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Q3. (Matthew 5:39-42) What do Jesus' examples or tiny cameos in verses 39-42 have in common? Someone has said that if we were to carry out verses 39-42 literally, we would aid and abet evil. Do you agree? Yes! I do think if taken literally, depending on the circumstances, we would aid and abet evil. I think through the centuries, we have turned the other cheek to evil, we did not take a stand for justice, and we let evil rule. The church literally turned the other cheek when the Jews were tortured, and killed, because they did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. But, here, I believe the Lord is speaking about our spiritual growth, coming from the heart. Do not let hatred, revenge, rule our hearts, Let love rule instead. God's teaching to us is, not to let evil rule our lives, and especially our hearts; This isn't a teaching for us to turn the cheek to injustice. We live in this world who's ruler is Satan. If taken literally, we would literally have to turn the cheek if an evil person came into our home, to do evil. Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees who adhered to the law outwardly, is teaching the importance of following the law inwardly, from the heart, a heart set to please God Almighty. Yes, take it literally if you want to grow in the Lord, to let Him change our hearts. It is a heart operation.

Q2. (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:15-21) What was the purpose of the "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" regulation? It was a means to restrain the evil of man's heart against another, the results found in the truth of the situation, brings justice. Is this law designed to be administered by a court or judge, or by an individual? Is it designed to govern judicial action or personal action? It is designed for us to be governed by the judicial action, a court of justice.

Q1. (Matthew 5:33-37) What does it mean: Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no? It means, the lives we have been living, has been speaking for us, so, when we speak from our mouth, people will know, we speak truth. If we obeyed this command, what would be the result in our speaking? In our credibility? The results would be, a great witness of the God we serve, God Almighty and not Satan.

Warning. Believing Christians disagree on some aspects of divorce and remarriage. In addition, many have been hurt in bad marriages and divorces. Be gentle, sensitive, and loving with one another -- even if you disagree! Q5. (Matthew 19:9) Does a person who has remarried after a divorce that wasn't caused by marital unfaithfulness, live in a perpetual state of adultery? Should that person divorce or separate in order to get back into God's will? How can he or she get back into God's will, or is that no longer possible? My answer would have to be, NO! King David is an example of God's grace and mercy, one who's heart desperately asked God for forgiveness. Bathsheba was instrumental in establishing the kingdom of God, as we see, as God blessed Solomon. The word tells us, he that marrieth her which is put away doth commit, (singular) adultery. I love Jesus teaching about sex, marriage, and about celebacy. His teaching is that we come to understand the importance of it all, and the real meaning, why God gave it to us. What part of forgiveness does the church not understand? The sins that we have confessed and repented of, are they to be held against us, the rest of our lives? When a person commits adultery in ones heart, is this to be held against him, the rest of his life? There is not one who can keep all the law, this is why I am thankful for the love of God found in His mercy and grace. I serve a God full of mercy and grace, freely given to all who ask, a gift from God to mankind, in the form of Christ Jesus, the Messiah. I believe the foundation for married life is not established on the sex act, but, its foundation is to be established on "love."-- There are many Christians who have found themselves in a marriage that is not based on "love" and its consequences have been detrimental to them and the children. This is not what God had in mind when two are made into one! No, I do not believe God commands anyone stay in a marriage founded on unfaithfulness, or abuse. He teaches us the importance of "love" -- What better place to begin, but in the marriage bed.

Q4. (Matthew 19:10) Why do you think Jesus' disciples reacted so negatively to his teaching on marriage and divorce? -- Did they misunderstand it? A disciple is one who wants to learn, the disciples are asking the Master a good question, is it better not to get married? As we have already seen, the Jewish leaders had different teachings on adultery, on marriage, etc. Jesus is teaching God's truth, it is understood through spiritual ears. Do we want to hear the answer, to learn the truth of what God desires for us, as the disciples did?

