Honor the Law

“¹⁷Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” – Matthew 5:17 (ESV)

When reading this verse it may seem a bit confusing when not placed with the right context. You see, “Law” here is referring to the words and teachings like the law of thermodynamics or the law of gravity as opposed to law in the legal sense. These laws are what keep things going and are not able to change. Jesus came to this world not to refute the words and teachings, but to affirm and fulfill them. He proved them correct.

Think about the law of gravity or other sciences. We submit to them every day and where there are those who are out in the world working to prove them wrong, even they obey the law until it is proven wrong. The same goes for the Law of the LORD. People, even I will push the limits in an effort to prove it wrong, but will fall back into obedience when I realize that it is not wrong.

I am not so smart that I can refute the Law of the LORD. I can try, but the LORD is way more smarter than me (yes I know it used incorrect grammar). The same goes for those around with Jesus. There were those who knew the Law of the LORD but even then, they would bend it to fulfill their own will as opposed to allowing it to stand on its own and fulfill the will of the LORD. These “educated” peoples were smart in the knowing of the words and concepts of the Law, yet they were constantly working to undermine it for their own benefit.

“²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:20 (ESV)

I and we are to know and understand the Law of the LORD and as such are to use it to fulfill the will of the LORD and not our own. It is not about me and you, it is about the LORD. His Law should be the law of the land and our driving force in this land. We are here for and at His pleasure and not our own. It is not about being smart, but rather being obedient to the Law of the LORD and that is where we get glory. We give honor to the Law of the LORD and in return, we are honored by Him.

What is your view of the Law? Are you here using it for your benefit? What if you were to honor it and know that in return, we will be honored by the LORD?

The Law of the LORD is…

Many things.

This morning I continue my study of the word “law”. I am in Psalm 19 which is titled, “The Law of the LORD is Perfect” in my ESV Bible. As I read the passage, I find that the Law of the LORD is much more than just perfect. I know, what could be more than perfect, that is what I was thinking as well, until reading and meditating.

“⁷The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

⁸the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

⁹the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.”

— Psalm 19:7-9 (ESV)

We have the “law”, “testimony”, “precepts”, “commandments”, “fear”, and “rules” of the LORD and each are independently described/defined as “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and/or “true”. As I reviewed this passage and looked for understanding, I had a unique observation. One can substitute “Word” or “Law” in any position. In that substitution, there is no loss in truth. Whereas it does not seem to work with any of the others. Oh, yes the substitution can be made, but the value of the phrase loses some impact.

The Law of the LORD is the Word of the LORD and therefore both have impact in all scenarios. We can use the Law and Word interchangeably wherever we might be and there is no loss as to the meaning. The Word of the LORD and the Law of the LORD are the same that are referred to in our reading, learning, understanding, and knowing as we traverse this world.

Don’t get me wrong, all of the words used are valuable and teach us as to the breadth of God. Those other than the Word and Law, where they have impact, are not as universal to me. They are specific in their use.

I see that the Law of the LORD can be used in all scenarios to guide and direct me. I see that the Law of the LORD is “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and “true”. I see that the Law of the LORD is many things and all things to me.

What is your view of the Law of the LORD? Are you looking to it as one thing? What if you were to see it as “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and “true”, in short as many things?

Meditate on the Instruction of the LORD

“²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

I have studied he above verse on numerous occasions and as is usual God has led me to something new. We are to delight in the law and we are to meditate on this law. But what I see this morning in this verse is the definition of the law in this context. You see, the law of the LORD here is “instruction” as noted in the meanings or definitions found in my ESV Bible. In my Christian Standard Bible (CSB) the verse says, “his delight is in the LORD’s instruction”.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul provides Timothy with the same as relates to scripture or Law of the LORD.

“¹⁶All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” – 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

God’s Word is not just the law that we are to follow, it is the instruction book as to how to carry ourselves through this world. Whether it be The Ten Commandments, how to pray, how to engage with the Word of God, or how and when to worship, God’s Law is there to guide us and instruct us through it all.

I know that I knew this. I study God’s Word to learn how to approach this world and work my way through it as God intends. Where I know that I am a sinner and have much more to learn, I also know that God is leading me to be better and more like Him every day. This is only possible through the instruction that I receive as I read, study, know, and understand His Word.

What is your view of God’s Word? Do you see it as the law? What if you were to see it as instruction on how to carry out your life here in this world?

Immoral

Immoral: not moral: wicked, bad – Merriam-Webster Online (Kids Definition)

I went I normally go for definitions when learning, Merriam-Webster. This morning as I was looking up the word “immoral” that I have begun to study, I found that the definition is using the a form of the word to define the word. The definition that is presented to begin with is the same as with the above in the “Kids Definition”, “not moral”. Yet, that does not really speak to what immorality is. So, I worked my way down to the “Kids Definition” to find the definition that spoke to me as someone who does not know, and the “wicked, bad” really summed it up.

“⁹Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (ESV)

I have looked at immorality from a more, as is noted in the above verses, sexual context. We look to sexual perversion as the driver of immoral behavior, whether it is homosexuality, or some other act outside of what the LORD meant for intimacy between a husband and wife. These are what are considered immoral acts in the Christian community. But look further into the verses above and then into the definition of immoral and find a broader context. Immoral is “wicked, bad” and in the verses, we see “idolaters, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers”. All of these, where not tied directly to immoral, are still “wicked, bad”.

I look to sin as the identifier of immoral. And in ALL sin we are conducting immoral or wicked, bad things outside what the LORD intended for us. God intended us to be perfect as He is, after all, we were created in the image of God. It was not until we sinned for the first time were we considered outside of God’s plan for us. And think about that sin, it was not of a sexual context, it was covetousness and greed and theft and deception that led to “The Fall”. We fell from grace for what the world would consider a meaningless act of eating a piece of fruit. Yet, it was that act outside of the will of God that led to our sin fall from the grace of God.

It is not always the grand things that lead to destruction. It is any thing that is outside the will of God. Even the eating of a piece of fruit can be “wicked, bad” when it was strictly forbidden by the Father. We are sinners thanks to the acts of Adam and Eve, and we will not escape immorality until we are are resurrected to be with God. Immoral is “wicked, bad” that are displayed for the world, or more accurately witnessed in us by the Father.

What is your view of immoral? Do you see it from the lens related to sexual acts and perversions? What if you were to see immoral as defined by Merriam-Webster Online for kids as simply “wicked, bad”?