You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. —
Matthew 5:27-28
The notion of Jesus coming to fulfil the Law is a difficult one for many. The Law is literally impossible to obey in its entirety. So for Jesus to stress in verse 18 that not one jot or tittle of the Law would pass away till it was fulfilled was very intriguing.Matthew 5:27-28
Many people see grace as a license to an easy life because the Law which was our schoolmaster, according to Galatians 3:24, has been abolished in Christ. That is what made Paul ask in Romans 6:1, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” And his answer in verse 2 was, “Certainly not.” The Christlike standard of grace is therefore far higher than that of the Law. From verse 21, Jesus contrasts some grievous sins under the Law with His expectations under grace. He shows that under grace, unjustifiable anger is comparable to murder and lust to adultery.
The Law focuses on sin after it is committed. Grace deals with the motives and intentions before the action is even committed. Grace works by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Law arrests us when we commit sin; grace arrests us before we sin in order to prevent us from committing it, in the first place. The Law says “stone her” when we fall, but grace says, “neither do I condemn you”; however, it also adds, “Go and sin no more.” God’s grace is available to help us live a victorious Christlike life.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to walk in the grace and to experience Your glory.Scripture Reading:
Matthew 5:17-28
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