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. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.REFLECTIONSWritten by Andrew JamiesonAm I good enough for God? Haven’t murdered anyone today, check! Must be okay. It’s easy to compare myself with the worst of sinners and think I’m pretty okay with God. “I’m not a murder, so I must be a good person.”  But in the next verses, Jesus tells us that if we hate our brother or sister we are in danger of the fires of hell! How many of us can honestly say that we haven’t been angry with someone or called people names? We can’t help but read this and realise that we are guilty. Jesus shows us just how high God’s standards are and wants us to see it is impossible to be counted as righteous before God - on our own we will face God’s judgement. How wonderful that the same God who makes us aware of our utter sinfulness is the same God who died for our sins. Murder is a symptom which flows from sinful thoughts and feelings in our heart. Back in Genesis, we see the fruit of anger when Cain’s anger results in the murder of his brother Abel. God saw the anger in his heart and warned him that sin wanted to have him, but he should rule over it. From these verses, I am reminded that I need to stop and think before I speak rashly. I need to love and forgive others so that I don’t have that same spirit of murder in my life. I need to continually examine my life and take it to God in prayer and humble dependence. Heavenly Father, I know that in my own sinful nature I will continue to fall short of your standards. Please forgive me from my sin and change me by Spirit to love others. AmenABOUT THE AUTHORAndrew is part of our Bossley Park Morning Church.