The True Intention Of The Law

May 7, 2022

Devotions:

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” ‭Matthew‬ ‭5:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After teaching in Matthew that our righteousness must be greater than the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus goes on to illustrate that fact. He talks about not just doing the act of murdering someone but even entertaining the idea or having anger in your heart towards someone without cause is the same as doing it. 

Some say that this is a higher law of grace but in reality Jesus is showing the true intent of the law. The scribes and Pharisees through they were keeping the law because they did not murder someone but their hearts we full of unjustified anger and rash words cursing people. Jesus was pointing out that they could not keep the law and be justified before God. They needed a savior. 

Grace is not our effort to keep a higher law but to look to the one who has already kept the law perfectly and has given us His perfection. Then as we look to His presence within us as new creations, we look to Him to live His perfection through us. We look to His finished work of redemption and salvation. 

We do not double down on our efforts to try to be pleasing to God. We totally accept God‘s solution in Christ Jesus. As we walk in His love, we fulfill the law totally.