For many people religion involves keeping rules and regulations. It is about duty and obligation. Keeping rules and doing our duty does of course have some merit, but this can make religion an external thing lacking inner conviction. The truth is external religion may not serve us well in times of suffering and struggle. Furthermore, it may not be very appealing to those who are searching for a life-giving faith. If religion is identified with observance of the law it is likely to be off putting and unattractive.
Jesus didn’t have a problem with the role of observance in the practice of religion; he knew laws are necessary. However, Jesus did have a concern if our observance of the law is not an expression of what is in our hearts. This was his issue with the group known as the Scribes and Pharisees. For these ‘religious people’ observance of the law was mainly for show, it was to get notice and attract attention. The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t practice their religion for the right reasons. Their religion wasn’t genuine. In fact, it was often hypocritical.
Jesus had the ability to spot when there was some disconnect between our inner and outer lives. He knew that public behaviour didn’t necessarily reflect inner character. It was our inner lives that Jesus was most concerned about. Jesus would say, ‘Of course what we do matters, but what matters more is where this doing is coming from.’
The religion of Jesus is a religion of the heart. It invites us to explore our motivation. What is our motivation for keeping the commandments? Why do we go to church? What is the real reason we pray? Why do we respond to people who are in need? It is our motivation that defines who we really are. This is why it can be said that the Christian life is a purification of motive. It is what is in our hearts that influences the way we live and the way we act. The best way to change our behaviour is to change our hearts.
On many occasions Jesus encouraged his listeners to explore the reasons for their behaviour. One of these occasions is known as the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon is an invitation to discover the spirit behind the law and to act in an intentional way. Ultimately, it is a request to live from the inside out. To be a follower of Jesus two transformations are necessary. One is personal, the other is social. Personal transformation needs to come first. The truth is we cannot change the world unless we first change ourselves.