Making a difference

 

How can you affect the elections ?

Well you may choose to vote  - yes

Better, you may take time to pray  - yes please

You can waste time criticising people and parties

But there are positive ways to effect change!:

    Teach children the Word of God. Soon they will be teenagers and then adults voting.  Most get their morals and sense of discernment from screens – TV, Smartphones, Cinemas  etc.  Movies have been designed to manipulate the minds of the masses – with great success.

Teaching our families Bible truths is vital. But beyond that, teaching children in schools is a brilliant opportunity to teach good morals, teach wisdom, teach God’s laws and best of all lead them to Christ.

In many churches Religious Instruction in schools is considered a ‘non-event’. How sad to miss the way of the Master who stopped the crowd to bless the children and commanded Peter to “feed My Lambs”. Any preacher/paster who is too big to teach the children is unworthy of honour.

    At election time the people need tools to discern moral failure in leaders (it does matter), to discern moral questions (like gay marriage and abortion). To discern righteousness as an important social value.  To have compassion like Christ Jesus.  To be concerned for national issues as God sees it (Immigration and defence).

    Where are the teachers who are willing to sharpen the consciences of the people young and old, on real, relevant issues  as guided by the Word of God – the Holy Bible?

     Who will stand in the public square to make known God’s ways, God’s values  for our confused society??

    At election time, the would be politicians are ready for conversation. – go and ask them the important questions! Not about the money they promise. Ask them to be transparent about their own character and purpose. Avoid letting the media convince you of good or bad.

    The days were that good character was paramount. National interest was more important than personal benefit. And we can push back against the selfish priorities of modern politics.

    The last two years of teaching citizenship, it caused me to search the constitution, learn about laws and promote values. Beyond some disappointments I discovered so much of it  that is Bible based and we do well to highlight this. E.g. “rule of law” came from Moses teachings.  Compassion for migrants came from OT and NT etc.

 

So  let’s pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

10 Commands

 

At School we have been teaching the children the ten commandments. Is it relevant???

Yes it is!  - Many children have no sense of values except what they see on screens – TV, smart phones, I pad etc. Hence it is vital to establish the writing of the Lord God to guide their conscience. It also registers a sense of the holiness of God.

Yes it is!  - teaching about Jesus Christ dying for our sins is meaningless if people don’t know what sin is. Paul wrote: “apart from the law , sin lies dead” (Romans 7:8). Thus the law gives meaning to the Lord Jesus Christ dying as a sacrifice for sin.

Yes it is!  - The first commandment points heavenward – to worship the invisible, heaven residing God. He alone is worthy of our devotion and obedience.

Yes it is!  - The last commandment confirms the statement of

Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned” .  From Eve to the present, the sin of covetousness stains every mind.

Yes it is!  - God knows best how to order society. From the days of the week to marriage to loving our neighbour, His way is best.

Does it achieve salvation and eternal life – NO.

Only the LORD God gives eternal life as a gift through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Law condems us, hence we need a sacrifice.

The Law exemplifies the Holy character  of God

Th Lamb of God in 1 Peter 1

For many the word passion connects with the word lust.. However in 1 Peter 1.14 ‘passion’ seems to refer to the ardent, fervent attempt to keep Moses law without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a tragedy that still continues today among Orthodox Jews – passionate zeal for reading and keeping the Torah, yet rejecting Jesus Christ as the Lord from heaven.

This also happens in other religions. The sincerity and passion of many is admirable but zeal without knowledge is dangerous. Even so among Christians. Some people develop a passion for the correctness of their own group.. Others have an extreme unbalanced emphasis about a particular doctrine or practice. The apostle Peter quickly turns the minds of the believers to God who is HOLY. He calls on the disciples to obey Him and be conformed to Him in thought, belief, behaviour and conduct.

Peter goes on to show the holiness which is complete in God is the foundation of God’s dealings with humanity.

