Luke 6:37

Do not judge others self-righteously) and you will not be judged; do not condemn (others when you are guilty and unrepentant), and you will not be condemned (for hypocrisy); pardon (others when they truly repent and change), and you will be pardoned (when you truly repent and change).

The truth of the matter is that none of us is perfect except for Jesus. We can’t judge others because we’re most likely doing the same thing. If we keep our minds focused on Jesus and working out our own salvation, we won’t be looking at everyone else. Yes, people will still do upsetting things, but try as hard as possible not to let it stop the plan of God for your life.

Luke 6:27-28

But I say to you who hear (Me and pay attention to my words): Love (that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for) your enemies, (make it a practice to) do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 

We know that evil exists, and it uses people to hurt people. Those who are hurt will hurt other people, not recognizing where the problem of the pain originated from the devil. Being kind to those who mistreat others stops the cycle of harm and abuse.  When we react unkindly toward each other, we perpetuate the cycle.

Luke 5:32

I did not come to call the (self-proclaimed) righteous (who see no need to repent), but sinners to repentance (to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and seek God and His righteousness)

When we change our old way of sinful thinking, we close the door to separation from Jesus and open the door to salvation. Jesus came for this purpose to show the sinner a new path and that a new and better life is possible. Jesus came to bring hope and redemption to the lost and set the captive free.

Luke 5:12-13

While Jesus was in one of the cities, there came a man covered with (an advanced case of) leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean and well.” And Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.

In many cases, we don’t ask for or receive healing because we believe a lie that Jesus won’t. We must believe in Jesus and His word and not draw back. We won’t receive healing if we get into doubt and unbelief. Jesus is waiting for us to open the door to Him in faith and allow the healing to flow. 

Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified (that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God) by faith, (let us grasp the fact that) we have peace with God (and the joy of reconciliation with Him) through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we receive salvation, our standing with God changes. We are no longer in sin and opposition to God. We receive peace with God, are welcomed into His family, and are no longer under the condemnation of sin. We are loved and reconciled to God through our belief in Jesus Christ. We have peace with God!

Romans 2:13

For it is not those who merely hear the Law (as it is read aloud) who are just or righteous before God, but it is those who (actually) obey the Law who will be justified (pronounced free of the guilt and sin and declared acceptable to Him).

As Christians, we must apply what we learn to everyday life. We can’t expect God to change our lives for the better if we never act on His word or change our hearts. A surface Christian will hear the word and sit in the same seat every Sunday and never change beyond salvation. They never develop their faith and never receive the promises of God. 

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed in a way that awakens more faith).  As it is written “The Just and Upright will live by faith.”

Our faith grows like a seed as we plant it in the good ground of the Gospel, and when it is fed and watered. Reading the Bible helps our faith grow and increase. Reading the Bible helps pull us out of this world and back into God’s, where He can teach and instruct us on how we should go. That is why the devil fights so hard for us not invest time in the Word. 

Luke 4:13

When the devil had finished every temptation, he (temporarily) left Him until a more opportune time.

Jesus was the son of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and tempted by the devil. He answered the devil and the temptations with the word. We are to follow the example of Jesus and do the same, and answer the devil with the word during our temptations. The devil will wait for an opportune time, but answer those thoughts with the word.

Luke 3:8

Therefore produce fruit that is worthy of repentance (that is changed lives, turn from sin and seek God and His righteousness). And do not even begin to say to yourselves (as a defense), “We have Abraham for our father (and our heritage assures us salvation) for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.”

When we repent, it can’t be just lip service; our hearts must change, and our lives must reflect that change. We can’t continue to do evil and call it good. That is not repentance. If we love God, we will turn from sin and do that which pleases God. If we love sin, repentance has no meaning to us. 

Isaiah 8:14

Then He shall be a sanctuary (sacred, indestructible shelter for those who fear and trust Him); But to both the houses of Israel a stone on which to stumble and a rock on which to trip, a trap and a snare for the inhabitants.

God is our sanctuary. When we keep our eyes on the bible and His word, we don’t see the fear and misdirection the world wants us to follow. The noise of this world is meant to distract, and the word of God is meant to focus our hearts on faith. It matters to our lives where we put our trust and spend our time.