INTRODUCTION
At the beginning and throughout this series, I have repeatedly said that the general theme of the Sermon on the Mount is an ‘inside-outside change’ for Jesus' followers. Behavior is changed when the heart is changed. Jesus repeatedly goes directly to the heart of His followers. Jesus knows that if real change is going to occur, it has to begin inside. A heart change changes everything.
The reality of kingdom life affects internal heart attitudes and external actions because they are in a systemic relationship. Jesus teaches that first, the heart changes, and then our behavior changes. Both internal and external attentiveness are necessary for holistic discipleship. However, the internal attitudes of the heart are the proper foundation and source of external actions. A heart change changes everything.
Our obedience to Jesus’ teaching should overflow from a heart attitude that is rightly oriented toward God. We must not be satisfied simply with following the letter of the law,…
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