Exodus 20:4 to 6 reads, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (NKJV).
This is a command that all of us keep without question. We don't have any stone or wooden idols adorning our homes, cars, or persons, and that's a good thing. However, our understanding of this passage may or may not jive with what it truly says. The prohibition is not directed at other so called gods; that seems to be covered well by the previous commandment of having no other gods period. The prohibition is against making any physical representation of any god, Jehovah included.
I have had the opportunity to deal with several "Idolatrous" churches in my time in the ministry. The idols or graven images they set up were not pictures, statues, or altars. Their idols were representations of Jehovah to the community. their idols were treated as sacred and holy. Their idols were the buildings where they met for corporate worship and Christian education (among many other less religious events). I can remember that as a child we lived in a neighborhood where there was a small, cinder block Church of God. As children in the neighborhood we naturally thought as children in the neighborhood. to us that was "God's House". It represented God to us and everyone else. Consequently, when you entered the church yard you couldn't cuss let alone get into any kind of fight. Now you could go into the vacant lot behind the church and beat the snot out of one another, and call each other anything under the sun. (PLEASE NOTE: I NEVER PARTICIPATED IN ANY ACTIVITY EVEN REMOTELY RELATED TO THE ABOVE BEHAVIORS)
In the ministry I have dealt with churches where the building literally superseded the ministry to the community. One church was built in the 1930's and had approximately 15 steps leading up to the entrance. Even the members of the church were having difficulty entering the building. The building also boasted a beautiful facade with very ornate stained glass windows. A ramp would have been easy to install, and very cost effective. It would have greatly aided in reaching out to a community that was steadily growing older. However, it would have marred the appearance of the building and its surroundings. To this day there is no ramp, and the church continues to dwindle away. Another congregation had a need for Sunday School space. A plan was devised to remove the pews from the sanctuary and turn the area into a multi-purpose room. this would ave increased the amount and quality of education space, and would have added a large amount of seating to the auditorium. One person, who had been instrumental in selecting the pews and constructing the building some 25 years earlier, rejected the notion and let her objection be noted very loudly. Consequently, the church continues to struggle in its stagnate situation some 20 years later. These churches were worshipping a dead graven image of brick and mortar rather that the living Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The first commandment dealt with worshipping other gods. Jehovah knew he would have competition for the peoples' attention, love, and devotion. Satan provided a variety of alternative temptations, and man took the bait. This command dealt with worshipping a physical representation of even Jehovah Himself. God knew it was man's tendency to do so. It was a common practice of many of the neighboring cultures. II Kings 17:32 to 41 says, " So they feared the Lord, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the Lord, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; With whom the Lord had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods. And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day." (KJV). In the New Testament, even with the example of God's wrath on Israel, man would not listen. Romans 1:18 to 23 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (KJV). Romans 1:32 adds, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (KJV).
How then should God be worshiped? Perhaps a better place to start is with a definition of worship itself. Worship is not some ritual or ceremony conducted often out of habit and routine. Worship is an attitude to be carried within; an attitude of giving worth-ship to our God.
Worship is to be felt, not just seen or heard. Deuteronomy 6: 4 to 6 reads, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart;" (NKJV).
Worship is to be personal, not purchased. Micah 6:6 to 8 says, " With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NKJV).
Worship is being in God's presence regardless of our physical location. john 4:20 to 24 says, " "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.'' Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV).
How then should God be represented to the people of this world and this age? It's by the worship and honor accorded Him, not by a piles of bricks and mortar. If we do what is described above, people will see God around us, on us, and in us.
Dr. O
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
GOD'S COMPETITION
Exodus 20:1 to 3 reads, " And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (NKJV)
Is God fearful of a little competition? Of course not! After all, He is all powerful. Jeremiah 32:17 says, " Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:" (KJV). He is also all knowing. Psalm 139:1 to 4 reads, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." (KJV). God is finally ever-present. Also in Psalm 139 we read, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'' Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (NKJV).
God is in no way worried about any other so called gods. At most they are demonic spirits, fallen angels, which He created in the first place. We are told that even WE can defeat the highest of them all, Satan himself. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (NKJV). At the very least they are stone idols with no life in them at all. Psalm 115:2 to 8 says, "Why should the Gentiles say, " "Where now is their God?'' But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them." (NKJV). God is not concerned with these other gods; His concern lies with how His creation, mankind, will react to these other gods.
