Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 5)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:27-30

Lastly for this section of the Sermon on the Mount, I want to share something I heard earlier this week on Al Mohler’s podcast, “The Briefing.” There is a difference between what is illegal and what is sinful.

Legality is about actions. Sin is likewise about actions, but sin is also about the thoughts, desires, and intentions of our hearts and minds.

Just because something is legal, it may still be sinful. Many, maybe even most, people think if the government decriminalizes, or even legalizes and subsidizes something, it must not be sinful. Incorrect! Many things that are legal are grossly sinful in God’s eyes. If you need examples, how about prostitution, the recreational use of mind-altering drugs, and at the top of the heap: abortion? Sadder still, the fact that society buys the lie that if it is legal it must not be sinful—I shudder to think of how many Christians accept the same lie.

The law cannot (and must not) criminalize thoughts. To do so is a serious overreach because we cannot, and neither can the state, know our minds accurately. But God can, and does (Jeremiah 17:9-10). So, while we should not have to fear the state when it comes to our thoughts, we do well to fear God who knows our every thought, even before think them!

Human laws are important, but they are incomplete and unable to create a truly righteous person or body of people. While human laws cannot accurately judge our hearts, neither can they change people’s hearts. Even God’s revealed written law cannot change hearts. God’s law was never intended to save or change hearts (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16). It only exposes our desperate need for a Savior, Jesus (Galatians 3:24). It is only as we are born again, and given new hearts and affections for the things of the Lord, that anyone is saved and has a true desire to obey both the letter and the spirit God’s law.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 4)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:27-30

I want to share two follow-up thoughts to yesterday’s post about the necessity of being willing to take drastic steps regarding our struggle against sin. Note that in both of Jesus’ hyperbolic examples (plucking out eyes and cutting off hands), the goal is to escape being cast into Hell.

First, from a gospel standpoint, nothing one can do, including plucking out eyes and severing hands, will ever get anyone into Heaven. The one and only purchase price to enter Heaven is the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. He was “cut off” for us, in our place. His sacrifice was infinitely more than the the horrors of physical crucifixion. In addition to the physical suffering, He bore the infinite and eternal wrath of God to pay the actual penalty for the sins committed by those He came to save. We receive the benefit of what Christ has done, not by maiming our bodies, but by trusting in Christ alone—a trust that includes repentance.

Second, once we are saved—and completely and forever forgiven of every one of our sins (including those we have not yet committed)—then begins the process of sanctification. This process lasts a lifetime as we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice and are being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). This process includes, and depends on, our willingness to take whatever steps necessary to live victoriously over sin. Disfiguring our bodies will not help, nor does God want us to mar the temples of our bodies. But we must be willing to take whatever steps we must to defeat the temptations and sins from which we suffer.

In the immediate context, Jesus was talking about sexual sin. This area of sin may be more of a struggle for some than for others. If you are one for whom this struggle is particularly acute, to follow Jesus’ instruction, you have decisions to make: What steps must you take to avoid this temptation and escape this kind of sin? Do you need an accountability partner or partners? Do you need to limit (cut off?) access to the internet? How seriously must we take this? As seriously as if we were to maim our bodies—without actually doing so physically. Sexual sin—even when it is not physical, but merely a matter of our eyes and minds—will not send a child of God to Hell. But it will ruin your life. Decide. Jesus or your sin? And ask for counsel. Discretion is promised.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 3)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:27-30

Next Jesus addresses how seriously we should be in our struggle against sin, whether sins committed physically, or in the secret recesses of our hearts: At all costs!

Jesus employs the literary device of hyperbole. Hyperbole is overstating a point to make the point dramatically. When Jesus bids us to pluck out sinful eyes and cut off sinful hands, He is clearly speaking hyperbolically. How do we know this?

There is nothing in the Bible that suggests that God receives delight in our self-disfigurement. Beyond that, since the point Jesus is making is about the connection between sins committed physically and sins committed in our hearts, why would He suggest a physical solution to a spiritual problem?

I remember reading Joni Eareckson Tada’s autobiography, “Joni.” In the book about her being paralyzed, she shared coming to the realization that she was capable of sinning even though she could do nothing physically. All sin is a heart problem before the body is involved.

Jesus’ point is not to get us to disfigure ourselves in our warring with our sin. It is to get us to see how radically we must be prepared to be in that war. Our desperation to turn from sin is to be so serious that it is as though we would be willing to disfigure ourselves. We must strive against sin at all costs. And though this striving includes denying ourselves physically, the battle is a spiritual battle.