1 Peter 1:16 – God is the Father who judges impartially – holy

Verse 18,19 –He is the redeemer who understands the lostness of humanity (holy assessment), and He is the one who stepped in to pay the ransom price – the precious blood of Christ. Such an expression is meaningless apart from the holiness of God.

Verse 20 – The extreme value of the ‘Lamb’ is referred to – His pre-existant perfection and purpose. After the death of the Lamb (Jesus Christ dying on the cross), God in His holiness raised Him from the dead and has given Him the greatest glory, the highest place.

  By this God has established for us a hope beyond law keeping and ceremony – in the living Lamb of God.

John writes of the heavenly vision   "I saw in the midst of the throne a Lamb" Revelation 5

The theme of the Lamb runs through scripture and would be good for you to study.

John McKee

The law not relevant ?

Continuing our survey of the law in the Bible -
1 Corinthians 15.59 is a passing but significant comment - "the power of sin is the law". Light is good, but light shows up evil. Light shining in the face of Jesus Christ not only calls to repentance, but beams with grace abundant. And so the light of law shows up our condition as sinners before God but the grace of our Lord Jesus provides the remedy.

2 Corinthians 3  is very clear about the different covenants - one through Moses and one through Christ. The first is described as a ministry of death, the second as a ministry of the Spirit. Both express the glory of God. It is the second that surpasses the first. It is permanent and life changing. It transforms the believer into the glory of the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. This is described as ongoing, by the Lord the Spirit until the day when we appear with Him in glory. The vessels of clay may break, but the glory of the gospel in the face of Jesus Christ will shine the brighter.

I note that several times in this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul refers to the Old Testament   "as it is written" (6.2  6.16  9.9 )  He was indeed an apostle (authorized by Christ to speak for Christ), yet he repeatedly draws upon the Old Testament as a point of reference and authority!

John McKee

The law in Romans

Romans opens with  humanity lost in the quagmire of sin, because of  a creator rejected. Chapters 2 and 3 identifies a people, the Jews, who are privileged to have the scriptures of the Old Testament, but they fail to fulfil its demands. They were good at teaching the law, but not good at keeping it so they too stand guilty before God. At this crisis point  Paul the apostle makes a significant declaration : " The righteousness of God is revealed apart from the law, yet the law stands as  witness to it." Romans 3.21. It is an important study to  find out what is the "Righteousness of God" - keep reading in Romans to discover "God at work".
           He  introduces several surpassing laws  -  the law of faith 3:27,      the law of God  7:22,  the law of my mind  7:23,   then negatively, the law of sin and death 8:2

            Chapters 3,4,5,6,7, demonstrate the failure of man in himself, and under law, both as to justification before God  and the sanctification of the person.
             Chapter 8 gives blessed relief    -  that the righteousness of the law was /is fulfilled in us ! how?  by the spirit of the living God enabling us to live in the spiritual relationship of sons of God, whereby we cry "Abba Father" 8:15

  The link of law is replaced by the lock of love  -notice the last verse of chapter 8

We could write many words about new words introduced in this Gospel treatise - words that the law knew little about eg  justification, reconciliation, reigning in life, eternal life etc etc.
                 Chapter 7 is a landmark statement of our relationship to law. The Christian is dead to the law ! The law has no power over someone dead with Christ. Now faith in Christ sets the believer free  to live in newness of life. Detail of this sanctified life is given in chapters 12 to 15. The renewed mind leads to new character, where we put on Christ (13.10). This is seen as the fulfilling of the law (not the fruit of, nor the result of the law).

                  Chapter 14 - the keeping of days and food laws was not wrong,  but the imposition of it on others was wrong.   The execution of judgement , which was so crucial in Moses law, has now been committed to the only one qualified  -  the  living Lord Jesus himself.  This new covenant is not so much based upon the promises of the past, but rather linked to the hope of power and authority vested in the resurrected  living and exalted Lord Jesus!

      In his writings Paul occasionally refers to the law of Moses as a point of reference eg 1 Corinthians
9.8 "as also saith the law"    also 1  Corinthians 14.34     This confirms the point  that the law has a place of instruction for us, but is not in control of us.

