Today I've decided to add onto the series, 'Afternoon Tea'. I've just returned from working at camp all week at Abilene Christian University, a fun but exhausting experience that I wouldn't trade for any other. Though I feel as if I have been drained mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I loved every second of it. It's one of the most rewarding feelings, knowing that you have been a part of creating a safe place for kids to come and be loved on so that they can be themselves, have fun, and grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ all at the same time.
As we drove home in our senior living facility van (seriously one of the funniest parts of my summer, getting to ride around in a big vehicle that reads, 'Senior Living Residents', every time the youth group travels anywhere), I had planned to throw my clothes in the washing machine and throw myself into my bed as soon as I arrived home. When I finally did get home, however, the Lord had different plans, as He gave me a bundle of energy and a zealous desire to spend time with Him. One of my favorite ways to hang out with God is to drive to one of my favorite places, Barnes & Noble, and camp out at one of the cute round tables nestled back in a corner in the Starbucks cafe.
Laptop charger plugged in, earphones inserted, bible open, and worship music playing. Sweet. Bliss.
Thinking on some events from this past week and some topics that have come up, I began to read in Romans chapter eight where Paul discusses life through the Spirit, and all in a sudden moment I remembered a question that my host-sister had asked me after coming home from Kadesh, ACU's high school leadership camp: 'Since Christ came and fulfilled the Law, should we still attempt to follow it?'
Whoa. Let me just preface the rest of this post by saying that I believe this to be one of those deeper theological questions. It's one that I've discussed many times with many different girls, especially this past year, and it's a question that I am currently researching more about to better understand, because I think it is a question that holds many answers. That said, I'll share (some) of my thoughts on this question. Ash and I had a wonderful discussion about it, and as we looked to Scripture for answers, God revealed much about Himself.
First, let's establish the Law. In the Old Testament, the word 'law' is used to translate the Hebrew word 'torah', meaning instruction given from God spoken through Moses to Israel. Very much summarized, God's law is His system of rules that show His will and character. These sorts of revealings-God showing His character-happens all throughout the Bible, but in the Old Testament they happen (again, this is summarized) in five ways: the law of Nature (seen in Creation), the Law of Eden (seen in the relationship with Adam and Eve), the Law of the Patriarchs (given to leaders), the Law of Moses given to Israel (the Ten Commandments), and the Law of Christ (described as living by the Spirit). I outline these revealings of God's character in this way so that we can better understand the original question. When people ask, do we follow the Law or follow Jesus, I like to break it down, because really, God's 'law' is His standard-His character-which is shown all throughout the Bible. When people ask this question, I think they specifically are referring to the Mosaic Law, which consists of 613 commands from God to His people-both negative and positive. The Mosaic Law can be broken down even further into three parts: the Moral, the Social, and the Ceremonial. Before we venture further, we must establish one fact: the Mosaic Law was given specifically to the nation of Israel to govern her so that her people could experience God's blessings under the covenant that God gave to Abraham (I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky...). Basically, these instructions were meant for Israel, God's chosen nation. However, this Law still shows us God's standards, and so the question of should we, as saved people, follow it or not.
There are a few more facts to establish before we go any further. First, we must answer a different question: what is the purpose of the Law? Really, we are asking about the purpose of the Mosaic Law, but I think we can even stretch it further and ask, what is the purpose of God revealing His standard-any of it? I'm not only talking about the Mosaic Law, but I'm including too the Law of Nature, the Law of the Patriarchs, the Law of Christ, and every other time that God has shown His character to people. Everytime we see God's standard in the Bible, we are seeing a display of His Law. So, the question remains: for what purpose?
The purpose of the Law-of God's standard-being revealed to humankind is to show us where we fall short. Seeing God's character shows us that we cannot possibly meet a standard so high, for we are broken. We have fleshly desires and sin inside of us, and knowing this contrast shows us that we need God.
[Enter Jesus].
Now, I am going to share my thoughts on the original question very briefly. Books could be written on this topic of the Law-or God's standard-and books have been written on it, but we simply don't have the time to discuss it in depth, so I will summarize as best I can.
I believe that Christians today are called to holiness, for we are a dearly loved people, set apart for holy purposes. So, in that, yes, we are called to follow God's standard. However, I do not believe this means to stick to every single rule and regulation outlined in the Old Testament-especially since many of the old rules and regulations were meant for the nation of Israel specifically. Oftentimes, God gave them rules to compensate for sin. A long time ago, when people would fall short of living for God, they had to sacrifice animals in order to make up for the sin that they'd committed. Why don't we have to do this anymore?
Here is what I think: God's standard has not changed, but the way people are called to holiness has.
Scripture reveals much to answer the question of whether or not to follow all of the rules outlined in the Old Testament. First, we can look to the person of Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:17 tells us, 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until Heaven and Earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of the pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished'. From this verse alone, we can say that Jesus came to fulfill the Law-or the standard of God-when no other man on Earth could, or can. For how we should live today, we can look to the book of Romans. Paul encourages believers by writing,
'Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raise Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons (and daughters) of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship (and daughtership), and by Him we cry, ''Abba, Father''. -Romans 8:1-17
There is so much to be gained from this passage. Here is what I gain: we are called to respond to Christ. We are called to faith. We should not necessarily focus on following the old rules and regulations, because if that is our focus then faith has no value. The Law, which brings wrath due to our fallen sinful natures failing to fulfill it, is not our focus anymore. The Law exists so that sin can be acknowledged, but Jesus came to fulfill the Law, setting us free from sin and death. Our focus should be Christ. Through Christ, we are released from the logistics of the Law so that we now serve God in a different way: we live by the Spirit rather than the old way of written code. We now live under grace rather than condemnation. To answer the question of the Law, which really is a question of how to live as a Christian, I outline three principles:
1) Love God (Found throughout the Bible)
2) Love Others (1 Peter 3:7-11) (Literally the whole book of 1 John)
3) Live by the Spirit, and by default, our lives will bear fruit and submit to God (Romans!!!)
The Law of God still stands, because it is His nature-it is who He is. However, we are made right through the person of Jesus Christ, marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. He's literally put a piece of Himself in us to guide us in the ways of God, and when we depend on this Spirit in every moment, we will know how to live in love, for love, shown in the person of Jesus Christ, is the fulfillment of the Law.
If you're interested in further reading about living by the Spirit rather than the legalism of the Law, look to the book of Colossians. It discusses the Supremacy of Christ, freedom from human regulations through life with Christ, and rules for holy living.
I'm sure there is so much more to say regarding this topic, but that is all we will discuss for now. All of this righteousness talk has brought a beautiful song by Matt Redman to my heart: Holy. Enjoy it and be brought to your knees today by soaking in His Presence.