Q3. (Matthew 19:7-8) According to Jesus, does the Mosaic law command divorce? No, it only allowed it. Does it allow or regulate it? -- Why does it allow divorce at all? The law of Moses allowed man to divorce his wife with the purpose, and hope, of preventing him from taking her as wife again, after she remarried another, making it an abomination unto God. Man's heart was in a hardened state at this time. The law was to discourage divorce. Because of the hardness of mans heart, man divorced his wife for any reason, however, she could not divorce him for any reason. Legally, the wife was bound to the man for life, or, until he divorced her. Adultery carried the death penalty by stoning for the woman. None of these laws were fair and in keeping with God's purpose for mankind, nor for marriage. God created woman, taken out of the side of man, making them one, making them equal. All this brings us to the teachings of the rabbis, Shammal, who taught adultery was the only grounds for divorce, Hillel taught, it was allowed for any reason, including bad cooking. What was God's original intention ("from the beginning") for marriage and divorce, according to Jesus? God's law is what we are to be governed by, it is a light before our path. God's divine ideal for marriage, a vow taken between two people, making them one, is to be a lifelong bond. Marriage is not to be taken lightly, for it is a holy union unto God. God makes it clear, Mal.2:15 let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. -- This reminds me of another desire of God, for mankind to walk blameless before Him.

Q2. (Matthew 19:4-6 quoting Genesis 2:24) Do people need to be Christians to be joined as one flesh? No Is this making into "one flesh" accomplished by a religious ceremony or by natural law? The marriage covenant is seen by God, as the making of two into one, a holy union. However, when man comes together with a harlet, it is by the sexual act that they are intimately united. Of those who have entered into a first marriage, what percentage do you think have been "joined together" by God, according to Jesus' statement in Matthew 19:6? All of them. As I read the scriptures about the marriage covenant and the roles the man and woman have in making it a success, I see the sexual act as the basis for two becoming one spiritually in the act of the marriage contract. The sexual union seals the covenant, but, it is only a part of the covenant, a very important part, and this is why God wants us to understand; Sex is a strong desire, its roots are alive in the flesh, God wants us to see the beauty of the sexual act, it is far greater than just being a means to please the flesh, this is why we have a covenant, blessed by God Almighty, an honorable union, so man does not sin. I know we are talking about the sex act out of marriage, adultery and divorce, but, we must not forget - Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lus-t after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Jesus's teaching is that we would understand the importance of the sex act, its purpose and its pleasure are to be enjoyed in marriage, a good thing. -- I don't believe Jesus is teaching us, there are no other reasons for divorce. Jesus is speaking to those out to trap Him. Those who do not understand the wonders of this gift to man, of marriage and sex. Divorce for whatever reason is because of the hardness of ones heart, making the marriage bed not an honorable thing. Jesus is teaching, the importance of sex in marriage. God teaches us, the most important part of any relationship is - "love." If any woman, or man, should find themself in a marriage trap of abuse, sexual, physcal, or verbal abuse, I believe the scripture tells us, we are no longer held to this covenant. God has instructions to the man, he is to love his wife in such a way, she knows he would give his life for her, this also goes for the woman. For what better thing could we do, but lay our lives down for another. Abuse, is not! part of God's plan for the marriage unit. I am so happy that God has given to me His Word for me to grow by, and the Holy Spirit to help me when I am weak; And most of all, Christ Jesus, who took my sin, sin that had a hold on me, I could not overcome it. But, it doesn't end there, now He has given to me power to put the flesh under control. I have to do it, it is a proces of my growing in Him. I am thankful that this walk in the Lord is a growing process, and just to let you know, God is not finished with me yet.

Q1. (Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-12) With whom did Jesus side: Rabbi Hillel or Rabbi Shammai? Jesus sided with the teaching of Shammai, the conservative viewpoint of divorce. What exception does Jesus give to his prohibition of divorce? Adultery. How does this exception relate to Deuteronomy 24:1-4? In Deuteronomy, a man could divorce his wife for any reason, the foundation being, the condition of his heart. If his heart was in a hardened state, its foundation being "self", he could just speak the words 3 times, "I divorce you" and It was done. Jesus is making it very clear, the reason for marriage is to unite two people into one. There is a big difference between the two teachings, Hillel, liberal teaching, and the conservative teachings of the Shammai, mans teachings, and those of God. God established the marriage unit to be a strong unit, for establishing the famil. To begin this unit, God gives the marriage covenant some rules to be governed by. 1. The man is to love his wife in such a manner, he would give his life for her. 2.The woman is to love him in return, with loyalty, not just sexual loyalty, but, true loyalty to him, devoted to being a helpmate to him. Together, they would be working as one.

