You remember the acronym WWJD? Bracelets, tee shirts, jewelry that said, “What Would Jesus Do?” I’m going to use the acronym WDJS; in other words, “What Did Jesus Say?” He said a lot, in fact every word in the Bible is His, even those not be in red, they’re all His words. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God (literally ‘God-Breathed’ θεόπνευστος theopneustos), and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect , thoroughly furnished unto every good work.”
We’re going to look at four passages of Jesus' words, from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John. I’m being very picky here. I’m cherry picking four passages where Jesus makes an “unless” or “except” statement.
I need to make one disclaimer here before we start; if you hear me say I had this idea, or I came up with this; you better give me a long hard glare… If I say something like that, you really need to challenge me on it; I would deserve a raspberry, because I don’t remember the last time I had an original idea, and what I’m going to share today isn’t original with me either. Ultimately, every good idea comes from God anyways, right? James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of changing.
You remember the acronym WWJD? Bracelets, tee shirts, jewelry that said, “What Would Jesus Do?” I’m going to use the acronym WDJS; in other words, “What Did Jesus Say?” He said a lot, in fact every word in the Bible is His, even those not be in red, they’re all His words. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God (literally ‘God-Breathed’ θεόπνευστος theopneustos), and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect , thoroughly furnished unto every good work.”
We’re going to look at four passages of Jesus' words, from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John. I’m being very picky here. I’m cherry picking four passages where Jesus makes an “unless” or “except” statement.
I need to make one disclaimer here before we start; if you hear me say I had this idea, or I came up with this; you better give me a long hard glare… If I say something like that, you really need to challenge me on it; I would deserve a raspberry, because I don’t remember the last time I had an original idea, and what I’m going to share today isn’t original with me either. Ultimately, every good idea comes from God anyways, right? James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of changing.
Unless Statement # 1
Matthew 5:17-22 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire
So Jesus is saying is that the words that come out of your mouth can equate with an action such as murder. Jesus said, “every idle word that a man speaks, he will be made to give an account of on the day of Judgement.” Not only our words, but even our thoughts, and the desires of our heart can be unlawful. Later, Jesus says, you have heard it said by them of old, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman with lust, has committed adultery already with her, in his heart.
The Pharisees pride was in how well they knew and kept the law. The scribes were keepers of the text of the law; they were the copyists. And Jesus magnifies the Law to them. He elevates the commandment. He raises the bar. What he’s saying to them is this; “So, if you really think you’re going to be good enough to earn heaven, try to keep these”. Even beyond the letter of the law, He exposes the spirit of the law; it’s not just what you do, it’s what you say, even what you think. The law is a matter of the heart. Jesus shines the spotlight on their hearts (and ours too) by what He says. I had the occasion recently to see my own heart; I viewed my heart on an Angiogram -- It’s an X Ray-based medical imaging modality. Your heart is displayed up on a computer screen that gives a real-time look at your heart. You can see it beating. When they inject this dye into your blood, you can see the blood vessels. My heart was plugged. It was polluted. My heart was not right and the doctors could see right where the trouble was. Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart,... to give every man according to his deeds, and according to the fruit of his actions. It says God’s will judge secrets of men’s hearts. It says God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in Righteousness. I don't know about you, but the thought of having a DVD of my innermost thoughts shown up on a screen, for everyone to see, horrifies me. I don't say this to cause despair or condemnation, but that you would cling to the Savior. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are you who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for you will be filled. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Romans 3:22 We can have “the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ ...to all who believe” Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. The way that God accomplished this is when Jesus was on the cross, He said “It is finished”, the debt to sin that you and I owed, has been paid in full through Jesus death. 2 Cor 5:21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Matthew 5:17-22 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire
So Jesus is saying is that the words that come out of your mouth can equate with an action such as murder. Jesus said, “every idle word that a man speaks, he will be made to give an account of on the day of Judgement.” Not only our words, but even our thoughts, and the desires of our heart can be unlawful. Later, Jesus says, you have heard it said by them of old, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman with lust, has committed adultery already with her, in his heart.
