Galatians 5:14
The entire Law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
People who come into a supernatural revelation of the Grace of God often do so when they realise that they are no longer "under the Law", that the Law no longer applies to them, and they most certainly don't need to obey it perfectly in order to please God. These are all powerful truths. The only challenge is that often the very purpose the Law was given is disregarded.
People show throw the baby out with the bathwater, if you like. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not advocating we start relooking at the Law and see what may be helpful for us to live good Christian lives, no, that is not what I am saying. (Because if we did, we would become obsessed with keeping it, like the Israelites did). What I am saying is that there is a purpose behind God giving the Law, and we should consider that purpose. The purpose was that the Israelites would live in peace.
"World Peace". This is one of the most common answers to the question "what is the one thing you would ask for if you could have anything in the world?" It is engrained into our DNA that we were meant to live in peace and harmony with one another. Why? God designed us that way.
The point of the Law was Love. Jesus came to show us that. The Israelites priests of the day were keeping the Law outwardly and looked down upon anyone who didn't match up. They were revered and respected almost as demi-gods, and had a strong hand of control of the people. Jesus came and showed up what was in their hearts. It wasn't Love. They had become so obsessed with keeping the Law outwardly that they had no regard for the person behind the lawbreaker.
Kingdom justice is not about punishment, it is about restoration. One only has to look at John 8 and the woman caught in adultery to see that. Jesus came to show us that at the heart of God was not some megalomaniac dictator who wanted robotic lawkeepers, no, there was a heart of a Father who longed for nothing more than to see His children live in peace with each other.
Friends, today, remember, this is the heart of our faith. Unconditional Love. Let's remember this imperative Truth in our quest to see God's Kingdom come here on Earth. The greatest manifestation of Heaven on Earth is peace between mankind. Friends, it has been made possible through the Cross!
We know that we can never Love unconditionally unless we get a glimpse of God's unconditional Love for us. (1 John 4:19) Friends, have a look at the Great Love the Father has for you, and allow His Love to penetration every part of your heart and let it so overwhelm you that it oozes out of you to everyone you know, and everywhere you go.
The entire Law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
People who come into a supernatural revelation of the Grace of God often do so when they realise that they are no longer "under the Law", that the Law no longer applies to them, and they most certainly don't need to obey it perfectly in order to please God. These are all powerful truths. The only challenge is that often the very purpose the Law was given is disregarded.
People show throw the baby out with the bathwater, if you like. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not advocating we start relooking at the Law and see what may be helpful for us to live good Christian lives, no, that is not what I am saying. (Because if we did, we would become obsessed with keeping it, like the Israelites did). What I am saying is that there is a purpose behind God giving the Law, and we should consider that purpose. The purpose was that the Israelites would live in peace.
"World Peace". This is one of the most common answers to the question "what is the one thing you would ask for if you could have anything in the world?" It is engrained into our DNA that we were meant to live in peace and harmony with one another. Why? God designed us that way.
The point of the Law was Love. Jesus came to show us that. The Israelites priests of the day were keeping the Law outwardly and looked down upon anyone who didn't match up. They were revered and respected almost as demi-gods, and had a strong hand of control of the people. Jesus came and showed up what was in their hearts. It wasn't Love. They had become so obsessed with keeping the Law outwardly that they had no regard for the person behind the lawbreaker.
Kingdom justice is not about punishment, it is about restoration. One only has to look at John 8 and the woman caught in adultery to see that. Jesus came to show us that at the heart of God was not some megalomaniac dictator who wanted robotic lawkeepers, no, there was a heart of a Father who longed for nothing more than to see His children live in peace with each other.
Friends, today, remember, this is the heart of our faith. Unconditional Love. Let's remember this imperative Truth in our quest to see God's Kingdom come here on Earth. The greatest manifestation of Heaven on Earth is peace between mankind. Friends, it has been made possible through the Cross!
We know that we can never Love unconditionally unless we get a glimpse of God's unconditional Love for us. (1 John 4:19) Friends, have a look at the Great Love the Father has for you, and allow His Love to penetration every part of your heart and let it so overwhelm you that it oozes out of you to everyone you know, and everywhere you go.
No comments:
Post a Comment