Both testaments warn us concerning these other gods. Exodus 34:12 to 17 says, "Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods. You shall make no molded gods for yourselves." (NKJV). In the New testament we read, "Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" (I Corinthians 10:18 to 22 NKJV).
What makes idolatry so appealing? Satan has been employing the same tactics to tempt and trap mankind since he first accomplished it in the garden. The Apostle John wrote these words, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:15 to 17 NKJV). The cravings of sinful flesh generally refers to the physical cravings man has. Much of idol worship involves drunkenness, gluttony, and general debauchery. Much of it involves sexual activity, both Homo and Hetero. the lust of the eyes also has a sexual element. Finally, boasting of what a person has or has done is the ego trip that often accompanies idolatry.
The outcome of this is God's people are drawn away from God and His instructions and commands. They are instead drawn into the "freedom" idolatry represents. This so called freedom leads to a slavery worse than that experienced by the Hebrews in Egypt. It is slavery to sin, slavery to Satan, and an addiction to the things these idols provide. the people forget God gave His commands to maintain peace and order, and to express His personal interest in His people and their well-being.
In general, idolatry lead the people to be alienated from God. They turned away from Him. The book of Judges is filled with example after example of the people's idolatry and its outcome. the people began a vicious cycle of idolatry leading to servitude to other nations. The servitude lead to crying out to God for salvation, and then the receipt of that salvation by the hand of God. The hand of God in this case was a judge, a leader who rose up from within the people. However, the judge, being mortal, would die and the people would return to their idolatrous lifestyle and the cycle would begin again. As the people fell into idolatry and all that went with it, the Lord's anger grew against Israel. He chose to discipline His children by letting their sin run its course. When that did not serve to stop the cycle, the Lord would take an active role raising up opposition to be victorious over Israel. Israel would repent and return to the Father. God, being a loving Father, would welcome their return.
The question is, can this happen today? YES!! Granted no one we may know will probably have an altar to Baal or an Asherah Pole in their home, but we are still tempted by other idols and temptations. The Apostle John tells us in I John 2:15 to 17 that we face physical and emotional temptations which can turn our attention from God.These are just as powerful and quick as any biblical idol. Our false gods aren't made of stone or wood, and they aren't named Baal, Molech, Diana, or Dagon. Money is one of our false gods. With many its the more we get, the more we want. Idle leisure is a god to many. People spend more of their time and money on their play than that which they gave or used for prayer, study, or fellowship. Other gods are alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc. Our god is anything we turn to for peace, pleasure, and satisfaction.
All the time, God offers us peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (aka. the fruit of the Spirit). If God disciplined Israel when they followed after false gods, how much will he discipline us as well???
Dr. O.
Is God fearful of a little competition? Of course not! After all, He is all powerful. Jeremiah 32:17 says, " Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:" (KJV). He is also all knowing. Psalm 139:1 to 4 reads, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." (KJV). God is finally ever-present. Also in Psalm 139 we read, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,'' Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (NKJV).
God is in no way worried about any other so called gods. At most they are demonic spirits, fallen angels, which He created in the first place. We are told that even WE can defeat the highest of them all, Satan himself. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (NKJV). At the very least they are stone idols with no life in them at all. Psalm 115:2 to 8 says, "Why should the Gentiles say, " "Where now is their God?'' But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them." (NKJV). God is not concerned with these other gods; His concern lies with how His creation, mankind, will react to these other gods.
Both testaments warn us concerning these other gods. Exodus 34:12 to 17 says, "Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods. You shall make no molded gods for yourselves." (NKJV). In the New testament we read, "Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?" (I Corinthians 10:18 to 22 NKJV).
What makes idolatry so appealing? Satan has been employing the same tactics to tempt and trap mankind since he first accomplished it in the garden. The Apostle John wrote these words, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:15 to 17 NKJV). The cravings of sinful flesh generally refers to the physical cravings man has. Much of idol worship involves drunkenness, gluttony, and general debauchery. Much of it involves sexual activity, both Homo and Hetero. the lust of the eyes also has a sexual element. Finally, boasting of what a person has or has done is the ego trip that often accompanies idolatry.
