Do the Work of Integrity

Summing up Jesus' Summing of the Law

We have a long passage before us today. Jesus has established that he has not come to abolish the Law. And now he’ll get a bit more specific. Can what he says be summed up in a sentence?

Do the work of integrity.

This section of the Sermon on the Mount (sometimes called the “six antitheses”) takes familiar commandments—you have heard it said…—and deepens them. Jesus isn’t adding weight for the sake of difficulty, nor is he replacing one set of rules with another. He’s calling his followers to something more: a deeper alignment between heart, intent, and action.

He moves from external actions (murder, adultery, divorce, oath-breaking, retaliation, and enemy-hatred) to the internal realities of anger, lust, unfaithfulness, deceit, vengeance, and exclusion. Each time, he’s asking for congruence. He wants a people who live truthfully, through and through.

This is the work of integrity. Not perfection. Not self-righteousness. But a wholeness where our desires, words, and deeds flow from a heart increasingly shaped by the love of God.

Jesus doesn’t simply intensify the Law—he transforms it by rooting it in relationship and inward renewal. That is the work he’s inviting us into. It is sometimes slow work. Daily work. But it is the way of the kingdom.

Matthew 5:21-48

“You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift. Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison. I say to you in all seriousness that you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery. But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.

“It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord. But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne. You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you. If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well. When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. When they force you to go one mile, go with them two. Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.

Psalm 15

Who can live in your tent, Lord? Who can dwell on your holy mountain?

The person who lives free of blame, does what is right, and speaks the truth sincerely; who does no damage with their talk, does no harm to a friend, doesn’t insult a neighbor; someone who despises those who act wickedly, but who honors those who honor the Lord; someone who keeps their promise even when it hurts; someone who doesn’t lend money with interest, who won’t accept a bribe against any innocent person. Whoever does these things will never stumble.

Prayer

God,

You see beyond my actions into my heart. You know when my words mask my motives,
when our piety hides our pride. But still you invite me—not to shame, but to wholeness.

Teach me to live with integrity: my words honest, my heart tender, my actions just. Help me not to settle for appearance or performance, but to be shaped deeply by your love and truth.

When it is hard to forgive, strengthen me. When I am tempted to retaliate, restrain me. When I shrink from loving enemies, expand my heart.

Shape me, refine me, and make me more like Jesus.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.