I’ve always been told that when Jesus died on the cross the new law was in effect and the old law was gone. He was the ultimate sacrifice. As for do not lie, deceive, and steal, those are repeated in the New Testament… Curious to see other responses..
There are still morals. Although we are completely cleansed of our sins, we must still strive to be like christ and obey his commands “love the lord your God, and your neighbor” as well as refraining from sins such as lying, cheating, etc. Since we are saved we should live as such! With love and obedience to his commands.
Hi Kaily! In Colossians 3, Paul talks about putting on the new self. As I understand it, we are made a new creation in Christ, and that enables us to be molded and refined in the potter’s hands, BY his hands. Paul talks a lot about this in Romans – there is a new covenant, and grace is the real deal, but we can be molded into more Christlike creatures by God’s refining work in our lives.
Amazed that after praying 3 times for The Father to take the cup from Him, that Jesus says “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” He doesn’t wait and let them capture him…no…he goes towards them! He faces the most brutal pain, both physically and spiritually, that is ever imaginable! He did that for me! And for you who believe! Wow! Thank you Jesus!
Here is the question I keep asking as I read through Leviticus…why are some of these OT laws ones we disregard (e.g. How beards or hair is cut, how seeds are sown, wearing garments made of different types of fibers, not having sexual relations with a woman during her monthly period), and others are obviously still put in to practice (e.g. Do not lie, do not steal, do not deceive)? Is it because these are moral laws and therefore stand throughout time?
I also wonder this…which ones we should still follow and which ones are no longer relevant…and why. It always is tough when I’m trying to defend why I believe in traditional marriage and feel that homosexuality isn’t what God wants (for the record–there are gay people in my life that I love–I just don’t agree with it), yet I have a tattoo and my husband cuts his hair and his beard. People think that you either follow all of it or you don’t, and I just want to know what the truth is!
I’ve always heard that it’s the difference between moral and ceremonial law. Some things are morally wrong – they offend God’s holy character. Some things were ceremonial law – things that were meant to set them apart from the surrounding nations. These things are interpreted in more of a cultural context (dress, diet, worship rituals, etc). A visible reminder of the internal difference.
I cannot comment on the fibers of clothing, but I was raised not to have piercings & tattoos, but all the men in my family are clean shaven & trimmed hair (paw paw was in the navy). I think it would be neat to follow some of these other commands :)
Hey ladies! Jesus came and fulfilled the law – kept every point perfectly. The New Testament says we are now under the law of grace. So the way I see it, whatever laws are stated in the New Testament and laws intensified by Jesus are how we are to love and show our love for Him. This would be moral laws consistent with God’s character. Hope that helps!
I highly recommend checking out Exchanged Life ministries. They dedicate their entire ministry to explaining this very thing better, as they feel it is a huge missed point in the modern Christian church. This true message of grace and freedom from the law is life changing and truly what Paul described as being in Christ. Elmco.org
Peter denied Jesus 3 times. He was confident that when tough times came he would be faithful. But when the time came, he denied his Savior and friend. When he realized what he had done he wept over his unfaithfulness. But then eventually we do see him “getting back up” and being used by God. He got another chance
So much to say about today’s reading. This passage from Lev. really stuck out to me:
33 “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Seeing Jesus’ human side and not wanting to die if there was another way is comforting and encouraging because it shows that we will struggle but the place to turn is God. We have been studying prayer in the Sunday School class my husband and I attend, and the point has been made that prayer doesn’t change things it changes us. So we have to remember that when we pray the outcome we want may or may not happen but by praying God can prepare us to accept whatever outcome He chooses to give.
The fact that even Jesus struggled with his role in life is kind of comforting. I wonder how many times he’d prayed that, other than the three in the garden — when he got made fun of in school for being a child born of wedlock, when his brothers tried to kill him, when John was murdered, on a Tuesday when he just felt really alone? how often was it so hard to just keep being Jesus Christ the Son of God? Did he ever wonder what it would have been like to just be Jesus the Son of Joseph from the line of David, probably going to be a carpenter, build a house, find a wife & have some beautiful babies? He loved God more than he wanted another cup, but don’t be mistaken, God is the only he longed for more than another route in life, I think. & with good reason.
& I think that’s so relatable. sometimes in life I start to doubt whether or not the life I am living – filled with illness & pain at seemingly every turn – is worth whatever greater good God is serving. But I know I can remember Jesus — he didn’t just die the hardest way, he lived the hardest way so that when things get difficult we can trust him anyway.
oh Lord, please make that the attitude of my heart!
I’ve always been told that when Jesus died on the cross the new law was in effect and the old law was gone. He was the ultimate sacrifice. As for do not lie, deceive, and steal, those are repeated in the New Testament… Curious to see other responses..
