Faith Words: Above the Law
Like most people, I receive a lot of emails - some I've subscribed to and some that come from who knows where. One regular email I get is from First Fruits of Zion. It contains many interesting articles and links that I have followed to gain some very thoughtful and often unusual insights.
Today, I got one of those emails. This one detailed Israel's king's duty to write the Law out by hand himself on a scroll. This practice would ensure that he was acquainted with the Law. But he was also required to keep it ever before him, so he would be reminded that even though he was king, he was not above the Law.
Even Jesus said he had not come to do away with the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. He knew the Law and lived by the Law and did not consider himself to be above the Law.
Are we above the Law? I don't think so. We are, in fact, called to a higher standard today than the Pharisees who lived in the time of Jesus. We are called to live out the heart of the Law.
And what is the heart of the Law? Jesus tells us clearly that first, we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls and all our minds, and then, second we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. He goes on to say that we are to love each other and also that we are to love our enemies.
So what is the heart of the Law? I'd say it's love. But Jesus didn't leave it there. He said if we love him, if we love the Father, we'll obey him. We tend to push the Law away today, saying that we don't live under the Law but under grace. In a sense, that's true because Jesus paid the price of our transgressions so we don't have to ourselves, but grace doesn't do away with obedience. Grace leads us to obedience.
How do we obey the Law today? Jesus told us that, too. He told us that we should treat each other - stranger and neighbor alike - as we'd like to be treated. If we would only remember that before we say or do something, wouldn't that be wonderful? Instead, people tend to treat each other with vengeance and malice, trying to get an injury in before being injured.
What if we didn't say that tacky remark that was aimed at someone's heart? What if we didn't snubbed and ignore someone to make them feel our anger and dissatisfaction? What if we obeyed the Law of love? The Law of Love.
Not above that Law,
Patrice
Matthew 7:12 NIV
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
And if you've got 'em, post June's verses, too!
June 1st:
Hebrews 12:14 NIV
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
June 15th:
Matthew 5:20 NIV
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Comments
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
June 1: Romans 12:21 NIV
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
June 15: Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.
June 1: Psalm 143:9
Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you.
June 15: Proverbs 9:6 NIV
Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.
In peace i will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
July 15: Ephesians 2:3-5 NIV
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.
August 1: 1 Timothy 6:17 NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
August 15: 1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.