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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.

 

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