Don't Murder the Person You are Forgiving Matthew 5:21-26

Today's Reading: Matthew 5:21-26

I heard one of my friends in the Navy tell me a story about when he was driving home from work. He began by saying in a loud exaggerated voice.

"Man, I was in my lane going about the speed limit. When all of a sudden this car came out of nowhere and cut me off. I mean within inches."
"I was so mad that I followed that car so close that I could smell the interior."
"We went in and out of traffic. Finally the car took an exit and I was right on it."
"We were speeding through the neighborhood and then the car pulled into a driveway." "I slammed on my brakes and skidded the car in front of the house and waited for the guy to get out of the car so that I could..."
"Then I saw. It was an old lady shaking so bad she could hardly walk. I even think she mouthed the words to me 'I'm sorry'."

Too often we let our emotions run our lives. Especially our anger. In today's reading, Jesus addresses the issue and equates it to breaking a Commandment. Remember yesterday when we read that Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and that no one is able to keep all of the Law? This is the first point that He makes. Anger left unsettled is the same as MURDER!
What? Yes, that is exactly what it means. If you are angry with someone you just murdered them in your heart. But wait! That's not all! Jesus also takes this opportunity to also go one step further and teach on reconciliation. You should go first to the person who wronged you and reconcile while you are on the way. This way you are ready for worship.

I know there are many different applications here but these two are the most outstanding;
1. Anger left unsetteled is the same as murder (only in heart not action)
2. In order to get your heart right you must be reconciled to your brothers

As you go about today think about who you may have wronged. Maybe someone you know that has something against you. Think of a way of reconciliation. Pray about the situation and ask for boldness. Ask God to give you wisdom in the situation and the words to say. 
Also ask God to bring awareness in situations that make you angry. Think of the person the story and put yourself in both perspectives.

Legalistic Lawyers and Purposeful Propitiation Matthew 5:17-20

"Don't assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:17-20)

You have heard that people say that we are no longer under the Law BUT under grace. What exactly does this mean? Do we ignore the Law? Do we follow the Law?

I'm here to tell you- neither and both. 

HUH? Well think of it this way. Why do we need laws? Easy answer... so the people would not live in Chaos. If there were "rules" to society then people would be in a constant state of fear.

But instead, God gave the Laws (10 Commandments) to Moses so that he could start the government for the nation of Israel. 

"But I'm not Jewish!" says you? Ha, neither am I but God is still going to hold people accountable for all of the Laws, not just the 10 commandments, but all 600 plus commands.

"But wait, following the law to the "t" is impossible!" I know, that's the point! When Jesus said that He didn't come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, the Pharisees were in His presence. He briefly sides with them in that the Pharisees lived by these laws and thought that this was the key to heaven. But, instead Jesus ends this thought by saying that "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Those hearing this knew it was impossible to surpass them and much less able to keep the law. But that wasn't the purpose of the Law. Jesus started by saying He was the fulfillment of the Law. It was never intended to draw man closer to God but rather to show man how far apart from God he really is. Jesus fulfilled the Law by being the propitiation for sin. It is impossible to keep the law even a small bit of it. Hence the need for a Savoir.

The next verses Jesus goes into detail in why it's impossible to keep the Law. We will look at each of them individually.

Today as you go about. Think of the ways we break the law of today's society. Speeding? Running stop-signs? Tax Laws?