The Heart of Murder-Matthew 5:21-26

C.H. Spurgeon bemoaned the fact that, "When I have a hasty thought against a man and wish him out of the world, I have killed him in thought, and even though I may disguise the wish under the expression of wishing him in heaven, there is guilt in the desire. Oh the hard, cruel, black thoughts which men have towards one another, when they are angry; why they kill and slay a thousand times over. These hasty sins are soon forgotten by us, but they are not so soon forgotten by God." This sin of thought and heart, though not of hand, is what Jesus taught was so damning about the external righteousness of the religious elite of His day. They deluded themselves that they obeyed God's law since they did not commit murder with clubs or knives, yet Jesus condemns even the initial sinful thoughts that lead down that path. Oh how much we need a surpassing righteousness found only in Christ! Jesus teaches that those who have become His followers by repentant faith, who have been reconciled to Him, will do all possible to be reconciled to his brother. This shows he has entered into God's kingdom and behaves as a kingdom kid. Join us this Lord's Day for a study on "The Heart of Murder" (Matt 5:21-26).