Matthew 5:17-48 - Beyond the Letter: Living the Heart of God’s Law

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges us to move beyond external compliance with God's law to internal transformation. He contrasts the Pharisees' focus on outward appearances with true righteousness that begins in the heart. Jesus reinterprets commands against murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and treatment of enemies by addressing their root causes in our hearts. The perfection Jesus calls us to comes through His righteousness given to us when we trust Him as Savior, followed by the ongoing process of sanctification. God is perfecting believers so our first responses align with His heart: reconciliation, purity, truth, mercy, and love.