Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Matthew Chapter 5 and we come to verse 21, Jesus Christ is speaking. Our Saviour and Lord is teaching. We keep hearing people say – if only we could live by the teaching of Jesus and not have all this ‘church business’ and ‘theology’ – and if only we could live by His teaching on the Sermon on the Mount, it would all be so much easier! Well, as we have seen already, it is not that easy, and as we read on it does not become easier. It is hard to live like this, even with the presence and help of Jesus and His Word and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
When we move from the Old Testament to the New Testament, there are big changes, and developments in various areas. We mentioned that there are now no special buildings – no special dress – no special priesthood – no need to slaughter and sacrifice animals – and no longer is there a need for special days. That might shake and shock certain people.
Not even the church on earth finds it easy to live by the Sermon on the Mount and the basic teaching of the New Testament, and that is one of our serious issues.
Man finds rules and laws easier than grace. Jesus is putting right some of the misconceptions. He is doing this at the outset of His public ministry, and there is to be a radically new form of service, and a radically new type of disciple. Jesus clears up how he stands in relationship to the Old Testament. There is to be a radical righteousness, and radical rightness with God and with our fellow human beings.
Your rightness, or righteousness, must come from the heart, and not simply keeping superficial regulations, or going through religious rituals. Things have changed – big time!
It must go further than being skin deep. It has to go to the heart.
Jeremiah said God would write His law on people’s hearts. This is where it starts to happen. Have you noticed that Jesus often takes what has been, and develops it – and deepens it – and widens it – and challenges us? You have heard it said, but I say unto you!
It is like the choosing and calling and anointing of David. God looks on the heart. God looks not as man looks. I Samuel Chapter 16:7. Do read that passage. Jesus’ deep concern is the heart. This can be quite piercingly and penetratingly difficult at times. When Jesus examines our heart through the Word of God, what does he find? How comfortable are we when we realise that Jesus is concerned about what is going on inside us, as well as how we are serving and leading outwardly?
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.