Because this study is a thematic approach rather than verse by verse, we suggest that you read chapter 5 of the book of Matthew for a better understanding of the topic.
“You must not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to complete (fulfill) them…If, while you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, you must leave your gift there before the altar and go away. Make your peace with your brother first, then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:17;23-24
Jesus said He had not come to abolish the law. He realized that this accusation would be used against Him by the Pharisees in an attempt to derail His ministry. Perhaps, too, He sensed an unease among His disciples as He began His teaching. And so, He assured them that until heaven and earth disappeared, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen would disappear from the law until its purpose was accomplished. It was important that they understood for they would be witnesses as He fulfilled the law’s demands, living a blameless life. Attempts to justify variance from the original commandments had created a tangled web of loopholes within the Jewish laws. Jesus would simplify this confusion by redefining the nature of sin. Using examples of situations familiar to his listeners, He identified the danger of the thoughts and attitudes that command actions.
It is easy to fall victim to the fallacy of major and minor sins. Thoughts that defile, attitudes that demean, words that destroy can sometimes be excused away in our modern vision of individual rights and self- expression. As long as we aren’t committing the “big sins,” we feel secure. But Jesus calls us to accountability for anger, name calling and degrading our fellowman because, He tells us, these are the seeds of stronger actions. Lack of reverence for God’s name – in our speech, our humor and in our oaths - allows a humanization of the Almighty and creates a mindset of familiarity and disrespect. Adhering to the misconception of self-importance can lead to the destruction of character and lives.
The answer to this dilemma lies in the simplicity of prioritizing. It was identified in the first of the original Ten Commandments. It was the answer given by Jesus when, asked what was the most important commandment, He replied to love the Lord your God with all your being. In other words, we must put God first in all choices and make Him a part of all decision making. When we follow this “order of operations,” our attitude toward others changes as well. No longer can we justify disparaging opinions and derogatory remarks because we now evaluate all actions in the light of accountability. We realize, as John stated in his letter to the early Christians, if we truly love God, we will love His creation. And when this proves difficult, we have been promised the presence of the Spirit to guide us, not only in the way we should go but also in the recognition of the paths we should avoid.
Sometimes we may falter or backslide into old behaviors of anger or destructive attitudes. If, then, we are presenting our gifts at the altar, Jesus says to leave them there and make amends. He was referencing the passage in Psalms 66 when David said if he had sin in his heart, God would not hear him. In more contemporary jargon, if I am about to make my own petitions to God and realize my brother has something against me, I should straighten out that problem before going to God on my own behalf. When we come to God with our petitions, our hearts must be cleared of malice. Let no ill will or even unspoken words debase our character. And may we honor God with our total being and love our brother as His creation.
Thought Questions
1. Why do we assume that angry thoughts and harsh feelings are acceptable as long as they are not manifested into actions?
2. What is righteous anger?
3. How can words kill?
4. Man’s law can only monitor actions. Why is this insufficient?
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