Matthew 5:21-7:29

You know, before Jesus came to earth, following the law was pretty black and white. In a very real sense, Jesus made following the law even more difficult than before.

In Old Testament times you sinned if you plowed on the Sabbath, if you had a wooden idol in your home, if you had an affair, killed someone, or stole something. Sins were concrete, visible. 

But Jesus took it a step further. He tells us if we hate someone we’re guilty of murder. If we lust after someone we’re guilty of adultery. What we think and feel became as important as what we do.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is about our heart’s condition. He talked about fruit trees and the fact that good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad. If our hearts are right with the Lord, what we do and say will reflect that. The outward signs of a heart that belongs to God is love toward enemies, going the extra mile, honesty and trustworthiness.

Jesus tells us to be perfect as God is perfect. That’s a command, not a suggestion. 

Have you given your heart to Jesus? If you have, you have no excuse but to bear good fruit. Let him pour himself into you and out of you as you yield to him. May you bear the fruit of having him in your heart.

Gracious Father, thank you for challenging me today to check my heart’s condition. May I recognize the areas I haven’t turned over to you and may I give it all to you. I pray that the fruit I yield today in the things I do, the things I say, and the thoughts I think show the world that my heart belongs to you.