This principle is true when it comes to sexual sin, but it is no less true regarding any and every kind of sin.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 2)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:27-30

Is it true that everybody has condemning lustful thoughts? Jesus didn’t—and He, not everybody else, is the standard before all who will be judged and condemned. But praise God that Jesus’ sinless life qualified Him to be our Savior, as He bore the punishment His people deserve so He could give the reward of His righteousness to those He came to save.

That Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, except He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), reveals that temptation is not sin. Succumbing to temptation is sin. Therefore, we are not condemned for being tempted in the direction of having lustful thoughts. But there is a razor thin line that separates being tempted and dwelling on lustful thoughts (even if only briefly).

Martin Luther is cited as having said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” The sentiment is true, but we need to beware: fleeting thoughts can begin nesting at once if we are not diligent to shoo them away—immediately! Oh, that we would all be proactive about avoiding even what leads us into temptation. May we pray, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:13, “Lead us not into temptation.”

Because failure is so common—especially in our day of widespread public immorality and instant internet—wisdom would have us do all we can to keep the birds from flying over our heads as well. And because failure is so common, this is why we need a Savior, not only for forgiveness of sin, but also to transform our hearts so that we may be increasingly more adept and “going and sinning no more” (John 8:11).

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 1)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matthew 5:27-30

Once again Jesus contrasts what people have heard other people say with what Jesus, who is Almighty God, says. Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

As with His words connecting murder with sinful anger, here Jesus connects adultery with lustful thoughts. Again, we are reminded that while all sins are not equally damaging, they are equally damning. Clearly, the harm done by physical acts of adultery and their ramifications are worse than mere lustful thoughts. However, in God’s eyes, because sinful actions begin in the heart, the heart deserves condemnation for contemplating adultery, even if one does not commit the act.

The fact that sin is universal does nothing to minimize its damning effect. So to say, “Everybody has had lustful thoughts,” does nothing to reduce the penalty for breaking the sixth of the Ten Commandments regarding adultery, whether physically or mentally. Rather, it serves only to underscore the fact that everyone is condemned by their sin.

Is it true that “everybody does it?” Next time…

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 6)

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:25-26

The next observation of this passage is that Jesus used a rather serious illustration to make His point. It involved the potential of going to court, over money, resulting in someone going to prison, possibly for a long time.

The illustration makes the point, but the illustration is not the point. The point of the passage is that unresolved conflicts and/or unforgiveness, whether great or small, erect barriers that stand in the way of true worship of God. Remember Psalm 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear [my prayer].”

Lastly, the reference to never getting out of prison has been widely accepted as having ultimate fulfillment eternal judgment. The Baker NT Commentary states:

It is clear that the words of the Lord have a deeper meaning. In the final analysis he is speaking not about an earthly but about the heavenly judge; nor about an earthly jail but about hell.

Let us not minimize the gravity of Jesus words about the consequences of sinful anger.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 5)

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:23-26

Two more thoughts about reconciliation with other people. (1) I was once approached by a brother in the Lord (who I hardly knew and who was not from our church) who informed me that he had never liked me but the had changed his mind and wanted to ask my forgiveness for disliking me for no real reason. I knew nothing about this man’s animosity toward me. I asked why he was telling me this cheery news. He cited Matthew 5:23-24. I told him he was forgiven.

Though this man thought he was obeying the words of Jesus, he was not. I suppose he felt better, but as for me, not so much. It was neither the time nor the place for me to explain the right way to have handled the root of bitterness this fellow had regarding me.

Here is a principle in cases like this: “The circle of confession should be no larger than the circle of sin.” His sin was not about me, nor did it affect me. His was a heart problem, and since God knows our hearts, he would have been wiser to have confessed his sin to God, repented, and left it at that. Telling me may have made him feel better but there was no redeeming value in dragging me into it.

(2) Some teach that we do not need to forgive if the one who wronged us refuses to repent. I was taught this, and so in my youth I taught this. Twenty or so years ago at a home fellowship, this subject came up. A man in the HF said he believed we must forgive whether or not the person who sinned against us repents, but that we are not likely to be reconciled until there is repentance. I had never thought about the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation in those terms. The Lord used that brother at HF to change my mind.

