17. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
There is a great deal of discussion about the international laws of the Geneva Convention and NATO’s condemnation of Vladimir Putin of Russia and even retaliation of Israel in Gaza. With the unrest in the Middle East and dictators like in Kim Jong-un of North Korea, Xi Jinping of China and war in Africa is supposed to be fought with rules too. Leaders of oppressive countries are being accused of breaking many of the international laws and may be brought to trial if arrested.
In the United States we vote for legislators to think of new laws for us. That is basically the purpose of the legislature to use their terms of office thinking up laws Group pressures, votes and money help make laws and change laws.
Some people think God's laws are also up for vote. God does not rule the world by a democratic vote. We may follow His laws or we may go against them. When we break them, there are consequences. There is but one lawyer or intercessor before God. His name is Jesus Christ. There are no loopholes or juries to determine our guilt or innocence. Before God on the throne perfect justice will be done.
We cannot change the laws of God despite what we think or feel. We do not have a vote to come before the Lord and say, "God we've been thinking, we have formed a little grievance committee and wish to issue a formal protest to some of the things that you have set down in Scripture. We think you are much too narrow minded and unfair in certain areas."
We cannot negotiate with God. God is God. The clay does not tell the potter what to do, the potter makes the clay into the shape and for the purpose that He has intended. Now if the clay is not pliable and moldable, God says He throws out that piece of clay and takes another and makes what He wants. There are consequences to breaking God's laws.
Jesus speaks to His audience about matters of importance to them. They are Jews, so they have been trained that righteousness comes by obeying the Mosaic law. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount Jesus compares His precepts of righteousness compared to the law followed by the Pharisees. He teaches us more about the place of the law.
Application: Which laws do you think no longer apply to Christians today? Which do?
Prayer: Jesus, You are my righteousness! Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit that enables me to walk in Your ways.
