Matthew 5:21,22
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MURDER,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
Like so many things Jesus changed things. For centuries and millennia pharisees and scribes have interpreted God’s Law. Unfortunately their interpretations were often wrong. Today’s passage is one such example. The command was “You shall not murder.” What God meant was not to harbor hate in one’s heart. If we do then we are guilty enough before God as if we murdered that one.
The mistake was that the religious leaders were attempting to make the law keepable. It wasn’t meant to be. When a transgression was made then repentance and sacrifice was to be made. The law was meant to point out our sin and our need for a savior. Not for one to be satisfied with one’s keeping. Jesus makes this point in Luke 18:13,14 “But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Christianity is a religion of the heart. Hebrews 4:13 says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” He sees it all. He sees far more than we do. Proverbs 20:5 says, “But intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.”
We are to live in a manner in which we know God sees all. Nothing is hidden. We should ask for wisdom. Psalm 19:20 says of the Word of God can make us aware of things we don’t see, “Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.”
If God weren’t so loving, His omniscience would be frightening. With all that He knows. People may use things against us as leverage. Many religions look at God suspect. They don’t dare verbalize it as those god’s aren’t loving. We can breathe a sigh of relief for He is loving.
Before Christ this knowledge is meant to drive us to Christ. However, in Christ we are forgiven. We don’t have to walk around in shame. We are forgiven and loved.
We are to walk before God as an open book. If He draws something to our attention, ask Him. Are we to address it or ignore it.
This great knowledge of God could be a great burden if He weren’t so loving. His list of our fix it’s would be unending. But that wouldn’t be love. I wrestled with that as a young christian. But the more I learned of His love and grace, I’ve relaxed.
Thank You, Lord, for Your great love. Help us to be open before You. Thank You for the loving pace You give us.