Look Deeper Into the Heart of the Father

When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, some of those listening considered themselves experts in following the commandments God gave Moses, even to the point that they corrected others when they didn’t follow the law to the letter, but they often missed the why in God’s design.

Don’t suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning.
─ Matthew 5:17 CEV

Jesus shared a deeper meaning to the law God gave to Moses. He would say … the Law says this, but I say this… (Matthew 5:21-47). He was not adding to the commands of God or changing them in any way. Instead, he addressed the heart of the Father.

The law commanded – “Do not kill,” but Jesus taught it wasn’t enough to avoid killing, but to omit hatred altogether (Matthew 5:21-22).

The law said you should not commit adultery, but Jesus said to keep your hearts from lust and be faithful to your spouse (Matthew 5:27-30).

And, regarding taking an oath, Jesus said we should avoid casual and irresponsible commitments to God (Matthew 5:33-37).

Jesus takes you deeper into the heart of the Father.

It’s easy to miss the intentions of God’s heart when we read His commands as rules without understanding that His desire for us is to always give us good gifts. The Heavenly Father desires for us to be moved to obey Him because of our love for Him. That comes when we fully accept and understand His unconditional love for us.

As you realize your righteousness comes out of what God does in you, not what you can do on your own, and as you move from self-focus to a life focused on God, your attitude based on reverence for God (not the approval of people) takes you beyond keeping the law to living for Him.

Today’s One Thing
How do you see the Father? Take a look at the motives and intents of your heart and ask God to show you where you can move closer to Him today.

Go Deeper:

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