By: Kenneth E. Yoder
Text: Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill
18 For verity I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one Jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The subject, The Moral Teachings of Jesus, is one of those that is easily misunderstood. One of the reasons is the tendency to depreciate the necessity of righteous living. Another reason is the trend to minimize the authority of the law of God. I want to review some basic principles of the moral teachings of Jesus. The highest standard of holiness is that which comes from the teachings of our Master. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compared the true spirit of the Old Testament commandments with the traditional interruptions that were being taught. He elaborated upon them in a spiritual manner. He expounded the true spirit of the law showing that the spirit of obedience goes beyond the observance of the letter of law. Obedience that is merely an observance of the letter of the law is not acceptable to God
Someone may claim, "I have done what God has commanded me to do." However, that is never true unless done in the right spirit and for the right reasons. Unless one obeys out of a purity of heart, it is never true that he has obeyed God. Many are deceived. They believe that they are obeying God when in reality they are not obeying him at all. They know almost nothing of what it means to obey God. They know next to nothing about the moral and spiritual requirements of God's law. They believe that they are obeying the law by merely keeping it in an external manner, (in the letter). We never keep God's law unless we internalize the spirit required by the law. Obedience from a holy and pure inner spirit is the actual intention of the law. That is what God precisely designed and purposed in the giving of his law.
Someone may exclaim, "that is a high standard!" I know it is. All of Jesus' moral teachings are high standards as we shall see in this study. These high standards are what sets apart the followers of Christ from both the secular and religious world.
In Matthew 5:20, Jesus said, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Christians ought to live by a higher standard than the false professors of religion. Then in Matthew 5:46,47 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? We also must live better than the sinful secular world. If we do not, then we are no better than they are.
Jesus' moral teachings are based upon Old Testaments principles. Too many for too long have discounted the significance of the Old Testament law and belittled its moral precepts. The Old Testament commandments that were canceled with the passing of the dispensation are those that formed the ceremonial part of the law. The moral principles of the law are still valid. Jesus fully accepted the authority of the Old Testament. Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one Jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
A jot or a tittle is similar to the dot over our "i" or the cross bar on our "t". It was not a whole letter, but only a portion of a Hebrew letter. The meaning of Jesus' statement is clear. The authority of God's law will never pass away while heaven and earth remained. If not even a portion of a letter can be removed, then certainly no moral principle of God's law has been voided. These verses show beyond any reasonable doubt that Jesus fully accepted the authority of the Old Testament. Jesus recognized the moral claims of the Old Testament law. We should never regard Jesus' moral teachings as depreciating or belittling the Old Testament law. Jesus was not putting down the law when He said, "thou hast heard—but I say unto you.” The contrast between what the people had heard and what Jesus taught is not a contrast between the Old Testament law and Jesus' teachings. Rather, it is a contrast between their misunderstanding of the law and the true spiritual meaning of the law. He was not playing down the value of the Old Testament commandments but fully endorsed them by explaining the true meaning of those commandments.
We should view Jesus' explanation of the law as focusing on the spirit or the true meaning of God's moral law. God never intended nor allowed his people to be outwardly righteous while inwardly full of corruption. This is never permitted in either the Old Testament or the New Testament Scriptures. Every one of the Old Testament prophets cried out against mere outward formality as strongly as any writer of the New Testament. As an example please see Isaiah 1:10-15.
The moral teachings of Jesus are not to be interpreted in a legalistic manner. This was the error of the Pharisees. Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The righteousness of the Pharisees and Scribes consisted of a strict observance of the external details of the law while ignoring its true spiritual meaning. The spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. The Pharisees were careful to observe the letter of the law. They were not extortioners, unjust, nor adulterers. They fasted twice a week and paid tithes on everything, (see Luke 18:11,12). Paul's personal testimony in Phillippians 3:6 could have been claimed by other Pharisees, touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Nevertheless, Jesus declared that if our righteousness did not exceed the righteousness of Pharisees, we could never go to Heaven. If our righteousness is merely an external legalistic keeping of God's commandments, we will not enter the kingdom of God.
To understand Jesus' moral teachings we must consider his concept of holiness or righteousness. Jesus' concept is one of inward character and not mere outward conduct. That is the reason He said that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. He was not referring to outward conduct because one could not live better than a Pharisee in that regard. Jesus' concept of righteousness was one of inward quality and character. Jesus refused to judge a man simply by what he did, without reference to why he did it. Jesus did not compliment a person for righteousness merely because of what he did. He commended a person for righteousness because of why he did it. If a man prayed for the wrong reason, (say, for pretense he made long prayers) then Jesus condemned those prayers, (see Matthew 23:14). Jesus condemned their motive for praying, not the act of praying.
