The Heart of the Matter

Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV) 
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Jesus begins here with a series of statements "You have heard it said...but I say..." These illustrate that what is now expected is greater that what was previously expected. From this I draw the conclusion that grace is much more restrictive than the law. Grace deals with the heart of the matter!

Specifically in the passage selected, Jesus deals with immorality. But this principle of grace reaches every aspect of life. Outward expressions of separation and holiness are Biblically mandated from God. And if you love Jesus, you will keep His commandments. But equally important is an inward manifestation of separation and holiness.

Adultery is wrong! But Jesus adds to it explaining that looking on a woman and lusting after her in your heart is just as wrong! Sexual impurity begins in the desires of the heart. In fact, I believe all sin begins in the heart (and mind) which is why we must be just as holy on the inside as we are on the outside.

Years ago, Toby Mac stated, "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who profess Jesus with their lips yet deny Him by their lifestyle. This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

I've heard married men say in reference to looking lustfully upon a woman, "I'm just looking at the menu; I'm not ordering anything." To which I reply, "GET OUT OF THE RESTAURANT AND STOP LOOKING AT THE MENU! YOU'VE ALREADY ORDERED!" Furthermore, if you're an unmarried man, look upon a woman, but not lustfully!

According to Scripture, what's in your heart will manifest itself...

Matthew 12:34b (ESV) 
...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

Luke 6:45 (ESV) 
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 

Deal with your heart. Make sure that it's pure!

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) 
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Near the end of Solomon's prayer of dedication of the Temple, Solomon addresses the heart of the matter...

1 Kings 8:61 (KJV) 
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Anger Management!

Matthew 5:21-24 (ESV) 
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 
22 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. 
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Losing your temper is not the way to get rid of it. Dealing with anger is exacerbated today by our hectic lives. Traffic jams, long lines at the Department of Motor Vehicle, and the McDonalds employee giving you the wrong order and no straws, among other things, all have their ways of ticking us off.

Some have battled their anger so much that courts mandate they enlist in "anger management" classes in order to help them both understand and deal with their anger.

In this passage of His message on the mountain, Jesus deals with the subject of anger. He explains how that a murderer would be held liable to judgment according to the Law, however, He compares anger to murder under the New Covenant! Furthermore, insulting your brother will cause you to have your day in court before the council, and finally, if you were to call your brother a fool, you could be in danger of hell fire! WOW!

I have to pause and wonder how many "amens" Jesus got on that one! I bet you could have heard a pin drop when He shared those words!

Anger is destructive and dangerous. In fact, anger is just one letter shy of "danger." Scripture is replete with warnings against anger. Usually anger manifests itself with the intent of damaging someone else, their property, or their character. Jesus goes straight for the heart of the matter by addressing how even calling someone a fool can be dangerous. Jesus vehemently opposes character assassination and so should we!

Jesus is so serious about this issue that He explains one must first be reconciled to their brother BEFORE they bring their gift to God. WOW! God is serious about our relationship with Him and others. John wrote, "If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20 ESV)

Bottling things up inside is not the way to deal with your anger either. If there is an issue, go to your brother in a spirit of meekness and humility and address the matter.

If you feel that your worship is not what it used to be, maybe it's because you have unresolved anger in your heart. The tragedy is that if you don't deal with it God's way, it will turn into resentment and then bitterness. Bitterness is like a weed that will consume you, and eventually defile you and others around you.

Usually a preacher would tell you to go to the altar and "pray through" over your situation, but in the case of unresolved issues, Jesus tells you to leave the altar and first be reconciled, THEN come back and offer your worship. Obviously prayer and worship are imperative and cannot be ignored, but your prayers will be hindered and your worship hampered if you do not first deal with your anger.

So, let me ask you one final question, "Is it well with your soul?" If yes, then keep on keeping for God and His Church! If it is not well with your soul, then go and be reconciled today.

A Picture of the Church

Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV) 
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 
19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Moses was divinely chosen by God to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt into the wilderness. It has been observed that Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody, 40 years realizing he was a nobody, and the final 40 years seeing what God can do with nobody's who surrender to His will.

