Subject: Does the OT apply to us as christians? |
Bible Note: Part 2 of 2: There are many other scriptures I could cite but we only need one, right gentlemen? We are followers of God's Word and we only need to be told something once by God and we comply, correct? Ok, then first (vs 21-26) murder in the OT was specifically prohibited BUT one could get away with hating his brother or neighbor and could do all sorts of things to make his life miserable as long as he's subtle about it. You know the deal: push the envelope as far as you can and you're good to go. Well no longer, not with God. Although we might some of the people some of the time, we can never fool God and sooner or later the people will find out. Notice now, we can't even get angry with our brother or neighbor at least not without just cause. Even then the Lord expects us to go to that person and try to resolve our differences BEFORE we can approach God in worship. Powerful contrast if you ask me. 2nd Contrast (Conflict if you will): Adultery in vs 27-30. In the OT, adultery was sin but one could have the lustful thoughts he wanted. Go to the neighborhood pool and enjoy oneself with the all the women you wanted. As long as you didn't have sex with any of them, you were good to go. That too, is all history now. In this age, on this side of the cross, God expects us all to adhere to a higher standard and avoid lustful thoughts. Instead later on in the epistles, we find out we supposed to think on Heavenly things, and other more Godly pursuits. Thirdly, Oaths from vs 35-37. In the OT, a man was commanded to stand by his word; if one made an oath and broke that oath, there were some very severe consequences. In the here and now with the better covenant we're commanded not to swear at all and simply say "Yes or No." Seems simple but tough to do, I know. Next one (vs 38-42) is very tough to take: Vengence in the OT was a very serious business and still is for a lot of folks. Now, Jesus commands to not only forget about the wrong done to us, but go one better and offer the perpetrator another opportunity to take advantage os us again. Now this is one of the toughest things in the Bible AND to do it with sincerety. Yeah, extreme contrast, I agree. Finally and last of all (vs 43-48): Love and forgiveness for our enemies. Yes as was mentioned above, OT children of God were famous for loving their neighbors (some of the time) but they were far more famous for hating their enemies, as we can see to this day. But now God and His Son expects us to refine our ways of loving our neighbors AND He expects us to love our enemies so much that we forgive them endlessly as Peter found out in Matt 18. I know this is a bit much to take. Apparently, some of you folks have been hooked on the NT AND the OT all your lives but I would just like you to study these scriptures and all the rest. God really does want us to graduate from His schoolmaster the OT and move on to His Son's covenant. It's much better, perfect sacrifice and the perfect High Priest and He just considers Himself our senior Brother, what a Guy, such humility. This is all made so plain throughout the book of Hebrews. I'd also like to emphasize this should take care of the discussion about the separation of the OT into "ceremonial law" and the Ten Commandments. I guess you've already noticed, the first two points above start off with a reference to two of those Commandments. And we haven't even talked about the fact the Sabbath is done away and replaced with the "first day of week" being the day of worship in the NT. Now it's been mentioned or implied that I've said that NT contradicts the OT. Please believe me when I say nothing could be farther from the truth. The NT was issued as a fulfillment of the prophecy in the OT, same as Christ's coming was in fulfillment of that same group of prophecies. God passed the right to rule in this dispensation to His Son as clearly shown in Matt 28. Jesus rules from the right hand of God and with the aid of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, mostly in our Bibles, God's Word. Hank, you might be interested in re-checking my profile. I explained my nickname briefly there for you and everyone else's benefit. Well, I do hope this clears up the matter. God bless. --Rowdy |