Forgiveness is a one-way transaction. We are to forgive as Christ Jesus has forgiven us, lest a root of bitterness invades our hearts. Because reconciliation between two people is a two-way transaction, unless there is repentance we may not reach the point of true reconciliation—but I would agree that we must forgive others as Christ has forgiven us—even if the other person remains unrepentant. Reconciliation between two people depends on both parties, and neither party can force the other into reconciliation.

Next time, back to observations on Matthew 5:23-26.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 4)

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:23-26

There are several issues contained in these four verses:

First, that (v.23) begins with the word “therefore,” connects (v.23-26) to the matter addressed in (v.21-21): sinful anger and murder. In these four verses Jesus is “fleshing out” further application.

Second, Jesus makes it clear that when we are not right with others, we are not right for worship. Of course we cannot always be reconciled with others if they are unwilling. The point is that we who worship God must be the ones to do what we can to initiate and bring about reconciliation. As Paul admonishes in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Third, note that Jesus is speaking about when someone else is at odds with you, not merely when you are at odds with someone else. This means we are to care what others think about us—especially if we have done something to give offense. In some cases we may have given offense and therefore we are the ones who must seek to make things right by humbling ourselves and asking for forgiveness. But according to Jesus we must seek to clear things up either way. If we did no wrong to warrant offense (but an offense has been supposed), we must still be the ones to initiate reconciliation, humbling ourselves while seeking clarification. And what if we are not guilty of wrong doing, but the other person insists we are? We need not admit guilt for what we have not done, but we whether reconciliation can be achieved or not, we can and should seek forgiveness for having offended (even if we have done no wrong).

Jesus’ words are clear that we are to go to the other person, not because we have an issue with them, but because the other person has an issue with us. However, I believe that if we have an issue with another person, we need to get that cleared up as well. How to do this without making matters worse: Next time.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 3)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

Jesus’ words about saying, “Raca,” or “You fool,” are not intended to be a specific detailed list of what we can and cannot say. This instruction is intended to be an illustrative principle to show us:

1. How close what we say reveals sinful hatred in our hearts.

2. How something as seemingly inconsequential as name calling is so incredibly serious in the eyes of God.

While the warning about these words instructs us to “mind our words,” more importantly these warnings instruct us to “mind our hearts.” Why? Because as dangerous as our words can be, we are guilty in our hearts long before any words escape our lips.

Once again, because we cannot change our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9-10), we need a Savior who can forgive our sins and change our hearts. His name is Jesus.

The spiritual significance of Labor Day

Rob Pacienza, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian church, wrote the following about the connection between work and worship:

Ask any secular American what Labor Day means to them, and he or she will likely say that it’s one last opportunity to relax and party at the end of the summer. Ask any Christian American, and he or she will likely say the same.

Even though Labor Day is a secular holiday, the idea is a good one, and Christians have more reason to celebrate it than anyone else.

Labor Day was first deemed a national holiday in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland. At the time, the country was in the midst of …

Click Here to finish reading this important God-honoring article.

I did not feel it right to put someone else’s brief article in my blog, but I hope you will invest the 4 minutes it takes to read Pastor Pacienza’s encouraging words about work and worship.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 2)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

What is the similarity and the difference between murder and sinful anger? As I have said for years, “All sins are equally damning (before God), but not all sins are equally damaging (in practice).” While the meaning of those words is likely to be crystal clear on their own, let me explain it a little further. Forgive me if what I say is obvious to you, as it might not be equally obvious to everyone.

In God’s eyes, sinful anger and murder both deserve to be condemned. This is why some people say “all sin is equally sinful.” While that is true in one sense—since even the most minor sin deserves God’s wrath—there is another sense in which there are degrees of sin based on the damage they cause.

Sinful anger/hatred toward another person is much less damaging than acting on that hate to the extent of committing homicide. Not only is the life that was taken over, consider how many other people are adversely affected by a murder! Consider also the fact that the murderer is forever affected by the fact that he or she took the life of a fellow human being. And what about God? As much as God hates sinful anger/hatred, when one He created in His image is murdered, His holy image is desecrated!

Thus, while all sin is equally damning, all sin is not equally damaging. And as this concept is well illustrated by sinful anger/hatred and murder, it is no less true in a myriad of other examples in which heart sins are the same, yet different, from acting on those heart sins.

Let us guard our hearts from committing sins of the heart, while understanding how much more damage we cause when acting on our hearts’ sins. And let us walk closely with, and confess our sins quickly to, our forgiving Savior!