The outcome of this is God's people are drawn away from God and His instructions and commands. They are instead drawn into the "freedom" idolatry represents. This so called freedom leads to a slavery worse than that experienced by the Hebrews in Egypt. It is slavery to sin, slavery to Satan, and an addiction to the things these idols provide. the people forget God gave His commands to maintain peace and order, and to express His personal interest in His people and their well-being.
In general, idolatry lead the people to be alienated from God. They turned away from Him. The book of Judges is filled with example after example of the people's idolatry and its outcome. the people began a vicious cycle of idolatry leading to servitude to other nations. The servitude lead to crying out to God for salvation, and then the receipt of that salvation by the hand of God. The hand of God in this case was a judge, a leader who rose up from within the people. However, the judge, being mortal, would die and the people would return to their idolatrous lifestyle and the cycle would begin again. As the people fell into idolatry and all that went with it, the Lord's anger grew against Israel. He chose to discipline His children by letting their sin run its course. When that did not serve to stop the cycle, the Lord would take an active role raising up opposition to be victorious over Israel. Israel would repent and return to the Father. God, being a loving Father, would welcome their return.
The question is, can this happen today? YES!! Granted no one we may know will probably have an altar to Baal or an Asherah Pole in their home, but we are still tempted by other idols and temptations. The Apostle John tells us in I John 2:15 to 17 that we face physical and emotional temptations which can turn our attention from God.These are just as powerful and quick as any biblical idol. Our false gods aren't made of stone or wood, and they aren't named Baal, Molech, Diana, or Dagon. Money is one of our false gods. With many its the more we get, the more we want. Idle leisure is a god to many. People spend more of their time and money on their play than that which they gave or used for prayer, study, or fellowship. Other gods are alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc. Our god is anything we turn to for peace, pleasure, and satisfaction.
All the time, God offers us peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (aka. the fruit of the Spirit). If God disciplined Israel when they followed after false gods, how much will he discipline us as well???
Dr. O.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
For many years the state of Montana supposedly did not have a daytime speed limit. This was a fallacy in that the stated speed limit was "Whatever is reasonable and prudent". Reasonable and prudent is what allowed my wife's cousin to drive 115 miles per hour and only receive a warning from the highway patrol officers who stopped him. He was a properly equipped vehicle, he knew the road he was driving on, and was able to keep the car under control. The problem found by law enforcement in Montana was that "outsiders" came to visit the state and were unable to judge the limits of what was "reasonable and prudent". Consequently, the state now has a more familiar speed limit. All because a few people did not exercise good discernment in the operation of the vehicles.
God's law is a lot like that. Some un-educated, un-discerning, imprudent, and unreasonable people see what the New testament says about the Old Testament and assume there is no more law. Galatians 3:23 to 25 says, "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." (NKJV). This leaves us with three positions to choose from. Some un-educated, un-discerning, and unreasonable people we are still bound by the full law of the Old Testament. Others, equally un-educated, etc. see passages such as the Galatians quote as a license for lasciviousness. Finally, those who are reasonable and discerning, applying both thought and prayer, and educated, applying a proper study of God's word. It is this last group that I hope we will be a part of, the reasonable and prudent group.
First let's define what we mean by God's law. Law could refer to only the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. Galatians 3:10 says, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."(NKJV). Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. The law could be referring to the entire Old Testament. John 15:23 to 25 reads, "He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, `They hated Me without a cause."(NKJV). Verse 25 quotes both Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4, niether of these is part of the Pentateuch. The law can also refer to the Law of Moses, the specific things dictated to Moses in his 40 days on Mt. Sinai. This led to the controversy that led to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Acts 15:5 says, " But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.''(NKJV).
The law is said to be enduring. Psalm 119:91 reads, " They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants."(NKJV). Verse 160 adds, "The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."(NKJV). It falls to us to reconcile this with the Law having an end in Christ.
A confrontation was coming to a head in Jesus' earthly ministry. Some believed that Jesus was here to overthrow the law. Some looked forward to it; they were burdened by the righteousness the law required, and they were feeling convicted in their inability to keep the law. Others feared the law's overthrow; with it gone they would lose their power, prestige, and authority. Jesus stated His relationship to the law this way, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matthew 5:17 and 18 NKJV). He came not to overthrow the law or destroy it. To destroy it meant destroying much of the proof of His Deity, of His being the Messiah. Jesus depended on the law so he could fulfill the law.
