Since Matthew’s gospel was directed to the Jews and the kingdom age to come, some believe that His teachings don’t apply to the Church age. While it is true that in the future kingdom the Lord’s higher standards will be in effect, the Church is now under Christ as its Head and His commands for disciples apply equally to us today. “All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The Sermon on the Mount touches on many aspects of life – murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, vengeance, love toward others, real worship, prayer and fasting. He taught that the root of sin begins in the heart before it develops into a sinful act. “What comes out of you is what defiles you. For from within, out of your hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewd- ness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile you” (Mk. 7:20-23). How can we overcome these sinful desires? By judging them before the Lord, and consciously turning our thoughts to what is holy and pure: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). When testing or temptations come, remember this promise: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
The Spirit Of The Law
The following verses from Matthew 5 give us some examples of how the Lord quoted from interpretations of the Law given by the religious leaders, and then added to them the spirit of the Law.
The Jews could never keep the Law, and neither can we in our own strength. We can only come up to this standard by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under Law” (Gal. 5:16-18). By accepting the high standards the Lord illustrated in the Sermon on the Mount, and by seeking to practice them, we give evidence of being true disciples of the Lord Jesus.
After the Lord taught the “Beatitudes” (Mt. 5:1-12), or “divine blessings,” He addressed the importance of His disciples’ testimony.
Salt And Light – 5:13-16
Salt is used to prevent corruption. Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled” (5:13). He used this metaphor of salt to show the disciples that their lives should have a positive effect on the world. Salt was rubbed into meat to preserve it and prevent corruption. When a disciple lives a pure and upright life, his example should restrain the wrong doing of those around him.
Consider these examples of salt in the world: William Wilberforce’s influence as a Christian politician led to freeing the slaves in England; George Muller’s faith led him to care for thousands of English orphans; Florence Nightingale, “The lady with the lamp,” said she received a “Christian calling” to change the course of nursing. We may not impact the world as these Christians did, but we need to ask, “What effect am I having on those around me.”
Jesus also compared the Christian’s life to being light in a dark world: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (5:14-16).
This illustration is easy to understand when we think about the darkness of sin that surrounds us. We only have to read the newspaper to see the effect of evil that seems to get worse every day. When I lived in Colombia, South America if I went to the kitchen at night and switched on the light, the cockroaches would scatter in all directions. Does our “light” cause those with evil intentions to run? Jesus’ coming brought light into the world. He said: “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19). We should reflect His light in our world: “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (Jn. 3:20-21).
When the light exposes sinners for what they are, and they turn to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation, they begin new lives that delight in the light. They then join with all Christians and become “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that (we) may declare the praises of Him who called (us) out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
Darkness, The Absence Of Light
I was in a cave when the tour guide extinguished all the lights. It was very dark! Then he lit a match, and that little bit of light brought comfort to all the tourists and proved that darkness is the absence of light. Even a small light in a dark place is quickly seen. We must let our light shine by living the Christian life without hypocrisy and showing the fruit of the Spirit in our walk (Gal. 5:22-23). It may only be a little light, but it can bring comfort to the fearful, direction to the “blind,” and guidance to help the sinner find the One who is the light.
As we follow the Lord we find that He not only lights our path, but also shows us how to live in a way that pleases Him. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). We may not be dazzling lights, but even small ones, not hidden under a bowl, will allow us to let God’s light shine in our lives. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:6-7).
Matthew 5:16 says this: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” The good deeds referred to here are not works to gain salvation. Someone who is not born again is in darkness and can do nothing to get himself into the light. The god of this age will try to confuse him into thinking he can gain salvation by doing good works, by being religious, or by helping the poor. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). Good deeds will only result from coming into the light and developing a personal relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. He gives assurance of new life: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The result of a relationship with the living God is a desire to serve the Lord and our fellow man as we follow His example. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).
Are Our Lights Shining?
Are we light in this dark world? Do our lives testify to what the Lord has done for us? In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord said that our light should be put on a stand so it will give light to everyone. Are we taking Him seriously? Let’s begin to shine today so that others will be attracted to His light.
By Ian Taylor