How to Handle Hate Matthew 5:21-26

We use some words indiscriminately We tend to use these words hyperbolically Specific examples of concerns expressed: Have the right internal attitudes Have visible manifestation of this internal reality Be subject to the authority of the Word

Therefore… Our righteousness comes from being rightly related to God through Christ, who assures us that He has come to fulfill God’s Word The emphasis is again on the internal reality and not mere external conformity

I. Recognize the Established Understanding of the Law “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’” (Matthew 5:21, NKJV)

A. We should watch for established mindsets of interpretation The phrase “it was said…” was a common rabbinical phrase referring to the OT The concern was following the letter of the law

B. We should be aware of a focus on personal liability implications They were concerned about liability before the civil court They were not as concerned about God’s assessment

II. Accept the Messiah’s Interpretation of the Law “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:22, NKJV)

A. We should be concerned about internal motivation & causation Jesus’ interpretation contrasted the mindset of the day Jesus’ interpretation accounted for the root cause

B. We should be aware of the hazards of anger and hate There is potential danger in anger and hate There is a proper place for hate and anger There is a need to recognize the seriousness of our attitudes

III. Appreciate the Practical Implications of the Law “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23–24, NKJV)

A. Your relationship to your brother affects your relationship with God Two examples are given to illustrate anger responses The first example deals with bringing an offering to God

Matthew 5:25-26 “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:25–26, NKJV)

B. The consequences of unresolved conflict can be far reaching The second example stresses the importance of making things right quickly The potential consequence is that the judge might make things difficult for both of them

C. The effects of hate and anger are not insignificant We must carefully evaluate and resolve our own hate and anger issues We must be prepared for false accusations of hate due to our biblical convictions

US Commission on Civil Rights report: “Peacefully Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties” “Civil rights protections ensuring nondiscrimination, as embodied in the constitution, laws, and policies, are of preeminent importance in American jurisprudence”

The report continues… “Religious exemptions to the protections of civil rights based on classifications such as race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity, when they are permissible, significantly infringe upon these rights.”

The chairman of the commission, Martin R. Castro, stated: “The phrases “religious liberty” and “religious freedom” will stand for nothing except hypocrisy so long as they remain code words for discrimination, intolerance, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy, or any form of intolerance.”