Jesus condemned those who gave alms for the wrong reason. He condemned those who gave to be seen of others, (see Matthew 6:1-4). Likewise Jesus condemned those who fasted for the wrong reasons, (see Matthew 6:16-18). The point is that unless we judge sin and righteousness by the same standard as Jesus did, we may credit ourselves with righteousness that we do not possess. The righteousness of the Pharisees, was one that paid close attention to the external acts of obedience but neglected the inward attitudes of righteousness. They were not careful to observe the spirit of the law. What a person is, is more important to God, than what he does. Please understand me, it is very important what a person does but his internal essence is more important.
Jesus insisted that a pure heart is what constitutes true righteousness. Jesus' teachings of inward righteousness focused attention on man's will. You cannot contemplate righteousness as Jesus taught it and not consider the will. Jesus expected a full surrender of one's will to God. There can be no righteousness without this surrender. The moral teachings of Jesus cannot be imposed upon a stubborn unyielding will. You cannot impose this standard of righteousness upon those who have not surrendered their will to God. It is utterly impossible! It is a contradiction of terms because these moral principles call for a surrendered will. To try to impose these inward righteous standards upon a will that is not yielded to God is simply impossible. To live according to Jesus' moral teachings is impossible unless one is willing to surrender to God. The way Jesus taught us to live is utterly impossible without this surrender, because the heart of the issue is relinquishing our self interests.
Obedience as Jesus taught it, is not a matter of obeying a legal code but a matter of surrender and devotion to God. Some have never found the joy of obedience because their obedience is legalistic. A surrendered will and a heart that seeks to please God will find freedom and joy in obedience. I repeat, without this surrender you cannot even begin to approach the standard of righteousness that Jesus taught
Jesus' moral teachings are a description of the character of a lover of God rather than a set of rules. It is a description of one who has surrendered to God. It is a description of a committed believer who is consecrated to God. Jesus' teachings describe what such individuals are like.
Jesus' moral teachings describe the standard of righteousness that is necessary to be in harmony and fellowship with God. The content of these moral teachings are what a man must be if he is going to be in fellowship with God. One must possess a spirit like God's to be in harmony with God. Notice Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. That is another way of saying, be like God. One must possess a like-spirit or a like-nature as God. Also I Peter 1:15,16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. The moral teachings of the Bible are not a straight-jacket to one whose supreme desire is to please God. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. If Jesus' moral teachings irritate or gall you, then your spirit is not attuned with God. To attempt to get people who are not in harmony with God to live up to the standard Jesus taught is unrealistic. They will argue with you and refuse to accept these standards. Those who love God desire to know more about how to please Him. As a Pastor, I have found this to be true. As you enlighten the minds of those who love God concerning His will, they desire more and more, while others bicker and reject the same teachings. God's people are those who readily accept God's will. No one can be a member of the Kingdom of God who has not submitted to the rule of God. Do you find yourselves arguing with these righteous principles, then it is evidence that something is wrong. If you find yourselves resisting the moral principles of Jesus' teachings, it demonstrates you are not in harmony with God. If you opposed principles of holiness, it is because you are not attuned with righteousness.
In my pastoral ministry I do not spend as much time teaching the letter of the law as I do the moral principles of the law. As an example of what I mean, I recently taught on the subject of not being an offense. Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. The word offend means to lead another person into sin. This is a broad moral principle that has a practical bearing in many areas of life. It requires an overruling attitude that makes one careful to avoid everything that would cause another to sin. The threatened judgment is severe against an offender. Jesus said, "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Some obey entirely out of fear of punishment. They are careful not to offend another because they do not want to experience the threatened judgment. However, such a response is not the true meaning or spirit of Jesus' teachings. The spirit of this commandment is love. One loves his brother too much to allow anything in his life that would cause him to fall into sin.
Some of our congregations have fallen into the snare of legalism. They have abandoned moral principles and have substituted legal requirements. A congregation that does this will not be able to distinguish between those who are holy and those who are not. The reason is simple. A person may measure to the legal requirements and still be far from inward purity. The moral principles of inward purity are so desperately needed in this hour of apostasy.
Others try to divorce Jesus' teachings from His redemptive work. This cannot be done. These moral teachings are not to be considered apart from the cleansing that salvation brings. These moral teachings set an impossible standard for anyone who has not experienced the radical cleansing of salvation.
