Matthew 5:21-32

 Matthew 5.21-32

In Matthew 5: 17- 20 Jesus calls his disciples to a better righteousness. This righteousness is built on a relationship with God. Loving God is the center and the focus of life. Now Jesus gives examples of what that will be like. Jesus is not advocating a more stringent form of legalism. Take calling someone a fool for example; never call anyone "you fool". We must not think there is a prohibition against calling someone a fool but there’s no prohibition against calling someone by another derogatory name. Jesus is calling for a higher ethic not a more stringent set of rules. This higher ethic will do more than any set of rules ever could.

Additionally, Jesus is addressing what is behind the obvious or less obvious issues that are motivating evil behavior. What is behind murder or calling someone a fool? What is the motivation behind adultery or simple lust? Why is there a need for oaths in the first place and the prohibition of not breaking an oath? The outer action is wrong in and of itself, but it is also an indicator of something much deeper and perhaps secret that has gone or is going wrong. The cure for both the outer manifestation and the hidden attitude in our hearts is Jesus and His view of the situation. There is to be no murder or name calling because all people are created in the image of God and therefore, they are sacred. We cannot commit adultery or lust because marriage is sacred and is an expression of a greater holy union. The dilution of desire for spouse either by another person or by imagination devalues the spouse and what marriage symbolizes. Sex is more than a biological act; it is a drama of the Godhead. Lust or adultery is betrayal of that drama and the person and God.

We must ask, why is righteousness constantly under assault? The list of reasons might be nearly endless but the main reason is simple. We are selfish and we care less about the Lord and others than about our own desires.

"Lord by Your Spirit bring conviction to me today. Help me to never entertain any thought, word or deed that values myself about You or others. AMEN