Q5. (Matthew 5:27-30) The spirit of our age is very accepting and approving of lus+ According to Jesus' words, how seriously are we to take lus+? As we look backwards, we see lus*t has always been a problem with society. God has given us the law to live by, it is His standard of living for us. We are to take very seriously all warnings God gives to us, for Satan is out to take away our hope, our joy in the Lord. Look back, are we any different today, are we learning from past mistakes as seen in the scriptures? I would say, yes! take it SERIOUSLY! As we Look forward, to whom is the Bridegroom coming back for? A spotless bride. YES, take it seriously! How does agape love help us combat lus+? Our agape love for God Almighty should touch our hearts, our whole being, with such desire to please Him, that we would use rigid self denial against sin. We must keep our minds, our thoughts away from impure desires. I donot believe we can have agape love for our neighbor, until we have it for God Almighty first. This walk of faith takes action on our part, beginning with, loving God with our whole being, trusting in the Holy Spirit to help us fight, the fight, and Live each day with a thankful heart to our saviour, Christ Jesus; For He reconciled us to Father God, and He did not leave us in the world, all alone. With the Three in One, we can do it! We can relate that positive note to others, Let love rule our hearts, although sometimes, that love has to be TOUGH LOVE!

Q4. (Matthew 5:28) Sex is very closely tied to our core sense of person. This means that as we are healed in our view towards sex, it goes a long way toward making us whole inside. How would you counsel a brother who shared with you that he had trouble with pornogr*phy? 1. I would share with the brother scriptures that would enlighten him or her (this isn't just a man thing) what a wonderful gift sex is to us. But, because the brother has channelled this desire in the wrong way, he has opened doors to Satan, fulfilling only the desires of the flesh. 2. I would share with the brother God's words of grace, mercy, and power, on how to be an overcomer. We all need this power to overcome, for if it wasn't for the grace of God, there go I. 3. I would ask if the brother would like to be free of this power the flesh has over him, for that would tell me how to pray. I would hope the reason the brother shared with me was because he knows first hand the hold pornogra+phy has on him, and no longer feels the joy that comes with pleasing the Father. This would be the first step to recovery. I do believe PORNAGRAP*Y can have a strong hold on any person who opens the door to it. I would suggest the person speak to a pastor, one who has been trained in this area; This is after we shared the word of God and had prayer together. There is power in prayer, if we ask in faith. How can you protect yourself against temptation over the Internet? At the beach or poolside? With your TV? I think the best protection against the fleshly desires of this world is, be in the Word, hide God's word in our hearts, so we don't sin against Him, so we don't open doors to Satan. We must desire to crucify the flesh, and we cannot do it by hidding away. To be an overcomer is a process; This means, as testings come, be what they may, we are ready, because that is our hearts desire! We have the Holy Spirit to help us, but remember, we have to do it. The world is full of all kinds of fleshly desires, there are so many testings for the Christian to face. Lets prepare our hearts and get out there and OVERCOME the flesh! Remember, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, God's gift to us. If we fail, we can get up and try again, it is called REPENTANCE, and it is followed by God's grace, and His mercy we have in Christ Jesus.

Q2. God purposely created us with a good and natural sexual desire. How do we distinguish between that God-given sexual desire and forbidden lus+t? Lus+t is the desire for what is forbidden, it can lead to an obsessive sexual craving of the flesh, this obsessive desire brings one out of the will of God. Sex becomes obsessive, only fulfilling the flesh. Good sexual desire is a wonderful gift from God to mankind. It brings great pleasure. God set up the marriage unit, making two people into one, with the sexual union as the bond of true sexual fulfillment between them. It is a good thing, it is honorable; So important is this desire that God made it clear, we are to be sexually available to each other, so lus+t does not set in. As we study God's word we can see clearly the problems lus+t brings to mankind. I know the flesh is weak, however, for the Christian, we have the Holy Spirit's power to help us to overcome the flesh. Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. -- We ARE TO DO THIS, we are to crucify the flesh. Thank you God for the Holy Spirit, for He gives us the power to do this, the choice is ours; And sometimes it takes lots of power to overcome the flesh.

