Behold the King: Murder, Cause and Solution

Matthew 5:21–26 KJV 1900

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

The Spirit of the Law

2 Corinthians 3:6–8 KJV 1900

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

From this passage till the end of Chapter 7 Jesus will either hint at or outright state that the keeping of the law is impossible. That while it is possible to train ourselves so that we can control our outward actions through self will. There is still an inward rebellion that is entrenched within each of us that God must judge.

Galatians 5:3–6

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

The Heart of the Problem

Daniel Gilbert, a philosophy professor at Harvard university concluded “that imagination, though helpful in providing emotional expectations, is an unreliable guide to future happiness.” He suggests that in order to feel good about your tomorrow you must examine how other people are feeling today.

Truthfully, our emotions will be a terrible indicator of what your real problem is. Jeremiah 17:9

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV 1900

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:10 KJV 1900

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

But we must understand that unless we identify the sin and allow Jesus to cleans us the heart will drive us to deeper sin. With a pure heart before God we are capable of great and godly actions.

The Need for Responsibility

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Proverbs 20:11 KJV 1900

Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.