Sermon on the Mount
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The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are
Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets.
But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have
not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power
and grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may
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profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind,
patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors,
and through their influence it is a curse to the world.
The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and
life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous
only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with
Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the
life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian’s
internal purity. Then the ceremonies required in the service of God are
not meaningless rites, like those of the hypocritical Pharisees.
Jesus takes up the commandments separately, and explains the
depth and breadth of their requirement. Instead of removing one jot of
their force, He shows how far-reaching their principles are, and exposes
the fatal mistake of the Jews in their outward show of obedience. He
declares that by the evil thought or the lustful look the law of God
is transgressed. One who becomes a party to the least injustice is
breaking the law and degrading his own moral nature. Murder first
exists in the mind. He who gives hatred a place in his heart is setting
his feet in the path of the murderer, and his offerings are abhorrent to
God.
The Jews cultivated a spirit of retaliation. In their hatred of the
Romans they gave utterance to hard denunciations, and pleased the
wicked one by manifesting his attributes. Thus they were training
themselves to do the terrible deeds to which he led them on. In the
religious life of the Pharisees there was nothing to recommend piety
to the Gentiles. Jesus bade them not to deceive themselves with the
thought that they could in heart rise up against their oppressors, and
cherish the longing to avenge their wrongs.
It is true there is an indignation that is justifiable, even in the
followers of Christ. When they see that God is dishonored, and His
service brought into disrepute, when they see the innocent oppressed,
a righteous indignation stirs the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive
morals, is not a sin. But those who at any supposed provocation feel at