That is because Rome uses a faulty hermeneutic. In reality (if they read the text) Jesus was teaching the Law to the Jews. But, Rome simply does not notice that Gentiles were not a part of the so-called Sermon on the Mount. Rome believes Jesus is teaching, "Good Christian Living" in this sermon and love to recite the paternoster...they just don't recite all of it. And, you are correct, the ending is devastating. If you Jews do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.
But, when a good religious Gentile gets hold of this wrongheaded hermeneutic and tries to "obey" the Law of Moses, they find themselves either blind to their failure, or lying to themselves. Either way, this is broken religion. And, Rome loves to inflict broken religion on its sheeple.
Oddly, Rome does not advocate the tearing of eyes out, or the cutting off of one's hands...although Jesus required this, too. Rome does not know how to deal with Matt. 5:48 wherein Jesus demands that the person be "absolutely perfect"...except that a lot of RCs actually seem to speak like they are perfect (there's that blindness, again).
But, the funny thing is that if they were to keep reading, they would notice that Jesus even makes it clear that the so-called "Golden Rule" is simply a summation of the Law and the Prophets...not Christianity.
Of course the Sermon on the Mount is on a collision course with the Reformation...we don't believe that it is the Gospel of grace. It is the Law of Moses. But, Rome loves the Law and must mangle the story line in order to get the paternoster, the golden rule, the bearing of a cross, the forgiveness in order to get forgiven. Not real Christians.
Real believers in Christ recognize the flow of the story line and that we (if we are among the elect Eph. 1) were grafted in at the cross of Jesus, when the blood flowed (Eph. 2). Look at the Gospel after that moment and see what it teaches...it is not Catholicism.
Well said. That old “rightly dividing” gets them every time.
Rome also forgets to tell those in her grip that if they attempt to keep the law, they are responsible for the whole law. And if lawkeepers break even one point, they are guilty of breaking the whole law.
Galatians 5:3— “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”
James 2:10 — “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Christ speaks of finding rest for your soul in Him. He said “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. In stark contrast, Rome puts sinners in bondage.