More next time
Good night

John Mckee

Did the new Christians observe the law?

I am persisting with my subject (Law), due to the blessing it has brought me in recent weeks.

 Acts 1 restates the authority of the  Father in all matters of the kingdom. I see this in contrast to the scribes and Pharisees, and other militant Jews who used the Old Testament to further their hopes of Jewish nationhood.
Chapter 3.20,21 . The restitution of all things, rests in the acceptance of the Lord  they had rejected, who is now risen and exalted in glory.

Chapter 10 is most significant as God goes beyond the narrow mindedness of the Jews, to embrace the Gentiles. It is wonderful the way God 'compelled' a prominent Jewish believer(Peter) to be the instrument of bringing Jew and Gentile together. This caused much discussion, and eventually a pharaseeical party  began teaching that the gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. And so the Acts 15 conference was convened.

Chapter 13 Paul in his address to the synagogue at  Antioch makes an interesting statement at the end - " through this man (instead of animal sacrifices) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. and by Him all who believe are justified (hardly an OT word) from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses" What was he referring to?? Did the all things include sins of commission ( the sacrifices covered sins of ignorance) Well it is obviously something surpassing the law!

Acts 15 is a crisis conference of great importance. Some converts from Judaism wanted to enforce Moses's law for all converts to Christianity. In effect they wanted gentile believers to be redirected Jews. Act10 created a problem (Peter preaching to Gentiles) and the preaching of Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles created a bigger problem. Even today when conflict arises, many contract into a rigid group that enforces more rules, enabling them to treat others as inferiors! Thankfully the Apostles by the Holy Spirit saw God doing a different thing - gathering a people together for His name among all nations. Please note the statements by Peter:
1. God chose Peter to  reach out to the gentiles in a way much like Pentecost. Peter describes it as God at work.
2  Cleansing of the heart was by faith.
3  v10  Peter describes the law as "a burden which neither we nor our fathers could bear"! Why expect the gentile to try?
4 v11 is put so beautifully  - salvation for the Jew will be on the same basis of the same grace shown to the gentiles. If I was speaking I would have reversed it i.e. the gentiles would be saved like us Jews, but Peter puts it so distinctly - saved by grace for all!

Verse 14 James confirms the remarks of Peter and then quotes scripture to show God's intention to embrace the Gentile believers. It may have remained in some Jewish minds that Israel as a nation would de restored.
Verse 18 is an eloquent expression of God's operations independent of human design i.e. ' the gentiles who are called by my Name' God calls where and when and who He may choose!
Verse 20 The conclusion of James and the letter written was not so much a victory for Paul and Barnabas  but rather a relief that the Gospel of grace might abound to the many other sheep for whom Christ had died.
         A few restrictions imposed were appropriate for 'good conscience' living - separation from idols, appropriate human social behaviour, and one health rule that would honour God. James concludes with an interesting comment - that the reading of the law and prophets was available in all cities for any that would learn more. (as we maintain that although we are not under law, we can still be blessed by reading and understanding it!)

Acts 17 is a masterpiece of preaching to a Gentile audience - I note their is no reference to the law as a means of life nor the measure of judgement.

Acts 20.21 This summary of Paul' teaching distinctly leaves out any reference to law keeping

Acts  21:17-26 What shall we make of these verses?  It appears the converted Jews were continuing under law and the Gentiles without law. So what was Paul to do. Well it seems that he tried to fit in with the 'two peoples' system, but God had other plans and instead gave him (Paul) a free ticket to Rome. There he  would preach the Gospel of free grace before governors, rulers and kings (howbeit as a prisoner).

I trust you are impressed with Acts as "God at work"

J.Mckee   johnmckee@internode.on.net      Comments welcome

Law / Grace

Psalm 119 is a beautiful reflection on the character and value of the law of God. At the end is a surprising prayer. Verse 176  " I have gone astray like a lost sheep, seek your servant" - the admitted outcome of the law meditation being the exposure of human weakness and wandering ways!

