Moving On Up

Matthew 5:1, 20-26, Hebrews 10:38

 

Many of us remember “Movin’ on Up”, the theme song of the light-hearted comedy “The Jeffersons”.  When done well, comedy can inspire without offending, challenge without insulting, and correct without hurting.  It can bring us to a point of relaxed reflection and contemplation.  In the text, Jesus was aiming for the same contemplative effect in His disciples without comedic means.  He attempted to move His disciples up the mountain of understanding.  Where Moses introduced the Law to Israel at the foot of Mt. Sinai, Jesus was teaching His disciples at the top of the mountain.  Jesus did not contradict Moses, but taught God’s law at a higher level of understanding of the higher standard of what God wanted from us.

 

1. The New Law Holds You Accountable For Your Attitude.

Too many Christians have a bad attitude, expressed as being disrespectful, smart-mouthed, condescending, angry, saying anything that comes to mind.  A bad attitude makes people law-breakers of the greater Law Christ taught.  His new Law holds us to a higher standard where the heart of the Law is the heart.

 

2. The Law Of Reconciliation Is To Be Practiced With Greater Frequency Than Civil Law.

The practice of righteous principles keeps relations righteous.  Regularly demonstrating humility, forgiveness, honesty, courtesy while being non-combative or intimidating promotes harmony in relationships.  This is the righteous witness God wants Christians to demonstrate to a sinful and lost world.