Q1. (Matthew 5:27-30; Exodus 20:17) What is the point of similarity between adultery and ****? Sin What is the difference? Adultery is breaking the 10th commanment by physically acting out ****. -- ****, is the desire to commit the act of adultery, even if you cannot do it physically. How does **** break the Tenth Commandment? Don't think we are safe because we have not done the external act, **** uncontrolled, leads to a path far worse, God see's our hearts and our motivations, are they pure or not. Think on those good things and not open doors to Satan, for he is out to destroy the believer. I do not believe God is talking about a person finding pleasure in looking at a good looking man, or a beautiful woman, it is that deliberate act to go after, to "**** after" the other person, for sexual pleasure. The world today see's no problem with adultery, and certainly not with attending "strip joints" -- but God has a law, it is for our good He warns us as we see in -- 2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Q5. (Matthew 5:21-26) Verses 21-22 are about murder, anger, and insult.Verses 23-24 discuss some fault against one's brother. Verses 25-26 discuss settling a civil suit before going to court. What is the overarching theme of Jesus' teaching in our entire passage, verses 21-26? There is an enemy in the world and his name is Satan. What ever we do, do not let him take control of our life. Greater is He who is in us, stay strong in Him, hide God's word in our hearts so we don't sin against Him. Be the light that shines bright the glory of God's saving grace.

Q4. (Matthew 5:25-26) What is the point of Jesus' parable of settling out of court? Do what you must to make things right, swallow your pride or whatever is hindering you from doing the right thing. Who are we supposed to settle with, according to this parable? Our adversary, our enemy. What does "settling" entail? Avoid the problem before it happens, when it does happen, don't let the problem get out of hand, becoming a huge problem, settle it, owe up to the problem. What are the reasons that we should settle? Things could be a lot worse if the person you wronged takes you to court. God wants us to be a light to the world, when we make mistakes, owe up to it, be that light - if you don't, your enemy will win and you will have to make it right, and the cost is greater. I would say- that is a good reason, keep the light on.

Q3. (Matthew 5:23-24) What's wrong with worshipping while a brother has something against us (or us against a brother, Mark 11:25)? When we offer a sacrifice to God, let it be offered up in "praise" for what He has done for us and for our love for Him. If we want to please God, He tells us - put His law on our hearts. The second law of the new covenant is - love your neighbor as yourself, therefore, when the Holy Spirit brings to heart, brings to memory a situation, a brother has something against us, it is a must we go and take care of the matter. This is for the good of both persons, a healing for both, shutting the door in the face of Satan who is out to kill and destroy. What joy it would than be to go before God, a true offering of "praise." What is the appropriate action for us to take? How far should we go to bring about reconciliation with someone whom we have offended? We should do what ever we can to bring about a reconcilitation. Are there any situations that we shouldn't try to resolve? Or that we can't resolve? If the Holy Spirit has brought to the heart a situation that should be resolved, I cannot think of a reason we shouldn't - unless it was a situation that could not be resolved, the person is no longer here, etc. BUT, it is important we do not let the situation fester in our hearts, ask the Holy Spirit to help with the situation.

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder? Calling someone a "fool" begins within the heart, when we allow anger to take over, letting it boil up within. I think about Cain and how he responded to the Words of God when asked, "why are you so very angry? If you do well, you will be accepted. Danger is at your door (anger) but you can and should rule over it. DANGER is at our door if we allow ANGER to rule instead of LOVE. Cain allowed this anger to rule, he even spoke to God in a way I say is bordering on calling Him "fool" I hear in his answer to God - Gen 4:9 And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not:(a lie) am I my brother's keeper? (disrespectful, as we would say today, hello.) This undeserved, uncontrolled anger, lead to murder of a righteous man. The most important part to remember is-- where does ANGER come from? 1John 3:12 Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Psa 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes? Murder is the result of uncontrolled anger, jealousy, emotions, this is what Jesus is warning us about. Danger is at the door, check your attitude at the door before you go on. As God Himself tells us in Genesis, "you can and should rule over it"-- let Love rule instead. How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder? I take this warning to heart and pray that love will rule in my heart. I pray God will help me in those times when I do have reason to be Angry, today I find many things to be angry about, but, I do not want it to rule over my heart, and at the same time I do not want my heart not to feel the injustice all around me. Thank you Jesus for this warning, I love You!

