This is perhaps the most popular and misquoted passage of scripture in the western world.

Is this a call to suspend all critical judgment so there is no right or wrong – or is Jesus talking about something else? The attitude of judgmentalism.

1 in 4 Australians suffer from anxiety.

We are an anxious people – we have never had so much externally and never had so little internally. Jesus points us to the love of the father to deal with all anxieties.

Idolatry is a western problem.

Love of money and things of this world draw our attention, affections and desires. Jesus points us to a far greater treasure, more sure and eternal than all this world has to offer.

Our greatest danger may not be poison – but apple pie.

Fasting is an expression of a hunger for God and homesickness for heaven. Could it be that we fail to fast because we are so distracted by the ‘treats’ of this world?

Consider the wonder of being taught to pray by Jesus himself. If we desired insight into prayer we could not turn to a greater source.

By its very nature prayer is a moment of deep humility and selflessness. How then shall we use it for our own glory?

Upon taking seriously this glorious call to be a Christian, we must beware of prostituting that vision with a preoccupation with how well people will think of us.

Example number 1: give to the needy in secret.

Perhaps the most “inverted” of all Jesus’ commands. Loving enemies. Praying for persecutors. If you do you will be imitating your Father who did the same for you.

What possible worldview can account for the kind of behavior that blesses those who insult you? Where does such strength and freedom come from?