An Affair of the Heart

One of the most helpful questions we can ask as we read a particular passage of scripture is one that we master at a very small age, “Why?” “Why” is a question that can drive even the most patient amongst us absolutely batty. Sometimes, we truly don’t know why. Sometimes, we know why but don’t want to admit it to someone else or ourselves. Sometimes, we know why but don’t need to disclose it in a particular situation. 

Then there is always what is probably the most destructive part of the “Why?” narrative - when we choose not to ask or pursue the “Why?” Because deep down we really do not want to know the answer.

Today’s installation of our series from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew 5 contains a couple of verses that were made famous by a presidential candidate back in the 70’s. It is my experience these are some of the most scoffed at verses by folks across whatever spectrum you want to consider, for the response is usually something along the lines of, “Yeah, right. Who’s he kidding? It’s naturally hardwired into folk and cannot be avoided.”

On the other hand, these verses are also in line with the false sense of security folks can naturally have about being grateful that along with, “Thou shalt not murder,” this is one of the Ten Commandments we haven’t violated - for Jesus makes it quite clear here that one might not be as innocent as they think.

Enough, already. Let’s hear what Jesus has to say as found in Matthew 5:27-28 -

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

I’m tempted to just stop now and let us all stew in this for a little while, for there is enough there to make one think for quite awhile.

In all seriousness, I want to get back to what I mentioned at the beginning of today’s message - the importance of the, “Why?” Rather than get rolling in to trying to parse this or get into various nuances, let’s stay at the level of the why.

If I had to guess, the struggle that is real for so many concerning this has more to do with the truth at the heart of his interpretation of this particular commandment. The evidence of scripture leaves one with the absolute inescapable conclusion that at the core of a faithful Christian’s walk with God is a transformed heart, a heart whose sole passion and desire is for God’s perfect will to be done in and through all things by thought, word, and deed. 

When approached through this lens, we are able to discern the bigger picture - for these verses point us to an understanding that the condition of our heart is of prime importance to our Lord, and for us to desire anything else is to put ourselves in position to see our faith diminish and our passions to lie in places other than our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

Friends, our faithfulness to Christ is an affair of the heart. Let us be ever-mindful of our need to desire nothing but Christ, and quick to recognize that it does not take much for us to be distracted by things that on the surface may be no big deal but in the long run may cost us our faith.

Grace & Peace,
Lamar