The Word On The Street

The "word on the street". Things we "hear" and often act upon or believe.

For instance.

You have heard it said that Craigslist is a great way to sell stuff.

But I tell you that over 2/3's of the responses you get are scams and you have to be very careful.

I don't know but I've been told, living in an igloo sure is cold.

In reality I have also heard that they are actually quite warm.

Jesus addressed the word on the street, and countered with the Word of Truth.

Matt. 5:21: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court."

Sounds reasonable. Who wouldn't believe that?

In essence it's the truth. However, sometimes what we know as the truth is superseded by a greater truth.

Many things we "have heard" is the truth, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't heed the greater truth.

Listen to Jesus' response to the issue of murder.

Vs. 22: "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire."

Notice how Jesus tweaks it a bit?

He's not disputing that killing someone is bad, and deserving of punishment, but He takes it up a notch.

He raises the stakes. He holds our feet to the fire. He insinuates that we murder in our thoughts and words, and in our attitude towards others.

If we do not act out of the purified center of the transformed heart, we are liable to judgment as sure as if we plunged a knife into our fellow man.

Matthew 5 is full of those "You have heard... but I tell you."

Here's one a little more down to earth and more relative to a greater number of people.

vs. 27: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'."

vs.28: "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Yikes. 

See what I mean?

We thought we were off the hook as long as we didn't do the dirty deed.

Jesus comes along and while not denying the previous truth reinforces and cranks it up a bit.

Thinking about committing adultery with someone is as bad as actually committing adultery.

*Gulp*

Swallow hard only if you have no intention of believing and adhering to the truth, which in actuality is really all contained in believing and adhering to Jesus.

No checklists to keep. No zillion laws to worry about breaking.

Jesus says in Matt. 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. Keep Jesus, keep the Law.

No more guess work. In Jesus you are washed by His sacrifice. Purified. Regenerated. Given a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17). In the eyes of Jesus we are what is called "justified".

Get in touch with that today will you?

You'd be surprised how many Christians are living under bondage to their old ways and to the O.T. Law, not realizing they have been freed from that.

It's like being thin and always seeing yourself as obese.

It's the disease of not seeing yourself as you really are.

If you are a disciple of Christ today then see yourself as Jesus sees you.

He sees you as the object of His affection. He is the Lover of your soul.

Be blessed! Run everything past Him first!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

www.reallifect.com