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Matthew 5:18 Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with – not until the end of all things.19 So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys the Law and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven.
As we’re taught later in the letters from the apostles, we learn that we’ve all have sinned according to the Law. The Law remains so no one can say they’re without sin. We live under grace not under the law. We’re supposed to be good and loving under every circumstance.
Matthew 5:20 I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires. 21 “You have heard that people were told in the past, “Do not commit murder; anyone who does will be brought to trial.’ 22 But now I tell you: if you are angry with your brother you will be brought to trial, if you call your brother “You good-for-nothing!’ you will be brought before the Council, and if you call your brother a worthless fool you will be in danger of going to the fire of hell. 23 So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
Later we learn even hating someone else is equivalent of murder. Remember our brother is typically referred to as our fellow believers, not just your siblings.
Matthew 5:25 “If someone brings a lawsuit against you and takes you to court, settle the dispute while there is time, before you get to court. Once you are there, you will be turned over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, and you will be put in jail. 26 There you will stay, I tell you, until you pay the last penny of your fine
This seems like straight forward advice. One might think it has a deeper meaning. Should we ask for forgiveness of our sins before our death? We should. I’m not sure if it is a deeper meaning here though it could be.
Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart.
I would think this is one of the most difficult things for many of us to do. There are a lot of willing Christians who fall to this constantly. Does this mean they’re less of a Christian? No, you can be Christian and still fall for sin because you’re weak. This is perfectly acceptable. We’re to change ourselves through understanding Jesus, but the change of your inward self could take a long long time. Welcome those who are weak in faith and haven’t changed them self. Just be on watch for those who try and change scripture’s meaning to say they’re not actually sinning. People who want to alter theology in order to claim they are not sinning commit a far worse sin than the ones they’re trying to cover. Read up on Matthew 5:19 So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. We should always be looking towards our future, and our future is Heaven.
Matthew 5: 29 So if your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body go off to hell.
This teaching was not meant to physically mar yourself, though time and time again people do. This is more along the lines,”If you see a pretty girl, turn your head and don’t lust after her”(pull your eye out). It comes right after the adultery by desire scripture, and makes perfect sense. Still by no means is it easy.
Matthew 5:31 “It was also said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But now I tell you: if a man divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery if she marries again; and the man who marries her commits adultery also.
We should divorce for no other reason than an unfaithful spouse. Even if you have an unfaithful spouse, we should try and sort through things in case it was a moment of weakness or drug induced and not a chronic problem. And no, I don’t think you can say your wife lusted over a guy and thus committed mental adultery in this case. As far as the rest of this teaching, I think it is difficult as well. I wonder,”Does God see people as divorced unless it was through adultery? Are people supposed to get back together as they have no one else to go to?” The modern times we’re in simply disregard this teaching mostly, and those who do seem cold and callused. To tell someone,”Sorry, but I can’t fall in love with you because you have an illegitimate divorce” seems cold. This is a very difficult teaching. I think I understand why some people only want to marry a virgin because it is less complicated that way. *L1
Matthew 5:33 “You have also heard that people were told in the past, “Do not break your promise, but do what you have vowed to the Lord to do.’ 34 But now I tell you: do not use any vow when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, for it is the resting place for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Just say “Yes’ or “No’ – anything else you say comes from the Evil One.
This actually is kind of nice. If someone asks you to make a vow, just tell them”My religion forbids it.” You can promise people, but we’re not to make a vow.
Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too. 40 And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if one of the occupation troops forces you to carry his pack one mile, carry it two miles. 42 When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something, lend it to him.
Getting slapped on your cheek was a typical Roman insult to the occupied Jews. It was not an attack where you’re in combat for your life. Many have used this as a verse for pacifism, and I think pacifism is great to a degree. But the moment you or your family is in threat from a madman who is not obeying the law, try your best to restrain him for your family’s safety.
The Bible talks about giving people anything they ask from you. So giving someone who sues you extra stuff isn’t unfounded. We’re to help others at our own expense. Jesus’ example of sacrificial love shows us the way. We should be happy we’re going to Heaven, that we don’t need a lot of material things. God will help us in times of need. The trick is getting yourself riled up and motivated to do work for other people, because this is a core thing of Christian living.
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, “Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ 44 But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil. 46 Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that! 47 And if you speak only to your friends, have you done anything out of the ordinary? Even the pagans do that! 48 You must be perfect – just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
This is the core tenant of the Christian religion. The world might go,”Love those who love you, and pay back with revenge anyone who wrongs you.” But Christianity says to love everyone even those who wrong you. This is difficult, we’re to love and forgive those who love us. The world could become a peaceful place if enough people adopted this philosophy of,”Love everyone.” For people with the world’s philosophy should love them back. It isn’t that simple though, and we’ll get insulted and hated for no reason just like Jesus was. It says you should be perfect when you’re doing good and love to others instead of trying to do evil to payback. Later in the Bible it says paraphrased “Defeat evil with good by being good and loving to all.”
-Jim Sager
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*L1 This is a link to an article on divorce I was given by Victor.