CH 3 The Kingdom of Heaven: Its Constitution Part I
The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7 and repeated in part in the Sermon on the Plain, found in Luke 6, is the template, it is the standard, indeed, it is the constitution for the kingdom Jesus initiated two thousand years ago and will completely inaugurate in the future when he comes back as King of Kings & Lord of Lords, (Revelation 19:16). It is far different, as we have discussed, from governmental articles of nations of our world in this day, as it turns upside down so much conventional wisdom which operates the way we live and interact. We must remind ourselves that in our day the world feels that we humans are running the show, but we with eyes to see understand that Satan, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), is actually in charge. When our Lord returns, that will change. The Devil & his followers will be ousted and the planet will enter a time of peace and prosperity unlike any time our home has ever known. This constitution will be our basis for government. It will be a rule where relationships between men are emphasized and regulations are present only as road signs to keep men going in the proper direction.
Also, as we have mentioned previously, the Sermon has been misunderstood by many since it was given. Some have missed the main point of Jesus’ words, believing that indeed they were able to completely keep the standard he put forth. In fact, exactly the opposite is in play. This constitution should put an end to all legalism as no bar would be high enough. The Sermon reveals to us what God is like, and he is far different than we are! It shows that we all desperately need God’s grace. Indeed, grace is found in our Lord’s words e.g. blessed are the poor, meek, forgive us our debts, etc., but often we miss the grace as we trip over the ideals. Let’s not let that happen. As we look at the constitution, we must remember that it is the map to God’s heart and righteousness, something we strive for, but realizing always that we fall short, and thanking him for his grace which he has extended towards us. As has been said G-R-A-C-E, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
Salt & Light
You are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13
Of the many gifts the Creator has bestowed to mankind, salt is one of his greatest. Salt adds enjoyment to our meals as it draws out the flavor of food like nothing else. Along with adding to taste, salt produces thirst. Salting our food calls for water to quench the thirst produced. A third property of salt is its preservative feature. Before the days of abundant ice and refrigeration, salt would allow meat to be stored for later consumption, allowing men and women time for other activities than just gathering food. Salt freed up men for higher pursuits as the basic need of food acquisition could be moved back somewhat in importance. Salt has been used as currency in many places and lastly salt was used in times past in covenant ceremonies. Specifically, when two parties would contractually agree, they would seal the bond with the so-called covenant of salt.
With this background, one can bring alive Jesus’ proclamation that his disciples are to be the salt of the earth. That we are to affect our world like salt. As a follower of Jesus, I want to add flavor to people’s lives. To be winsome, positive & encouraging is my desire. My wish is that when men & women encounter me, they are blessed, encouraged & elevated, (Colossians 4:5-6). Along with that, we want folks to seek what we have when they come alongside of us. We have Christ in us (Colossians 1:27), and our hope is that our lovely disposition will create a thirst for others to acquire the Lord in their hearts also. Of course, Jesus is found in God’s Word (Romans 10:17), which in many places is likened to the water that we desire when we thirst. We preserve our world when through the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts, we pushback against the schemes and wiles of the devil. We remind mankind that killing babies is not moral, that family is important, that greed is inherently bad and that generosity is glorious. Like currency, we want to bring worth & value to people’s lives and lastly like the covenant of salt, we want to introduce others to our Lord and see in them a bond with him which cannot be broken.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
We believers are the light of the world. What an awesome privilege! We get to illuminate our little spheres so that others can see clearly to move about. For without light our friends, neighbors and people of the world will stumble about, bump into things and ultimately fall down. But along with that privilege comes a responsibility. That is, we can choose to show forth our light or we can hide it as Jesus’ words suggest. How silly is it to put a cover over a candle? Likewise, how pointless it is to conceal our light. Unfortunately, often I do just that! The best example I can think of showing how this happens is with an eclipse of the moon. The light from the Sun (picturing Jesus our Source) is shining upon the moon (us in the analogy) and reflected back upon the Earth (the people of the World). But when the earth comes between the Sun & the Moon our satellite is cast into darkness, no longer reflecting the light of the Sun. Likewise, when I let the things of the World come between me and my Lord, I too stop reflecting his light to others. In contrast, Jesus points out that when we display our light, when we light the path of others, the Father will be glorified. Ultimately, that is what we were created for. All creation sings his praises and when we are lighting the way, so do we.
