IBS Matthew 5:17 (3-25-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:17 (3-25-14)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law of the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

The Law was given to man to compare ourselves to God’s standard of perfection, see that we’ve violated it, and turn to Jesus to cleanse us of our sin. Romans 3:19-20 says “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

The whole world is guilty of breaking the law - if not in deed or word, then in thought or intention of the heart. No flesh can be justified in His sight - we’re going to stand before His throne without an excuse. The law is the knowledge of sin - even those who’ve followed the law perfectly can’t get into heaven because they were born into sin. 

Jesus not only didn’t destroy the law, He actually made it stricter in a sense. Before, the law said to not murder or commit adultery. Jesus said that it’s not just the act of murder or adultery that violates the law, it’s hating someone or lusting after someone. It’s not about the outward, it’s about the heart. The outside of the cup may be clean, but unless the inside is clean too, it’s all for nothing. 

We know that we’re not capable of fully carrying out His law, but we should strive to obey and serve Him. Although He made the law stricter in action, He made it extremely simple in concept. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says that the Law and the Prophets hang on only two commands - to love God with all your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. People aren’t going to make an idol for themselves or take God’s Name in vain if they love Jesus with all their beings. Likewise, people aren’t going to steal, lie, commit adultery, or dishonor their parents if they love everyone as they love themselves. 

All the commandments rolled together is simply - J.O.Y. This acronym not only gives us the order of what our lives should be, but also tells us what we’ll receive if we follow it - true happiness that no one can take from us. I’m going to write Jesus, Others, You on the paper that I’m putting up on the bedroom door.