Back to Basics

~~~ 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 ~~~ Psalm 99 ~~~ Matthew 5:17-19 ~~~

 

  Holy is the Lord our God.

Jesus sees that the elders at the time had decided to impose
more and more laws on the people...
in effect oppressing them.

In those days the people
could not pull up an app on their smart phone
 to remind them of each individual law.
We can only imagine how easily it was to unintentionally
violate one of the laws.

Jesus said, look I do value the law...
the law from God.
You know the ones written on the stone tablets given to Moses...
the Ten Commandments.

 Let's get back to the basics...let's focus on how well we are observing just those ten.
They are the laws given to us by God himself.
Who has more authority than God?

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

 

 

Jesus makes the laws even more perfect and in doing so makes them simple.

He sums up the laws in just a few words.

A few words easy enough for anyone to easily remember...

First, Love God with your whole heart, mind, body, and soul.

Second, Love your neighbor as yourself.

 

If you faithfully keep these two basic 'laws' the ones written

on stone will naturally follow.

You will be able to keep the laws given to the prophets.

 

 Jesus was not trying to criticize the current elders
as much as he was trying to show them a better way.

 

Jesus has always been about showing us a better way to live our lives.
He modeled it for us by so many real concrete examples...
just open up the New Testament to any page.
The examples of how to live a holy life jump off the pages.

As Paul says, the 'ministry of the Spirit' will be 'glorious'.

 

 The laws of God are meant to give life...
eternal life in heaven.
 

If you love God and love your neighbor all else will fall into place.

We thank you Lord for coming to show us the Way...
for coming to fulfill the law in your perfect example.

Be a Blessing for someone today.