Some think of Christianity as a once-a-week thing which happens Sunday morning—and for the really fanatical, Sunday evening and Wednesday too! If you read the first section of Jesus’ Sermon on The Mount carefully, however, you’ll see its applications to the everyday events of the Christian’s life. Look at some of the Lord’s statements and you’ll see.
The beatitudes give us some of the general characteristics a Christian should show in his life-style. He is to be gentle, merciful, a peacemaker, and one who tries to be righteous in what he does. This is so different from the standards of our culture that a Christian will automatically stand out as a good person. The everyday attitudes you see around you today are so often the opposite of the Christian’s and you need to be careful not to be drawn away by them.
There’s always been a temptation to be angry, and anger often leads to destructive acts, even to murder. Remember Cain’s reaction to the way Abel’s offering was accepted and his was not? Jesus says, “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court” (Matthew 5:22) and continues by condemning insulting behavior (vv. 22-23). If we have offended a brother or sister by our words or actions, we need to do everything we can to apologize, make things right, and be at peace with them. We should be on guard not to fall in with or adopt the angry attitudes of the society around us.
Our media, particularly television and the movies, are constantly presenting women in revealing or scanty clothing and trying to persuade us that there is no such thing as sexual immorality. Jesus says, “I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). The Lord continues: “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you,” and warns that “it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for you whole body to be thrown into hell” (v. 29). Be careful how you look—untoward glances are an embarrassment to women and a danger to you.
Recent scandals have shown that even in the highest levels of government and leading corporations, people have abandoned their integrity, broken their promises, and betrayed the trust that has been placed in them. Jesus talks about false vows and says, “Make no oath at all … but let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no;’ and anything beyond these is of evil” (Matthew 5:37). As you go about your business from day to day, your word should be your bond and you should deliver what you promise, when you promised it.
You need to give up the “eye for an eye” and “tooth for a tooth” philosophy that seems to be the habit of many in today’s world. “I’ll get you back” should be a concept which is foreign to our attitudes and speech. Jesus’ famous statement goes: “I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). From the Lord’s instructions on this point we also learn to “go the extra mile” and not to “turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (vv. 41, 42).
The Lord’s final point in this section is about love. The standard viewpoint was, and still is: “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” Jesus says, “I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He asks some very pertinent questions: “If you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (vv. 46, 47). The answer to most problems you might encounter with others is to interact with them from an attitude of love. Read and think about Paul’s great discussion of the nature of love which you’ll find in 1 Corinthians 13—then make it part of your everyday life.
Jesus ends the first section of His Sermon on The Mount by setting before us the highest standard of behavior: “You are to be prefect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Let’s work at it!