Matthew 5:21-26 – A NEW STANDARD

When Jesus presented the Sermon on the Mount he raised the standards by which people should live.  I imagine that people thought they were behaving okay as long as they didn’t kill anyone! Jesus shows here that undue anger is sin.

THE STATEMENT OF SCRIPTURE – Vs. 21

Exodus 20:13 is clear that murder is wrong.

THE SINS OF THE HEART AND MOUTH – Vs. 22

Anger without cause that leads to anger with the tongue are serious sins. 1 John 3:15

THE SOLUTION FROM JESUS – Vss. 23-26

I think of us as coming to the “altar” of prayer today.

When we remember that we have openly sinned against someone, we are to first confess to God (1 John 1:9) and then apologize to the person against whom we have sinned. Then we are in a position to offer our gifts to God.