Matthew 5- Love Your Enemies

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Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:38-42

Those who don’t believe there was a shift from the Mosaic Covenant, would have a hard time explaining these scriptures. Under the Mosaic Law it was an Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a tooth,meaning there would be just consequences to evil actions. However the Religious leaders, like most things, abused this law, Jesus is giving us not only a correct interpretation of this Law, but Christ is taking this Law to a new level.

Under the Mosaic Law if someone struck you in the face, you had a right to strike them back. Jesus is saying “If someone strikes you in the face, turn your other cheek and let them strike you again” This teaching by Jesus sounds radical, it is because Jesus is trying to make a point! Love your enemies and resist evil, if only the world listened to the words of Christ

This all goes against our human nature, the world says “only the strong will survive” and “dog eat dog”, however in the end everyone is still condemned. Why? Because there is no salvation for your soul with Christ, as Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world, yet lose your soul “ (Mark 8:36)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

 We always hear people saying “Love your Neighbor” , but are these same people also saying “Love your Enemies”? As Jesus taught us , it’s easy for us to love our families and friends even evil people do that. However, to try and love your enemies, takes everything to a new level. Bless them that curse you, pray for them that persecute you! If anyone thinks Christianity is easy, you don’t understand true Christianity

If you think it’s unfair for Jesus to demand this from us, remember while Christ was nailed to the cross he said “Father Forgive Them For they Know Not what they Do” (Luke 23:34) As Jesus said “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” Love your enemies and Love truly like Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 5- Adultery of the Heart

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Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus continues to expand our understanding on Gods Law, as we talked about previously with Christs teaching on Murderer starting from the heart, here Jesus does the same thing with Adultery. Most people are asked “Are you an adulterer”? They would probably answer No, however by God’s standards you are guilty of adultery, because sin begins within the heart. 

Jesus said “If anyone looks at someone with lust, they have already committed adultery in their heart”, so have you ever looked at someone with lust? Of course you did, its part of our sinful human nature, you are guilty in the eyes of God committing adultery. Now you might say” God’s standards are too strict or impossible to meet”, that’s exactly the point. God is so Holy that we could never even to be worthy to stand in His presence with our sinful nature. This should reveal to you even more how much you need a Savior, you need Jesus Christ to save you from your sins.

Next Jesus starts telling us about Hell, yes Christ taught more about Hell than Heaven. Jesus is using hyperbole speech here “If your eye is causing you to sin, cut it out, because it would be better to have one eye then your whole body be thrown into Hell” Now is Jesus teaching us to literally cut off our body parts? No of course not, He’s saying “If your looking at things that cause you to sin, stop doing it” It’s that simple, but he strongly warns of the dire consequences of Hell Fire. 

Again , Jesus is teaching about adultery of the heart, so stop looking at pornography , its causing you to sin. Stop watching perverted movies and playing video games, they are causing you to sin. Remember Sin begins in the heart, and then it grows to your mind and actions. 

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15

Notice what the Apostle James says “When lust is conceived it brings forth sin, and sin brings forth death” Sin begins in your heart and then your mind, then your actions. Why do you think the world wants us hooked on devices, video games, virtual reality? Because Satan wants you to destroy yourself from within, most nations destroy themselves from within also, like we are seeing in America or the Roman Empire.

Jesus is setting the standard even higher than ever before, those who believe Jesus fulfillment of The Law produces “cheap grace” they don’t know The Lord, unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven, only through Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 5- Murderer of the Heart

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Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:21-24

As we continue to look at Jesus’ teachings here in Matthew 5, it’s obvious that Christ has given us a reinterpretation of the Mosaic Law. Many believe the Beatitudes are really a reinterpretation of the Ten Commandments. But here Jesus is given us an illustration of the physical law and how it applies to our spiritual life also. 

As we all know, it’s a sin to kill somebody, most people would know this even if they didn’t know the Ten Commandments. However Jesus takes this to another level, anyone who is angry with someone is equivalent to physical murder. Yikes! As we can all imagine, we are all guilty of this. We all get angry with people from time to time, some people even have anger issues, this is not taken lightly in the Kingdom of God. 

If anyone calls someone “a fool” or stupid is in danger of Hell Fire. As you see Jesus is taking the Mosaic Law to a new level. What is his point? That sin begins in the heart, its not just your actions that are sins, it’s also your thoughts and ideas. Jesus makes it clear we are all sinners and in need of God’s grace!

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Matthew 5:25-26

Resolve all conflicts with everyone, as Jesus said “Don’t come to the altar until you reconcile with your brother” We can’t expect God to be accepting of our worship if we have strife remaining between us. Don’t let anger and rage sow seeds of sin in your heart. Forgive your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children, let the peace of Christ rule your heart not sin

So you still think Christianity is easy? Jesus is taking the Law to the next level, the good news is we are forgiven and justified by the atonement of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Matthew 5- Jesus Fulfills The Law

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Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the New Covenant is Jesus’ fulfillment of The Mosaic Law. As Jesus said “ I have not come to destroy The Law but to Fulfill” Even though Jesus’ statement seems pretty straight forward, that Christ came to fulfill the Law, there are many Christians who have still put themselves under The Law and are trying to Keep the Law themselves. As the Apostle James says “Whoever Keeps The Whole Law yet stumbles at just one point, is guilty of breaking the entire Law” (James 2:10)

What is the Apostle James saying? It’s impossible to “Keep The Law” , if it were possible to Keep The Law we would have no need for a Savior, there would be no need for Christ to die on the cross. But understand we have all fallen short, we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and need Jesus Christ to fulfill The Law for us to be declared righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus says the same thing in verse 19 “ Whoever breaks one of these least commandments shall be called least in the Kingdom of God” This is parallel with what Jesus is teaching “Whoever breaks any of the commandments breaks the entire Law” You need to understand your sinful state, your wretchedness, you can’t work or earn your way into Heaven. Only  by faith in Jesus Christ can you inherit the Kingdom of God. 

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:1

So what is the purpose of The Law if Christ fulfilled it? The Law is God’s nature, it’s a shadow and reflection of Christ and Gods standards we need to live by. If there was no Gods Law, then there would be no standard for morality, as we are all judged by The Law. However the Law is also a mirror for us to reflect upon to see our sinful nature (James 1) Only Christ can fulfill The Law as “Nobody is “Good” except God alone” (Mark 10:18)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

The Apostle Paul sums it up well, “Christ is the end of the Law to all that believe in Christ” If you want to be saved put your faith in Jesus Christ, if you want sanctification put your faith in Jesus Christ, if you want to be declared righteous before God put your faith in Jesus Christ. It’s only by Christ alone you can be saved because Jesus fulfilled The Law, Amen!