Moses faced off with Pharaoh and fulfilled God's will. As the Hebrews came into the wilderness, Moses was compelled to ascend the mountain and there God revealed His will to him and wrote the Ten Commandments.

Interestingly, at the giving of the Law, 3,000 died. However, at the giving of grace and truth (Pentecost), 3,000 were born again. John wrote that the Law came by Moses and grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The giving of the Law was a temporary covenant which pointed to and was fulfilled in Christ. The Ten Commandments are still relevant today, even though we are no longer under the Law. In fact, if you read through the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, you'll find references to "keeping the commandments." Jesus even said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." The epistles also carried on this truth teaching us to love and keep the commandments.

The word commandments is used 88 times in 82 verses in the New Testament and the final one speaks volumes...


Revelation 22:14 (KJV) 
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 

It is quite obvious that one should abide by the Ten Commandments. They teach us life principles. I believe them to be quite relational, actually. The first four deal with our relationship with God: these are vertical. The final six deal with our relationships with others: these are horizontal.

Do you keep and love the commandments? Why must our righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees? The problem with the Pharisees was that they worshipped the fences they built to protect the Word of God, rather than God Himself. It's one thing to keep the commandments and love them, but if you fall out of love with the Commander, then your religion is in vain. That being said, the Pharisees did keep the practice of the Law and aided in the preservation of the Word of God. If we couple their fear of God with a deep love for God, then we will be covered by His righteousness!

Both Jesus and Paul expressed that love was the "hinge" and the fulfillment of the Law. Without love, the practice of the Law becomes mere tradition and religion. Tradition and religion may work for a while, but it's doubtful that it will last more than one generation. Do you love the Commander? Do you love His word? Love compels me to keep His commandments.

It's similar to my relationship with my bride. I am not necessarily in love with the vows we exchanged. I am, however, deeply in love with my bride. And since I love her, I am willing to keep the vows we made to one another. Fall in love with the Commander and keeping His commandments will be the result of your relationship.

Salt & Light

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV) 
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 

Salt is an agent of change. It seasons. It influences what it comes in contact with. It can help to preserve and even be used in the process of healing. But all of these purposes for salt are moot if salt remains inside of the saltshaker or container it is concealed within.

Are you an agent of change? Do you bring seasoning to other peoples lives? Are you an influencer? Do you aid in the preservation of truth and the healing of the hurting? Jesus did not compare us to salt for no reason. It was not just an empty metaphor. As Christians, we are to be the salt of the earth.

Jesus knew His audience and He knew they would also understand a comparison that we may not be privy to without the aid of historical research. "Pure salt cannot lose effectiveness, but the salt that is common in the Dead Sea area is contaminated with gypsum and other minerals and may have a flat taste or be ineffective as a preservative. Such mineral salts were useful for little more than keeping footpaths free of vegetation." (from The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

I refuse to be reduced to ineffectiveness because I've lost my "saltiness." I will do all I can, every where I can, for as long as I can. I will love the unloveable, touch the untouchable, and forgive my enemies. I am the salt of the earth!

Darkness is not the opposite of light, it is the absence of it. The smallest of light can penetrate through the darkness and begin dissipating it. Light serves to illuminate the path. As Christians we are called to be the light of the world and illuminate the path leading to Christ!

Our lives, our songs, our methods must all point people to Christ. As light, we must show people the way to "The Way!" We are mere reflectors of His glory. He is "that Light" that came into the world. Filled with His Spirit, we now shine to show others that there is hope!

We will be known by our fruit, and if we are truly filled with the Spirit, we will bear the fruit of the Spirit and shine brightly against the darkness of sin and immorality.

We are a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. Once you've been consumed by "that Light" you cannot conceal it. But why would you want to anyway?

I have an idea - rather than report that society is getting "darker" let's unite together and shine our light brighter for God.

