Chapter 12

Grace is inherently appealing, especially as demonstrated so vividly in the ministry of Jesus. Who wouldn’t want to experience grace as Jesus defined and expressed it? But this can easily lead to a distortion—that the NT is all about grace, and nothing but grace. Then we read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which forces us to reconsider that assumption. Jesus calls us to radical obedience too. “You have heard that it was said . . . but I say to you . . .” Jesus makes it clear that there is no room for token, half-hearted obedience in this text. It seems to be a matter of all or nothing! It is demanding beyond measure. Why? We belong to God. We function best—truly flourish—when we live life for God, not for ourselves. God’s commands challenge us at the deepest level to evaluate the meaning and purpose of human life, our life. Will we live for self, or for God? God’s commands confront our egoism. They summon us to order life under and around God. Read Deuteronomy 5:6-21, which explains The Commandments. Then read Matthew 5-7, which is Jesus’ commentary on the Ten Commandments, and Ephesians 4:17-5:20, which is Paul’s commentary on both. What do you learn about the life of obedience in these texts?

Choose the positive expression of ONE command. It could be the prohibition against stealing (positive: hard work, generosity, and justice), or against coveting (positive: contentment and gratitude), or against bearing false witness (positive: integrity of speech). Focus on just the ONE that seems most relevant for your life.  What would it mean for you to obey this command over the next two weeks? How would it change your daily life? Be as concrete as possible. Give yourself to this for a week or two. How did it go?

What did you learn about obedience from the chapter, the biblical texts, and the spiritual exercise? What was hard? What was appealing? What is your struggle?

Matthew 5:3-10 (the Beatitudes)