On Top
The Bible presents the teachings of our Lord Jesus. Jesus taught many times from on top of a mountain. One of these teachings is referred to as the "Sermon on the Mount." One of the places in witch this sermon is recorded is found in chapters 5-7 of the Book of Matthew. Dr. J. Vernon McGee offers some interesting insight into three systems by which God is to govern and rule mankind. In order to gain a perspective on how the Sermon on the Mount fits into these systems I will quote from Dr. McGee's work:[1]
"A great many people feel that the Sermon on the Mount states the way believers are to live in our contemporary society, that it is given to the church.
However, if we step back and look at the Word of God as a whole, we will see that God has given three great systems by which He is to govern and rule mankind.
The first one is the Mosaic system, the Law. ... "
The Law did not save man, it became a system of condemnation. It revealed to man that he was a sinner.
The second great system is one of Salvation. We are living in what is called the age of grace or the age of the Holy Spirit. The Lord (God) as Jesus Christ came and offered Himself as a King. He lived as a man and discovered why the Mosaic System became one of condemnation. Man's inborn nature and free choice makes it impossible to keep the commandments of the Law. In this second system by grace alone He gives salvation. He died for our sins and removed us from the Law for a season (i.e. The time of the Gentiles). We are saved by grace and grace only.
The third great system of Law was the Sermon on the Mount. It lifts the Law to the nth degree. It is the Law that will be when Christ comes to rule His Kingdom on earth (i.e. the millennium). This Law is what we strive for today but cannot obtain. Our salvation today is merely by the grace of God.
Dr. McGee says that; "The Sermon on the Mount has made more hypocrites in the church than anything else. ... People say that they are living by the Sermon on the Mount. No one can live by it. You see, it provides a veneer of religion which a great many people assume when their heart is not changed. The heart of man has to be changed."[1]
True Christians, the ones who trust Chris Jesus for their salvation, know that they cannot live according to the Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount. Christians strive for these ideals. After they accept Jesus as their savior, and accept that He died for forgiveness of sins, they then turn to the Holy Spirit to assist them in living a Christ like life. They realize that they need help in living. They continue to rely on God's infinite grace. They develop a loving relationship with Jesus. They come to know Him by the study of His word. Christians are reborn with a new nature, they reflect the image of Christ. No man can live a life without sin. During these times of the Gentiles no man can get "Up on Top". Mankind can only get on his knees before God. The three systems of Laws provide mankind with a mirror he can use to judge himself. I can change myself if I am willing, others I can only love.
Reference:
[1] "Thru
the Bible with J. Vernon McGee"; Thru
The Bible Radio, Pasadena, California; Vol. 4, pages
43-45.
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Published 11/4/01