Speaking to the Heart

by Francine Biere
Published January 14, 2006

Sermon on the Mount Part 2
Click here for Part 1

As I wrote in Part 1, The Sermon on the Mount had nothing to do with new laws for believers but everything to do with a new heart. I think Jesus knew that people then, like now, knew the laws. But laws can't govern the heart. We can know the way God wants us to live, but just knowing is no guarantee that we will adhere to those laws.

Jesus uses words to paint a picture of what we should look like on the inside because without inside change, there is no outside change. Once we discover a heart knowledge and begin living with love for God and love for others as our motivation, then we begin to gain a truth that will set us free. If we do things out of love rather than obligation, we are no longer captives to the fallacy of perfection.

Perfection is impossible. Meeting and keeping God's laws sometimes leads to thinking that our accomplishments will get us into heaven, but a faith based on works is a faith that is as weak as our imperfections. Works – regardless of how grand and elaborate they might be – mean nothing if they are done out of a set of "must dos." That's one of the biggest problems with organized religion.

People think that religion is what God wants. It isn't. God wants our hearts.

The Sermon on the Mount is a message to those who are faithful to Jesus and committed to following Him, describing a lifestyle – illustrating values by which to live and aspirations to achieve.

There are many interpretations of the Sermon on the Mount and I can only share what it means to me and how I apply it in my life. Only God can give you a personal understanding of any scripture.

If you truly seek to know God's will for your life, He'll help you. I've learned over the years that God can use the same scripture to show different things. That's why daily reading of the Bible is so important. It's one of the ways God speaks to us.

It's like this. Think of seeking advice from your closest friend. Because that person knows you intimately, they understand more than what your words are telling them. If we know God and have an intimate relationship with Him, not only does He know more than what we might express, He knows exactly what we need. After all, He created us. Thus, at different times in our lives, we need different guidance.

The Sermon on the Mount begins with what's called, "The Beatitudes." These may easily be both the simplest and most difficult to understand. While Jesus begins each verse with, "Blessed are …," the traits described in Matthew 5:2-11 pretty much contradict the world's way of living. However, they are also promises.

If we truly desire to be like Jesus, then we need to understand that the world's way of living will never satisfy our spirit or our hearts. If we recognize this truth, then the eight traits described in "The Beatitudes" not only bring us closer to God, but they provide comfort in a world full of conflict.

The attitude of your heart and spirit will determine how God speaks to you.

The Beatitudes

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you,
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

"Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great …"

Matthew 5:2-12, New International Version

It is my hope and my prayer that as we look at each of these more closely over the next few weeks, God will give you new insight and a true desire to grasp the life-changing truths of His word. I pray he speaks to your heart.

Viewed 340 times