T fulfill the law meant He fulfilled it as a standard of righteousness. He did so by being completely righteous, completely sinless, and completely perfect. He also had to fulfill the law as the revelation of the exceeding sinfulness of mankind. Romans 7:7 to 13 reads, " What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet.'' But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful."(NKJV).
After Jesus, the law continues to reveal sin as sin, and consequently reveal our need for a savior. Romans 5:20 to 6:4 reads, "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."(NKJV).
Matthew 5:19 and 20 reads, "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."(NKJV). This is how the law relates to the Christian. Breaking the law did not have to be a obvious and open defiant act against the law. it instead could be taking advantage of a "loophole" in the law. we jump through the loophole by pleading ignorance, using "proof-texts", manipulating the interpretation of the law, rationalizing away the need to follow the law, and justifying our breakage of the law.
To properly practice righteousness is to follow the most righteous path. Matthew 22: 34 to 40 says, "But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?'' Jesus said to him, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."(NKJV).
The remainder of this study will be spent looking at these commandments and the moral law of the ten commandments. This not a search for loopholes, but more so we can find how to be the most righteous people we can be.
Dr. O
God's law is a lot like that. Some un-educated, un-discerning, imprudent, and unreasonable people see what the New testament says about the Old Testament and assume there is no more law. Galatians 3:23 to 25 says, "But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." (NKJV). This leaves us with three positions to choose from. Some un-educated, un-discerning, and unreasonable people we are still bound by the full law of the Old Testament. Others, equally un-educated, etc. see passages such as the Galatians quote as a license for lasciviousness. Finally, those who are reasonable and discerning, applying both thought and prayer, and educated, applying a proper study of God's word. It is this last group that I hope we will be a part of, the reasonable and prudent group.
First let's define what we mean by God's law. Law could refer to only the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. Galatians 3:10 says, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."(NKJV). Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. The law could be referring to the entire Old Testament. John 15:23 to 25 reads, "He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, `They hated Me without a cause."(NKJV). Verse 25 quotes both Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4, niether of these is part of the Pentateuch. The law can also refer to the Law of Moses, the specific things dictated to Moses in his 40 days on Mt. Sinai. This led to the controversy that led to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Acts 15:5 says, " But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.''(NKJV).
The law is said to be enduring. Psalm 119:91 reads, " They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants."(NKJV). Verse 160 adds, "The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."(NKJV). It falls to us to reconcile this with the Law having an end in Christ.
A confrontation was coming to a head in Jesus' earthly ministry. Some believed that Jesus was here to overthrow the law. Some looked forward to it; they were burdened by the righteousness the law required, and they were feeling convicted in their inability to keep the law. Others feared the law's overthrow; with it gone they would lose their power, prestige, and authority. Jesus stated His relationship to the law this way, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matthew 5:17 and 18 NKJV). He came not to overthrow the law or destroy it. To destroy it meant destroying much of the proof of His Deity, of His being the Messiah. Jesus depended on the law so he could fulfill the law.
T fulfill the law meant He fulfilled it as a standard of righteousness. He did so by being completely righteous, completely sinless, and completely perfect. He also had to fulfill the law as the revelation of the exceeding sinfulness of mankind. Romans 7:7 to 13 reads, " What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet.'' But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful."(NKJV).
After Jesus, the law continues to reveal sin as sin, and consequently reveal our need for a savior. Romans 5:20 to 6:4 reads, "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."(NKJV).
Matthew 5:19 and 20 reads, "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."(NKJV). This is how the law relates to the Christian. Breaking the law did not have to be a obvious and open defiant act against the law. it instead could be taking advantage of a "loophole" in the law. we jump through the loophole by pleading ignorance, using "proof-texts", manipulating the interpretation of the law, rationalizing away the need to follow the law, and justifying our breakage of the law.
To properly practice righteousness is to follow the most righteous path. Matthew 22: 34 to 40 says, "But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?'' Jesus said to him, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."(NKJV).
The remainder of this study will be spent looking at these commandments and the moral law of the ten commandments. This not a search for loopholes, but more so we can find how to be the most righteous people we can be.
