Jesus didn’t come to make life easier; He came to make it meaningful. His teachings flipped cultural norms upside down, challenging everything from how we handle money to how we treat our enemies. The Sermon on the Mount remains one of the most radical and heart-transforming messages in history. It’s not about religious performance or outward perfection but about living with a heart that mirrors the Father’s love, generosity and humility.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Rabbi Kirt Schneider, teaching from the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus first preached these truths, reminds us that these “radical rules” of the Kingdom are not about rules at all but about relationship. “Yeshua gave us principles as to how we should walk if we want to live according to the light and the Spirit of the Kingdom of Heaven,” Schneider said. In his latest message he broke down eight life-changing truths that define what it means to live like Jesus.
1. Give Generously Without Expecting Anything in Return
Jesus said, “Give to him who asks of you.” Rabbi Schneider explained that this doesn’t mean living without boundaries but cultivating a spirit of generosity that reflects God’s heart. He reminds believers that giving isn’t just about money but about our attitude toward people.
“I think the concept that Yeshua’s teaching here that we need to take seriously and take to heart is that we need to be generous to people,” Schneider said. “We should live as generous people.”
2. Love Your Enemies and Pray for Them
This command might be the most radical of all. Jesus calls us to love even those who mistreat us. Schneider said this kind of love makes us children of our Heavenly Father who “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good.”
“Be a giving person. Be a generous person,” Schneider said. “Love not just your friends but love your enemies.”
3. Live Big: Take Out the Decimal Point
In a vision, Schneider heard an angel sing the phrase “Take out the decimal point.” He understood it as a divine challenge to stop thinking small in love, generosity and faith. “Give big. Love big. Live big. Believe big,” he said, explaining that we serve a God of abundance, not limitation.
“What he was conveying to me was, listen, give big. Love big. Live big. Believe big. Lead a big life because God is big.”
Order Rabbi Kirt Schneider’s Book, “Decoding the Torah” on Amazon.com!
4. Do Good in Secret, Not for Show
Jesus warned against practicing righteousness to be seen by others. Schneider used this example to call out religious showmanship, people who “sound the trumpet” when they give or pray so others will notice.
“If you do something to benefit somebody financially or if you pray, don’t go in the streets so you can look righteous,” Schneider said. “Do it in secret. Don’t tell people about it.”
5. Pray with Sincerity, Not for Attention
Jesus told His followers to pray in secret focusing on connecting with the Father, not impressing others. Schneider pointed out that many people pray publicly to appear spiritual, forgetting that prayer is meant for God’s ears alone.
“Sometimes people are praying and their focus is not on reaching out and connecting with God,” Schneider said. “They’re not really praying to God. They’re praying to the people around them.”
6. Pursue Perfection Through Love and Humility
When Jesus said, “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” He wasn’t demanding flawlessness but calling believers to rise above natural reactions. Schneider explained that this means treating people with grace even when they don’t deserve it.
“It’s easy to treat people according to how they treat us,” he said. “Jesus said I’m causing you to rise above it and to live in such a way that your goodness is coming out upon the good and the bad alike.”
7. Stay Rooted in God’s Word
During one of his encounters with an angel Schneider said the messenger placed a green-covered Bible beside him, symbolizing spiritual growth through Scripture. The message was simple: stay grounded in the Word; it’s life-giving and keeps us aligned with God’s will.
“The angel was telling me, ‘Stay in God’s Word,’” Schneider said. “‘It’ll keep you moving forward. It will keep you on the right path.’”
8. Avoid Spiritual Pride and Hypocrisy
Jesus condemned hypocrisy, doing good to be seen rather than to serve. Schneider shared how easily believers can fall into this trap, warning that real spirituality is measured by humility, not visibility.
“Let’s not try to impress others,” Schneider said. “Let’s let our walk be done with God no matter what other people think of us.”
Living the Radical Life
Rabbi Schneider’s reminder is simple but piercing: following Jesus isn’t about comfort; it’s about character. Living out these radical rules means choosing love over revenge, humility over attention and generosity over self-protection.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
When we live this way we become reflections of our Father’s heart in a world starving for authenticity. As Schneider concluded, “If we humble ourselves before God, He’s gonna reward us. He’s a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him and He draws near to the humble.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