Thus, we are the light which reflects the True Light. Jesus is called the light of the world, (John 8:12). He is the true light, (John 1:9) which came into the world. He is the Source. He is the light that came down and lightens every man. We are the reflection of the light, not the generators of it. As the Bible says, “I am the vine and you are the branches…without me you can do nothing, (John 15:5). As we stay close to him, his light reflects off of us onto others. An Old Testament picture of this is clearly seen in the life of Moses. After spending forty days in God’s presence on Mount Sinai we are told that his face glowed brightly to the children of Israel. That’s what we want too. As we spend time with God, meditating on his Word, praying to him in secret and singing to him in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs we will shine forth brightly to others without even knowing it, just like Moses did in the presence of his people. All for the glory of the Father!
The Law’s Fulfilment
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: Matthew 5:17a
Jesus included this statement in his constitution because the Pharisees, scribes & teachers actually did feel the Rabbi from Nazareth was attempting to dismantle the Law. On the surface, one might wonder if some truth to their view was correct as Jesus seemed to go out of his way to stir up controversy with the leaders. For example, many of Jesus’ miracles of healing were done on the Sabbath with the frequent result of enraging the religious authorities. He had his disciples glean corn on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger, again angering the priests. Of course, when he overthrew the money changers tables in the Temple, many in authority felt the Law had been violated. But, a closer look at all of Jesus’ actions reveal he did not breach the Law & the prophets, the actual God inspired scriptures. What Jesus often came against was the written and the oral traditions of the teachers and scribes. In particular, the Sabbath, which was given to men & found in Exodus 20, noting the blessing of taking a day off from work. It was expanded greatly by the Jews to codify what work was or wasn’t allowed. What originally was a Law of blessing was legislated to a law of the letter. Only it wasn’t God’s law but the traditions of men. This is what Jesus continually was “calling them out” on. The leaders had gotten so far from God’s heart, teaching as doctrine what were the commandments of men.
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17b
“It is finished” is what Jesus cried as he died on the Cross. What was finished? Certainly, the payment for the sins of the world was completed, but along with that, this statement concerning the Law and the Prophets was now fulfilled. The Law had been satisfied in the beautiful life of our Savior. Jesus, the second Adam, lived a perfect life and thus realized the standard that God first gave to Adam in the Garden of Eden and later to Moses on Mount Sinai. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Now, with the Law fulfilled, God, through his apostles & prophets, could reveal the primary purpose of the Law. That is to drive us to the realization of our need for a Savior as well as to act as boundaries keeping those who deny the Lord’s saving sacrifice in check as they live their ungodly and otherwise lawless lives. Let me show you;
Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promises were made…the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:19, 24
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly & sinners, for unholy & profane. 1 Timothy 1:9
Now, with the Law being fulfilled by Jesus, his next statement concerning the need to be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:20) makes perfect sense. For indeed, faith in Jesus confers his righteousness upon us making us more righteous than even the scribes and the Pharisees. As Paul points out in his great treatise on faith in the epistle to the Romans;
O the depth of the riches both the wisdom & knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Romans 11:33-34
Anger & Reconciliation
After learning that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven one must be more righteous than the religious expert, Jesus steps on the gas with his next few statements concerning inward attitudes. If anyone thought they could be more righteous than the scribes & Pharisees, that thought should vanish with Jesus’ following words.
