Living (Out From) Under the Law

I've seen some Christians, pastors, and churches try to legalize morality. It never works in the long run. No human will keep every law - even if you divide the laws into categories. A couple of months ago, I heard a well-known pastor talking about the 3 types of laws in the Bible: Civil, Moral, and Ceremonial. This week, I read about them again in an article. I was not brought up under that teaching. So, I set out on a search for this three-law-types thing. I asked,

• Are they differentiated in the Bible? No. I couldn't find any support for the three kinds of laws in the Bible itself. Anywhere.
• Are they listed elsewhere? No. Oh, sure, the categories themselves are listed in plenty of writings over the years, but there's no concensus on which laws go in which category. Often, the writer will point to one example. For instance, "Thou shalt not bear false witness" is a moral law because it reflects an unchanging character trait of God. Well, who decides that? Sure, God is trustworthy, He never lies, and Jesus is the truth. Those are characteristics of God, for sure. But what about all the instances in the Bible when God condoned, blessed, or even instigated a lie? Perhaps this would be a good Bible study for you. I'm not advocating lying, I'm just saying that categorizing Biblical laws does not work. There is no agreement on what is legal or illegal for those who follow Christ. And, don't get me started on "Thou shalt not kill."
• Does the Bible argue against categories, or is it just silent on the issue? I was taught that all Biblical laws were the same, and if you break one, you've broken them all. That actually IS in the Bible (James 2:10), so to me, the Bible is not silent.

My view of the Mosaic law comes from the Bible (from both Testaments). In Jeremiah 31, God says through His prophet, "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

 

This same verse is quoted in Hebrews 8 where the writer states, "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another," and "By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear."

 

These verses state that the true, permanent law of God is a heart issue, the law of love. I don't cheat on my wife, because I love her. I honor my parents, because I love them. I give, because I love my fellow earth dwellers. I spend time with God and His people, because I love Him - and them. I'm not trying to stay out of hell or trying to get into Heaven by keeping a law, I'm following my Jesus-filled heart.

 

At this point, I've concluded that there can be 50 categories of laws if someone wants to make a list, but if we truly understand what Jesus offers us we will live in freedom - freedom from the law, freedom from sin, freedom from the opinions of man, freedom from our past, freedom indeed. This is so clearly explained in Galatians. Why are we still tripping over the law and stumbling in our walk with Jesus. Shake off the old. Stand up strong in the new. Take a breath of air as if you've just been released from a prison, because you have.

 

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

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Failure Isn't Final

So, how bad did you mess up?  Bad enough that you want to quit?  Enough to feel disqualified, unworthy, or incapable of fulfilling you dreams and goals?  Have you convinced yourself now that you just don't measure up and you never will?

I'd like to suggest before you throw in the towel, that you give it another go.  Seriously, how bad could it really be?

After all, if everybody who failed just gave up, we'd still be in the Dark Ages - or probably at least somewhere in the Industrial Revolution.  Think of all the conveniences we wouldn't be enjoying if inventors had given up on the first (or second, or tenth) try.

Or how long would it have taken the other 10 disciples to create the Church if Peter had gone back fishing - permanently?  But wait, that wasn't even Peter's first pitiful failure was it?  How many times DID he fail?  Let's see, he failed at walking on water, he failed to understand Jesus' parables, he tried to prevent Jesus from fulfilling His mission, Jesus called him Satan (that one goes in the epic failure category), he failed to see the point of the Transfiguration, he failed the forgiveness quiz, he failed the servanthood test, he failed the anger test, he failed to stay awake during Jesus' most crucial prayer meeting, he failed to keep his word, and maybe worst of all, he denied even knowing Jesus on Jesus' most sorrowful night.

Based on all of that, it seems that Peter would have won The World's Worst Failure of Biblical Proportions.  Or did he?  I think we sometimes confuse these two words: fail and fell.  Actually, Peter succeeded at walking on water until he fell in fear.  He stumbled at Jesus' parables but came to understand them in time... and on and on.  Peter's failures were only momentary, and momentary failures are not failures at all.  There is a difference between a fall and a fail.

Peter was destined for greatness, and it shows throughout his life's story - even when he fell.  It was in God's plan that Peter would be a leader.  After all, who was the first (and only) disciple to say to Jesus, "I want to walk on water with you" and step out of the boat?  Peter.  Who thought he should plan Jesus' itinerary?  Peter.  Who had a sword to lead a charge against Jesus' enemies?  Peter.  Who constantly was at Jesus' coattails, watching every move and listening to every word?  Peter.  And when Peter did decide to go back fishing after Jesus' crucifixion, what did the other disciples do?   They followed him!  (John 21)  Even when he fell, Peter couldn't help but live out his God-given destiny as a leader.

Still, Peter didn't have to live out the rest of his days leading from failure.  Something happened on the Day of Pentecost to transform him forever.  Peter began to live, speak, think and act in the power of the Holy Spirit rather through his own abilities.

From my own experience, I can assure you that the Holy Spirit can still turn a mess into a message.  That's what Transformation House is all about:  We want to see people transformed.  We don't look at anyone as a hopeless failure but believe that there is potential through the transforming power of God to give us all a fulfilling purpose. 

TRANSFORMATION HOUSE

Suddenly

After four days in North Carolina at a ministry retreat, I'm at home on a rainy Monday morning.  The high temperature today will be 58 degrees, a reminder that summer is over.  While we were at the beach last week the skies were clear and the temperature was in the upper 80's.  That's quite a switch in two days!

That reminds me of a "suddenly" verse in the Bible.  The first chapter of Acts tells of Jesus' promise to his disciples just before his ascension into Heaven.  He told them that the Holy Spirit would come to empower them to spread the gospel throughout the entire world.  He gave them just one instruction: wait for it.  Don't leave Jerusalem until it happens.

Of course, Peter was Mr Fix-it.  The first thing he did upon arriving back in the city was to call a business meeting.  Something's broke, and we need to fix it.  So, he called for a vote and took care of what he thought needed to be done.  But even Peter was smart enough to follow Jesus' advice - He stayed in Jerusalem.  He couldn't sit still, but at least he didn't leave. 

Often, we have some big dream of what is ahead and feel that we have to jump in with both feet immediately in order to accomplish the task.  We become impatient and want to make things happen in our timing or in our way.  Sometimes, the Lord just says, "Wait."  In our obedience, the answer comes.  Acts 2 reads, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And SUDDENLY there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting... and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost..."

We can only see for a short distance, but God sees the eternal plan.  Peter later wrote regarding Jesus' other promise - the promise to return for his church.  Some were beginning to doubt that it would ever happen, but Peter admonished them, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

God's promise to me isn't just about me; it's about how I fit into the big picture.  Are you waiting for God to come through for you?  Be encouraged.  It's sort of like fitting a jigsaw puzzle piece in place.  You may think you know where it goes and try to force it to fit, but the puzzle will never be complete until you turn the piece the right direction and the other pieces around it are in place.  Then SUDDENLY, you have a beautiful picture.

God give me the grace to wait on you until my suddenly moment.