Matt. 5:17-48

Don't misunderstand what I'm doing here. I didn't come to discredit everything God has already taught you, and everything that has been passed down to you through tradition. All of that stuff--the sacrificial laws and opaque prophecies--they were pointing to me. I came to fill those ancient words with new meaning; or really, to show you the meaning that has been there all along. Don't take this lightly or use me as an excuse to ignore what Scripture actually says. Not a single law or word of prophecy will become obsolete until it has accomplished everything it was intended to accomplish. Whoever makes nothing of one of God's commands--no matter how small and inconsequential it seems--and then leads other to do the same, that person is accomplishing nothing of eternal value. On the other hand, anyone who obeys them and even teaches them to others, that person is spreading the character of God in huge ways.

But listen closely, even if you obey the law as well as the most meticulous priest or pastor you can imagine, that still wouldn't put you in relationship with God.

Growing up you were always taught that you shouldn't murder. If you did, you'd be considered guilty by everyone. But I say that even if you get mad at a friend you're guilty. If you insult him to his face you should go to court; actually, if you tear him down with your words you deserve death. This is so important that if you're sitting in church and realize that things aren't right with a friend, you should get up and walk out. Go to your friend and make things right, then go back to church. Along the same lines, if someone sues you, figure things out with them before it goes to court. Otherwise you'll be at the mercy of the judge and once you get your sentence, your power to compromise and make things right will be gone.

Growing up you were always taught that you shouldn't sleep around. But I'm telling you, if you even look at a woman in an impure way, that's just as bad! If your biggest struggles start when you look places you shouldn't, cut your eyes out of your head and throw them off a cliff. Or if your hands are the problem, slice them off and feeds them to the dogs. Seriously, aren't you better off losing a small piece of who you are, rather than letting your whole body be dragged along and destroyed by the miseries of sin?

If you want to divorce your spouse, you're considered a respectable person as long as you fill out all the paperwork. But the way I see it, if you leave your wife for any reason other than sexual unfaithfulness, you're forcing her to break her vows, and anyone who marries her is committing adultery.

You were always told not to break your oaths, but I say don't swear oaths at all. Anything you could possibly swear by--heaven, earth, Jerusalem--they were all created by God. Even your own head isn't under your power! You could stare in a mirror all day long and not be able to change the color of one hair, so how do you expect to have power over future events? Speak with confidence about the present; leave the future in God's hands.

"If you hit me, I'm going to hit you back." That's your right, isn't it? But what if you didn't resist people who mean to harm you? What if, when someone punched you in the jaw on the right side of your face, you turned your left jaw so they had a clear shot? And if someone thinks you owe them your shirt, why not give them your coat too? If someone wants something from you, give it to them!

It seems natural to love your friends and family, and to hate the people who hurt you. But I say, show kindness towards the people who have hurt you most deeply. Desire good things for them! If you do, people will recognize God's character in you. Think about it. People who hate God and spend their lives cursing his name, they get to experience the beauty of a sunset or a starry sky just as often as those who have dedicated their lives to serving God. If you claim to follow God, imitate him in that! What's so noble about showing love to your friends, anyway? Everybody does that, even the very worst people. Don't define your goodness by comparing yourself to criminals; you will always be able to think of someone worse than yourself. Try comparing yourself to the perfect Creator, then see how you match up.