Matthew 5:33-48

 Matthew 5.33-48

The ethic that the Lord has for us is beyond anything a legal code could impose. It is not merely insisting that a given behavior ends. It ends evil behavior by an intentional and internal change. In the fertile ground of a life dedicated to God the weeds of hate, lust, falsehood and retribution cannot grow. Which is the higher standard, to never actually commit the act of adultery or to not desire the other woman? It would be all but impossible to do the latter by our own power. But the former might be within our will power or self control. The radical shift in ethics is most pronounced in the transition from “hate your enemies“ to “love your enemies”. This righteousness is higher and better than any legalistic righteousness. Not only is it better because the conduct is in itself better, but also because the motivation has changed and the dynamic that powers it has changed. The word translated “perfect” meaning "whole" or "complete" is more than moral perfection or behavioral perfection. It is a life integrated into the will of God and because of this it reflects His character. We love our enemies because that is God’s nature. He blesses the righteous and the unrighteous with rain.

When the motivation is shifted from ourselves and onto the life of God we enter into the state Paul described in Galatians 2:20. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

This is not focused on sinless perfectionism-being behaviorally perfect-but on the whole person in the presence of God. The internal conflicts fade when there are no longer two forces in a divided person fighting for control. An evil person who is given over to evil isn’t bothered by a conscience. On the other hand, the righteous person given over completely to God has also moved beyond the battle and only lives a whole life of holiness.

"Lord, I desire to be holy like You are holy. Help me to die to myself and to live in You. AMEN"

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

Matthew 5:13-20

 Matthew 5.13-20

The first part of this passage is about the disciple being by his very nature a witness in the world, by being the light, the salt, and the city on the hill. This is all about being different in a bland, dark, and dangerous world. The Old Testament idea of God as light and illumination has now passed on into the One who fulfills the promises: God made flesh, and through Him to the disciples.

This is possible because it is all about Jesus. Jesus identifies Himself as the fulfillment of the whole Old Testament system. This is a radical even an insane statement for a Jew unless that person were the reason for the Old Testament’s existence. Understanding “why” of the Old Testament gives the reason that not one part passes away. The purpose of the Old Testament was not to give legal righteousness or even a moral code. The purpose was to prepare for the one who was to come. The problem with discarding the Old Testament is not that it erodes morality. That maybe true. The problem of discounting the Old Testament is it dishonors the preparation for the Messiah. The person who does so is a small or low impact disciple (v. 19).

But even the small disciple is better than the legalist who sees the Old Testament in terms of his salvation by personal righteousness. The legalist is good so the people can see how good he is. The disciple is good so the people will see how good God is.

Consider it this way; there are three persons to consider. The first person has the higher righteousness of loving God and uses the Old Testament to assist them in their love of God. The second person seeks the Messiah but has failed to understand the Old Testament. The third person is attempting to use the Old Testament to achieve self-righteousness. We need to think about which of these three kinds of people we are.

"Lord rule over my thoughts, words, and actions today in such a way that people will honor You because in me they have come close to You. AMEN"

Matthew 5:1-13

 Matthew 5:1-13

This with the rest of the Sermon on the Mount is about the life of a disciple. Blessed is a poor translation rather we should use “fortunate” or better yet “enviable”. “Your life is enviable when….” These are often eschatological statements. This is not civic or moral law for societies at large. They are rather statement of kingdom citizenship.

“Poor in spirit” meaning to humbly put their trust in God. The kingdom belongs to them because they are God’s people.

“Those who mourn” are those whose life, from this world’s perspective, is not a happy life because of their loyalty to God. They are to be envied because God will work it out in the end.

“The meek” are those who do not throw their weight around. They rely on God to give them what is their due. God gives what the world can never take. Meekness is not merely a matter of social justice or personal moral righteousness but a relationship with God that is unclouded by disobedience.

“To hunger and thirst after righteousness” is to desire to obey the Lord.

“The merciful” enjoy on the positive side of the reciprocal nature of sowing and reaping. They have been merciful or sown mercy; they will receive or reap mercy.

“Pure in heart” is more than ordinary moral purity or even sexual purity. The pure in heart has a heart undivided, where there is no alloy of disloyalty mixed in. Such a one sees God and the kingdom and its glory now.

“The peacemakers” have a distinct absence of selfish ambition. They have learned to set aside their own agenda to accomplish the agenda of peace-God’s peace.

“Persecuted for righteousness” is more than being good. It is the orientation of a life toward God and His will. These, like those mentioned in verse three inherit the kingdom. The repetition of the Kingdom of God indicates this refers to the life of the beatitudes. Persecution indicates identification with the Lord. Reward is not a just payment. They receive disproportionate grace-filled mercy. The reward in heaven has more to do with God; He is their great reward. He is enjoyed both before and after death.

The phrase “lost its taste” in verse 13 represents the Aramaic idiom “has become foolish”. A foolish disciple has no influence on the world.

Prayer thought: “Lord, help me to live as a disciple following you and you alone, Amen.”