Sermon on the Mount
153
cause shall be in danger of the Judgment.” There is an anger that is
not of this criminal nature. A certain kind of indignation is justifiable,
under some circumstances, even in the followers of Christ. When
they see God dishonored, his name reviled, and the precious cause of
truth brought into disree by those who profess to revere it, when they
see the innocent oppressed and persecuted, a righteous indignation
stirs their soul; such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin.
Among the listeners are those who congratulate themselves upon their
righteousness because they have committed no outward crime, while
they are cherishing in their hearts feelings of the same nature as that
which prompts the assassin to do his fearful deed. Yet these men
make professions of piety, and conform to the outward requirements
of religion. To such Jesus addresses these words:—
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before
the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come and offer thy gift.” He thus shows that crimes originate in the
mind, and those who permit hatred and revenge to find a place in their
hearts have already set their feet in the path of the murderer, and their
offerings are not acceptable to God. The only remedy is to root out
all bitterness and animosity from the heart. But the Saviour even goes
further than this, and declares that if another has aught against us, we
should endeavor to relieve his mind, and, if possible, remove those
feelings from it, before our offering can be acceptable with God. This
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lesson is of special importance to the church at this time. Many are
zealous in religious services while unhappy differences exist between
them and their brethren which it is in their power to remove, and which
God requires them to remove before he will accept their services.
Christ has so clearly pointed out the Christian’s course in this matter
that there should be no question in his mind as to his duty.
While Jesus is teaching, there are pleasure-boats upon the water,
and it is evident to all that the idlers who occupy them are disreable
characters. The listening people expect Jesus to severely denounce this
class, but are surprised when he declares: “Ye have heard that it was
said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say
unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Those who have
looked upon the guilty characters who lead lives of sensual dissipation