Dr. O
Sunday, January 4, 2009
INTRODUCING GOD
"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Exodus 20:2 (NKJV)
In the Old testament there are three primary names used for God. The first of these is ELOHIM, translated "God". This name is used 2000 times in the Old Testament and is the plural form of EL. Its means to be strong, be preeminent. It is related to the fact that God transcends everything, including all other so-called gods or dieties. This plural form appears prominently in the creation accounts with the presentation of the triune God. Genesis 1:26 reads, " And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(NKJV). Note the use of pronouns US and OUR.
The second name for God is ADONAI which is translated "Lord". This name is used 449 times designating God as "Lord" or "Master". it emphasises God's absolute rule and authority. God is Lord of all.
The third, and most commonly used, name for God is YAHWEH translated "Jehovah" or "LORD". This mane is used some 6828 times and puts stress on God's personal relationship with Israel. Interestingly YAHWEH is unique to Israel. EL (ELOHIM)and ADONAI are used in other cultures for other powers. Israel is the only one to use YAHWEH.
YAHWEH is the name used in Exodu 20:2. in other words God is introducing himself as YAHWEH, the God who is taking a personal interest in Israel. that interest is demonstrated in the salvation given Israel from Epyptiam bondage.
YAHWEH or JEHOVAH is often used in combination with other words to further reveal God's heart for Israel. JEHOVAH-JIREH means "the lord will provide". in Genesis chapter 22 we see a father put to the ultimate test of faith. The father, Abraham, is called on by God to offer Isaac, the son God had promised and provided, as a sacrificial burnt offering. Abraham, Issac, and two servants set on what would be a three day journey. Neither Isaac nor the servants are aware of what the true nature of their trip would be. They knew only they were going to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. imagine the pain that shot through the father's heart as Isaac asked, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7 NKJV). Abraham's simple response was, " God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering," (Genesis 22:8 NKJV). They arrive at the designated place, and the altar is prepared. Isaac is bound by his father and placed on the altar. Abraham raises the knife ready to take the life of his promised son. At that moment God does provide and stops Abraham's sacrifice. Genesis 22:14 says, " And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day," (NKJV).
JEHOVAH-NISSI or "the Lord our banner" is used in Exodus 17. the Amalekites attach Israel and Joshua and the army of Israel were dispatched to battle them. During the fight Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, go to a hillside overlooking the battlefield. as the battle progresses Moses raise his hands. as As long as his hands were raised Israel had the advantage in the fight; likewise, if his arms dropped the opposition had it. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur, Moses continued to hold his hands raised as a standard or flag over the war zone. The eventual victory came because of Israel's faith in the one Moses' standard represented. After the victory Moses named the place "The Lord is my banner".
JEHOVAH-SHALOM means "the Lord is peace". In Judges 6:24 Gideon builds and altar and gives it the name "the Lord is peace". Gideon is about to assert his role as a Judge over Israel. he was the one chosen to call and lead Israel back to a life of righteousness and freedom. With this peace from God he leads a reduced army of only 300 warriors against an opposition numbered in the thousands. God, Gideon, and the 300 troops free Israel from Mideonite bondage.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU (sid,ka,new) means "the Lord our righteousness". Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 read, "Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (NKJV). Even though the now divided Israel is far from righteous, God makes the promise that one day He would make them righteous.
How does all this name calling apply to the Church? Simply by the one who was called all these names and many more, Jesus Christ. Jesus is JEHOVAH-JIREH, He is our provider. Some of His miracles were miracles of provision. He fed the thousands (twice), He turned water into wine, He provided sight for the blind, He provided the deaf with their hearing, He made the paralyzed able to move, he returned sanity to those out of their minds, He provides freedom from both physical and spiritual bondage. For us, He is living water, the bread of life, and the passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-NISSI, He is our standard, our banner. Luke 24 says that in His name the gospel will be preached. Acts shows the beginning of that, and it still continues today. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-SHALOM; He is our peace. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(NKJV). This peace is not the absence of conflict, but instead a confident assurance of victory. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness. Consider these words, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."(Romans 5:15-19 NKJV)
God introduced Himself to Israel. he declared to them that He wanted a loving, personal relationship with His people. And He demonstrated for them how He had done His part. Jesus has introduced Himself to us. he declares to us that He wants a loving, personal relationship with us, His people. he to demonstrates that He did His part. The question to us is, Have we done our part.