Jesus not only furnishes us with moral standards of righteousness but He also supplies us with the spiritual power to live by them. That spiritual power is supplied to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure, (see Phillipians 2:13). Any attempt to carry out the moral teachings of Jesus without the aid of the Holy Spirit will prove unsuccessful. A radical, fundamental transformation of character is necessary. The moral teachings of Jesus find their foundation in the saving work of Jesus. We are a new creation. We are God's workmanship crafted by Him unto good works, (see Ephesians 2:10). Jesus' moral teachings are not the basis for forming secular society but for the moral guidance of God's people. Jesus' moral teachings are for people who are dedicated and consecrated to God.
Let us briefly turn our attention to some examples of Jesus' moral teachings. First, the law forbidding murder. Matthew 5:21-26 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. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought
against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Jesus explained that God's law forbidding murder, thou shalt not kill, was intended to forbid bitter anger and hate. One does not have to kill someone to be a murderer in God's sight. I John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." One may claim never to have broken the law of murder. However, the pertinent question is, Do you hate? If so, you have broken the spirit of the law forbidding murder, because the spirit of the law forbids hatred. Jesus forbids us to be angry without a cause. He also condemned the sin of name calling which arises from anger. He further revealed that one's worship is not acceptable to God, if he has any of these sins in their heart. Suppose hatred exists in your heart against another and you come to worship God. Jesus taught that you should leave off your worship and go to be reconciled with your brother. After being reconciled, you may come to offer your worship to the Lord. You cannot be in a right relationship with God and have ill-will towards any other human being. Jesus condemned anger and hatred as the root causes of murder. Each must guard his own spirit to prevent ill-will and anger from leading us to hatred. It is not enough to refrain from murder; we must refrain from hating.
Second, Jesus expounded the commandment that forbids adultery. Matthew 5:27-32 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a women to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into he/I. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, caused her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Jesus quoted the Old Testament law, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Jesus proceeded to explain the real intention of that law, (what it actually meant). It condemns lustful looks, whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart. This commandment demands inward impurity as well as moral conduct. The law forbidding adultery extends to the reason for divorce. To divorce your spouse for the purpose of marrying another is adultery. Jesus' teachings focus on the need to be pure in heart in these matters.
Third, Jesus dealt with the subject of telling the truth. Matthew 5:33-37 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Truth telling ought to characterize God's people. Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor for we are members one of another. The need to be truthful with each other is of great importance. One reason the church has lost her credibility is because her members are not truthful to one another. Jesus said, "swear not at all. "There is no need for swearing an oath if a person is absolutely truthful. One who has a high regard for truth has no need to swear. Some say, "I swear to God, I am telling the truth." The implication of such statements is that they may not always speak the truth. All such oaths are unnecessary and in fact evil. But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. One should simply be truthful at all times.
Fourth, Jesus dealt with the principle of justice. Matthew 5:38-42 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Jesus said, "whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." This is not instructions on how to be a weakling. No weakling could possibly obey this commandment, because it takes formidable courage to conform with Jesus' teachings in this area. There is a depth in what Jesus is teaching that is often not realized. In turning the other cheek or in refusing to contest a law suit or in going the extra mile or in not refusing those who ask to borrow, there is a moral principle that forbids one to seek his own good as supreme. It also forbids the spirit of revenge. It demands the renouncing of the "get-even" attitude. That attitude should be absent in a Christian's heart.
Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Fifth, in verses 43 through 48, Jesus expounded probably the highest moral principle that He taught. Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite fully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Jesus said, "you have heard that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say unto you love your enemies." I cannot conceive of anything more revolutionary than that statement. I cannot imagine anything more contrary to human nature than the following statement. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite fully use you, and persecute you. Some professing Christians simply refuse to live by these principles.
I am not going to take time to review the entire Sermon on the Mount Time and space will not permit me to do so. You may pursue it on your own. As you study the moral teachings of Jesus you will discover that he condemned many sins. Listed below are a few: covetousness, materialism, greed, self-centeredness, unbelief, immorality, arrogance, pride, envy, lack of self-control, causing another to sin, hypocrisy, deceit, revenge and such like. On the other hand he commended many acts and attitudes of holiness, a few of which follows: humility, meekness, mercy, forgiveness, purity of motives, turning the other cheek, love to God and man, restricting one's liberties, having the right priorities and such like.
These moral teachings of Jesus should be the foundation of the church's standard of righteousness. A person who loves God will readily adopt these moral principles as the standards for his life. If a person does not love God, he will refuse to conform with these moral principles. No one can enforce these moral principles upon a rebellious will. Do you find yourself arguing with these standards? Do you find yourself looking for loop-holes? Remember, if you are not in harmony with Jesus' moral principles then you cannot possibly be in fellowship with God.
These moral principles of holiness are revealing. They are like a mirror. As you look into that mirror you see the reflection of your character. It is in the light of these moral principles that one can rightly judge his own moral character. These principles of holiness describe the moral qualities of a true believer.
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