Matthew 5

Verses1-12

What matters most is obedience from the heart, willing service that pleases our God. The humility that Jesus called for in God’s followers flew in the face of the Pharisees and Sadducees we met in earlier chapters. Just like then, we are to recognize our prideful spiritual poverty, are called to realize our need for a Savior. We are to mourn and be serious over sin in our lives and we will be comforted. We are to hunger and thirst after righteousness, be merciful, pure in heart, peaceful, and even suffer persecution for Jesus sake. By living with a heart in obedience to God we personify the heart of God to others, just as Jesus personified the heart of God in the flesh, (Only He did it perfectly), and don’t worry others will point out when you are not living perfectly.This kind of life may not always bring “happiness” but with our eyes on the eternal (the things that really matter we will blessed with hope and joy. For my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness! My hope as the Bride of Christ is in my Jesus and the work He accomplished on the cross, namely being the perfect sacrifice for my sin.

Verse 13-16

As a Christian…what is my motive for all my actions? Love for my Savior… and to glorify my Father in heaven, that others may see goods works and glorify my Father in heaven. In a world that does not know God, or His word, or that Jesus died for their sins, I am to live it out before them with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 17-20

We are not to be like the Pharisees, obeying the law outwardly. God looks at the hidden man, the thoughts and intents of the heart. Our thoughts and attitudes are just as important to our Savior our Creator, as our actions.

Verse 21-48

In regards to the law, anger, lust, divorce, vows, revenge, and our enemies…The life of Jesus is our example for these matters in thought word and deed. We are not to compare ourselves to others and think we are doing well compared to them. Our standard is the perfection of Jesus Christ. Of course no one can live up to those standards and it reveals to our hearts like to the Pharisees that we need a Savior to redeem us from our own sins!

Blessings, Lady