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 1)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

What is the connection between murder and sinful anger?

First, all anger is not sinful. God gets angry and God cannot sin. Our anger is frequently sinful because it is not righteous anger. The difference between sinful anger and righteous anger is that:

• Sinful anger is selfishly motivated. It is about ME. It is motivated by my pride.
  Righteous anger is on behalf of God or someone else who is being violated or treated unrighteously. It is motivated by a love for God’s glory.

• Sinful anger desires vengeance.
  Righteous anger desires justice, knowing that vengeance belongs only to the Lord! (I pray we all know the difference!)

• Sinful anger is almost always merely emotional.
  Righteous anger is more cerebral and spiritual.

Sinful anger is connected to murder, while righteous anger is not.

Second, the connection between sinful anger and murder is that sinful anger both begin in the heart. Murder begins in the heart and is acted out. Anger likewise begins in the heart, is often proclaimed with the mouth, and may even be acted out physically—but stops short of taking another person’s life.

Since God judges the heart and not merely the outward manifestations (or lack thereof), Jesus is saying that before God, angry and murderous hearts (and every shade of gray in between), are equally damnable.

As I have said for years, “All sins are equally damning (before God), but not all sins are equally damaging (in practice).” We’ll unpack that concept a little more next time.

“But I say...”

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

Another introductory observation on this section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-48) are the words, “You have heard it said… But I say…” Jesus frames all five of His examples of the spirit of the law with these words. Why?

It was common in Jesus’ day for the legal scholars (the scribes and Pharisees) to begin their statements citing another eminent Rabbi using the words, “Rabbi So-and-So said…” Pointing to precedent set by another, they sought to attach authority to their words. Jesus was no doubt referring to this practice of citing some other authority to bolster their own authority.

But what did Jesus say? “You’ve heard it said… But I say!” He needed no other authority than His own. Why? Because He is almighty God! Old Testament prophets frequently introduced their prophecies with the words, “Thus says the LORD.” Jesus took it further than the OT prophets. He was not only saying, “The LORD says,” He identified Himself as the LORD!

What faithful commentators say about what God says is often helpful to better understand God’s Word. But the words of pastors, preachers, and teachers (including mine!) are not the Word of God! God speaks for Himself and His words are infinitely authoritative. Jesus is God and His words are the Word of God.(1)

(1) The Church recognizes all of scripture as the inspired Word of God. But that is limited to the Bible and includes no words but the Bible as having such authority. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Next time: The letter and spirit of God’s Law regarding anger.

The spirit and the letter

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

Having completed the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-2), the rest of chapter 5 contains six examples of how we should understand the spirit of the Law. Jesus addresses six topics from the Law, explaining the higher standard of the spirit of the Law, rather than thinking we are keeping the Law based on a cursory observance of the letter of the Law.

Don’t miss that thinking only of the letter of the Law often results in the abuse of legal loopholes. You know what legal loopholes are. They are a way of excusing disobedience to God’s Law, as He intended it to be obeyed, while seeking to justify ourselves and our disobedience.

The six examples are an illustrative rather than an exhaustive list. In other words, these six are not the whole of what Jesus would have us learn about the Law. The lessons contained in the six examples are to be applied to every aspect of God’s law. God does not want legalistic, half-hearted, partial obedience. He wants spiritual, whole hearted, complete obedience.

No one but Jesus ever has or will keep God’s Law as God requires. This is why we need a Savior. Jesus is the one and only Savior because He is the only one who: (a) kept the law perfectly for those He came to save; (b) died to pay the penalty for every sin committed by those He came to save; and (c) rose from the dead to defeat sin, death, and Hell for those He came to save.

I do not know if it is intentional, but I notice that all of these six examples are of sins of passion: Anger, Lust, Divorce, Oaths, Vengeance, and Love. Oh, that we would be more passionate about the Lord and obedience to Him more than being driven by passion for sin!

Next time: The difference between what we’ve heard and what God says…

Gratitude, love, & new hearts

"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20

Last time we spoke about the first of two main themes of the Sermon on the Mount (SOTM). The first theme is the impossibility of earning one’s way into Heaven by keeping the law. Jesus accurately raised the bar of the law, instructing us regarding the importance of the spirit of the Law, as opposed to mechanically obeying the letter of the law. Jesus pointed out that the most righteous of all, the scribes and Pharisees, were not righteous enough for Heaven, so how could anyone else be righteous enough?

