BBD 07.12.05 The Letter of the Law
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
1,307 New Subscribers since November 2004
07.12.05
The Letter of the Law
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come
to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and
earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:17-19.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23.
Dave Newman is a lawbreaker and in San Marcos, Texas, he was arrested for
breaking the law. Emergency personnel warned Newman repeatedly to leave the
water because they said that he was "interfering with public duties".
However, Newman refused and proceeded to rescue a drowning man caught in a
river current. After being released from jail on a $2,000.00 bond Newman
said, "I was amazed. I had a very uncomfortable night after saving that guy's
life (Abed Duamni). He thanked me for it in front of the police, and then
they took me to jail." Even though Dave Newman broke the law, hopefully, a
judge will use some common sense and throw it out of court. However, the
prosecutor and the emergency personnel will point out that the law is the
law and that it was broken by Mr. Newman in his successful rescue of Abed.
Are you a lawbreaker? The fact is that we have all, except for Jesus, broken
the law, God's Law. Romans 3:23 states very clearly, "For all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God". That includes all of us. Jesus says, "I
say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by
no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:18)." The OT
laws, which include the Ten Commandments, are still in effect. Jesus says,
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come
to destroy but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17)."
What hope do we have of being able to go through life and perfectly keep God's
laws? None. Have you never told a lie or a half-truth? Have you never had an
ugly thought? Have you never stolen anything even a paper clip? Have you
always been nice to everyone? The fact is that we cannot perfectly obey all
of God's laws. However, the law is still the law and there is an eternal
death sentence for breaking the law even at one point. God is still God and
He will one day judge us. We may not like it but that is still the way it is
whether we like it or not.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were some kind of escape clause so that we
could escape the penalty that we deserve for breaking the law? The fact is
that God knew how difficult it would be for us to obey the Law and that is
why He provided a way for us to escape the penalty of our disobedience. The
Name of that escape clause is Jesus. Someone had to be penalized for our
disobedience because God is a Holy and completely Righteous God. That
someone who was penalized was Jesus. He took our sins upon Himself on the
cross. He took our place and suffered and died for us on the cross - He died
for you on the cross. His blood was shed for our sins.
When we receive the "gift" of salvation through Jesus Christ, His
righteousness is imputed to us. When God looks at us He no longer sees us as
sinners, instead He sees the righteousness of His Son because we have been
washed in the blood of Jesus. The letter of the Law has been fulfilled but
only through the cost of the sacrifice of the perfect lamb, Jesus, on the
cross.
Want to be free from the penalty of the Law? Receive Jesus Christ as your
personal Savior. Salvation is a gift that is available to you if you will
receive it. What will you do with Jesus?
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