"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." :John 10:10
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BIBLICAL LIVING 101 - What have we learned so far?
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We have spent some time over the last few months taking a practical look at a variety of topics - wrapping our heads not only around the underlying concept or "logos" of what we are studying, but also how to practically apply it to our day to day lives. Heres a brief recap of what we have covered so far - the complete set of articles can be found on our website () or on this Page.
1. Taxes: We saw that taxation was intimately related to governance structure. The worldly tax system exists to run a government, the OT tax laws and governance structure was very different. Nevertheless, we saw that paying taxes is our civic duty.
2. Taxes brought us to - Work : We looked in-depth at the very concept of work itself, and also at the concept of vocation. We realized that our worldly situation is an act of God over which we have no control - so every man is equal in that context. However, we are all unique in our indivduality, capabilities, and strengths, and should strive to develop what we have been given. We also looked at the workplace, and HR/Payroll concepts.
3. Money: From Work, we jumped to a deeper look at the concept of money itself, and saw it as a means of assessing value, and a tool to be used. We looked at how to handle riches and poverty from an understanding and practicality standpoint.
4. Transitioning to Fun, from Work - we took a deep look into the very meaning of joy, and broadened our understanding of both feasting and entertainment, games and sports, and finally wine itself.
What have we learned?
Its from our text this week. God does not give us His Law to beat us up over how sinful we are. He does not ask for obedience to it because it satisfies His ego. All He has ever done is LOVE us from day 1 - giving us a planet and universe to enjoy, asking only that we treat each other with LOVE, and laying on us NO OTHER BURDEN......... FOR OUR BENEFIT!
"Whats in it for me?" is the question we are taught to ask ourselves at a very early age. Why should I follow the Bible? What profit is it to God if I am righteous? Well dear friends, the answer is simple. The Bible is the manual for understanding and doing Life right - it was given to us for our GOOD. We dont think there is any practical value in studying it because there is nothing it can teach us about how to handle our modern lives.... nothing could be further from the truth! If you want to live an abundant life, you absolutely need the keys in the Bible... the biggest key being, ALL THIS IS OURS!
The planet and everything in it was created GOOD and we were given dominion over it. From Seth to Moses, God did not legislate any Law other than His conscience in Man, livened by His Spirit. That is what we are back to in this Age of Grace.
Christ had to educate the Pharisees not to make a "trip" out of the Law, but focus on the important thing - YOUR FELLOW MAN! Religious zeal for God manifested in detailed regulations and stipulations (e.g. Sabbath, Hand washing and Kosher) which were ADDED to the Law making it a burden. We see the same thing in religious observance today. We major in every minute detail except for - what are you doing for the poor and needy? Surprisingly, there are no large thelogical debates on whether this is the most important thing - trumping every Law there is - and not a more focus on using this as a metric for church effectiveness (along with members spiritual growth in the Word). There is even a completely fleshly (and dangerous) focus on abstinence from foods, drinks, etc. when the Word clearly says even the early dietary restrictions are no longer in force! This opens up a Christian to self-condemnation should he/she "fall off the wagon" - even when doing so has no impact on how God sees them - 100% righteous through the blood of Christ. This is why Christ was furious at the doctrine of the Pharisees, calling them the children of the Devil, who were, with their doctrine, making the teaching of the Word of no effect.
The apostle Paul says that we will see this in the last times as well....
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. " - (1 Ti 4:1–5)
God loves us and has given us everything in this world to enjoy. Enjoy it guilt free - your future is settled, and your present is secure in His hands. What do you have to worry about??? He invented sex and made it pleasurable so we would enjoy making babies, He created every herb and fruit of the field for us including the grape, He gives us rain for our cattle and bread for our tables, oxygen and air to breathe, the sun and moon to light our paths on this little ball spinning through space.
Rest in the victory that Christ has procured for you, know that you are now a privileged son/daughter of God. You have to grow to exercise your privileges legally -
"Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born dof a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." - Ga 4:1–7
We dont send kids out to drive our cars and pick up the groceries. Growth is essential to discovering the heart of God, so that we in turn, through prayer, can effect mighty changes in our lives, and in the lives of those around us. He can do amazing things through and for us, if we only have the Faith that He wants us to! And He does!!!
Let us not major in the minors, or be crippled by our seeming lack of "holiness". God can use you as you are, where you are, if you are willing to yield your will to His, every day - just looking out for the opportunities He puts in your path. Dont sweat the small stuff, but rejoice always, knowing who you are, who your Daddy is, who your Brother and Friend is, and what you and He can do together!
Hallelujah!