John 13-16 is by contrast a most uplifting, enabling law of liberty  where the believing  soul is able  to be fruitful because of connection to the vine. Only in Him can true fulfilment be found. The focus of the Holy Spirit's work to reveal Christ and so "in Him" we have identity and fruitfulness. The prayer of chapter 17 omits the law and the stress is on "Thy word" given to the disciples by the Lord.

John 18  John highlights the occasion when the Lord applies the law to the judge - to the high priest He asked 'where are the witnesses required by the law in judgement?'

Matthew quotes much Old Testament scripture to validitate Jesus as the Messiah and King of Israel. John links many incidents to the Old Testament to show that these prophecies are being fulfilled. Chapter 19.28 is the account of Jesus deliberately fulfilling scripture  -  He said "I thirst".   The piercing of His side must take place  to fulfil scripture. Notice the word 'fulfil'.
The final benediction in John's gospel is "Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed".  This is different to the last words of the Old Testament  -  'remember the law of my servant Moses .... lest I come and strike the land with a  decree of utter destruction.
The difference being 'the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ'

An Illustration

John chapter 11 is a beautiful story that illustrates very well the Lords treatment of the law.
Lazarus was an honourable Israelite who under law found himself condemned to death - death being the out come of a broken law - and so he died.      Jesus seemed to deliberately stay away from healing Lazarus so that He might demonstrate the liberating life giving power of His voice. At the grave, Jesus speaks the words 'Lazarus come forth" and His voice is obeyed.  Then comes an almost unnecessary command - "loose him and let him go"  how fitting to my subject of law keeping!

The burden of law observance had descended into a bondage, applied by religious leaders to control the people. The voice of the master resounds among the people -  Loose him and let him go!
We noted in chapter 8 " the Son shall set you free", so now liberty in the truth of Christ is true liberty. Paul confirms this in Galations 5.1
    For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery

John 12  John concludes  the public teaching of the Son of God . What is obvious is the declared point of reference for judgement  - His words. One might have thought that the book of law would be opened at the great white throne, and for the Jews it may well be so, but the Lord indicates that His teaching is the final reference  in judgement for His words are the Word of God.


I apologise for no blogs for a while  - I was in Europe.
John McKee

The Law in the teaching of The Lord Jesus

The Gospel of Mark records the first preaching of Jesus - "Repent..." , which implies that something was wrong among the people to whom the law had been given. The sermon on the mount begins, not with a set of kingdom rules, but rather with heartfelt attitudes e.g. poor in spirit, meekness, purity. His teaching was different to others. He was linking good works with the relationship of God as Father (Matthew 5.16). Lest anyone think Him to be radical, He states His relationship to the law and the prophets (Matt5.17). The law and the prophets hoped to identify a man upon whom the favour and smile of God could rest without disappointment. (Isaiah 42. Deut 18). As an answer to the fallen need of the people, the law looked for a sacrifice without flaw and of such value as to bring the slaying of animals to an end. Now the king stands among the people and says 'that's Me!' ("but to fulfil ") The most significant climax is later reached when Jesus stands before the Jewish court and is asked 'are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed?' His answer is clear "I am" (Mark 14.62) They well knew He was claiming to be the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, and sentenced Him to die!

        The King proceeds in Matthew 5.20 to show that His kingdom surpasses the standard of law which was taught by the scribes and Pharisees. His is a heavenly kingdom, not a Sinai kingdom. The subjects in His kingdom were not driven by commands "you shall not.........."  but rather their righteousness was derived from the Father and marked by grace flowing to even the unworthy V44,45.

     Matthew 8.4 - the lord recognizes the place of ceremonial law in Jewish society - to the leper He says "Go show yourself unto the priest".  Matthew 12, the Lord comes under censure for His disciples plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath day. Likewise when He healed on the Sabbath day.  Well,    was not the command right there in the 10 commandments ?  - yes  - but mercy (V7) prevails against law. Should He heal on the Sabbath? Doing good (love), is not cancelled out by human interpretation of law.

