CORE 52 | Week 19 | Deeper Morality
August 17, 2022

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Matthew 5:20-48 (NRSV)

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Concerning Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.


Concerning Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin,[g] cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.


Concerning Divorce
31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.


33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.


Concerning Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.


Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

VIDEO | CORE 52 | DEEPER MORALITY

FOR REFLECTION

  1. What is legalism? Talk about your experience with legalism. Why do people tend to prefer legalism?

  2. Why does it seem easier “to do” (legalism/actions) than “to be” (righteousness/good person)? And why does Jesus call us to go beyond the “to do”?

  3. Why are motives more important than actions to become a good person?

  4. Is there a positive place for a to do list in our faith?

  5. Can non-Christians be moral people? If yes, where do they get their morality? What makes the morality of a Christian different?

  6. Talk about a time you chose to love an enemy. What change did it create?

  7. Which of the six illustrations in Matthew 5 is an area you feel convicted to deepen your moral motives?

  8. How does your heart lead your morality?


Key Points

  1. Jesus called us to deeper, not broader, righteousness.

  2. In each of the six illustrations Jesus gave, we’re forced to get to the root of morality, and that is our motive.

  3. To love our enemies is not only Jesus’s most offensive statement and most challenging moral expectation but also the one he devoted his life and death to.


DAILY JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY
Read the essay.


THURSDAY
Memorize Matthew 5:20.


FRIDAY
Read Judges 15–16.


MONDAY
Meditate on Matthew 5:32, 44, 48.


TUESDAY
Write a note to yourself, identifying your nearest enemy—whom you need to love as Jesus does.

OVERACHIEVER CHALLENGE
Memorize Matthew 5:44.

BONUS READ
Bob Goff, Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World.