Dr. O
In the Old testament there are three primary names used for God. The first of these is ELOHIM, translated "God". This name is used 2000 times in the Old Testament and is the plural form of EL. Its means to be strong, be preeminent. It is related to the fact that God transcends everything, including all other so-called gods or dieties. This plural form appears prominently in the creation accounts with the presentation of the triune God. Genesis 1:26 reads, " And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(NKJV). Note the use of pronouns US and OUR.
The second name for God is ADONAI which is translated "Lord". This name is used 449 times designating God as "Lord" or "Master". it emphasises God's absolute rule and authority. God is Lord of all.
The third, and most commonly used, name for God is YAHWEH translated "Jehovah" or "LORD". This mane is used some 6828 times and puts stress on God's personal relationship with Israel. Interestingly YAHWEH is unique to Israel. EL (ELOHIM)and ADONAI are used in other cultures for other powers. Israel is the only one to use YAHWEH.
YAHWEH is the name used in Exodu 20:2. in other words God is introducing himself as YAHWEH, the God who is taking a personal interest in Israel. that interest is demonstrated in the salvation given Israel from Epyptiam bondage.
YAHWEH or JEHOVAH is often used in combination with other words to further reveal God's heart for Israel. JEHOVAH-JIREH means "the lord will provide". in Genesis chapter 22 we see a father put to the ultimate test of faith. The father, Abraham, is called on by God to offer Isaac, the son God had promised and provided, as a sacrificial burnt offering. Abraham, Issac, and two servants set on what would be a three day journey. Neither Isaac nor the servants are aware of what the true nature of their trip would be. They knew only they were going to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. imagine the pain that shot through the father's heart as Isaac asked, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7 NKJV). Abraham's simple response was, " God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering," (Genesis 22:8 NKJV). They arrive at the designated place, and the altar is prepared. Isaac is bound by his father and placed on the altar. Abraham raises the knife ready to take the life of his promised son. At that moment God does provide and stops Abraham's sacrifice. Genesis 22:14 says, " And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day," (NKJV).
JEHOVAH-NISSI or "the Lord our banner" is used in Exodus 17. the Amalekites attach Israel and Joshua and the army of Israel were dispatched to battle them. During the fight Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, go to a hillside overlooking the battlefield. as the battle progresses Moses raise his hands. as As long as his hands were raised Israel had the advantage in the fight; likewise, if his arms dropped the opposition had it. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur, Moses continued to hold his hands raised as a standard or flag over the war zone. The eventual victory came because of Israel's faith in the one Moses' standard represented. After the victory Moses named the place "The Lord is my banner".
JEHOVAH-SHALOM means "the Lord is peace". In Judges 6:24 Gideon builds and altar and gives it the name "the Lord is peace". Gideon is about to assert his role as a Judge over Israel. he was the one chosen to call and lead Israel back to a life of righteousness and freedom. With this peace from God he leads a reduced army of only 300 warriors against an opposition numbered in the thousands. God, Gideon, and the 300 troops free Israel from Mideonite bondage.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU (sid,ka,new) means "the Lord our righteousness". Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 read, "Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (NKJV). Even though the now divided Israel is far from righteous, God makes the promise that one day He would make them righteous.
How does all this name calling apply to the Church? Simply by the one who was called all these names and many more, Jesus Christ. Jesus is JEHOVAH-JIREH, He is our provider. Some of His miracles were miracles of provision. He fed the thousands (twice), He turned water into wine, He provided sight for the blind, He provided the deaf with their hearing, He made the paralyzed able to move, he returned sanity to those out of their minds, He provides freedom from both physical and spiritual bondage. For us, He is living water, the bread of life, and the passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-NISSI, He is our standard, our banner. Luke 24 says that in His name the gospel will be preached. Acts shows the beginning of that, and it still continues today. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-SHALOM; He is our peace. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(NKJV). This peace is not the absence of conflict, but instead a confident assurance of victory. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness. Consider these words, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."(Romans 5:15-19 NKJV)
God introduced Himself to Israel. he declared to them that He wanted a loving, personal relationship with His people. And He demonstrated for them how He had done His part. Jesus has introduced Himself to us. he declares to us that He wants a loving, personal relationship with us, His people. he to demonstrates that He did His part. The question to us is, Have we done our part.
Dr. O
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