Each day we choose whether or not we honor God's Law. His holy laws are given from Genesis through Deuteronomy...I don't recall that I have ever read HIS laws with an emphasis on Honoring them. Hosea 4:7 God warns us "My people are destroyed by lack of knowlege."..Churches no longer teach the Laws of God with the importance of them, I recall I told a friend of mine I was not going to eat pork or shellfish as those stood out to me not to eat for other reasons, her reaction was "you aren't going old testament on me?
When I have discussed with others obedience to the old testament, the response seems to be the cry of "legalism"...
Without knowing Gods law
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:9
Result Provebs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
It seems to me that the Churches concentrate on the life and sacrifice of Christ without emphasising the commandments HE gave us.
As I went through this study (commandment 5 on IBLP Daily Success), the writer shows that the pharisees concentrated so much on the letter of the law, they missed the spirit of the law.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 (King James Version)
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Only he could do this...he 1. fulfilled the prophesy of the old testament, He fulfilled the regulations and requirements of the Law (he did not sin) and 3. HE became the perfect sacrifice for our sins because Hebrews 9:22
22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission
This particular study is based on the commandments Jesus spoke. Oftentimes the readers of the old testament view God as harsh and unloving, whereas in the New Testatment, he is forgiving and loving
Malachi 3:6...I AM THE LORD I CHANGED NOT
When we look at the teachings of Jesus, they always seem harsher that the OT law, His teachings always clarify the the Law of Moses.
EX: Thou shalt not Kill
Jesus said: Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry withhis brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.
Old Testament Law perceived as a physical only law, whereas the New Testament teaches us that God looks also at the heart and the mind.
Praise be to Gods mercy that when we come to believe, we become justified and sanctifed that we may come to God. We must remember our sinful nature and embrace the holy law as we come to His throne...
I have been taught that the reason for the sacrifice of Christ is because the law is to hard for us to follow, however, David teaches us to DELIGHT in the law,
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not witherb; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:2-3
By delighting in the Law, we become like the "deer that panteth for the water", we can experience a burning heart for God. Pray for understanding and knowlege for the Lord will grant it.
At the end of this lesson, a journal suggestion. Take a blank sheet of paper and fold in half. Open HIS word to Psalm 119, on the left write God's expectations, and on the right, write Gods blessing for each!
I am off to do that now!
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