Ok so it’s been a while since I’ve posted but I think I’m allowed since nobody is really reading this blog yet lol. My wife and I have been busy busy working on getting the ministry going and our room rearranged. Yay for moving furniture! Anyhow here are some more thoughts on the kingdom I’ve been chewing on:
Matt 5:17-20 “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 For truly I tell you, 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 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly 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.”
First of all Jesus is not saying that Christians are under the law. What He is saying is that the law is good and will always be the standard this side of eternity. He is also saying that He is going to fulfill the law, ergo if you are a Christian (in Christ) the law is fulfilled in you furthermore you are dead and not bound by it. Up until the time of His sacrifice and resurrection the law was still something everyone had to abide by. Christ understood however that the law was in itself unable to bring the perfection God required because it was unable to change the hearts of people. This is why there is still something more required.
“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.” Now I used to think Jesus was here referring to the imbued righteousness we get when we become Christians. This is not what He is referring too. After this section of scripture He goes on to elaborate on the righteousness He is referring to (Matt 5:21-48). It is a righteousness beginning in our heart and not merely of our actions. This is why mere adherence to the law is never enough and we must be completely recreated. Like it or not we, in our unregenerate state, will always fall short in our thoughts and heart regardless of what our actions truly are.
To sum up: in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (i.e. kingdom of God; same thing) we must not only be obedient to the law in our actions but in our heart and desires also. Anything less than this is falling short of the true intent of God’s law (i.e. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.)
