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- Anger Equals... Murder? | Matthew 5:21-26
Anger Equals... Murder? | Matthew 5:21-26
Talk about harsh
Yesterday I mentioned Jesus often “taking it to the next level” when compared to the Old Testament Law.
This is one such example, as are the many passages that follow in the Sermon on the Mount.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
It’s safe to assume that everyone who’s ever existed (except for Jesus) has been angry with someone else.
That’s the point.
Even something as simple as having anger in our hearts towards someone else is akin to murder in the eyes of God. That’s how seriously He takes sin.
No one is good enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven on their works alone. We all have sin in our hearts. We’re all in need of a Savior.
And lucky for us, Christ Himself came to be that Savior.
Have a blessed Tuesday, friends.