There are still morals. Although we are completely cleansed of our sins, we must still strive to be like christ and obey his commands “love the lord your God, and your neighbor” as well as refraining from sins such as lying, cheating, etc. Since we are saved we should live as such! With love and obedience to his commands.
Hi Kaily! In Colossians 3, Paul talks about putting on the new self. As I understand it, we are made a new creation in Christ, and that enables us to be molded and refined in the potter’s hands, BY his hands. Paul talks a lot about this in Romans – there is a new covenant, and grace is the real deal, but we can be molded into more Christlike creatures by God’s refining work in our lives.
Amazed that after praying 3 times for The Father to take the cup from Him, that Jesus says “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” He doesn’t wait and let them capture him…no…he goes towards them! He faces the most brutal pain, both physically and spiritually, that is ever imaginable! He did that for me! And for you who believe! Wow! Thank you Jesus!
Amen! Praise Jesus!
Here is the question I keep asking as I read through Leviticus…why are some of these OT laws ones we disregard (e.g. How beards or hair is cut, how seeds are sown, wearing garments made of different types of fibers, not having sexual relations with a woman during her monthly period), and others are obviously still put in to practice (e.g. Do not lie, do not steal, do not deceive)? Is it because these are moral laws and therefore stand throughout time?
Great question Lea. Looking forward to responses.
I also wonder this…which ones we should still follow and which ones are no longer relevant…and why. It always is tough when I’m trying to defend why I believe in traditional marriage and feel that homosexuality isn’t what God wants (for the record–there are gay people in my life that I love–I just don’t agree with it), yet I have a tattoo and my husband cuts his hair and his beard. People think that you either follow all of it or you don’t, and I just want to know what the truth is!
Exactly Sara!
Hi Sara – check out Colossians 3. It’s helped me understand what the new covenant means for how we should be living. :)
Thanks Catherine!
I’ve always heard that it’s the difference between moral and ceremonial law. Some things are morally wrong – they offend God’s holy character. Some things were ceremonial law – things that were meant to set them apart from the surrounding nations. These things are interpreted in more of a cultural context (dress, diet, worship rituals, etc). A visible reminder of the internal difference.
I am also very interested in this. Do you know where we can find which are moral and which are ceremonial?
I cannot comment on the fibers of clothing, but I was raised not to have piercings & tattoos, but all the men in my family are clean shaven & trimmed hair (paw paw was in the navy). I think it would be neat to follow some of these other commands :)
Hey ladies! Jesus came and fulfilled the law – kept every point perfectly. The New Testament says we are now under the law of grace. So the way I see it, whatever laws are stated in the New Testament and laws intensified by Jesus are how we are to love and show our love for Him. This would be moral laws consistent with God’s character. Hope that helps!
I highly recommend checking out Exchanged Life ministries. They dedicate their entire ministry to explaining this very thing better, as they feel it is a huge missed point in the modern Christian church. This true message of grace and freedom from the law is life changing and truly what Paul described as being in Christ. Elmco.org
I love the question of what is Jesus had not prayed? This sparks the question in me… What is the disciples HAD prayed???
41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Woah! Great question!!
Peter denied Jesus 3 times. He was confident that when tough times came he would be faithful. But when the time came, he denied his Savior and friend. When he realized what he had done he wept over his unfaithfulness. But then eventually we do see him “getting back up” and being used by God. He got another chance
I love how God is generous with second chances! He never gives up on us!
So much to say about today’s reading. This passage from Lev. really stuck out to me:
33 “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
I also highlighted this verse! It really stuck out to me. How are we treating those different than us?
Seeing Jesus’ human side and not wanting to die if there was another way is comforting and encouraging because it shows that we will struggle but the place to turn is God. We have been studying prayer in the Sunday School class my husband and I attend, and the point has been made that prayer doesn’t change things it changes us. So we have to remember that when we pray the outcome we want may or may not happen but by praying God can prepare us to accept whatever outcome He chooses to give.
Pam – Thank you for this encouraging post! One year later and still so true.
The fact that even Jesus struggled with his role in life is kind of comforting. I wonder how many times he’d prayed that, other than the three in the garden — when he got made fun of in school for being a child born of wedlock, when his brothers tried to kill him, when John was murdered, on a Tuesday when he just felt really alone? how often was it so hard to just keep being Jesus Christ the Son of God? Did he ever wonder what it would have been like to just be Jesus the Son of Joseph from the line of David, probably going to be a carpenter, build a house, find a wife & have some beautiful babies? He loved God more than he wanted another cup, but don’t be mistaken, God is the only he longed for more than another route in life, I think. & with good reason.
& I think that’s so relatable. sometimes in life I start to doubt whether or not the life I am living – filled with illness & pain at seemingly every turn – is worth whatever greater good God is serving. But I know I can remember Jesus — he didn’t just die the hardest way, he lived the hardest way so that when things get difficult we can trust him anyway.
oh Lord, please make that the attitude of my heart!
Thank you for this :)