“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 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.” (Matthew 5:21-22, ESV)
Jesus previously presented two key points in this masterful sermon. In it He stated the purpose of the children of the kingdom and the requirements for citizenship in the kingdom. Following these two points He presented some interesting concepts that went against contemporary thought.
Jesus presented six clarifications to the people’s understanding of the Law. He used the words, “You have heard that it was said . . . But I say to you” to clarify that fulfilling the purposes of the kingdom was a matter of the heart. In these six clarifications Jesus emphasized that fulfilling the purposes of the kingdom was not possible though external obedience to a written code. It was something that must originate from the heart.
He indicated that unbridled anger, which stems from the heart, is the same as murder (v21-26). He taught that to lust for a woman is the same as committing adultery (v27-30). He indicated that to divorce a woman on grounds other than sexual immorality caused her to commit adultery (v31-32). Similarly, Jesus went on to speak of true integrity, being longsuffering with others, and loving enemies (v33-48).
His words presented a concept that few, if any, understood. The new concept was that they would need something different, an indwelling righteousness, which is a transformation of the heart.
This should not have been something new to their theological understanding. It is exactly what the prophets said. Look at the Lord’s words revealed through Ezekiel.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27, ESV)
The prophet wrote of the New Covenant. This is the work of God, by which he changes the heart of a believer. It is what we call regeneration, that is being born again. In this work, the believer experiences an inward transformation of heart, receiving a new divine nature. A child and citizen of the kingdom of must have a nature appropriate for the kingdom.
From this there are several key points. First, the Divine standard for conduct is higher than externalism as it goes to the thoughts and intents of the heart. Second, no man can meet such a standard through human effort, for the heart of man is corrupt. Last, true citizens of the kingdom can only meet the Divine standard by God’s grace through faith. Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Ephesians.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10, ESV)
Renewing the Heart 