Matt 5:19
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.
Being great in the Kingdom is surely something
worth striving for. We certainly don’t want to be least. We need to ask
ourselves am I guilty of setting aside, ignoring or disobeying certain commands
that don’t fit with my thinking, attitudes or lifestyle? The Sermon on the Mount that this verse is
taken from certainly challenges our thoughts and attitudes. Some dismiss the
teaching as idealistic yet does Jesus really set the bar so high it is
unattainable? Should we give up trying because we sometimes fail? Jesus demands
both a hatred of sin (vs 27-30) and a radical commitment to God and sacrificial
love of others. He claims his followers must be better than the religious
leaders in obedience or they won’t even be in His kingdom (v20). Of course
obedience doesn’t earn a place in God’s good books but neither is obedience an
optional extra. Indeed clearly this verse teaches what is important to God, namely
living an example of obedience to Him.
Father show me where I am setting aside one of your commands, that I may
repent.
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