Matthew 5:21-32
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 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. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 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. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Reflection
The Mosaic law (Israel’s national contract with God that was first given to Moses at Mount Sinai) forbids murder and adultery, but Jesus explains that these sinful behaviors are rooted in sinful desires. If we want to live like citizens of God’s kingdom, we cannot merely focus on external behavior. We must give significant attention to the motives that drive our actions. God is not interested in heartless moral behavior from his people. The obedience that God desires from us is supposed to flow from a transformed heart. This is precisely why the careful obedience of the scribes and the Pharisees was empty in God’s sight (Matt. 5:20).
However, this does not mean that we give exclusive attention to our motives, or that we should be passive in the fight against sin. Those whose hearts have been transformed by the gospel (the good news about Jesus) should be willing to make significant sacrifices in order to avoid becoming tangled up in sin that will ultimately lead to devastating spiritual consequences (see also 18:8–9).
Romans 3:27-31
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Reflection
God’s salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ eliminates all “boasting” (Rom. 3:27). We cannot take any credit for our rescue from sin. There is no religious system or achievement through which any sinful human can meet the righteous standards of God’s law. There is one God, one humanity (both Jew and Gentile; v. 29), and one way of salvation: Jesus Christ’s perfect work received by faith (v. 30).
The work of Christ does not eliminate the Old Testament, but rather brings it to fulfillment (v. 31). The book of Romans itself has dozens of Old Testament references, which helps us see that the whole Bible, not just the New Testament, is God’s inspired Word.
Psalm 79:9
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
Salvation leaves no room for boasting in ourselves, but calls for generous praise to God our Savior. Praise the Father for sending his Son; praise the Son for giving his life; and praise the Spirit for awakening dead hearts.