Taking Jesus at His Word: What Jesus Really Said in the Sermon on the Mount

by Addison Hodges Hart

The foundation of the house we are meant to be building within and among us is, finally, a matter of living the Sermon on the Mount. Either we take Jesus at his word in this instance, or we do not. But — if we take him at his word — then our “salvation” rests on whether or not we are prepared at least to attempt daily to live according to the teachings we have been exploring together in this book. Jesus says nothing here that is not aimed at our way of living life. He is not, it seems, overly concerned that we get every jot and tittle of our theology correct (whatever being theologically “correct” might mean among the multitude of divergent and conflicting theologies). He is not concerned that we comprehend some system of dogmas or abstract doctrines, or can adequately define the theory of “atonement,” or can speak eloquently about “the economic Trinity,” or have some precisely defined theory of his presence in the Holy Communion. All that may be quite interesting and even enlightening for those of us with theological leanings and/or credentials. But Jesus isn’t concerned about any of that. He is concerned that we be humble, makers of peace, as inclusively loving as the heavenly Father, ready to care for the poor, ready to forgive all, rooting out of our selves lust and anger and other twisting passions that distort our lives and relationships, and developing a host of other practical qualities that characterize those who wish to seek first the kingdom of God and his right...