What does a "Christian" legalism look like in a church? I use to think the 10 Commandments were, thou shalt not go to dances, thou shalt not drink wine, thou shalt not play cards. I am so happy that the Holy Spirit has taught me, Jesus came to redeem my soul, He has given me the Holy Spirit to help me live a life that is pleasing unto God, to treasure His Law. It is by God's grace (I have a new heart) not by my works, just as it was with God's chosen people - the Jew's. It was by God's grace He brought them out of Egypt, not by their works, it was by God's grace that He brought them back to their promised land, not because of their righteousness, God tells us in (Eze 36:23) And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. -- It is all by God's wonderful GRACE. What does it look like in a church where there are no moral standards and no obedience expected of Christians? I see a church that does not have the Joy of the Lord, that does not like the "Light" for it hurts the eye. I think we could put the church's seen in Revelation 1-3 here; For 5 out of the 7 churches are given warnings to a church that no longer holds God's Law dear to them. God's law is a "light" that shines ahead of us, showing the path for us to walk, to walk blameless before God Almighty.

Q4. (Matthew 5:13-15) How do verses 13-16 relate to verses 10-12? How does hiding our light affect the glory of God? We are the SALT of the earth, based on our FAITH in God Almighty, and Jesus. SALT is good judgment, exhibited in how we live our lives. The good judgment, SALT, is the light of God's Word shining bright, so that mankind has no problem of seeing it. If we hide the Light of the Word, I would suggest one go get a good dose of the Salt shaker, for one has lost its savor, it no longer has a sweet aroma to God, no longer does it bring glory. Why must glory and suffering go hand in hand? I am not sure that glory and suffering MUST go hand in hand? But, suffering spiritually goes hand in hand with God's glory because - suffering has been a part of man's experience since the fall, the consequences of sin. To be saved, I think it is important we feel the suffering, the agony, the great sorrow of a soul lost, and see the mercy and love of God for us, there they do go hand in hand. Physical suffering may go hand in hand as we glorify the Lord, it is when we are in the valley that we can grow, suffering is a means to shape us, mold us into a person who will glorify the Lord. As (2 Cor. 1:3-6) tells us, Those who suffer are in a position to comfort others. God's ways are not our ways. Was Jesus' suffering necessary? Jesus came as the suffering Servant. He knew He would have to suffer as man, to take back dominion that mankind lost, to take the keys to hell and death, to ransom mankind. He came to do the will of the Father. SUFFERING is because of SIN, it is because of our SIN that Jesus came and suffered. Talk about not hiding light, Jesus came to be a light to the Gentiles (Is. 49:6) to the world. Jesus would not hide His face from shame and spitting (suffering) He would be the sin bearing Servant, giving His life for the redemption of His people. Isn't our Bridegroom AWESOME? YES! is my answer.

Q1. (Matthew 5:13) In what sense are Christians the "salt of the earth" using the preservation analogy? Salt is a necessity of life, in the Christian, it is a preservative, seen in our faithfulness, dependability and durability in the Lord - without salt, our lives are open to decay, putrefication can set in. In what sense are Christians the "salt of the earth" using the seasoning analogy? Salt as a seasoning, it adds flavor to our lives, it is God's salt seen in our our lives, our faith preserved in Him. His salt makes me thirsty for more, the sweet savor of being in God's will. As I sprinkle God's salt on my life, I find my life becoming sweeter as the days go by, it is the seal of our covenant, the seasoning of my Faith is preserved in Him.

Q2. (Matthew 5:13) What might be the symptoms of a Christian who has lost his "saltiness"? A symptom would be when one no longer is strong in the Lord, no longer hungers after righteousness. Is it possible for a believer to detect such symptoms in himself or herself? Yes it is possible, when the joy of the world starts to fill those places that were given to the Lord. What do secular people notice about a "de-saltified" Christian? What do other Christians notice about you? The secular people will feel more comfortable being around you, as you have more in common with them, and the Christian will notice a decline in ones testimony of Christ. Is it possible to "resaltify" your life? Absolutely! It is the Holy Spirit that draws us back, opens our eyes that we might see, the worlds joy is empty, we are in need of that salt shaker! God is always ready to pass the salt our way, He only request we ask"please pass the salt" and He will!