You have heard it said by them in old time, thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13); and whosoever shall kill (murder) shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say to 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 (empty headed or fool), shall be in danger of the council: But whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:21-22 (italics added)
In God’s economy, unrighteous anger is equal to murder. That’s because to our Father, all sin is missing the mark. Compared to his holiness, majesty and glory, all sin is essentially the same size. Think of it this way, the Himalayan Mountain Range is massive when viewed from Katmandu but when observed from outer space it does not stand out at all. So it is with our sin. Sins are all the same to our God. Murder is the same as anger. It is no coincidence to God that in English, anger is closely related to danger!
One of the points to these words of our Lord is that I don’t want to be angry with people at all. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the evil powers of the darkness of this world. I must channel righteous anger towards the demonic forces behind the fool! I can do this by waging war with prayer, the Word, fasting & praise. Jesus’ brother correctly points out that we disciples need to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to wrath, (James 1:19). He goes on to say that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. What does result in the righteousness of God is love. Instead of the danger of anger, I want to be a lover of men & women. The way to do this is to see them as the Father looks upon them. He is love, and his heart is for all of mankind. Saint & sinner. He is fond of us all and is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, (2 Peter 3:9).
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought (a disagreement) against you. Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 (italics added)
At the altar means to do what the spirit leads. If God puts on my heart to reconcile with a brother, to pray for a sister, to meet a need of a friend, in the Kingdom mentality I should immediately do it. Don’t delay. To walk in the spirit is to instantly obey. Of course, I talk big! Seldom do actually do what I have just written. But that’s the goal!
Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Truly I say unto thee, you shall by no means come out until thou hast paid the uttermost farthing (the last penny). Matthew 5:25-26 (italics added)
The point from these words is to in humility get things right with a person I have wronged quickly, before it becomes a big deal later. Why do I have a problem doing this? Maybe you too. Because of pride. My flesh hates to apologize. It would be oh so much better if the problem would just go away. Jesus says that’s not going to happen. Fact is, it only going to get worse. These words of his are so good!
Also, when I consider the Teachers words about an adversary I immediately think of our ultimate Adversary, Satan. Peter cautions us to be sober and vigilant as our Adversary the devil is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, (1 Peter 5:8). Applying Jesus’ words to the devil, it a good idea to agree with him when he accuses me. In fact, what he says about me is only the half of it. He can only see my actions, can’t read my mind. My heart is actually worse than what he accuses me of. When demons seek to condemn me of sins I commit, it’s okay to agree in this setting. In the next breath though, I can remind that tempter that my sins are blotted out by the blood of the Lamb.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day & night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:10-11
Three things make me an overcomer. First the blood of the Lamb cleanses me of sin making me white as snow, (Isaiah 1:18). The word of their testimony means I get to share what Christ has done for me. How he has rescued me and set me free, not by my works but by his grace. Lastly, they loved not their lives unto the death can be understood that I overcome by dying to self, by not thinking about myself, not living my agenda and my little kingdom but by going all in for his agenda, his kingdom.
Lust & Divorce
You have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
Keeping the seventh commandment, that of committing adultery, has always been hard for men & women, as from the very beginning God hard-wired us to be attracted to the opposite sex. In our fallen nature and with the help of Satan and his henchmen, we are easily taken out by the attraction of an encounter with a man or a woman with whom we are not married. That’s because God’s original intent for the sexual experience was to cement a covenant bond between the couple. In God’s words, the two become one flesh, (Genesis 2:24). God made it remarkable and wonderful due to the immensity of his plan for marriage and the family. But Satan, hates families and he hates marriages. He knows that the bond between a man & a woman picture the relationship between Christ and the Church & he understands that families are a type of the link between the Father & his children. So, one of the Devil’s major battle fronts is to attack marriages and families.
Jesus also recognizes this. Thus, adding a corollary, if you will to the seventh commandment, our Lord says not only to avoid the act of adultery but stay away from even the thought of it. Initially, this seems like he is piling on! We already have problems with the seventh commandment, now we are in trouble even if we are bothered by it! But that’s the point. By moving the fence away from the alligator a bit, the little boy is less likely to stick his hand through the opening and have it snatched off! Jesus is actually in love helping us men who want to live holy, by posting a sign on the side of the road saying “dead end,” literally!
