Living the Law of Love

Title: Living the Law of Love Text: Matthew 5:17–48

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open to Your truth. As we look into the words of Jesus, help us to understand the depth of Your righteousness and the call to love as You love. May Your Spirit convict, encourage, and transform us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Many people think of rules as restrictive, but Jesus came to show us that God’s law is about more than just rules—it’s about the heart.

In Matthew 5:17-48, Jesus shifts our understanding of righteousness from outward obedience to inward transformation. The religious leaders of His time focused on external actions, but Jesus calls His followers to something greater: living by the law of love.

Matthew 5:17–20 NKJV

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

I. Jesus Fulfills the Law, Not Abolishes It (Matthew 5:17-20)

Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them.

The righteousness He demands surpasses that of the Pharisees because it is not just external but internal.

A man walks into a church service wearing a suit, projecting the image of a dedicated Christian. Yet, during the week, he is filled with envy and resentment toward his co-workers, constantly gossiping behind their backs. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus points out that our righteousness must exceed such superficial presentation; it should stem from a transformed heart that seeks God's truth and love. Genuine faith flourishes not just in our actions but in our hearts.

So it is God’s word that transformed the heart which in turn transforms our actions. Without a heart transplant, a heart of stone regenerated to a heart of flesh, a broken and contrite heart true godly righteousness is not achieved.

So Christ came to live out that righteous requirement in the the flesh becoming righteousness for us. This was a major purpose for the God-Man Jesus. Not to get reed of the Law but to fulfill it in human flesh. Which He did. His righteousness then is imputed to those who believe in Him and the faith He lived out in the His own flesh.

Romans 10:4 – Christ is the fulfillment of the law for those who believe or place faith in Jesus.

Romans 10:4 NKJV

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Which this now leads to the heart of the Law in the first place in which Jesus is about to unpack it for us here in vv. 21-47

II. The Heart of the Law: Righteousness in Action (Matthew 5:21-47)

Jesus gives six examples of how true righteousness is more than just rule-following—it is a matter of the heart.

Matthew 5:21–26 NKJV

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

1. Seek Reconciliation (vv. 21-26)

Jesus expands the commandment against murder to include anger and contempt. He teaches that harboring resentment or speaking harshly to others is just as destructive.

True righteousness involves seeking reconciliation, not just avoiding physical violence.

5:21–22 – "You have heard... But I say to you." Jesus refers to Old Testament commands (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17), but He isn’t changing God’s law. Instead, He corrects the wrong teachings people had heard from religious leaders (see also verses 27, 31, 33, 38, and 43).

5:22 – "Raca!" This word means “empty-headed” or foolish. Jesus explains that anger and hateful words come from the same sinful heart as murder. The real issue is not just the action but the attitude behind it. Insulting others carries serious moral consequences, just like murder.

5:25 – "Settle matters quickly." Jesus urges people to seek reconciliation right away, even if it means making sacrifices.

Matthew 5:27–30 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

2. Lust and Adultery (vv. 27-30)

Jesus intensifies the commandment against adultery, emphasizing that even lustful thoughts defile a person.

True purity is not merely abstaining from physical sin but guarding the heart and mind.

He uses hyperbolic language—“if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out”—to stress the seriousness of avoiding sin at all costs.

Job 31:1 – “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”

Job 31:1 NKJV

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Matthew 5:31–32 NKJV

“Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

3. Marriage and Divorce (vv. 31-32)

Jesus affirms that marriage is a sacred covenant, not to be easily broken.

In contrast to the permissive or lax divorce practices of the time, He emphasizes lifelong commitment.

Malachi 2:16 – God hates divorce and desires covenant faithfulness.

Malachi 2:16 NKJV

“For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

Matthew 5:33–37 NKJV

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

4. Honesty and Integrity (vv. 33-37)

Instead of relying on oaths to prove one’s truthfulness, Jesus calls for honesty in all speech.

A Christian’s word should be reliable and truthful at all times, without the need for elaborate vows.

Colossians 3:9 – Do not lie to one another.

Colossians 3:9 NKJV

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Matthew 5:38–42 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

5. Retaliation and Mercy (vv. 38-42)

Jesus rejects the principle of “an eye for an eye” as a justification for personal revenge.

He calls His followers to respond with grace, generosity, and a willingness to suffer wrong for the sake of peace.

Radical forgiveness and turning the other cheek reflect the heart of Christ’s teaching.

Romans 12:19-21 – Do not repay evil for evil but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:19–21 NKJV

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:43–47 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

6. Loving Our Enemies (vv. 43-47)

Instead of limiting love to friends and family, Jesus commands love for enemies.

This radical love mirrors God’s own love, as He causes the sun to rise on both the righteous and the unrighteous.

True righteousness seeks the well-being of even those who oppose us.

Luke 6:35 – Love your enemies and do good to them without expecting anything in return.

Luke 6:35 NKJV

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Matthew 5:48 NKJV

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

III. The Call to Perfection in Love (Matthew 5:48)

Jesus concludes by calling us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.

This does not mean sinlessness but maturity in love and godliness.

1 John 4:12 – If we love one another, God’s love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:12 NKJV

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Conclusion: Jesus calls us to a radical way of life—a righteousness that goes beyond legalism and external behavior to a transformed heart. The law of love is not about minimal obedience but about maximum devotion. How we treat others, how we control our emotions, and how we love—even our enemies—demonstrates that we belong to Christ.

Closing Prayer: Lord, help us not just to hear Your words but to live them. Transform our hearts to love as You love, to seek reconciliation, and to be people of integrity and grace. May Your Spirit empower us to reflect Christ in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.