In Matthew chapters 5-7 Jesus addresses the masses before him in probably one of the most well-known teachings “The Sermon on the Mount.” In the sermon Jesus addresses many issues including altering parts of the Ten Commandments. For instance saying that “21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Christ does not change outright what is being said in the Ten Commandments, rather he addresses and adds more meaning to what was already in place. Of these teachings and principles that Christ set forth in that Sermon so are more applicable today than others. For instance, in a world where divorce is rampant, roughly 41% of first marriages in 2013 ended in divorce 60% of second 73% of third marriages (Jasmin, 24), Christ states that “31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” If that is indeed true even today then we sadly live in a world where a large majority cannot claim they are not guilty of adultery. In light of that however, there are a those teachings that actually do apply, for instance some people, Christians included, tend to be openly boastful about how much they give to charity and help those that need it yet in Chapter 6 it says “2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Another good example is when Christ talks about worry. Today worry is huge, will the bills get paid, will there be enough to buy food/clothing, etc. Yet again Christ says “25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” He goes on, elaborating about God’s provision for us. There are certainly many more issues that are prudent in today’s world, and a few that are a bit outdated, at least by our societies stance on things such as cutting off your hand or plucking out your eye should they offend you. Regardless, most of the teachings are very relevant to all people though Christians especially. We are called to be set apart yet we must not let that go to our heads, after all Christ himself spent his time with those that were considered the outcast and the unclean without judgment and without condemnation. He simply loved.

References
Jasmin. (24, October 2013). Divorce in America. Retrieved from Daily Info Graphic: http://dailyinfographic.com/divorce-in-america-infographic
Mattew 5-7. (n.d.). Retrieved from Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205-7