The only hope, therefore, is to trust in a forgiving Savior, namely Jesus.

The second of the two main themes of the SOTM is instructing those who trust in Jesus what the life of a believer is to look like. Believers are not called to obey either the letter or the spirit of the law to earn salvation. Not at all. We are to obey the letter and the spirit of the law because we have been forgiven. As those who are forgiven, we obey the law for three reasons:

Believers obey the law out of gratitude (Romans 8:12). We owe the Lord an infinite debt of gratitude for His gracious forgiveness we have received by faith alone in Christ alone.

Believers obey the law out of love. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). So compelling is His love that we may have reason to doubt our salvation if we do not love Him!

Believers obey the law because we have received new hearts and are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation only begins with forgiveness. It must necessarily continue with a new set of affections—for Christ and to follow Him. Those who are only interested in a Savior who lets us into Heaven when we die but to whom we have no affection, ought not rest easy concerning their salvation. Salvation includes a growing measure of spiritual mindedness (Romans 8:4-10). Believers follow and obey Christ because of who we are in Christ.

Of course, none of those who believe follow obey perfectly 100% of the time. We are in process as we grow in grace, culminating with our glorification in Heaven. But until that time, we are serious about obeying the letter and the spirit of the law as outlined by Jesus in the SOTM.

How good is good enough?

"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20

In Matthew 5:20, Jesus summarizes one of the two major themes of the Sermon On the Mount (SOTM).  What is it?  The impossibility of earning entrance into Heaven by being righteous.  Most people sincerely believe that we must earn entrance into Heaven by what we do—or stated another way—by how righteous we are. A common (incorrect) way of thinking is that as long as my good deeds are better than the bad deeds of so-and-so, I am a shoo-in for Heaven.  And of course, most choose to compare themselves with someone less righteous than themselves. Being better than someone else is not the standard by which God judges. His standard is His sinless perfection.

Jesus demolished the “at least I ‘m not as bad as so-and-so” mindset by saying: “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  You see, in Jesus’ day the scribes and Pharisees were believed to be the most righteous people of all.  People believed they could never be more righteous than these religious elitists.(1)

Was Jesus saying that we had to become more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees?  No.  He was saying that it is impossible to become righteous enough to earn Heaven.  He said this so that in despair we would cry out to God for a forgiving Savior, since we cannot save ourselves.

The greatest news is that God has provided a Savior—the one and only Savior: Jesus. Forgiveness is graciously given to those who trust solely in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins.

I said there are two major themes of the SOTM.  That is the first.  What is the Second?  Next time.

(1) The scribes’ and Pharisees’ righteousness could not earn them entrance into Heaven either. Their righteousness was imperfect self-righteousness, which is no less damning than no righteousness at all.

A warning to those who discount God’s Law

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19

This verse is a serious warning to many today who actively teach that the Old Testament law (and indeed the entire OT) does not apply to New Testament believers. This kind of teaching is serious error.

There was a teacher a few years ago who criticized the evangelistic methods of Living Waters (Ray Comfort) for using the OT law evangelistically with Gentiles because, according to that teacher, the Law was only for Israel and not for Gentiles. His flawed teaching said it is not a sin for Gentiles to break the OT law. Preposterous! We may call it the OT law, but it is God’s Law.

Beware of those who discount the importance of the OT for Christians today (particularly Gentile Christians).

Properly understood, the OT law, and indeed the entire OT, is just as much the Word of God as is the New Testament.

That does not mean that keeping God’s Law is a means of salvation. It has never been and never will be. But it is by God’s Law that we are made aware of our guilt before a holy God, causing the elect to flee to Jesus for forgiveness.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Under the Law, or not under the Law? (Pt.2)

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-18

Last time we explained that believers are not under the condemnation of the law because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. We are free from condemnation, but not from obligation. The Law still stands for believers to instruct us how to live as followers of Christ.

And yet! There are some aspects of the Law that Christians are not under obligation to follow, and that we must NOT follow. What are they, and why?

There are three aspects of the Law: Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil.

In reverse order, the civil aspect of the Law regulates the civil and criminal laws for ancient Israel. No one is under those laws because ancient Israel no longer exists.

