But I Say to You…

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But I Say to You…

When Jesus lived on earth,  His whole life  was absolutely perfect.      Even when being tempted,  He never once sinned.      And yet,  the religious leaders  would bristle with hatred  every time Jesus rightly interpreted  the Law of God — because  it was so opposite  of what they had been teaching the people  over the years.      Jesus’ teachings  exposed everyone’s utter depravity.      In Matthew chapter 5  we have some good examples  of how Jesus taught  God’s laws.

In Matthew 5:21-26 Jesus says, “You have heard  that ‘ You shall not commit murder’…..     But I say to you  that everyone  who is angry  with his brother  shall be guilty….”

In Matthew 5:27-30 Jesus says, “You have heard…    ‘You shall not commit adultery’…..     but I say to you,  that everyone  who looks on a woman  to lust for her  has committed adultery  with her  already  in his heart…”

In Matthew 5:31-32 Jesus says, “it was said,  ‘Whoever divorces his wife,  let him give her  a certificate of dismissal’…..     but I say to you  that everyone  who divorces his wife,…    makes her commit adultery…”

In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus says, “you have heard…   ‘You shall not make false vows’….     But I say to you,  make no oath at all…..”

In Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus says, “You have heard….   ‘An eye for an eye,  and a tooth for a tooth’….    But I say to you,  do not resist him  who is evil…..”

Then,  in Matthew 5:43-47 Jesus says, “You have heard….   ‘You shall love your neighbor  and hate your enemy’….     But I say to you,  love your enemies,  and pray for those  who persecute you…..”

With all this  and much more,  one can see why  the religious leaders  were taken aback.     This is all  even more impossible  than the Pharisee’s interpretation  of the Law.      So,  Jesus concluded  in Matthew 5:48, “Therefore  you are to be perfect,  as your heavenly Father  is perfect.”      Perfect!?     Impossible!

All this shows  just how evil  we are  deep down  in our hearts.      It also shows  God’s perfection.      In spite of  all the evil,  conniving hearts  in this world,  “God so loved the world,  that He gave  His only begotten Son,  that whoever believes in Him  should not perish,  but have eternal life.”    ( John 3:16 )

God’s love for us all  is perfect grace — totally undeserved,  but perfect.      As we realize the truth  and holy awesomeness  of God’s gift  of grace,  in all of its power,  we change.      Life no longer centers  around us — what we can do  and can’t do — but it centers  on God  our Savior — what He has done for us  and continues to do  for us  in His resurrection power.      Then,  1 John 4:19 works its way  into our lives — “We love,  because  He first   loved us.”

Then we can sincerely  join the myriads  in heaven  saying,

Worthy is the Lamb  that was slain  to receive power  and riches  and wisdom  and might  and honor  and glory  and blessing.     (Revelation 5:12)

It’s all about God’s worthiness,  in spite of  our unworthiness.      We simply cannot point  to any of  our so-called good works, and expect  that  to take the place  of what Jesus has done  for us.      There is no comparison.

So,  we honor God’s love  by accepting His gift  of grace,  and say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,   thank You  for loving us,  in spite of  our blindness  and deafness.”

Love,
Margaret

 

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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