       I noticed in the parable of the sower, the seed is not the word of Moses,but the word of the king as He brings in His heavenly kingdom.

       It is worthy of note, in the question of marriage and divorce, the Lord refers back to the first book of Moses as a reference point (Matt.19.4). He points out that under law, allowance was made for the hardness of the people's hearts!
         Matthew 19.17, life is described as the objective of keeping the commandments  -' if you would enter into life, keep the commandments'. This does indicate that the commandments have a definite value in this present life. Society with Mosaic laws will be just, safe, considerate etc . But Jesus was calling His disciples to a higher purpose and devotion - to be devoted to HIMSELF alone and completely. This was new and different for the Jewish mind. eg to be persecuted, to carry a cross, to be poor for the Lord Jesus!
         Matthew 22.40  This summation is most significant. 'the whole law and the prophets depend on the two commandments - to love God and to love one's neighbour' . Once again He takes us beyond external righteousness or ceremonial observance to the transformation of the heart - to love God and others.
          Matthew 23.2,3 Jesus puts His finger on the problem of law - it can be taught so well, but none fulfill it as God intended.   Like Romans 2 -a preacher of law but not a practiser.
           Matthew 28.18-20 In the final great commission, He does not do what Moses and Malachi did - refer the people to the law of God. Rather the ascending Lord refers them to His own teaching as the path of life!

   The observance of law leads to this 
      "  let sinners be consumed from the earth and let the wicked be no more" Psalm 104.36

    The submission to grace leads to this
        "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance"

Neither is actually wrong, but the later ties in with the verse I began with in another article - 
   "Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ"  John 1.14


Keep reading and let the Spirit of the living God teach you more and more.

J. Mckee

Keep the law??

Within the Torah, within the ceremonial law delivered by Moses, is the recognition that none could truely 'keep the law'.   I refer to the extensive detail relating to sacrifices for sin. (sin being the breaking of the law). Some sacrifices related to particular sins, trespasses committed. Others involved the blood of atonement more because of the incapacity or ruined character of the offerer. This provision of sacrifice implies the problem of  a broken law.
        God Himself knew and knows the incapacity of humanity to rise to the  law, so He sent His Son in the likeness of sinful man both to fulfil the law (Matthew 5) and also pay the penalty incurred by a broken law (Romans 8.3). Are we then to rush back to the law and start again?
     Several times in the Gospel records, the Lord Jesus refers enquirers to the law e.g. to the rich young ruler ' in the law how do you read?'     ...      The greatest command  ..go and do likewise....etc     on each occasion He exemplified the goodness of the law and challenged them to rise to the standard- in which they failed. Did He direct them to try again? - NO -He called them to follow Him and find rest.- the Sabbath rest of God in His Son.

          Paul lays out this principle in Romans 7 - our failure under the law renders us condemned and incapable.  Our faith in Christ crucified sets us free from the demands of law as a code   of life. Chapter 8 demonstrates a new and living way - the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer. His functions for the believer vary, but most significant is the relationship established 'in Christ'. We are accepted as children and now say "Abba Father".  This stands in contrast to the people of Israel who asked that the Almighty not speak to them directly lest they die. (Exodus 20).
           The letter to the Galatians reinforces the point that our initial acceptance by God in salvation, is by the cross of Christ and not by keeping law. Paul then declares that the Christian life continues on the same principle - an active God involved in our lives, a speaking God changing our character from within so that we might be conformed to the likeness of His Son.
Just as Moses communicated the will of a speaking God, so the apostles did (1 Corinthians 2), and God is yet operating in our hearts today e.g. the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5.4)

I trust we can see the kindness of God in providing a better way!

