Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Even though
I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring
many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a
Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I
was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did
this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When
I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart
from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the
law of Christ. 1
Corinthians 9: 19-21(NLT)
The whole idea of some kind of battle
between the Ten Commandments and New Covenant is absurd. The Old Testament (law) and New Testament
(grace) are not at war with each other.
Paul made it pretty clear, saying he
does not ignore the law of God; rather he sees his life as being
lifted to a higher plane of obeying the law of Christ. Those are not mutually-exclusive, either/or
ideas; they are like bricks of the same building.
Jesus also made this distinction:
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law
of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their
purpose. Matthew 5:17(NLT)
Jesus wanted his disciples to know that
the commandments and a life of grace complete each other; each speaks of a life
lived honoring God, and yet the limitations of The Law expand and
bear fruit in the life of grace.
The idea of a higher plane of life is
seen in moving from the lower level of obedience to the higher target of
love.
When my children were very young I
taught them (in an obedience/law-fashion) to apologize whenever one did something
to hurt the other. And when an apology
was given, there was to be a hug of forgiveness. This was like the Law of Moses! But it was not much of an apology sometimes,
because it didn’t come from a kid’s heart – only in obedience to Dad’s edict!
And like the Law of Moses, my law
training wasn’t supposed to be the end of how they lived and acted;
it was to be the beginning of their training.
As with the Ten Commands given to Moses began our training
in righteousness, Jesus came to expand our understanding and take us to the
next level…love!
My children learned the best action
of apologizing if you hurt someone else, and as they matured they learned the joy
of living on the higher plane of life connecting hearts in relationship. True life is lived when the heart is engaged. True joy is experienced only on that plane.
There is a hymn written more than a
hundred years ago entitled In Lovingkindness Jesus Came. I love it enough to want it sung at
my funeral. This hymn traces prevenient
grace, the Incarnation, Jesus’ bearing the agony of the cross, and winning his conclusive
victory over death, lifting me from sin and shame.
The final verse describes the wonder of living
life on a higher plane, bathed in the wonder of the light of God’s love:
Now on a higher plane I dwell, and
with my soul I know ’tis well;
yet how or why, I cannot tell, He should have lifted me.
yet how or why, I cannot tell, He should have lifted me.
From sinking sand He lifted me, with
tender hand He lifted me,
from shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lifted me![ii]
from shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lifted me![ii]
For You Today
Christian, you were not saved just to
struggle; you’re meant to live on a higher plane!
Go to VIDEO
NOTES
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