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NASB | Matthew 5:17 ¶ "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:17 ¶ "Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. |
Bible Question:
Hi, Your helpful comments are invited for the following questions. 1.Are the 10 COMMANDMENTS designed to guide us? 2.Will the 10 COMMANDMENTS be used as a basis to judge us? Thanks. |
Bible Answer: Your Item 1 "designed to guide us?" Yes, I like to think the whole of the OT is to guide us as reflected in Gal 3:21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Your Item 2, "used as a basis to judge us?" No, I'm afraid not. The Words of Jesus and His appointed representatives, the Apostles will be used to judge us. The OT no longer has the authority over us as It did over the Jewish nation. See scriptures below. John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. Colossians 1:18 And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. We must understand that the NT (Christianity) is superior to the OT (Law of Moses) just as reflected throughout the Book of Hebrews. Now that doesn't mean we should do away or dismiss the OT. It's still an incredibly valuable Book as it illustrates the Love and Justice of Almighty God. Where else would one go for the story of the Creation? Where would we go for all that history and all of what it teaches about God's people in the previous dispensation? It's just that the OT no longer has the authority to rule over us as God's children. Who among us offers sacrifices for our sins? They're not needed as we have the perfect Sacrifice, Jesus as reflected again in Hebrews. We're not able to enjoy multiple spouses or dismiss them easily with a "writ of divorce." And finally ONLY in Christ can we all enjoy true freedom from sin. Guide us? Absolutely. The only single one of the 10 Commandments NOT endorsed in Christianity is the sanctity of the Sabbath as it was strictly part of the previous regime. But the other 9 commandments were issued as basic Godly principles for all mankind to live throughout all time. One might say this seems in contradiction to the basic premise of our "unchanging" God but we need to understand God doesn't change but we humans do. Remember our thoughts are not like God's thoughts as reflected in Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 1 Cor 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” Finally we must remember, it was God Himself who gave His Son and the resulting Christianity this "preeminence" mentioned above. |