The Ethics of Discipleship in the Sermon on the Mount Transformed Living – Part 2 (Matthew 5:27-31) 

The Ethics of Discipleship in the Sermon on the Mount Transformed Living – Part 2 (Matthew 5:27-31)  “The things asked in this sermon are absurd. To look at a woman is adultery. That is the most extreme, stupid, unhuman statement that I have ever heard.” (Philip Yancey – ‘The Jesus I Never Knew’, p. 130).

The Trouble with Sex

Sex and Society

Living Authentically Sex is not merely a moment of pleasure, like eating a candy bar, but a character shaping action. And how a society practices it sexuality shapes not only its people in the society but society itself. If a society relates sexually in contexts of self-seeking, manipulation, distrust and betrayal, it tends to become a society of self-seeking, manipulation, distrust and betrayal. This is simply the reality of human nature.

Traditional Teaching You shall not commit adultery...Exodus 20:14 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” …Exodus 20:17

Traditional Righteousness  Mt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’   Vicious Circle  Mt 5:28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Transforming Initiative  Mt 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

The Vicious Circle But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart… (Matthew 5:28 KJV)

Transforming Initiative

Traditional Righteousness   Mt 5:31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ Vicious Circle Mt 5:32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. Transforming Initiative Be reconciled, e.g. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11: (A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.)

Conclusion - Transformed Living Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… (Revelation 21:9-10)