July 14th, 2011 by Kristi Stephens

15 years ago I wept over dying Haitian babies in my arms – will you help me make a difference today? Please consider partnering with me to bring infant formula to these precious ones in desperate need! Got milk?

Now, back to One Summer, One Story…

When you think of Old Testament law, what word comes to mind? Tedious? Monotonous? Repetitive?

Long lists of required offerings, detailed specifications for the tabernacle, “thou shalt not’s”?

Personally, I think that the reason why we often misunderstand the purpose behind the Old Testament law is that we fail to see it within the context of God’s unique relationship with Israel. As we discussed on Tuesday, God’s redemption of and covenant relationship with Israel came first – the law came second.

Israel was set apart as God’s chosen people on the earth. They were a kingdom of priests, intended to communicate God’s character and will to the rest of the world. They were to eat differently, live differently, worship differently, relate to one another differently – because their God was completely holy and unlike any other god of any other nation.

Not only that – but their God would physically dwell in their midst.

“So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.”

Exodus 29:44-46

A completely holy God living among completely sinful man.

The law was not a strict code of rules requiring them to live perfectly. The law was in place because they could not live perfectly. The book of Leviticus opens with instructions of various fellowship offerings the Israelites could present to God – there was a right way and a wrong way to worship, and they must do it correctly. Because God is holy, sinful man cannot saunter into His presence however he wants and worship however he wants. Remember – Cain already learned that lesson once. So, God teaches them how to worship Him.

After these fellowship offerings, however, notice what comes next:

“Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands…”

Leviticus 4:2

The law did not require perfection. The law assumed imperfection. Imperfect understanding of worship, even among God-fearing men. Imperfect living. Imperfect thoughts. Imperfect motivations.

Sinful man cannot live with a holy God in their midst without a covering for their sin.

The amazing thing about the law, to me, is this: God wanted relationship with them. He loved them enough to teach them how to live with Him in their midst, how to approach Him, how to worship Him, how to live in a way that honored Him, how to repair their relationship with Him when they inevitably would fail.

This is the heartcry of the entire book of Deuteronomy – it screams off the pages at us:

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Deuteronomy 5:29

God wants relationship with us. He wants to dwell among us. This is why Revelation exults loudly and joyfully:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

Revelation 21:3

But we must understand: sinful man cannot dwell with a holy God. Our sin must be covered. And so, God made a way.

Not with bulls and lambs sacrificed over and over for each and every sin – but with the one perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God whose death was able to take away the sins of the world. He offers to us an invitation to be redeemed, and then to have God not just dwell among us – but in us.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

July 12th, 2011 by Kristi Stephens

Image from visualBiblealive.com

Sometimes I listen as others talk about their salvation and their faith in God, and everything seems to be in past tense. It is as though they have placed a period at the end of their walk with Christ and look at it only as a one-time event, rather than an ongoing relationship.

God had physically redeemed his people out of Egypt – the Exodus, the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea – these were one-time events, stories told in the past-tense. But their journey did not end there.

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Exodus 19:3-6

They were not just saved from Egypt. They were saved to something- chosen as God’s treasured possession. They were set apart as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

As a “kingdom of priests,” they were to represent God’s name in the earth – to spread His glory among the nations. As this treasured possession and holy nation, God gives them a precious gift – one we often misunderstand as New Testament believers: the Mosaic law.

Moses himself summed up the purpose of obeying the law this way:

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

Deuteronomy 4:5-8

The nation of Israel was utterly unique. A people miraculously redeemed out of slavery and marched into the wilderness with God’s presence guiding their way in a pillar of fire and cloud. God then chose to enter with them into a covenant relationship, often described by the Old Testament prophets in terms of a marriage. The redemption and relationship came first – and then God outlines the requirements and expectations of the law. They didn’t follow the law in order to have a relationship with God – they followed the law to give evidence of their unique relationship with the Lord, the one who had brought them out of Egypt.

Remember that Old Testament saints were saved in the same way we are today – by placing faith in Christ alone for salvation. Following the law did not put them in right relationship with God any more than trying to be “good people” saves us today. But if we know Him – we want to obey.

If we have been redeemed through Christ, we look back at our salvation as a past-tense event. But if we know Him – we have been chosen, treasured, set apart for a purpose. We are called to obey Him out of love, to display His glory in the earth, to show His greatness in our lives. There is no period on the end of our testimony of walking with Jesus Christ.

October 3rd, 2008 by Kristi Stephens

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is often called the Great Shema (shema is Hebrew for “hear” – because “hear” is the first word of the passage).

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(6:4-9)

As you can see in these pictures, Orthodox Jews still follow this passage literally. They put copies of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 in small boxes on their doorframes, tie boxes with these verses on their hands, and bind them on their foreheads.

What is God trying to impress on them?

Doorframes of your house: as you go in and as you go out, your private and public life should be dominated by one theme – belief in the One True God and love for Him that consumes your heart, soul, and might. The text further elaborates saying that this should be the dominating conversation and subject of training in our households.

Bind them on your hands: every single thing you do should be dominated by this same theme- belief in the One True God and love for Him that consumes your heart, soul, and might. The New Testament emphasizes this idea as well.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…

Bind them on your foreheads: for illustrative purposes, hold your fist up to your forehead – what do you see? Everything you look at is overshadowed by your hand. This idea of tying the Truth to your forehead is that everything you look at, everything you perceive, everything you think about is filtered through belief in the One True God and love for Him that consumes your heart, soul, and might.

