“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart…
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:21-22,27-28,31-34a,38-41,43-44
Jesus was a world changer. His teaching upended legalism, and even the most eloquent and knowledgeable professionals and religious leaders He jarred to the core. The ways and thoughts of the Son of God were so far above and beyond the thinking of man that they pierced to divide soul and spirit. What man had in limited purview made concession for He upheld with highest, deepest, divine integrity. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Hebrews 4:12)
How easy it is in the buzzing world to soak in hearsay and tag along with group think. God’s children grow numb to their downward slide of dependence on worldly advice and internet expertise. Unintentionally they settle into the lowest common denominator of behavior and opinion that bear little similarity to God’s righteous standards. Accustomed only to narrow and provincial thinking, we can fail to hear and heed the deeper gist of Christ’s commands.
Into the earthly limits of our bias-formed and tightly held opinions the Lord pierces with heavenly, loftier implications. His truth overturns the foolishness of man. Ignorance of His word and ignoring the call to read and understand it are death knells to true holiness and right thinking, and we must take heed to realign. (Matthew 6:19-21,25,33; 1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
Are there habits and attitudes to which we’ve softened by constant use that need to undergo the scrutiny of God’s word? What concessions are we making for sin because of laziness, procrastination, or prideful comparisons? Where need we be ruthless in cutting off, saying no, or renouncing flesh desires to obey Christ?
Father, may I daily seek and treasure Your voice above all others, and faithfully put it into practice for Your honor.
As the rain and snow 