So, what to do when a lustful thought pops into my mind. First of all, realize that no sin has yet occurred. It’s only when I consider and rehash the lustful scenario that sin is conceived. One can’t always stop the temptation. But we can mitigate the temptations we receive by not putting ourselves in places where they inevitably are slung at us. David, who had some issues with women, knows wherewith I speak as he penned in Psalm 101:3, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.” Of course, this statement is bigger than looking at women with lust, but certainly it can be a starting point for many of us.
Therefore, after a fiery dart is shot in my direction, as I have preached prior, I want to go on the offensive with prayer and the Word. Specifically, I like to pray for other men when attacked by my flesh to lust after another. I pray for them to be protected from evil thoughts and images. I suspect, the devil hates it when I remember to do that! Also, I attack the spiritual wickedness in high places with particular sections of scripture. Verses like 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 2:11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Psalm 29:2 & Romans 6:6 likely drive my Adversary crazy when I claim them!
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 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 be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29-30
Wow, this sounds super harsh! But remember, Jesus’ tone is important. Two thousand years after these words were spoken, they can read like an e-mail or text message. We don’t see our Lord’s body language, we don’t see the twinkle of his eye or the tear welling up. Recall, he is love, so this cannot be literal. It would not be loving to tell someone to pluck out their eye or cut off their hand…unless, he knows something that we don’t! You see, Jesus understands the reality of Hell. He recognizes that separation for eternity from his Father will be darkness, hatred & death as God is light, love and life so the absence of those qualities pretty much defines Hell! So once again, Jesus is loving emphasizing the importance that sin will do nothing but wipe us out. Scholars communicate that the Teacher is using a rhetorical device called “an extreme statement” to emphasize his point. This is something we will see again and again when Jesus preaches about issues of which he is passionate. In this case, the Master is saying I must deal violently with things causing me to sin. Extending this past lust for women, I need to act aggressively against activities, hobbies, entertainment and even my schedule if they are causing me to sin.
It has been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement, (Deuteronomy 24:1): But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32 (italics added)
Once again, another corollary to the seventh commandment. But think with me, what is this one pointing out? Why, to take marriage seriously. It should not be like a Hollywood marriage that ends six months after the movie shoot is over. It is for life! Not for convenience. But why is the Lord making things so hard? Moses said a bill of divorcement was okay if a wife did not please her husband. Later when challenged on this, Jesus clarified that Moses” words were due to the hardness of men’s heart (Matthew 19:8), not God’s original intent. You see, sin is not bad because God forbids it, God forbids it because sin is bad. In this case, divorce always affects others. I suspect that children of divorce seldom come out unscathed!
But another point of marriage is that, as I said earlier, it is a picture of Christ and the Church. We become more Christlike in a marriage relationship as the couple must learn to love like he does, i.e. sacrificially. As has been said, a single person can do things for Christ, but a married person becomes like Christ!
So, while we are becoming like Christ, our flesh and the Tempter will swoop in with the grass is greener on the other side of the fence enticement. Don’t fall for that one dear believer. It’s not! Our world is littered with men and women who have learned this lesson the hard way. Hear from them. You know, experience is the best teacher, but it doesn’t have to be your experience!
Truth Telling
Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, thou shall not forswear thyself, but shall perform unto the Lord your oaths: But I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: Neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no: For whatsoever is more than these comes from evil. Matthew 5:33-37
This article implies a powerful principle of the Kingdom of God. That is, a man’s word must be his bond. There is no need to make an oath, calling upon God or religious icons for support, as truth is to be the norm, not the exception. Of course, when Jesus spoke these words, and on to our day today, men prefer lies and half-truths over the integrity of being completely honest. Convenience, fear of men & pride often propels us towards lying. Before, when we were outside of the Kingdom and under the rule of Satan, lying came naturally as we imitated the god of this world’s approach to the truth. But now that the Kingdom is here, truth, complete truth, disruptive truth, is the order of the day. As Solomon so profoundly stated, “the lip of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment,” (Proverbs12:19).
