Matthew 5:27-30 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
Jesus continues to teach His disciples from the mountain. In earlier verses, He begins by telling us about the many ways in which we are blessed and what the fruit of those blessings is. He then begins to address man’s idea of righteousness as opposed to God’s idea of righteousness. The kingdom life is found in understanding and seeking the standard that God set and that Jesus exemplified.
In yesterday’s scriptures we saw how Jesus equated being angry with a brother without cause to the same danger of judgment as committing murder. Today (and in the next several verses beyond these), Jesus continues to elevate the keeping of God’s word to reach beyond action to show that God knows the very thought and intent of our heart (Hebrews 4:12). Who among us can truthfully say that we have never had an inappropriate thought? Based on biblical criteria, it is impossible for any of us to say that we have no sin (1 John 1:8-10).
To be faithful disciples, we must guard our thoughts as well as our actions. We must also consider the spiritual aspects of the lesson. We can sit in the church pew every Sunday, but if our hearts are lusting after the things of the world, we are guilty of adultery in a spiritual sense. The outward appearance of worship does not cancel the inward desire that makes an idol of the things of the world.
Dear ones, being disciples of Jesus requires that we not only act differently, but that we also think differently. It is far better that we sacrifice the pursuit of our carnal desire (pluck out the eye or cut off the hand in a spiritual sense) to live in the peace of Jesus. This is not something that lies within the strength of our carnal being. Instead, this ability is ours in understanding that our Lord Jesus has overcome all these things and left us His peace (John 16:33). Let us look daily and diligently to the Author and Finisher of our faith!