Matthew 5:21-48: You have heard that it was said to those of old…but I say to you… (NKJV)
Our Lord Jesus Christ while teaching the sermon on the mount clarified some well known Old Testament laws to the Jews of His time. He made it known to them that the goal of the commandments of God is not external righteousness or ritual obedience but true faith in God that comes from the heart.
Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. (NIV)
Matthew 5:27-28: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NIV)
Here, Jesus makes it clear that murder and adultery do not start with actions but rather begin in the heart. Any one who is angry or hates a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully is guilty of adultery. The goal is not to stay away from actions alone but to be inwardly righteous.
The teaching of our Lord here shows us the real way to live as children of God that is aimed at inward purity and holiness and not just avoidance of punishment; a life full of genuine love for God and for our neighbors.
In case you find yourself guilty of the higher standard of our Lord Jesus today, there is a way out.
You are not able to meet God’s righteous standards in your own power. You need His grace and that is why He died for you on the cross of calvary. To set you free from bondage to the law and to give you the grace and ability to live as God expects you to live. He rose again from the dead and has given you His Holy Spirit to empower you to live an inwardly holy life.
Accept His sacrifice for you on the cross afresh today and receive the grace to live an inwardly righteous life. His Holy Spirit is available to keep your heart and mind pure from things not pleasing to God.
Romans 8:2-4: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (NKJV)
PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus for a revelation of your holiness. I admit that I am unable to meet your righteous requirements by my own power. Give me a fresh understanding of what it means to be born again and keep me pure from all evil. Help me Lord to be inwardly and outwardly pure by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.