So, in a culture that has a history of frequent lying, or a person who suffers from the inability to completely tell the truth, we must swear and take oaths in order to have our words accepted. But even when we make a vow, God tells us in his word that we cannot always be trusted.
If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord, and bind herself by a bond…and her husband hears it, and holds his peace at her in the day that he hears it, then her vow shall stand. But if her husband disallows her on that day that he hears it, then he shall make her vow of none effect. Numbers 30:3, 7-8
We are the Bride of Christ & Jesus is our husband. God is his grace, makes a provision for us when we promise things that we cannot deliver. He understands that we are weak, that we say things that we don’t really intend to do, and he lovingly releases us from these misguided promises. For example, on the night our Lord was betrayed, Peter told him that he would follow him to the death if need be. Jesus disallowed that foolish vow as he knew Peter would not be able to carry that oath to its completion. He lovingly told Peter that would not happen, but then said that he had prayed for him, knowing that he would recover. Same holds for you & me. We want to be truthful, we want to live with integrity, but often fall short. Thank God that he knows our frame and takes pity on us as well as in the age to come truth telling will be as natural as breathing and our yes will be yes & our no will be no.
Passive Resistance
You have heard that it has been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, (Exodus 21:24): But I say unto you, that you resist not evil: But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man shall sue you at law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloke also. And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two. Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not you away. Matthew 5:38-42 (italics added)
We are seeing a theme here. Jesus quotes a precept in the law and then gives an even better way of living. Don’t commit murder but don’t get angry either. Don’t sleep with another man’s wife but don’t even look at her with lust in your heart. Divorce laws are for the hard-hearted, stay together unless infidelity has occurred. No need to take an oath as truth must be the norm and next our Lord says that the best way to resist evil is by doing the opposite of what our flesh tells us to do. We want to actively fight. When hit on the cheek, we swing back. When sued, we mount a vigorous defense, and certainly if we lose in the courtroom, we don’t offer the plaintiff more than the judge awarded. When a law enforcement agent lords his power over us we are reluctant and slow to comply and many times it is difficult to have our default setting on yes instead of no when asked for a favor by an acquaintance. But Jesus points out that this unnatural way of resisting is actually the best. The reason is because passive resistance puts you, the one being wronged, so to speak, in control. You now have the power. If you doubt this, just look at history. Men who have employed Jesus’ Kingdom teaching about passive resistance were the victors. Just ask Mahatma Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jr. if you doubt the veracity of this precept. Turning the other cheek breaks the enemy’s will for conflict. Yes, there is short-term pain in not actively fighting back, but long-term gain.
Next we come to the most radical article of them all…bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you!
Love Your Enemies
You have heard that it has been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, 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. Matthew 5:43-44
Once again, Jesus is turning human nature upside down. Do the opposite of my fleshly inclinations. An enemy typically doesn’t love me. No matter, love him anyway. A foe might curse me. No mind, bless her. A rival may hate me, again, do good to that person. And somebody who actually hurts me won’t be praying for me, nonetheless, pray for that person! Four disciplines I must consciously choose when dealing with difficult people, love, bless, do good and pray.
You see, the kind of love that Jesus is talking about is a verb. Agape love, sacrificial love, is not feelings and goose bumps, it’s decisions & efforts. It’s action! Love does. It is broken down into its components in the most famous chapter in the Bible.