Q6. (Matthew 5:10-12) Why should we rejoice when we are persecuted? I rejoice because it is evidence that I am truly a child of God. The beattitudes are evident in my life, I am so blessed because my spiritual well being is prospering. I rejoice when persecuted "FALSLY", because the world is seeing the Truth who lives in me and they hate the Truth and will hate me also. What keeps this from being some kind of sick masochism, or finding pleasure in pain? There is no pleasure in pain, the pleasure comes from staying in "faith" - growing in the Lord. Why is the blessing "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" appropriate for the persecuted? The kingdom of God is the experience of blessedness, in Christ we find peace, and joy, we are in Him, the Kingdom is here.

Q5. (Matthew 5:8) Why can people with a pure heart see, know, and discern God? A pure heart continues as we follow the first law God gives us to live by, "love the Lord God with all your heart! Mat 23:25-26 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. I ask myself, what is more valuable? our outward purity, or the heart - spiritual purity? Once I saw, I came to know God, I came to see the importance of living holy lives. Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Why can't "chronic" sinners see God? A chronic sinner is one who has not seen God, nor knows Him, if he did he would strive after righteousness. Jesus redeemed us from lawlessness and makes us long for good works, pure hearts, to please God and others. How do we obtain the pure or clean heart that Jesus describes? Jesus came to cleanse us from sin. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes, so we may see the condition of our hearts, unpure hearts. If we want it to be cleansed we must confess those sins that are making our hearts unclean. We ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, helping us to walk with God, our hearts are now filled with love for God, striving to keep that heart clean, for now the Spirit lives within me.

Q4. (Matthew 5:6) How can an intense desire for righteousness put you at odds with the world? The worlds righteousness is enmity with the righteousness of the Lord. The world hates the things of God. Once a person has that hunger, is famished for the things of God, those things that satisfy the soul and quinches the thirst to be called a friend of God, desire to live holy lives, bringing justification to the work that was done on the cross and the promise it brings, "a new creation in God" Thirst and hunger for the things of God and we will find true happiness that the things of this world cannot fill. What sort of righteousness is Jesus talking about, do you think? RIGHTEOUSNESS is a source of God's character as we see in the "fruit of the Spirit" Faith is a source of righteousness, without faith it is impossible to please God. Isn't this how we become filled, thirsting to please God, be in the word, filling those parts that were full of "self?" What promise are we given in this Beatitude? We will be! filled. Psa 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Q3. (Matthew 5:5) How does this sort of gentleness contrast with the world's ideal? The world looks at gentleness as a form of "weakness" - "Meekness" in its truest sense is seen in a Christian as STRENGTH! Without the help of the Holy Spirit, the Christian could find themselves "weak" in character, not strong. How is humility important to Christlikeness? Humility is a reflection of meekness, a gentle spirit the heart is developing in a new born babe in Christ. It is a process of growth seen - as we follow the example of our Savior. Meekness, humility, becomes obvious when we become "submissive" to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Important indeed!

Q2. (Matthew 5:3-4) Why is it necessary to be aware of your spiritual poverty before you can become a Christian? It isn't until our eyes are opened to the true condition of our soul, it is in a state of impoverishment, when we feel its emptiness, that we can see our need to drink of the water, never to thirst again, never again to be in an impoverished state. Longing for the soul to be filled with the "happiness" of salvation. What kind of mourning is necessary for a person to become a Christian? Mourning "grief" great sorrow, as we see our soul at deaths door. What kind of mourning is a common experience of Christians? Mourning over "sin" that separates us from fellowship with the Lord, without that fellowship there is no true "happiness" -- I am thankful for God's mercy and grace, but how can ones soul not mourn over the times when the flesh wins? I know I do; For my soul longs for the refreshing, when I am in His presence. (See Isaiah 61:2-3; Ezekiel 9:4.)