John McKee
Next article  the law in the teaching of the Lord Jesus

Problems

       As noted  in the last blog, the law is holy, righteous and good. It is a reflection of the brilliant character of God.
       Shall we not then embrace it as the handbook for living? Well  - somewhat difficult for distant  gentiles e.g. the command for all men to appear in Jerusalem three times a year. How shall we insist on clothing that is not of mixed materials. How shall we keep the Sabbath in a land that knows no day of rest? etc  As a free nation in the land of Israel, there was a possibility, but now the millions of the Lord's poor, scattered across the globe, are often without the options.
    This reality check was the cause for the Acts 15 conference of the Apostles. They concluded that salvation was by grace through faith (15.11) and that law keeping may be possible for Jews, but not to be imposed upon Gentiles.  And so a letter was sent out with some basic prohibitions, but beyond that, grace was the converting principle, not law.

One may try to observe the law, for health and happiness sake, but remember, to break one commandment, is to be a lawbreaker.

Let Paul the Apostle show you a better way:
Romans 13.8 " Love one another................love is the fulfilling of the law"
     Love is a God given motive to achieve the objective of the law under the compelling power of grace.
The glory and goodness of the law is not diminished, but the means to the fulfilment is not by human effort or discipline, but rather by understanding and accepting the mercy and grace of God. Romans 13:1 is a beautiful summary of this - "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." He not only kept the law and made it honourable, but lifted the standard of God's glory higher e.g. not only the action of sin breaks the law but the very thought defiles the person. Instead of saying "  You shall not steal"  , He said     "give and it shall be given to you"


J.McKee

The giving of the law

Exodus chapter 20  relates the giving of the law to Moses with Aaron as witness.  Deuteronomy relates the restatement of the law many years later and restated relative to the Israelites going into the Promise land.

So often we read the Bible to see what it has for US. Let us change viewpoint to see what this law reveals about God. (This is important since the God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament)

Exodus 20.2  unveils a speaking, acting God whose actions include power and grace. i.e. mightier than the gods of developed Egypt and willing to deliver the unworthy Israelite slaves !

20.3 The gods of human invention are many and ranked in order of significance. The God now speaking to Moses does not rank greatest among many , but rather claims singularity and the only deity.

20.4 God the maker of all things claims distinction from the things He has made,  and being invisible, gives no room for the visible to distract true worship, homage and obedience.

20.5 Not only is this God great and gracious, but able to stand His ground in pre eminence and holiness to the point that rebellion He will personally reward. History is full of just retribution given to God deniers and idolaters.

20.6   Yet in the midst of the righteous wrath of the Almighty shines His brilliant love and mercy to those who fear Him , love Him, obey Him.

20.7 God is represented in His Name, and to use words to dishonour Him is the same as actions of rebellion. Although His judgements are not executed speedily,they are sure  in the end. According to His mercy, He gives time for repentance  (maybe not to angels).

               Now put these truths into the context of 3500 years ago when gods were many and in control of every detail of life. - how different and delightfully liberating to be connected to the Just one, the almighty who was not cruel but pure and loving!!
    I ask you my reader to read and see how the remaining commandments further reveal a trustworthy God.


John McKee

The law of Moses

     The Old Testament book of Malachi has this interesting ending ' remember the law of my servant Moses'.     1000 years have passed since  Moses delivered the 10 commandments and the many other laws, to the people of Israel.
       What shall we say about this law today, 2,400 years after Malachi wrote.  This question has puzzled many, divided theological doctrine, been misused to control people , and alternatively by many disregarded as impossible.  Shall I tackle the subject  ??  -  yes  - not wanting to stir controversy, but it is so important, I shall briefly present my understanding of the relevance of Moses law today.

    We need to look at Moses and the law
                     -  Jesus and the law.
                            - the Gospels and the law
                                  -the epistles and the law

   Some say it is all for us.  Some seek to find sanctification thereby.  Some pick out parts to suit their agenda. Many toss it aside as irrelevant.

"The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ"     John 1:17

  This significant and strategic verse identifies a difference, yet not one eliminating either. Set in its context, John the apostle is showing the basis of God's reconciling the lost to Himself.

More next time

J  McKee