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Current mood:  tired Category: Religion and Philosophy
Now, I know exactly what some of you are thinking. "What crazy and heretical thing is this lunatic going to say now?" But just give me a few paragraphs and if you hate it don’t finish it. Its whatever....
Due to some recent events that some may be aware of, I decided to put down in words my "ideas" on the subject of Law, biblical or Christian or whatever have you. More than anything I hope this spurs a discussion on your ideas of this subject so that we may all get a little bit closer to the truth. In case you didn’t catch the latent message in that last sentence, I’m saying that I am open to the fact that I could be wrong. I am a person that can handle the possibility of the coexistence of two polar opposite truths, such as Calvinism vs Armenianism and salvation by faith alone vs faith and evidence by works. I’ve come to very few concrete universal truths in the duration of my lifetime, which leaves much open to debate and question for me. I am not a theological scholar by any stretch of the imagination. I am more of a man that is guided by a hybrid logic of reason, faith, and argumentation. So by all means..... bring it.
It seems to me that there are three major differential views on "biblical law." And as many triadic arguments operate there are usually two opposing sides with the truth smack dab in the middle of two of them. This truth is not normally neglected due to the dismissal of compromise, but is instead overlooked due to the strong emotional attachments we bind to our argumentative premise that we have developed through our personal beliefs. In other words, everyone believes they have the right idea, because if they didn’t they would get a new one. And when proven wrong, most won’t admit it in public in the heat of an argument. Ah.....when will we ever get over ourselves?
So are we under Law?
Yes and No. Let me explain.
The first view I want to discuss is the extremist I will call Mr. Dismissive. Also know as the age-old heresy Antinomianism. He could be looked at as the spiritual hippie who dedicates himself to the cause of the disestablishment of all Christian hierarchy and organization (which on a side note, to a degree, could be of some use and might not be all bad.) This guy believes that we are under no Law at all. He holds himself to no accountability to a higher authority other than his self-interpretative revelations of the scriptures and experiential life lessons. This is, in no way, a basis to serve and live for God. If we believe that God is unchanging according to Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." than God feels the same about homosexuality, bestiality, theft, lying, idol worship, witchcraft, envy, coveting, etc.... as he did 5,000 years. They are still sin, abominations and rebellion that hinder our relationship with God and destroy or physical and spiritual selves.
This being the case, the commands given to the Jews by God are validated for all believers, Jewish and Christian, to the end of time. All 10 that God had given Moses I think we should follow literally. However, the 613 Jewish Commands we should at least follow in principle. If done literally, you might want to start praying after meals, put tzitzit on the corners of clothing, and read the Shema in the morning and at night. I joke not.... and do not ask me what tzitzit is....please.
The other view I want to discuss is a guy I will call Mr. Law, Johnny Law that is. Ha! I joke too much. Anyway... this guy clings to the law with dear life, which would be fine if we were still living under the old covenant with no divine savior to rid us of sin through grace (the unmerited favor of God) and forgiveness (the abolishment of debt given by the offended.) We are now under a new law and covenant of grace. We are not saved by a law we follow, but by a Savior in which we believe.
Romans 10:9-10 "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
However, in addition to all this, you must remember that though we are under law it is not the same law. You see, Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-18 "Don’t think that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill the law. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law, until all has been fulfilled." One must understand that through Christ the law was fulfilled, so we are no longer under the law of sin and death.
It is no longer (Me + Sin = Death)
Instead, for those in Christ Jesus it is (Me + Sin) + Christ = Life)
In Hebrews Chapter, we see that the Lord had declared a new covenant that would succeed the old one. A "new" covenant that the Lord declared "I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God." We are now under a new law and covenant of grace. We are not saved by a law we follow, but by a Savior in which we believe.
But in that same frame of thought we cannot negate the validity of God’s will for us to live holy and righteous lives so that we may be light in the darkness and bring love to the lost.
Romans 6:15 ’What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
Gal 2:20 says "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
So where is that third party of Truth?
It is laying somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. I charge you to search with the wisdom of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit to find that place of truth. I think the key to finding it is "balance." Don’t feel you have to figure out some concrete fact or your life will end. Hold on to Jesus and be patient. Seek and you will find. And if I may give some advice, do as it is said "If you error, error on the side of grace."
Grace and Peace be with you and may Jesus Christ be with us all.
In Christ,
Caasi Suaava
8:03 PM
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