For those of you who drive, have you ever been caught
speeding? If your answer is ‘no’, then my question is, have you ever sped?
I saw some
writing on a T-shirt two years ago, which read ‘It’s only illegal, if you get
caught.’
If you’ve sped
but have never been caught, have you broken the law? Or have you only broken
the law if you’re caught?
Can one be obedient to the whole written law in your
country/state? Do most of us even know the whole written law in
our state/country?
Can one say that they’ve never broken the law
– any law?
Are we more inclined to uphold the law, if we were to
memorize it (if possible), or, are we more inclined to uphold the
law, if we were to follow what we believe is the right (loving) thing to do?
Why do most
people obey the majority of the road rules? Is it, because they don’t want to
break the law, or because it’s the right thing to do, or they don’t want to pay
for a ticket? If you get caught disobeying a road rule, what hurts you the most
– the cost, the embarrassment, or the shame? Does committing the offence impact
on, your pocket, your pride, or you conscience?
Interestingly, as I wrote this I’ve tried to think what I
know as far as law in my state. The best I could come up with is a rusty
written and driving test I did some thirty years ago, which only pertains to
driving a car. Other than that I’m not sure that I could tell you of a legal
law.
The way I see
it, is this; if you do everything, with others in mind, then you’re less likely
to break the law (even if you don’t know the law).
Thinking of
others is connected to our heart. Jesus told us to keep the Two Greatest
Commandments, which are both related to love (not ritual study).
Although we are not saved through the Ten
Commandments, I can’t help but feel that Jesus confirmed the Ten Commandments
in Mark 12:29-31:
Mark 12:29-30 – Exodus 20:1-7
Mark 12:31 – Exodus 20:8-17
When the first tablets broke, God Himself
rewrote the words that were on the first tablets. Bible verses: Exodus 31:18, 34:1
For example, if you speed and you’re only thinking of the
law, it remains in your mind, as a road rule. But, if you speed and your
thoughts go to a potential accident involving others, yourself and/or your
family, then the rule starts to penetrate your heart.
27.5.2012 – My son and I were playing
‘Adventures in Squirrel Forrest’ at bedtime. My son said to me, ‘There are no road
rules in Squirrel Forrest, but there is one rule – you can’t hit a squirrel
when driving’. I thought to myself, this pretty much sums it up. The more we
think about others – love others, the more we’ll act in a loving way.
It’s not about
having the law in your head; it’s about having the law in your heart. If we
have to try and memorize anything, then isn’t it in your head not
your heart?
From what I understand, was that the Pharisees made, knowledge of the law, their, number one
priority. What was their motive for this: to please God, or, to obtain status
within the community?
What if we were to try and be a good driver for the
wrong reason? In my line of work over the years, every now and then I
would get an older gentleman come in all puffed up declaring how he’d never had
a ticket. Then there would be others who would come in boasting how they’ve
never had a car accident. They were extremely proud and would love mentioning
it, in a pat me on the back type of way. It’s important to know the road rules,
but depending on how much we pride ourselves on our own knowledge and ability,
are we in danger of becoming too focused on our spotless record?
Could it be that the more proud one is, of, their own
knowledge, their own ability, and their society status, the more lengths one
will go to, to preserve it?
It was the Pharisee who had everything to
lose.
It was the
humble beggar who had everything to gain.
The Pharisee
was not willing to come to Jesus.
The humble
beggar cried out for mercy by the side of the road.
Jesus gave us
Commandments. Bible verses: Matthew 19:17-19 Matthew is written
for the Jewish people, but Luke is written for everyone and he’s written about
this as well – Luke 18:18-22. Is Jesus saying in Matthew
19:21, that by him (the young man) not sharing his wealth with others
that he’s not, loving God and others – the Two Greatest Commandments?
If we now go to Mark 10:17, we see that this
young man came running and knelt before Jesus.
Is, there a difference between, believing in Jesus, and following
Him? This young man (Matthew 19:21) was sorrowful
(verse 22).
- Was he a believer in Jesus?
- Did he want to become a disciple of Jesus?
- But, did he not want to follow Him to the point of giving everything up?
I’ve felt, over the last four years of reading the
Bible that, we are transformed, in Christ – we’re a work in
progress – The Holy Spirit just keeps convicting us and molding us and refining
us and extracting from us. The law shows us how vastly short we are to God’s
holiness. The only Way we can become holy is by being in Christ.
My understanding is that we establish the law, only
by being in Christ. Trying to uphold the law oneself is futile, because we are
justified only through our faith in Jesus Christ – full stop!
Bible verse: Romans
3:31
Bible verses: Philippians
3:8-9
The Law did not die; WE died. God’s solution to our
sin problem was to crucify us with Christ.
When we come to Christ, our old self, dies, we’re born
again, and we become a new creation in Christ.
Bible verse: 2
Corinthians 5:17
At times, I’ve wondered why God persisted with us. In the
days of Noah, when all flesh (animals
too?) had corrupted their way on the earth (Genesis 6:12),
God persisted because of only one righteous man (Genesis
7:1).
Generational sin was still an ongoing issue though. God then
chose Abram, who through righteousness of faith became the father of us all;
whose name was changed to Abraham – another one righteous man (Romans
4:13-18). Then God chose Moses, who He gave the Ten Commandments. Law
brings order and boundaries and clearly shows wrongdoing. (Romans 5:13)
My son told me this morning that from next term if you’re late arriving to
school you have to go to the office and get a late slip. This reminded me of
law. Prior to this being introduced, being late was the wrong thing to do
(which I’ve been guilty of on occasion) however from next term there are going
to be consequences.
God knows our sin.
The law shows us
our sin.