Salt has a way of making people thirsty. Let's be so salty for Christ that people become thirsty for the Living Water that He freely gives. Let's also shine so brightly for Him that there is no question which way leads to the Truth, the Way, and the Life...

The Beattitudes

Matthew 5-7 contain what is commonly called "The Sermon on the Mount." Jesus was beginning His earthly ministry and had ascended the mountain in order to teach the multitudes following Him. The mountain provided natural amplification so His voice would carry to the masses. However, still today, if you'll listen, His voice still speaks and we can learn much from this great message. Over the next few weeks (months maybe) I am going to blog about "The Sermon on the Mount" and challenge each believer to practice the principles taught from this message. Let's begin with the first part of Jesus' message - the beatitudes.

Matthew 5:3-12 (KJV) 
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 

How does one discipline themselves to be holy and live righteously in everyday life? Through this message, Jesus expounds to His disciples the reality of discipleship.

The beatitudes illustrate how we life happens in the kingdom of God. Each beatitude opens with the word "blessed" implying more than a temporary or circumstantial feeling. Living wholeheartedly for Christ and His kingdom brings one true joy. Happiness is based on chance. Joy is based in Christ.

The poor in spirit are those who recognize their need of God and His help. A person who thinks they are all that and a bag of chips doesn't need God. Those who feel they are a self-made-whatever, don't feel they need God's help. The poor in spirit recognize that whether they are wealthy or not, whether they are educated or not, they are in need of God and His help. For those willing to admit their spiritual bankruptcy, they will receive inheritance in the kingdom of God. This first beatitude illustrates the difference between what is temporal and what is eternal. Where is your treasure?

They that mourn are those who recognize their loss spiritually and are willing to admit they are in need. The Bible speaks of a godly sorrow that leads to repentance which leads to salvation. True repentance will be preceded by mourning. One has to realize they are lost and at a loss without God. But they who mourn will find comfort. And isn't it marvelous to know that Jesus Christ is the Comforter!

The meek are those who are gentle. They do not assert themselves over other in order to further their own agenda. The meek trust wholly in God, leaving the outcome to Him. This type of living and thinking runs against the grain of societal norms. We are told to be assertive in education, careers, sports, etc. and when one does not assert their agenda, they are mocked. Now, for the record, meekness is not being lazy. One should do what they can, when they can, and as much as they can. However, meekness leaves the outcome to God. Meekness requires trusting God to provide you an inheritance.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are those who know that God is the only source of righteousness. These have a hunger to have the righteousness of God manifest in their daily lives. And for those who hunger, God will fill them! If you truly desire a relationship with God, He will fulfill your request. What do you hunger for?

The merciful are they who show kindness and forgiveness to others. And those who forgive, show kindness, and are merciful, will themselves be forgiven, treated kindly, and receive mercy. This beatitude teaches the principle of the harvest - what you sow, you will also reap. Are you sowing mercy or judgment?

The pure in heart are they who seek purity inwardly and outwardly. In fact, if one is not pure inwardly, their outward purity is hypocritical. One cannot truly be pure withint without also being pure without, and vice versa. Those who are truly pure in heart will see God.

The peacemakers are they who make peace. Notice it doesn't say "peace-keepers." Peacemakers will be called the sons of God. These who promote the peace of God on the earth, those who wear the shoes of readiness of the gospel of peace will be known as the sons of God. Another verse states that they who do the will of God, they are the sons of God. Want to be in the will of God? Then be a peacemaker.

The persecuted for righteousness sake are those who have been mistreated because of their faith. Whenever someone continues to serve God faithfully in spite of being persecuted, they obtain favor with God. These who are persecuted for Christs sake have a hope that they will be a part of the kingdom of heaven!

The reviled and persecuted who have evil said of them should take heart in that Jesus Christ - our Lord and supreme example - was also persecuted. But we should also take heart in that we have a reward in heaven for being persecuted.

The beatitudes teach us a way of higher living. This higher life is possible through being born again. You can live like Jesus Christ. The question is, "Do you want to?" Remember, Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."