Good morning Lord Jesus, as I begin a new work week the first thing I desire to be worked on is me by your Spirit..
The word “law” comes from the Hebrew word ‘Torah.” Torah means more than just law. It also means teaching, or instruction handed down from someone to another. Torah, the Law, has a narrative about it, a story that is at the source of it's instruction. The story from which the Law of the Old Testament flows out of is this statement by God,” I am the Lord your God.“ God begins with these words constantly whenever he begins giving instructions to someone. Just a few examples of many are:
“I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac.” (Genesis 28:12)
“I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:7)
The prologue of God giving the 10 Commandments is:
“And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:1-2)
The law then is instruction and teaching that centers around understanding who the Lord God is, what he requires, and how we are to live under the lordship of God. It also reveals what we are to look like as disciples of God. Jesus Christ was the culmination, the completion of the narrative, the story of the law. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we received the ultimate, perfect instruction, teaching and understanding of how we are to live under the Lordship of God. He gave us an actual example of the fulfillment of the law, not written on tablets of stone, but lived out in human flesh.
When we accepted Christ as Lord of our lives, we were filled with the Holy Spirit, and we also then had the law fulfilled in us not written on tablets of stone, but in our hearts. It is the indwelling of Jesus Christ in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we now have the fulfillment of the law in us. The narrative of the law, the story of the Lordship of God continues in us as we are to be living examples, teachers, instructors, handing down the stories of God from one to another.
Three main things the Law centered around were: Justice, Compassion and Worship. These three things the life of Jesus also centered around. His life was one centered around justice, compassion, and worship. That is why all the laws hinge on the commandment to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind,” which is worship. And “Love your neighbor as yourself,” which is justice and compassion.
Jesus freely worshipped the Father, brought justice and showed compassion outside of of the religious institutions, traditions, and norms of his culture. He demonstrated what free and radical discipleship looked liked. In the Holy Spirit you are free to worship God, bring justice, and show compassion outside of any religious, tradition, family, or cultural boundaries. You are not only free, but you are designed to exhibit Worship, Justice and Compassion in the most radical, undignified, spontaneous, and child-like ways!!!
My family, Read 2 Corinthians chapter 3, Gal. 4:1-7, Colossians 2:13-23. Then spend time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is holding you back from freely, radically, child-like, without any inhibitions, worshipping God, and loving your neighbors with justice and compassion. What traditions, religious practices, misconceptions, are binding you from expressing your love for God, love for Christ and passing on his story to others? in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections, questions, and/or prayers in the comments box below.
In July I will step out of pastoring Toney UMC and pour completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods. Please pray over this season in my life and that of my family. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
