused it to mislead people. These will be called least in heaven - they’re believers. Those people who are spreading lies are not always unsaved - that’s a scary thought. Either they’ve deceived themselves or they’re purposely distorting the Gospel for their own benefit. This is why we need to be Bereans - testing everything with the Truth of the Word. 

The call to teach the Word is costly and to be taken very seriously. Yes, he who does this will be called great in the kingdom of heaven - but (pero), he who breaks any commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least. Jesus said in Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This is obviously impossible. Sin always separates us from God, no matter how good we try to be.

I really like an analogy I heard one time. Man was made to be a reflection of God, so he is like a mirror. When Adam sinned, the mirror broke into many pieces - some big and some small. Each human being is a reflection of God, some are bigger shards and thereby reflect more by their “goodness”, and others are smaller shards thereby reflecting less “goodness”. No matter how big or small our “shard of mirror” is, we are still simply unable to be perfect. 

“Actions speak louder than words”. I’m going to write this on the paper I’m hanging on the door to our room. I want to remember that it’s not as much about what I teach as it’s about what my life shows. This reminds me of some verses I put into an IBS I did in January - James 1:23-25, which basically says that we need to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. To not just be a hearer of God’s Word, but a doer.