A Matter of the Heart

Matt 5:21 "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.' 22 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. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 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. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. 27 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 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. 30 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.

There are two great towering sermons found in the Bible. One is found in Deuteronomy, and is given by Moses. The other is found right here, and is given by Jesus Christ. One is found in the Old Testament, and is a re-stating of the Law, and the other is found in the New Testament, and is revolutionary revelation of how the Law applies.

Both messages get right at the heart of every person who ever lived.

Moses tells the Jewish people how they are to apply the Law to their lives, and he does so by revealing to them - and this is revolutionary - that God looks on the heart. If you are keeping the Law, but have a stiff neck toward God, than the fact you are keeping the Law, (forgetting for the moment it is impossible for man to keep the Law,) than your stiff neck removes any credit you may receive for doing what you do. Keeping the Law because you ‘have to’ is not the same as keeping the Law because you ‘want to.’

Jesus ratifies all Moses has said and takes it even further – and this is the revelation. Jesus’ sermon is unlike anything ever preached, proposed, or thought of by man. I would go so far as saying I believe it is impossible for man to think these kinds of thoughts apart from being shown to think these kinds of thoughts by God.

Jesus is saying you are guilty of breaking the Law by the attitude of your heart - even if no physical act is committed. Anger in the heart = murder. Lust of the heart = adultery.

Moses said you receive no credit for keeping the Law if your attitude is bad; Jesus says you are guilty of it.

  

Truly, it is only God’s Holy Spirit alive in you that produces not only the ‘want-to’ of keeping the Law, but also the ‘want-to’ of purifying the thought life, which we now see judged as sinful once it goes beyond temptation to consideration.

Jesus teaches us the origin of sin is in the heart, (as Moses alluded to,) and that the attitude of the heart is judged right along with and even prior to the commission of the sin. More than ever we realize our need for a Savior. We also see the life the Savior brings to the heart of those who receive Him described. This is the most amazing teaching ever known to man.

-Pastor Bill