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The Higher Law

The Higher Law: The Sermon on the Mount and the Righteousness of the Kingdom

Introduction: The Law of Internal Transformation

Christ’s most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), was delivered not to the masses, but specifically to His disciples. It served as the constitution of the Kingdom—the ethical requirements for those who claim to be citizens of His reign. Jesus did not abolish the Law of Moses; He exposed its true, divine depth, showing that true righteousness requires not merely external actions, but perfect internal obedience to God’s standard.

This teaching is a crucial Prophetic Hotspot, revealing the moral character of the Messiah’s future subjects and defining the standard by which all people will be judged at The Lord’s Return.

The Foundational Teaching: The Law of the Heart

Christ repeatedly declared, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time… But I say unto you…” (Matthew 5, KJV), contrasting the misinterpretations of the Law with its divine intent.

The Law and the Prophets Fulfilled

Jesus clearly established the relationship between His teaching and the Old Testament:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18, KJV)

  • The Law of Fulfillment: Christ fulfilled the Law in two ways: perfectly obeying its moral commands (establishing His righteousness) and satisfying its sacrificial requirements (securing redemption for others).
  • The Internal Command: Jesus taught that sin originates in the heart, not just the action. Hatred is murder (“whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment”—Matthew 5:22, KJV), and lust is adultery (“whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”—Matthew 5:28, KJV). The standard of the Kingdom is unattainable by human effort, driving the subject to rely completely on Christ’s provision.

Prophetic Hotspot: The Judgment Standard

The Sermon on the Mount defines the characteristics of the “righteous” who will inherit the earth and rule during the Millennial Kingdom. The final judgment of the nations will be assessed by adherence to these foundational commands.

  • The Standard of the Kingdom: The beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) outline the nature of true blessedness: poverty of spirit, mourning over sin, meekness, and hunger for righteousness. These are the internal, spiritual characteristics that Christ will honor and reward in His physical reign.
  • The Law of Reciprocity: The most famous command—the Golden Rule—summarizes the duty owed to one’s neighbor: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, KJV). This final ethical law will be universally enforced on earth at The Lord’s Return. The basis of the final judgment of the nations (Matthew 25) will center on how people treated Christ’s “brethren,” reflecting this core ethical requirement.

The Return Question: What is Your Foundation?

Christ concluded the Sermon on the Mount with the parable of the two builders: one who built his house on the rock (doing what Christ commanded) and one who built on sand (hearing but not doing). When the storm came, only the house on the rock stood.

If the moral constitution of the Kingdom is so radical that it demands internal, perfect obedience, knowing that only Christ provides this righteousness, are we, the builders awaiting The Lord’s Return, merely hearing and appreciating the beauty of His Law (building on the sand), or are we actively striving to implement this higher righteousness in our hearts and lives, securing our foundation against the storms of judgment that will precede the King’s arrival?