So, while I don’t think that we need to follow this literally, it’s not a bad idea! Our love for God is supposed to be so consuming that it will affect how we live on a minute by minute basis (publicly and privately), every single thing we do, and every thought in our minds. This is no one-day-a-week religious ritual. This is consuming – love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your strength.

In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus uses this passage to answer the question, “Master, what is the greatest commandment?” He says that on this law (and on the command to love your neighbor as yourself) hang all the Law and the Prophets. What did He mean?

Why isn’t “have no other gods before me” the greatest commandment? Because if I love the Lord with all that I am, I will not serve other gods. Why isn’t “thou shalt not kill” the greatest commandment? Because if I love the Lord with all that I am, I will not degrade and seek to take the lives of those He created and loves.

Remember our previous posts about the law – the law was not a means to salvation by works. Following the law evidenced true faith – true relationship. If a person truly loves the Lord their God with ALL their heart, with ALL their soul, and with ALL their strength, the rest of the law falls into line! Relationship comes FIRST, obedience comes second.

This same idea shows up in first John:

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:3-5)

Have you ever wondered if you really are saved? You are not saved by the things that you do. If you think to yourself, “of course I am saved – I’m a good person,” then you probably are relying on your own good works to earn your salvation rather than being dependent on Christ Jesus alone. However, if you are aware of your sin and your utter dependence on the work of Christ to save you, and have truly confessed that sin to the Lord and asked for His redemption, you will want to obey Him. It will disturb you to fail Him. (and you will – we all do.) And the pattern of your life will be a desire to know and obey your Lord.

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 John 2:28-29

August 25th, 2008 by Kristi Stephens

Hopefully the England/ United States analogy helped clarify some things in our mind about the law. Now… there are so many different laws – why in the world did all of these things matter? There is no one answer to that question. We will discuss several of these points more in depth as we study Leviticus, but I will just mention them here.

*The law revealed who God is (God is supreme, so “You shall have no other gods before me.”)
*The law guided Israel and showed them how to live with God as their King (what does a theocracy, with God physically living in their midst, look like?)
*The law made sin obvious (the law never required sinless perfection – it assumed sin on the part of the people and told them about God’s redemption)
*The law made the people long for the Messiah’s coming (They needed a better High Priest, a better Atonement Day, a better sacrifice to cover all their sin and uncleanness!)
*The law isolated and protected them from the theology and immorality of surrounding nations (Close interactions would, and often did, end up causing them to get caught up in idolatry.)
*The law provided for law and order in society (Ie: build a railing around your 2nd story porch so that no one falls off.)

One more point. Many of the laws given are “case law.” If A happens, B is the result. Just like our own legal system, which refers back to prior decisions for precedence, these laws were not exhaustive of every kind of violation that could take place. These laws are like the poles in a chain link fence – they mark out the general boundary. The chain link fencing that stretches in between the posts are like “the spirit of the law.” There are almost unlimited implications or parallel cases which should be obvious to the sincere reader. If I’m driving down the highway next to a row of construction barrels, I know that I am not supposed to be driving in the blocked off lane! If I decide to swerve into the lane between the barrels and then get pulled over, I should not expect the policeman to sympathize with my defense that I didn’t knock over a barrel to cross into that lane. No, there wasn’t a barrel at the exact place I entered, but the boundary and intent had been obvious – I just chose to ignore it!

This is what Jesus was addressing in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). He would say, “You have heard it said…” and then follow up with “But I say to you…” He was NOT comparing the Old Testament law with His own. He was contrasting a legalistic misunderstanding of the letter of the law (just the poles) with the true meaning, the Spirit of the law (the chain-link fencing, too). And yes, what Jesus was teaching seems “stricter” than what is said in the Old Testament. He equates lust with adultery, contempt with murder. Why? Because the heart attitude starts from the same place. If I look down upon and ridicule another human being, I am basically showing a heart attitude that sees their life as less valuable than my own. The extreme result of that attitude? Murder. Your life doesn’t matter. Jesus is teaching the “Spirit of the law” – challenging them to understand that God isn’t just giving a list of rules to obey, with loopholes for those who were smart enough to work the system. The law was revealing the sinful intent of their hearts.

We can fairly easily follow rules but miss the inherent point entirely. Even in our day, there are many people who believe they are saved because they have never done anything “that bad.” They haven’t murdered anyone, had an affair, embezzled from their company. They haven’t knocked over any of those big barrels, and they get offended and angry with anyone who implies that they are sinners. Some people have been “good church people” their whole lives. Maybe they don’t even go to dances or see movies or play cards! They feel confident and secure in their goodness.

Jesus frequently attacks the Pharisees for this attitude in the gospels. His words are extremely harsh at times! These men were the elite law-keepers of their day. They even made more rules to keep themselves from breaking God’s rules! But they missed the spirit – they missed God’s heart. Instead of being humbled by the law and realizing that their hearts were far from flawless, they felt prideful because they had kept those rules oh-so-well. They were self-righteously driving in that barricaded lane, smugly pointing out that they hadn’t run over the barrel. Oh, Father, open our eyes to your Truth! May our hearts be humble and open to your rebuke. Our righteousness is like filthy rags before you.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
They are much more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:7-14