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NASB | Hebrews 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:40 because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us. |
Subject: Superior Hope |
Bible Note: Country Girl, I am in agreement with you. As opposed to the Old Testament being a valid covenant, the New Testament scripture clearly states time and again that we are not under the Law (Law of Moses/Old Covenant). Do we all continue to go to school once we've received the sought after degree? The Law, by comparison, was the professor of Righteousness and Redeption 101. Christ came and gave us our degree. [Galatians 3:24-25] Now we are professors of Perfection and Purity 201. Use math as an example of how the law works and where it falls into our current usage. In practical life, we take basic math, moved up to advanced math, and eventually undertake the difficult tasks of geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. While learning basic math, we struggle to grasp the concepts. We are young, and our minds have trouble wrapping around the idea. In time, though, we learn what our teachers were trying to impart. When our studies lead us as far as trigonometry and calculus, we still use basic math! But basic math is not a thing we think about. It is something that is deeply ingrained, and something we just understand. Half the time I don't even think about why 12 plus 12 is 24 anymore. It just is. I understand why it is, but could no more explain it to a child than I could explain the complexities of why the sky is blue. I just understand it and apply it to the practical application of calculus. It is the calculus I am trying to understand instead of the basic math, in other words. Basic math still has its place, but it is not something I need to focus on in light of the far superior methods of higher calculation. The irony of the Law and the New Covenant of Jesus Christ is that it all worked in the reverse order of my above example. It started with calculus and ended with basic math. We had laws for everything under the sun, including not muzzling the ox, not tripping the blind, not going back for every grape, etc. There were also variables, like "just in case" sacrifices for those that think they "might" have sinned. Defining the full extent of the law was in all ways an impossible task. This is the reason we all failed, just as a first grader would have failed at calculus. Then came Jesus, the amazing mathematician, who looked at the whole thing, knew the pattern inherently, and said, "you know what people, this calculation, when fully solved, equates to 1 plus 1 equals 2." The equation of the Law, represented by the Old Covenant, is equivelent to 1 plus 1 equals 2. Love God with all your mind, heart, soul, and strength plus Love your neighbor as yourself equals the fulfillment of the Law which is the solution to the equation. Now that we have been reduced to basic math, we no longer need to fear error. In all the equations of life, 1 plus 1 is going to equal 2. "This person is doing this to me. What is the solution? I will look to God and love this person as myself, and this is the correct solution to my problem." "Is this thing I am inclined to do a sin? Since I don't know, let me break out my equation breaker. Does this thing go against loving God? Does this thing go against loving my neighbor? Okay then ... Love plus Love equals fulfilled. Problem solved." The Old Testament, in short, has not really gone away, but it is no longer relevent. We couldn't grasp the lessons of the complicated math, so we were given the simple solution to summarize it. Now that we have the answer, this solution is all encompassing, and we have no real need to go back to complicated math, except as a matter of higher learning to better understand the simple but absolute solution to the complicated equation. All scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. [2 Tim 3:16-17] If you put yourself back under the law (i.e. try to solve the equation yourself instead of accepting the simple solution given), you are doomed to failure. They couldn't figure out the solution, and neither can we. Jesus gave us the solution, so let us trust in his math skills. These are my casual thoughts on the subject. If you wish deeper discussion, I'll gladly oblige. There is a great deal more I can say to further support this scriptural truth. Love to you sister, Ancient |