The Pharisees pride was in how well they knew and kept the law. The scribes were keepers of the text of the law; they were the copyists. And Jesus magnifies the Law to them. He elevates the commandment. He raises the bar. What he’s saying to them is this; “So, if you really think you’re going to be good enough to earn heaven, try to keep these”. Even beyond the letter of the law, He exposes the spirit of the law; it’s not just what you do, it’s what you say, even what you think. The law is a matter of the heart. Jesus shines the spotlight on their hearts (and ours too) by what He says. I had the occasion recently to see my own heart; I viewed my heart on an Angiogram -- It’s an X Ray-based medical imaging modality. Your heart is displayed up on a computer screen that gives a real-time look at your heart. You can see it beating. When they inject this dye into your blood, you can see the blood vessels. My heart was plugged. It was polluted. My heart was not right and the doctors could see right where the trouble was. Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart,... to give every man according to his deeds, and according to the fruit of his actions. It says God’s will judge secrets of men’s hearts. It says God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in Righteousness. I don't know about you, but the thought of having a DVD of my innermost thoughts shown up on a screen, for everyone to see, horrifies me. I don't say this to cause despair or condemnation, but that you would cling to the Savior. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are you who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for you will be filled. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Romans 3:22 We can have “the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ ...to all who believe” Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. The way that God accomplished this is when Jesus was on the cross, He said “It is finished”, the debt to sin that you and I owed, has been paid in full through Jesus death. 2 Cor 5:21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Unless Statement #2
Matthew 18:1-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Jesus is stressing that we must come to God in a child-like way. Not childish, but child-like. Kids are unassuming, dependent, humble. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” So if you want a straight-arm from God, try to come to Him in pride and self-righteousness; see how that works for you. Another big, important thing is that God is pro-child. He loves kids. If someone offends a kid, harms a kid, neglects a kid; God is not happy about that. You can apply that to whatever social issue or hot-button news story you want, but God is not happy when kids are harmed.
Matthew 18:1-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Jesus is stressing that we must come to God in a child-like way. Not childish, but child-like. Kids are unassuming, dependent, humble. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” So if you want a straight-arm from God, try to come to Him in pride and self-righteousness; see how that works for you. Another big, important thing is that God is pro-child. He loves kids. If someone offends a kid, harms a kid, neglects a kid; God is not happy about that. You can apply that to whatever social issue or hot-button news story you want, but God is not happy when kids are harmed.
Unless Statement #3
Luke 13:1-5 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
if we think we're better than some other group of people because of what has happened to us or what hasn’t happened to us, or we've done or haven’t done, we need to rethink that. As Christians, if we think we’re better than those sinners, those heathens, bunch a losers; we’re dead wrong. We’re no better than anyone else. We’re way better off, but no better than anyone else. Ephesians 2:8-9 It's only by God's grace that we’re saved through faith, and that is not of ourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Romans 5:8 God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Titus 3:5 It’s not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us. By the washing of regeneration and the renewing of His Holy Spirit. Romans 3:10 There is none righteous, no not one. Romans 14:23 Anything not done in faith is sin, the Bible says. Isaiah 64:6 Our righteousness deeds (outside of Christ) are as filthy rags in God’s sight. Not only those sinners need to repent, but we Christians, when we fail, when we fall, stumble or dive into sin, we need to repent. Our lives ought to be characterized as lives of repentance. 1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Just by way of reminder, I think it’s worth repeating, what repentance is. It’s not just saying you’re sorry. It’s saying sorry and turning away from sin, to God for mercy. It’s the idea of 180 degree turn. My wife taught me the meaning of repentance; it’s a heartfelt “I’m sorry, I was wrong, you’re right, I won’t do it again, please forgive me.”
Luke 13:1-5 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
if we think we're better than some other group of people because of what has happened to us or what hasn’t happened to us, or we've done or haven’t done, we need to rethink that. As Christians, if we think we’re better than those sinners, those heathens, bunch a losers; we’re dead wrong. We’re no better than anyone else. We’re way better off, but no better than anyone else. Ephesians 2:8-9 It's only by God's grace that we’re saved through faith, and that is not of ourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Romans 5:8 God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Titus 3:5 It’s not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us. By the washing of regeneration and the renewing of His Holy Spirit. Romans 3:10 There is none righteous, no not one. Romans 14:23 Anything not done in faith is sin, the Bible says. Isaiah 64:6 Our righteousness deeds (outside of Christ) are as filthy rags in God’s sight. Not only those sinners need to repent, but we Christians, when we fail, when we fall, stumble or dive into sin, we need to repent. Our lives ought to be characterized as lives of repentance. 1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Just by way of reminder, I think it’s worth repeating, what repentance is. It’s not just saying you’re sorry. It’s saying sorry and turning away from sin, to God for mercy. It’s the idea of 180 degree turn. My wife taught me the meaning of repentance; it’s a heartfelt “I’m sorry, I was wrong, you’re right, I won’t do it again, please forgive me.”
