15 minute read
Education
Ceremonial, Civil, Moral
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By Samuel Mills
The Old Testament Law was to point out the people's sins and to show them it is impossible to please God by trying to obey all His laws.
The beginning of the New Testament, (New Covenant) brought over six hundred Old Testament Ceremonial Laws to an end; Leaving the civil to guide man’s conduct, and moral laws (including the Ten Commandments) to identify what God considers to be a sin.
There has been much debate over these laws, and how they apply. For the Christian, the civil and moral laws reveal the nature and will of God, and how people are to live.
“For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise, why then the law? It was added because of transgressions until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary,”
(The Apostle Paul, Gal 3:18-19,
ESV).
The Covenant with Abraham shows that faith is the only way to enter into Heaven. God's promise to Abraham was through faith, while the Old Law focuses on actions. Faith does not do away with the law; but the more we know God, the more obvious our sins become.
Christians are to depend on their faith in Christ alone for salvation. In fact, Christ is the only way given for mankind to enter into Heaven.
(1 Tim 2:5) "The Old Testament Law"
The Old Testament Law, identifies sin and teaches the need for salvation; God's grace gives us that salvation through Jesus Christ.
There are over 600 Jewish Ceremonial Laws and Rituals listed in the Old Testament. These are the
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laws that Paul said no longer apply.
Ceremonial Law: This type of law related to Israel's worship. (Lev 1:1-13) The laws pointed forward to Jesus Christ and were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. Though we are no longer bound to them, the principles behind the ceremonial laws, to worship and love God, still apply.
Civil Law: This law dictated Israel's daily living (Deut 24:1011); but modern society and culture are so radically different that some of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. The principles behind the commands are to guide our conduct.
Moral Law: The moral laws are direct commands of God. A good example is the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:1-17). The moral laws reveal the nature and will of God, and still apply to us today. We do not obey this moral law as a way to obtain salvation, but to live in ways pleasing to God. (segments from, "Life Application Study Bible")
The Old Testament Law is where God reveals His nature, His will/ lifestyle for humanity, His moral laws, and guidelines for living. But we cannot go to Heaven by keeping that Law; we must be born again and trust in Jesus.
Samuel Mills © Copyright 2006-2021 Trusting-in-Jesus.com.>
LOST CHILDREN
Continued from Page 15 ness." "Please tell us all about it, mother?" "Yes, if you will listen very attentively. I do not mean that all men were lost in just such a forest as Edward and Ellen were lost in; nor, that they were in danger of being eaten up by such wolves as threatened to eat up this dear little boy and girl." "What kind of wolves were they?" asked the children. "They were just such things in their hearts, which corresponded to wolves and every evil and hurtful beast — wicked thoughts and acts. But let me tell you all about it." "The Lord made men innocent and good. All things around them were as beautiful as the loveliest garden you have ever seen. In their hearts dwelt only those good feelings, to which the lambs and doves and all good animals correspond. They were very happy, and God was their companions. "But, after a while, they began to forget the good Lord who made them, and gave them every blessing they enjoyed. At the same time that they forgot God, they forgot to love one another. The innocent lambs began to die in their hearts — and evil beasts of prey to take their place. They hated, instead of loving one another. Then war, dreadful war, first appeared on the earth. Men not only hated, but sought to kill each other. Wicked spirits possessed them, soul and body. They were as if lost in a great wilderness, and about to be destroyed by the wild beasts which were in their hearts! "It was then that the Lord came and saved them. He drove out the evil spirits and cruel beasts, and led the lost men out of this dark and fearful wilderness. It was Jesus Christ, of whom you read in the New Testament, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, who did this. When you are older, and can understand better, I will tell you more about the lost men, and the good Lord who saved them."
GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose
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FRIENDS
Continued from Page 16 world—the best and holiest things of pure, true friendship, and combine them all in one great friendship, Christ's friendship would surpass the sum of them all. Even our human friendships, we prize as the dearest things on earth. They are more precious than rarest gems. We would lose everything else we have, rather than give them up.
Life without friendships would be empty and lonely. Yet the best earthly friendships are but little fragments of the friendship of Christ. It is perfect. Its touch is always gentle and full of healing. Its help is always wise. Its tenderness is like the warmth of a heavenly summer. If we have the friendship of Christ, we cannot be utterly
GROWING OLD
Continued from Page 19 sum it all up rather nicely, would you not say? You see, "growing old gracefully" doesn't necessarily mean wearing your wrinkles with pride. Instead, just do whatever is necessary to stride into your older years with confidence. For some, this could be simply taking aging in stride by embracing the natural signs of aging without having to visiting that world famous plastic surgeon along the way. For others, it may mean the mind-set of taking certain steps to make your outside appearance match the way you feel on the inside.
There was a time in my life, in which I felt rather "down and out". So, I decided to seek the help of the wises man God placed on this earth, King Solomon. I resolved to meditate on one chapter from the book of Proverbs ( it has 31 chapters) each day for an entire month. This God directed path of living did wonders for my attitude of life. Try it, you're sure to like it.
In conclusion !
Always obey God, Fear God and
STALEMATE
Continued from Page 23 ultimately on the foundation of God’s eternal wisdom (Ephesians 5:22–24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1–6).
It seems to me that Lewis was seeking to do the same. He was a brilliant man with the courage to stand for truth even when it meant countering the trajectory of society. Which is why Lewis’s legacy endures on, and why he is worth listening to.
Trillia Newbell is a freelance journalist and writer. She writes on bereft, though all human friends be taken away. To be Christ's friend— is to be God's child, with all a child's privileges. This is one essential in being a Christian.
We could not say that Paul is our friend, or John—but Jesus is living, and is with us evermore. He is our Friend as really as he was John's.
