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The
Law of Love (Part 2)
Last month we talked about the reason for placing parameters around our
children’s lives. We also reviewed God’s purpose for giving his people,
the Jews, 613 specific laws, regulations, and precepts. But how, if at
all, do these Biblical laws apply to Christians today? There are a few
common misconceptions that cause lots of confusion and frustration to followers
of Christ, which in turn sometimes place roadblocks to Christianity for those
who have not yet accepted Christ.
Perhaps
you believe in God, and have a relationship with Jesus, but feel “boxed in” by
the long list of rules you have heard about or read in the Bible. How
well are you doing in obeying all those laws of Moses? Are you satisfied
with your behavior? Do you sometimes feel like giving up because you keep
going through the cycle of trying but failing, then trying and failing some
more? Feels kind of like a treadmill that you just can’t seem to get off
of, doesn’t it. Have you ever wondered if there’s more to Christianity
than this?
Maybe
when you were a kid your parents made you go to Sunday School, but once you got
old enough you quit going because there wasn’t much life in all that religious
stuff. Or, you’ve given up altogether on the idea of a loving God because
you’ve come into contact with Christians who seemed like Bible thumpers that
only wanted to lay a “turn or burn” line on you, and basically tried to scare
you into heaven. Instead of a compassionate Father-Creator, the picture
painted of God looked more like an angry cop who wants to punish you for being
such a wormy failure.
Well,
regardless of the category in which you see yourself, you may be surprised to
find out that God doesn’t intend for his Law to be a motivating factor in the
lives of his people. Let’s establish the fact that the Bible clearly
states that God’s law is perfect and holy. There’s nothing wrong or bad
about it, and it was given to the Jews out of God’s deep love and compassion
for his chosen people. However, when Jesus fulfilled the law by his death
and resurrection, he forever changed the application of the law upon those who
opt to enter a heart-level relationship with him.
I could
make this a 12-part series and still not adequately cover the topic, so I’ll
cut to the chase by pointing out what the Bible has to say about how the law
applies to one who has given his or her life to God through accepting Jesus
Christ as Lord, Savior, and Life. In 1 Timothy, chapter 1, the Apostle Paul
gives a very clear explanation of how the law fits into our lives. Check
it out by reading verses 8-11, but in short he stresses that God’s 613 laws are
intended for lawbreakers, not righteous people. In Paul’s mind,
lawbreakers are those who have never entered into a true relationship with
Christ, while the righteous are those who have entered in and given their lives
over to God.
Basically, Christians are free from having to focus continuously on trying
to obey all those rules because the Law Giver now lives in their spirit.
Instead of needing external motivation (the written laws) to obey God, they
have consistent internal motivation, God himself, to walk in peace and harmony
with the Father of their heart. No more self-condemnation for screwing up.
No more religious guilt-trips over poor behavior. No more church games to
make sure God is still happy with you. Jesus set you free from all of
that when he paid your debt by going to the cross.
I wish I could keep writing, but we’re out of space again. But if you
haven’t visited us yet, please come by the Fire House in Woodstock some Sunday
morning at 10:00 am and experience our awesome little family at God’s Rolling
Thunder. Maybe you’ll discover something, or Someone, you never thought
existed.
Derryck McLuhan
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