The ceremonial aspect regulates the religious laws for the Jewish religion, most specifically regarding the priesthood, the temple, and the sacrifices required by the Jewish religion. No one is under those laws for two reasons: (A) Because Jesus fulfilled every detail the of Ceremonial law that pointed to Him (discussed in detail in Hebrews 9 & 10). And (B) Because the biblical Jewish religion has not existed since 70 AD when it was violently dismantled, never to be reinstituted. It is important to point out that Christians must not offer sacrifices for sin because to do so is a declaration that Jesus’ sacrifice was not sufficient!

Lastly, the moral aspect of the Law is for all people throughout all of time. Keeping the Law has never been a means of salvation for anyone. The Law cannot save, it only condemns those who fail to obey it perfectly—which includes everybody! (Romans 3:10-20). The Ten Commandments are recognized as the initial statement and summary of the moral law. The moral law is throughout the Law—both explicitly and implicitly—in particulars and in principles (even in the civil and ceremonial Law).

Christians are not under condemnation of the Law. We are under obligation to live according to God’s moral law, but not the civil or ceremonial aspects of the Law.

Let us be clear: obedience to God’s law has never been, nor will it ever be a means by which anyone is saved. Living in obedience to God’s moral law is the reasonable response (Romans 6:1-2, 12:1) of those God has saved by His grace alone, received by faith alone, in Christ alone!

Under the Law, or not under the Law? (Pt.1)

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-18

This is not new territory, but is still misunderstood by vast numbers of Christians.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17-19 are clear that He did not come to destroy (abolish, set aside, or nullify) the Law. Yet Paul wrote in several places (in Romans and Galatians) that Christians are not under the Law because we are under grace. Which is true? Both! How are we to understand that?

Because of what Jesus said in Matthew 5, clearly the Law is still in effect.

Because of what Paul wrote, there must at least be some aspect of the Law that is no longer in effect for Christians. What aspect of the Law is no longer in effect for believers? The condemnation of the Law (Romans 8:1). Why? Because on the cross Jesus took our condemnation for us. Freedom from the condemnation of the Law is applied only to believers after trusting in Christ.

The condemnation of the Law is still in effect for those who do not trust in Christ—as it was for believers before we believed. In fact, according to Galatians 3:19-25, it is the Law that condemns us for our sins, so that if/when we understand that, we will flee to Christ for forgiveness.

But even in the lives of believers, for whom the condemnation of the law has been extinguished, the Law still stands instructing us regarding right and wrong, and how to follow Christ as those who have been given new hearts—who want to obey God’s Law.

Those who do not trust in Christ are under the condemnation of God’s Law unless they believe.

Those who do trust in Christ are no longer under the condemnation of the Law, but we are under obligation to follow God’s law about how to live as children of God.

Wait! Aren’t there some aspects of God’s law that Christians are not under obligation to follow? Yes! Glad you asked! We’ll sort that out next time…

Doing things to be seen?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Though this verse is part of Jesus’ teaching about His disciples being salt and light, as a stand alone verse it teaches a valuable lesson.

Jesus warned in the Sermon on the Mount (specifically in Matthew 6:1-18) not to give, pray, or fast to be seen and applauded by people. The error Jesus addresses in those passages is about doing things to be seen for human recognition and for our own glory.

Matthew 5:16, which may seem contradictory (to chapter 6), says to do good things to be seen—but not for human recognition or selfish glory. Instead, we are to do good things in such a way that we point people to God for His glory. How do we do this?

First, we must analyze our motives. Are we doing what we do for our only glory, or for God’s? It all begins here in the heart. How we do what we do will reveal our true motives, often to people, but certainly to God! This is the most crucial first step. We need also to be aware that we can deceive ourselves pretending not to care about receiving recognition, when recognition is exactly what we want. How do we test ourselves on this? How do we respond when we do not receive thanks? Even the slightest twinge of resentment reveals the truth about our hearts.

Second, we must do what we do making it clear that we have no interest in the applause of people. This is accomplished only when we have adequately addressed the first step regarding our hearts and true motives. When we have, we do what we do cheerfully, never grumbling or grudging. And if or when people do acknowledge and thank us for any good we have done, point the praise to God, deflecting attention away from ourselves. This is more than merely saying, “Praise the Lord,” though that is a good start. Go forward from here by explaining that the little that you do is not worthy to be compared with the incredible mercy God has shown you by Christ Jesus dying to forgive you of your sins! The point is to make clear that we do what we do because of all God has done for us!

That is a little about how to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. “