1 Timothy 1:8-11
“A society of laws is a high vision
for a nation or secular society, but too low a goal for a Christian
community.” This quote came from the
“Talking Points” that were provided to Daily Bible Blast writers in support of
the current sermon series (Sermon on the Mount). Our experience tells us that we need laws to
maintain an orderly society. We need
boundaries to live well together. But
the second half of the quote is what really got my attention. Jesus addressed the issue of “too low a goal
for a Christian community” in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7). He talked about things like anger, and
language, and lust. He makes it clear to
his followers that the obedience He wants is from the heart!
If only it were easy to live in
obedience to God’s law and in relationship with one another! We struggle, but we have some good
company. Look at what Paul says in Romans
7: 21-25:
“21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right
there with me. 22 For
in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but
I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and
making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue
me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks
be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my
mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to
the law of sin.”
Thanks be
to God for the gift of the law that ultimately points us to our Savior. Even though we will inevitably fall short of
the obedience that God desires, we can join with Paul in thanking Him for the
gift of His Son, Jesus, who fulfilled the law for us and the Holy Spirit who
helps us in our walk of faith!
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