THE PURPOSE & HEART OF THE LAW

Sometimes it seems very difficult to truly understand what God wants from us because often times we'll see one thing in the Old Testament and then something different in the New.  Many of the rules and regulations we see in the Old Testament are directly related to the Law.

So what was the purpose of the Law and how does it relate to the Church today? 

First of all, one of the primary purposes of the Law was to declare what is right and what is wrong. - What God will bless or what God will condemn in personal or collective behavior.

The Apostle Paul declared directly in Romans why the law was given:

Rom 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.

If anyone tries to obey the law, they would inevitably fail.  Therefore God knew that the Israelites could not keep all of these laws.  By failing, all pride would be broken and a feeling of guilt would come. God allowed them an atonement once a year for the covering of the people's sin. This is why Paul finishes this verse by stating that by the deeds of the law no man would be made right in the sight of God.  So, to break the human spirit of its pride, cause man to see his frailties, and create a broken heart before God was the deepest purpose of the Law.

This is why David said in Ps 51:16, 17 - For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart -- these, O God, You will not despise.

The Law, then, would be used to cause you to go to God for mercy, forgiveness, redemption and the establishment of a relationship.

The Problem:  Many of the Jews didn't get the message.  They were so busy trying to keep the Law and concerned about traditions until they became RELIGIOUS and PRIDEFUL. This is why Jesus told them in Matthew 9:11-13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.'  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." They were still trying to please God by their "good works (becoming perfect in so far as the Law was concern)" - they were not humble nor were they broken.  They had missed the point.  What they didn't realize was that true perfection comes from a humble heart that has been broken under the weight of God's standard - which is of course the blood of Jesus that brings perfect acceptance and salvation!

We cannot allow ourselves to become so consumed with the work of God until we forget the God of the work!

Remember as with Apostle Paul that "His strength is made perfect in our weakness."

Good Morning Ambassadors,                                                                                                              This is a follow up on yesterday's lesson on the Law -

  While I was reading in my bible last night, a few more things concerning the Law. When you get a chance, please read the book of Galatians. It does a wonderful job of explaining the Law and Faith.

  For instance, Paul says, "I do not frustrate (agitate, confuse, put away) the grace of God: for it righteousness (walking upright and pleasing God) come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain."  Paul is saying that if the Law could really make us right in the sight of God then Christ coming and dying for us was really not necessary.  There was no profit in it.  But how many of you know that we were in need of a savior?  I know I was!

  Paul went on to ask a question, he said, "Are you so foolish? (Who fooled you?) having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" 

      In other words, you've gotten saved because you were birth into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit - now what makes you think you can reach perfection in your flesh?  These Galatians had a problem - many of them had accepted Christ but they were still trying to keep some of the Laws.  So as you can see, Paul was simply setting the record straight. 

      As a matter of fact, Paul again went on to say that, "For as many are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."  Paul is saying, someone had to have fooled you because whether you realize it or not - when you try to keep the law you are literally placing yourselves under the "Curse". Because there ain't no way you can keep the whole law! 

      He goes on to tell them that Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. This was done for the simple reason that the Gentiles through Jesus Christ might receive the blessings of Abraham but we can only receive this promise of the Spirit through Faith - not works!

       There is so much more I could say about this but I know we all have work to do.  One last tidbit - Paul also said that the Law was a schoolmaster or nothing more than a substitute.  God allowed this until the real deal would show up.  I don't believe I have to tell you who that i s!

       To conclude - you must decide, will it be by faith in the Son of God or will it be by the works of the Law?  If you say the Law then you are literally rejecting the work of Christ.  Don't you be fooled by saying we should keep some of the laws. If you keep any, then you also have to keep the sacrificial laws also. In James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." 

     Keep this in mind and I'm finish - Jesus said, all of the commandments are really shut up in these two.

The Solution:  (1) Love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, and mind & (2) Love your neighbor as yourself.  In these two, you have fulfilled the whole Law.

  Wow! I feel like PREACHING THIS!

AGAPE,

Rickey E. Macklin

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.  (James 1:22)

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