A Righteousness of the Heart - Putting off Lust and Pursuing Purity - Matthew 5:27-30

Sermons and Podcasts

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is teaching what it looks like to live as the people of God. What becomes abundantly clear is that God’s standard is much different than the standard of the scribes and Pharisees. In fact, Jesus says that the true people of God will have a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. In Matthew 5:21-48 Jesus offers six examples contrasting the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees and the true law of God. What’s clear is that the righteousness of God is a righteousness of the heart and it goes far beyond the lines and parameters of the religious leaders. Further, we can never live up to God’s standard – but instead He gives those who are His new hearts – hearts that hunger and thirst for true righteousness. In 5:27-30 Jesus gives the second of His six examples – this time contrasting the scribes and the Pharisees’ understanding and application of the seventh commandment with God’s true heart behind the command.