Skip to main content

Rehash

           All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. (Psalm 119:160)

 

            Let’s apply just a little logic here. All of God’s righteous laws are eternal. Are there laws that are not eternal? Before the universe was created, the law e=mc2 was not true because there was no matter. If and when the universe ends, it may not be true. So while it is (probably[1]) true now it is not eternal. That suggests that it is not a “righteous” law. And contrary to those who cling to an episode of West Wing[2], the New Testament makes clear that there are commands given in the Old Testament to which Christians are not subject, meaning that they aren’t eternally required for a relationship with God. By that definition, they aren’t righteous laws, either.

            Now, this is not to say that God is not righteous, or that all that He does is not righteous. It is merely to point out that there are different kinds of laws. Some are natural, some are cultural, and some are righteous, eternal laws (AKA truths) that stand the test of time throughout all time. We need to avoid mixing these up.

            But here’s the hard part for us. If His Word is true, and if His righteous laws are eternal, then why don’t we live by them? This is rehashing the rehashed hash, but would we not be wise to learn as much about His words, and His righteous laws, and natural laws, and cultural laws as we can, and understand the differences between them?


[1] Just me hedging

[2] (33) West Wing - Bartlet & the Bible - YouTube Keep in mind that this was scripted – there is a good answer to Bartlet’s list of questions – beginning with precisely what is said above. Christians are not subject to all Old Testament Laws. They are subject to the righteous, eternal ones.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Right Road

          Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)                  For years before GPSes existed, I told people I wanted something in my car that would tell me, “Turn left in half a mile…turn left in a quarter mile…turn left in 500 feet… turn left in 100 feet…turn left now …You missed the turn, Dummy!” The problem isn’t necessarily that I get lost so much as I’m afraid I’ll get lost. I don’t want to have to spend my whole trip stressing over the next turn. I have the same problem with my spiritual journey.   
Post a Comment
Read more

Died as a Ransom

                 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)                  This is something I’d really rather not think about but here it is and it’s important. I was reading in Bold Love about seeking revenge.  The author wrote of seeking justice when a supposed Christian does something sinful, harmful, and/or horrific, like sexually abusing a daughter.  And the thought that came to mind was of God asking if Jesus’ death was sufficient payment to me for the sin committed against me.                I have no specific longing for revenge, vengeance, or justice. I’m sure there are some lurking somewhere in my heart, but this wasn’t a response to one. It was more a question of principle. Jesus’ death was sufficient payment for to God for our sins.  That’s the standard Sunday Schoo
1 comment
Read more

Out of the Depths

  Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings.   If You, Lord, were to keep account of guilty deeds, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I wait for His word. My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning. Israel, wait for the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his guilty deeds . (Psalm 130)             I like Mr. Peterson’s interpretation of the first line. “The bottom has fallen out of my life!” Of course, the problem for some of us is the fact that we’re drama queens, and/or we’re weak. Any time anything happens that disturbs our sense of mastery and control, the bottom has fallen out of our lives. If the past couple of days have taught me anything, they’ve t
1 comment
Read more