“Grace – God’s Perfect Work”
Matthew 5:33-48
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48]
This verse drives home the point: There is a vast difference between the Letter of the Law and its Intent. The critical factor is Grace. Only Grace can move one in the direction of Intent. It is only by Grace!
The thing about Grace is that oftentimes the most religious people misunderstand it. The Pharisees were such people. They knew Scripture yet were the most difficult to reach and teach. They quoted the Law verbatim, and yet missed its intent entirely.
It is the same today. Learnedness of Scripture does not necessarily mean godliness of character. It is, in fact, the other way around. It begins with character, Beatitude character, and follows with Beatitude blessings. God’s blessings are upon the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, the peacemaker, and one who stands firm when persecuted. These are the charisma of Grace. And God fulfills His perfect work in us through this Grace.
“You have heard that it was said of old, ‘You shall not murder’ [the Letter] …’But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment’” [the Intent]. God’s intent is to be without anger. His aim is to sow, in Grace, a right heart on the inside. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” [Eph 2:8-10]. Grace saves, and grace sanctifies. It is God’s perfect work.
“Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” [Gal 3:1-3, NLT]
There is an illusion of righteousness in religion. It carries a Bible, quotes Scripture, and speaks in spiritual clichés. It has no power. It is a facade. It is one way at Church and another way at home. It is a legalistic spell that repels rather than attracts. It has no ministry. Grace breaks the spell!
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” [Matt 5:17]
Grace, God’s perfect work in us, is the act that takes us from letter of the Law to its Intent.
