In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus redefined what it means to live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom. He didn’t just focus on outward behavior— He went straight to the heart.
Many people in Jesus’s day thought they were righteous because they followed religious rules. The Pharisees, for example, were experts at keeping the letter of the law. But Jesus shocked His listeners by saying, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20) What did He mean? Following rules on the outside isn’t enough if your heart stays unchanged. God wants more than outward compliance—He wants inward transformation.
Jesus gave examples to explain.
He said, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21–22) In other words, hatred and bitterness poison the heart. They may not lead to physical violence, but they break the spirit of God’s command.
Jesus also taught about purity. The religious leaders said, “Do not commit adultery,” but Jesus pointed out that even entertaining lustful thoughts is sin. Lust begins in the heart and can damage relationships long before any outward action is taken.
Both examples show that sin starts on the inside. Jesus calls His followers to be people of peace and reconciliation. He said that if you realize someone has something against you, it’s more important to make things right with them than to go through the motions of worship. God cares deeply about how we treat each other.
In the same way, Jesus taught His followers to guard their hearts from lust. He used bold imagery to make the point—saying it’s better to remove the source of temptation than to let it destroy you from the inside out. The goal isn’t just avoiding scandal or shame; it’s living in purity, in thought and action.
God calls His people to a higher standard, not to oppress us but to protect us. As English Baptist Minister known as the Prince of Preachers Charles Spurgeon said, “If Christ has died for me, I cannot trifle with the evil that killed my best Friend.”
If you’re ready to learn more about living as a citizen of God’s Kingdom, come visit LECC at 415897 Highway 9. Small group Bible study begins at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and all-age activities meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. We’d love to walk alongside you on this journey.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
