Topic: Behaviour and Attitudes that cause problems

Text: Matthew 5:17-48

Key Verse: “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. Matthew 5:17(NLT)

God does nothing without a purpose. The commandments that Moses received for the people were to ensure that they sinned not against God so that they would remain a Kingdom of priests and a holy nation that would be a peculiar treasure to God. (Exodus 19:4-5)

“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” Exodus 20:20(NLT)

The Ten Commandments represent the moral law of God that governs our behaviour; breaking them has consequences and creates problems for us and others. Though the people knew these commandments, they lacked the power to keep them. So Jesus came to give us the power not just to keep the commandments but to exceed them. (John 1:12)

The foundation for solving Life’s problems from a Christian perspective is to know what the Scriptures teach. Jesus began his ministry by teaching his disciples to cultivate the right attitudes towards Life so that whether they were able to avoid problems or not, they would expect victory.

The sermon on the Mount, commonly called the Beatitudes, represents the attitudes of heart and character the Holy Spirit produces in those who let him lead them. (Matthew 5:3-10) Wrong attitudes can exacerbate problems.

Knowing all the laws and keeping them seems like an impossible feat. However, the Apostle Paul taught that the practice of Love fulfils the law because when we love God and others, it leads us to avoid doing what would displease or hurt them.

 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31(NLT)

God is Love, a concept that is central to the Christian faith. When we choose to love others, we show that we are of God, and our attitudes and behavior will align with all of God’s laws.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for Love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.  But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is Love. 1 John 4:7-8(NLT)

APPLICATION

*List the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17

*Identify other scriptures in the New Testament that are related to each of the commandments.

*List some problems you have or those of others, and identify which commandments were broken.

*In Matthew 5:3-10, Identify eight attitudes; what are the opposite attitudes?

*Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, a passage that beautifully describes the nature of Love in the Christian context. List what Love is or is not and what Love does or does not do, and reflect on how you can embody these qualities in your life.

*Read Romans 13:8-10 in different translations of the Bible for clarity, meditate on them, and journal your reflections.