Friday, February 23, 2007

Deuteronomy 19

“And your eye shall not pity. Life shall go for life, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for a hand, foot for a foot” (Deut 19:21).

Welcome to the law. The rules are simple; life shall go for life and so on. We have been talking about the law since Exodus 20. We have been examining each and every principle. We have been seeing how Jesus is portrayed through the law. However, I believe it is important to note now, that the law, though it is good, could not do it. It could not save us from our sins, and the reason is this principle right here. Which one of you has ever hated, fought, was bitter, lusted, complained, or disobeyed? All of us have. And when we have done these things the law only promises one thing, justice. If you got what you deserved where would you be?

“You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist evil. But whoever shall strike you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:38-39).

This is the new law. This is where grace enters in. Jesus is the forerunner of grace, the first to ever live this principle. He teaches us not to return, eye for an eye or tooth for tooth, but to turn the other cheek. Jesus not only taught this, but lived it out when He died for us on the cross. We live in a world that is constantly telling us we deserve this or deserve that. Here is God the Son, the only One deserving of praise, and He dies for us turning the other cheek on our behalf. As Christians we need to do the same.
Live today with the understanding that you do not deserve what you have. You do not deserve eternal life. You owe everything to Jesus. Therefore, when you are afflicted, why defend yourself? Why retaliate? The world expects you to do these things. However, as a Christian, reflect Christ and give them grace. Share the grace of God and preach the grace of God both with your mouth and your life. I love Jesus and I love His justice, but it is His grace poured out that makes me want to run to Him in times of trouble. This is the new law, it is a law of grace and love.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The only thing that we deserve is hell. Only by God's inunderstandable grace will we go to heavan and buddists go to hell. God could have not chosen us. We had nothing to do with becoming a christians. God, the devine manipulator, put us in the position where, though it was still our choice, we had to choose Jesus. It is only by God's grace that we are saved.

Anonymous said...

I once heard a (not so)wise person say:
"There are 100's of galixies revolving areound 100's of moons revolving around 100's of planets and they all revolve around 1 central point, and guess what, that point,IS NOT YOU!!!!" I think this is somthing to think about for all of us, it is easy to think that the world is all about us, or about what we are doing. But, is is all about Jesus, he made us and he gave us the abilities we have, and we should use them for God's glory not ours.

Anonymous said...

Now why is my comment not being uploaded?!? There was no SM!

Anonymous said...

okay... It was just late

stat counter

simple hit counter