Christ is our Friend. That means everything we need, will be supplied. No sorrow can be uncomforted. No evil can overmaster us. For time and eternity—we are safe. It will not be the streets of gold, and the gates of pearl, and the river and the trees which will make heaven for us, it will be the companionship, the friendship of Christ!
keeps His commandments, by excepting the Bible writings as being upright and true (2 Timothy 3:16).
God has not told man how to comprehend all the frustrating futilities of life, but He has instructed man to enjoy life as His gift (Ecc 2:24), to make the most of every opportunity (Ecc 9:10), and to live life with reverence toward God (Ecc 12:13), accompanied by an awareness of future judgment (Ecc 12:14), We must learn to live with life's paradoxes by maintaining a proper attitude toward life and God. (Ecc 12:9-14).
Authors Post Script:
I recently watched an infomercial in which a man and lady ( apparently a husband and wife) were emphasizing the remedy for "growing old gracefully" was a certain highly advertised "wonder pill" "supplement. However, I fail to see how swallowing these pills will make one graceful, which is defined as lithe, agile, dainty, pretty, delicate, handsome and trim. 'Wisdom,
faith and family for The Knoxville News-Sentinel, and serves as the managing editor for Women of God Magazine. Her love and primary role is that of a wife and mother. She lives in Tennessee with her husband Thern and their two children. ©2021 Desiring God Foundation. Website: www.desiringGod. org. Email: mail@desiringGod. org. Toll Free: 888-346-4700 >
But we must not forget the other part of this friendship. We are to be Christ's friends too. It is not much we can give to Him, or do for Him. But he would have us loyal and true. Surely the consciousness that Christ is our friend and we are his—should check every evil thought, quell every bitter feeling, sweeten every emotion and make all our life holy, true and heavenly!
GRACE GEMS! A Treasury of Ageless Sovereign Grace Devotional Writings Our Purpose
To humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life. ©GraceGems.org 2021 >
according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is knowledge, insight and judgment. I just don't believe that swallowing supplements would ever provide any of us with Solomon's qualities of caring and wisdom. Your thoughts! ©2021 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
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Do Hurricanes Just Happen?
By Jim Elliff
Though some claim that hurricanes are spawned merely by natural causes, this answer is one "cause" too short. The Bible teaches they are first decreed by God.
The Psalmist wrote: "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightening for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries" (Psalm 135:6-7). "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?" asked Jeremiah in (Lamentations 3:38).
A hurricane is definitely in the "woe" category. Such physical catastrophes are often called "natural evils," and they come by that misnomer honestly. What devastation! We are moved by the plight of those who have endured this kind of trouble.
But can we really say God did it? Most do not want to. Yet, occasionally, even among those who assume God exercises no true sovereignty over the wills of men, there is the admission that God does control the weather. He does, that is, as long as nobody is seriously hurt. God might comfort during the storm and help pick up the emotional pieces after the storm, but He would never create such ruination.
However, God’s own Word speaks otherwise: God is at work doing His perfect will, even during hurricane season. These spinning engines of destruction originate from Him as Ruler (first cause), through nature (second cause), all for His purposes. Though God owes us no explanation, one or all of the following possible objectives may help us understand "why" God decrees such fear-producing events: 1. God is recognized as powerful and not to be trifled with. God often asserted that cataclysmic events were done to display His power to men. (Exodus 9:14-16;
14:31)
2. Society is warned of the greatest calamity, eternal judgment. A physical disaster is nothing compared with eternal damnation. A hurricane is an announcement: "If you don’t repent, worse than this is coming." (Luke 13:1-5) 3. Some people are deservedly punished for their rebellion. The Bible states that "the wrath of God is revealed [lit. is being revealed] from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men . . ." (Romans 1:18). That means now. Hurricanes are just one of the ways that might happen. (Psalm 7:11-13) 4. Some true believers are tested or disciplined and made stronger in their faith. The same storm that judges a non-believing man may be the crucible of testing and/or chastisement for a true Christian, and will toughen and purify him for the future. (James
1:2-3; Hebrews 12:5-11)
5. Believers may be taken to heaven; and some enemies of God may be removed from the earth. This is a reality that is hard to accept, but nonetheless true. The Bible says that our days are ordained by God even before one of them is lived (Psalm 139:16). He also promises that many rebellious people will face a calamitous end.
(Psalm 73:18-19)
6. The godly are given an opportunity to love sacrificially. Because of the nature of the true believer, you will always find Christians among those on the scene helping to relieve the distress. (1 John 3:17; Galatians 6:10) Their love may point many to Christ.
There could be more, but this will suffice to highlight the purposefulness of God in such massive displays of his power.
If it is not true that God has ordained the powerful forces of nature for His own ends, then the alternative answer is that this event was only an irregularity in the interplay of warm water and thermals. And that is no comfort when you stand in the wet rubble that was once your home.
I would much rather know that God has a purpose in mind when it costs me so dearly. I can learn from that, and even thank Him for His perfect, though sometimes shocking, will. God knows what He’s about. "He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’" (Daniel 4:35).
Copyright © 2021 Jim Elliff
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GRANDMAS
Continued from Page 17
do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)
I know all too well the daily battle to find strength, time and motivation to reach out to others. Most days we’ve got nothing left. It’s hard to find balance. But as a society, we cannot afford to put it off any longer. Every generation born that does not receive Godly counsel and discipleship from the ones that preceded them suffers the consequences. As do their children and their children’s children. If that last scripture from Hebrews bums you out a little then take heart. The author of Hebrews also makes this point in the very next chapter:
“Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” (Hebrews 6:9-12)
So come back Grandma. Step up Grandpa. Your children and grandchildren need you. We may not always act like it but we do. We will be grandparents one day too and we need you to show us how it’s done. ©2021 FaithWriters.com. All Rights Reserved >