Love is patient and is kind, love envies not, love vaunts not itself, nor is puffed up. Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Look at these attributes, they are all action words & phrases, not feelings and emotions. Patience is the receiving form of love, kindness is the giving aspect. Love doesn’t vaunt itself, is not puffed up. We would say it is humble. Does not behave unseemly. That means it is polite. Seeks not her own, i.e. selfless, she is good to competitors! Not easily provoked, why we don’t see temper tantrums associated with love. Thinks no evil. Seeing the best in people. We call that living without guile. Rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in the truth, is sincerity. Bearing, believing, hoping and enduring all things is what makes love alive. It is like a living organism. No wonder another name for God is Love! As we love like this, we become imitators of God. Read the breakdown of love again but put Jesus’ name in place of love. Still works! How about when I put my name in its place or if you put yours. Does it still fit?
What is the motivator for this kind of love?
For when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Romans 5:10
Why Jesus is our reason! We were his enemies and yet he loved, blessed, did good to us, yes, even prayed for us. He is our example. He is what drives me. This is why the Savior can say love, bless, do good & pray for your enemies. It’s what he already did!
Look at the result of his sacrificial love. We now belong to him. We have been reconciled back to God. That is what this type of love does. It sets the stage for possible restitution with my opponent. As I love people when they least expect it and least deserve it, that type of love will change their lives. It is so radicle, so like Jesus and unlike me!
Not only does sacrificial love, blessing, doing & praying change others but it heals me. I lose the bitterness I had been harboring against my antagonist. No longer am I defined by a moment of hurt. That only gives it immortality! No, I can be defined by my deliverance, not my dysfunction!
That you may be children of your Father which is in heaven: For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? And if you salute your brothers only, what do you more than others? Matthew 5:45-47 (excerpts)
I want to love with abandon, not waiting for others to love me first. I want to talk to people like they are already saved. Doing that may just love them right into the Kingdom! I want to see people like they could be, not as they are. Again, I want to see them like the Lord sees them, glorified and beautiful in his presence.
We learn in Ephesians that Jesus has broken down the middle wall of separation between us, (Ephesians 2:14). The application is that we should tear down walls which we have erected against people and groups because of sin. He died for all sins, ours and theirs. The way we tear down walls? Why love. The secret is love!
Lastly, loving like this shows the colors of our faith. James tells us that faith without works is dead, (James 2:19). As we have established, love is a verb, it is a decision, it is a work. Paul preaches “for in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything or uncircumcision, but faith which works by love,” (Galatians 5:6). The work of faith is love! Love is the evidence of my faith. Dear bothers & sisters, do not forget this. Love is the evidence of your faith!
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48
So, we end this first part of the constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven as we began it. We must not fool ourselves! We can’t even begin to meet this standard. Earlier we were told we must be more righteous than the scribes and the Pharisees. Now we learn we must be perfect. Never going to happen! But, thanks to Jesus, we are perfect…perfectly forgiven!
Therefore, in light of that, we are free to work out these truths in our lives, living out the Kingdom mentality with his help as best we can, waiting for the redemption of our fallen world. Waiting for the time when these truths will be self-evident!
Summary:
The Sermon on the Mount is the constitution, if you will, for the Kingdom still to come.
The teachings here should put an end to all legalism as no bar would be high enough.
As we stay close to the Lord, his light reflects off of us onto others, for the glory of the Father.
The primary purpose of the Law is to reveal our need for a Savior.
Anger is related to danger, for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
When our Adversary condemns us of sin, we must remind him that they were blotted out by the blood of the Lamb.
Jesus’ extreme statement about injuring our bodies should motivate us to aggressively act against anything that causes us to sin.
Our lying natures are fueled by convenience, fear of men & pride.
Love is a verb. It is the evidence of your faith!
Loving your enemy is what Christ did to & for us, makes it possible for your enemy to become your friend, and heals your bitterness towards that enemy.
For Further Study:
What is your favorite characteristic of salt? Why? How can you be more like that to others?Why was Jesus continually butting heads with the Jewish teachers of the Law?
To walk in the spirit sometimes means to instantly obey. Can you think of a time when you did that?
Why do the powers of evil make it a priority to attack marriages & families?
What is it about marriage that helps a person become more like Christ?
How did David’s dealings with King Saul demonstrate passive resistance?