Matthew 5:21-26
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.
It is horrible to murder people. It is horrible to build up lies
against you. It is even horrible to steal from people. Jezebel has brought all
these crimes together. But here are Jesus words. He speaks of hatful and harsh
words that are liable to eternal punishment.
Many of us have spoken against a person in a moment. Many of us
have desiered to take our words back. Sometimes we build up large strains of
words to torment and torture other individuals. Many people refer to this as
bullying. I thought for a long time it was rooting for a sports team. When you
taunt the batter at the plate, or player at the free-throw line, you are
calling him a fool.
Think of all the evil things you have told your neighbor. I know
that I wish I could take some of it back. I also know that I desire not to have
it build up against me. Settle your differences, bury the dagger, make peace
with your enemies are all good things.
God buried his Son. He offered a sacrifice to settle your
differences. He broke down the dividing wall to bring peace between you and
himself. He welcomes you into the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells you of the harsh
laws and proper consequences. Jesus comes to tell us the proper will of God for
your life. God’s will also includes his Kingdom coming to you and saving you
from your sins.
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