Matthew 5 begins Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." There is so much in this "sermon" I really should blog it one verse at a time. Reading through it though, I see a progression of thought. Jesus begins, "Blessed are those..." He then moves to, "You are salt and light," then, "understand this..." Finally, beginning in verse 21 he essentially says, "Therefore live like this..." We cannot separate God's values, who we are in Christ, and what God is doing in the world, from how we live.
Some of us revel in the theology of the scriptures, but we never get around to actually doing anything with it. Theology that does not change how we live is poor theology. On the other hand, there are those who say, “Don't bother me with all this thinking and evaluating, just tell me what to do.” But theology changes perspective. How and why we do something is just as important to God as what we do. Obedience that does not flow out of a right heart and mind is not obedience.
Do you doubt that statement? Here are three illustrations. Does a wife want her husband to bring her flowers because he must or because he loves her? Flowers aren't just flowers. The reason he is bringing them makes all the difference. Do we want our children to obey because they fear the consequences or because they respect us as parents? Obedience is not just obedience. "Change your attitude young man" is frequently heard. When we say, "Come to dinner" we don't mean, throw your toys and stomp to the dinner table because you don't want to obey. How and why they obey is just as important as that they obey. Finally, look at Jesus own teaching.
Jesus is saying that what goes on in the heart and mind is just as important as what we actually do. Does God call us to obedience? Absolutely! But he calls us to obedience that flows out of right belief. We cannot separate truth from lifestyle.
Some of us revel in the theology of the scriptures, but we never get around to actually doing anything with it. Theology that does not change how we live is poor theology. On the other hand, there are those who say, “Don't bother me with all this thinking and evaluating, just tell me what to do.” But theology changes perspective. How and why we do something is just as important to God as what we do. Obedience that does not flow out of a right heart and mind is not obedience.
Do you doubt that statement? Here are three illustrations. Does a wife want her husband to bring her flowers because he must or because he loves her? Flowers aren't just flowers. The reason he is bringing them makes all the difference. Do we want our children to obey because they fear the consequences or because they respect us as parents? Obedience is not just obedience. "Change your attitude young man" is frequently heard. When we say, "Come to dinner" we don't mean, throw your toys and stomp to the dinner table because you don't want to obey. How and why they obey is just as important as that they obey. Finally, look at Jesus own teaching.
Matthew 5:27-28 NIV
You have heard that it was said, '"You shall not commit adultery." But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Jesus is saying that what goes on in the heart and mind is just as important as what we actually do. Does God call us to obedience? Absolutely! But he calls us to obedience that flows out of right belief. We cannot separate truth from lifestyle.
Father, this seems to be a delicate balance. I must confess that I do not always keep my theology and my actions in synch. Continue to mold me into the image of Jesus. Don't let me get away with anything less.
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