Unless Statement #4
John 3:1-8 w there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Jesus said “you must be born again and unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God”. That's the good news, the Gospel. Why, why is that good news? It’s good news because Jesus didn’t say, unless you’re a good person, you cannot see the kingdom of God. If He’d said that we'd have all been disqualified. So what does it mean to be born again, well, let’s start with Jesus’ explanation, from the text; being born again, means born of the Spirit, born from above. When you were born into this world, you were born alive physically, but dead spiritually. Ephesians 2:1 And you He has made alive, who were dead in your trespasses and sins; when you repented and trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy spirit took up residence in your life and brought you to life spiritually. That's a radical change. Another way to think about it that's no less radical, is to relate it to when your mom gave birth to you. Think about when you were born, you didn’t have anything to do with it, you were just there and you were ready to come out. Your mom did all the work. It is the same with being born again. God did all the work by giving his only begotten Son. God’s love is expressed in the giving of His Son for us. Now since we have God's Spirit in our life, the Law goes from Commandments on stone tablets to fulfilled promises written on our hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Galatians 5:16 ...Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. So let's walk in the newness of life by the Spirit.
John 3:1-8 w there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Jesus said “you must be born again and unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God”. That's the good news, the Gospel. Why, why is that good news? It’s good news because Jesus didn’t say, unless you’re a good person, you cannot see the kingdom of God. If He’d said that we'd have all been disqualified. So what does it mean to be born again, well, let’s start with Jesus’ explanation, from the text; being born again, means born of the Spirit, born from above. When you were born into this world, you were born alive physically, but dead spiritually. Ephesians 2:1 And you He has made alive, who were dead in your trespasses and sins; when you repented and trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy spirit took up residence in your life and brought you to life spiritually. That's a radical change. Another way to think about it that's no less radical, is to relate it to when your mom gave birth to you. Think about when you were born, you didn’t have anything to do with it, you were just there and you were ready to come out. Your mom did all the work. It is the same with being born again. God did all the work by giving his only begotten Son. God’s love is expressed in the giving of His Son for us. Now since we have God's Spirit in our life, the Law goes from Commandments on stone tablets to fulfilled promises written on our hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Galatians 5:16 ...Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. So let's walk in the newness of life by the Spirit.
By way of recap:
1. Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, clothe yourself in the righteousness of Christ.
2. Unless you’re converted and become like a little child you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and he will lift you up in due time.
3. Unless you repent you will perish. Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing would come from the presence of the Lord.
4. Unless you’re born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. Be born again 1 Peter 1:3 According to his great mercy, ... to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
As I draw this to a conclusion, it really needs to be noted, that the Lord Jesus Christ is laying out an ultimatum for humanity. The phrase “unless you do this or that you won’t enter the kingdom of heaven” is an ultimatum, no matter how you look at it. But it’s a little different than the way we normally give an ultimatum. We usually say, “if you do this, then you’re gonna get a knuckle sandwich.” Our ultimatums are usually given as a warning, and God, to a certain degree, does the same by sending John the Baptist, saying, “Flee from the wrath that is to come”. But the ultimatum from Jesus is to stop resisting Him and come to him for mercy, and receive His grace. Jesus says “be ye reconciled to God.”
So the only reason for any of this is that we, by our lives, serve our King and give Him the glory. Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, both now and forever. Amen.
1. Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, clothe yourself in the righteousness of Christ.
2. Unless you’re converted and become like a little child you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and he will lift you up in due time.
3. Unless you repent you will perish. Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing would come from the presence of the Lord.
4. Unless you’re born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. Be born again 1 Peter 1:3 According to his great mercy, ... to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
As I draw this to a conclusion, it really needs to be noted, that the Lord Jesus Christ is laying out an ultimatum for humanity. The phrase “unless you do this or that you won’t enter the kingdom of heaven” is an ultimatum, no matter how you look at it. But it’s a little different than the way we normally give an ultimatum. We usually say, “if you do this, then you’re gonna get a knuckle sandwich.” Our ultimatums are usually given as a warning, and God, to a certain degree, does the same by sending John the Baptist, saying, “Flee from the wrath that is to come”. But the ultimatum from Jesus is to stop resisting Him and come to him for mercy, and receive His grace. Jesus says “be ye reconciled to God.”
So the only reason for any of this is that we, by our lives, serve our King and give Him the glory. Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, both now and forever. Amen.
