Matthew 5:1–48 (Continued)

March 12, 2012

The importance of the Law. Many Christians today want to ignore the Old Testament and focus only on the love and grace of Jesus. But Jesus in His own words said, "Don't think that I have come to destroy the law of Moses (see Exodus 19–24) or the teaching of the prophets. I have not come to destroy them but to bring about what they said. I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear from the law until heaven and earth are gone." (Matthew 5:17–18)

A thorough understanding of the Old Testament is necessary to understand Jesus' ministry and the New Testament. Jesus goes on, "Whoever refuses to obey any command and teaches other people not to obey that command will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys the commands and teachers other people to obey them will be great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:19)

The responsibility we carry for ourselves and others is great. It is not enough to know truth. We must live truth! It is not enough to read the Bible, lead a Bible study, and sing worship songs if we do not live what we are reading, teaching, or singing. In Jesus' own words, "I tell you if you are no more obedient that the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5:20)

It is not enough to know the Word!  You must obey and do the Word. You can't "fake it" until you "make it"—because you won't make it!

So, Jesus' message so far is:

• Change your heart and lives
• This is what a changed life looks like
• This is what a changed life produces
• Be real. Know and do every command (Old Testament and New Testament)

Jesus continues on and teaches about anger. We are to do more than just follow the letter of the law. We are to follow the intent of the law. When the law says do not murder anyone or you will be judged, it means much more than just the actual act of murder. When you are angry, when you hate, when you accuse or talk bad about others, you may have not broken the letter of the law, but you have broken the intent of the law—and you are guilty and you will be judged. We should all be living as Christ-like as possible, not living as close to the world as possible and yet still make it into heaven. A truly changed heart and life WILL produce what Jesus describes and WILL NOT want to do as little as possible to get by while keeping "self" as their god.

A changed heart and life includes a "new way of thinking." (Ezekiel 18:31)


Next Entry: Matthew 5:1–48 (Continued)