Living Under The Law

"For no one can be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now, God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are." Romans 3: 20-23 NLT

I have someone in my life who has tried to convince me that I'm living wrong. I attend church on the wrong day, I am wrong for celebrating Christmas and Easter, because they are "pagan" holidays, and even what the Holy Spirit is to me is wrong.

This person has only read the Old Testament. 

When we give our lives to Jesus, we get the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us learn and grow. He teaches us what the Bible says and means. The Bible is active and alive, sharper than any two edge sword.(Hebrews 4:12)

Without the Holy Spirit, you can't understand the Bible.

Now, about the law. God gave Moses the law in order for the Israelites to have guidelines to live by. They were doing many things that weren't pleasing to God.

Upholding those 10 Commandments today is good. In case you forgot, they are in Exodus 20:3-17. I was going to type it up, but it's just too much. 

I would like to highlight verse 8 in regards to the Sabbath. We are told to remember the Sabbath, keep it holy and rest. There is not a direct commandment about attending church ON the Sabbath. 

The Sabbath is actually Saturday. We know this because Sunday is considered the first day of the week. We attend church on Sunday because it was the day Jesus resurrected. (Which is something else this person doesn't believe.) 

The law is not "bad", but we are living under the grace that Jesus gives because of His burial and resurrection.

In Matthew Chapter 5: 17 Jesus said, " I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose." verse 20 says, "But I warn you - unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of the religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

The "religious teachers" and Pharisees turned the law into something it wasn't supposed to be. They added to it. They had over 600 laws to try to keep. That's impossible!

In the Old Testament, we see God growing a nation, establishing a relationship with them and getting the world ready for Jesus.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus and all that He accomplished so that we might have eternal life.

We need both. However, being a "CHRISTIAN" means I am following Christ and becoming more like Him. I'm not trying to live by the Old Testament stuff. 

Not to mention that Jesus actually one up'd the law. In Exodus 20: 14 it says, "You must not commit adultery." Verse 17 says not to covet your neighbor's wife.

Jesus said in Matthew 5: 27, "You have heard the commandment that says, "You must not commit adultery. 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

The ways that God wants us to live are shown in the New Testament through Jesus' teachings. 

Jesus was radical and changed the way the people believed. In Matthew 5: 38 He said, "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury. "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also."

Another thing about all of this.. His teachings are for us in modern times, but we need to understand their culture. In that time, if you slapped someone on the face, you had to with the back of your hand. If you turned your cheek, and they used the front of their hand, it meant something different.

Jesus came to fulfill the law. He came to give love, grace, and mercy. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. He served, He loved, He blessed, He did miracles, and He brought salvation to the world.

Trying to live under the law and live a rigid life of guilt is not what He came for. 

How are you living? Because Jesus came to set the captive free! He said in John 8:31 & 32, "Jesus said to the people who believe in Him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

Are you free today? Are you living for Him truly? Take some time today and pray. Ask God to reveal things to you. If you aren't a Christ follower, please consider giving your heart and life to Him. He's a great adventure!

God bless you today and always.