“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”

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!

Love God, Love Others

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  -Matthew 22:36-39

Love God, Love Others.  Sounds simple doesn’t it. It actually is, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Why?  Why is it so hard for us to love God the way Jesus tells us to in Matthew?  I think it’s because it says to love him with ALL of our heart, ALL of our soul and ALL of our mind.  If we can do that then the next would come easy, to love our neighbor as ourselves.

If I think about my own journey to love God with ALL of those areas, it means getting myself out of the way. A popular meme going around Facebook reads, “Thinking more of others doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself, it just means thinking of yourself less.”  I think that fits here. 

When we get up in the morning, we typically think about ourselves first. What we are going to eat, what we are going to wear, and what we are going to do that day.  If we have kids, we think of them but usually even then we are thinking about how they are going to make us late.

Perhaps we should start the day thinking about God.  It sounds so simple it almost seems cliché, but the reality is, spending time in prayer asking him what we should do, and reading our Bible seeking his wisdom takes the focus off of ourselves and puts it on him.  

Then we are more prepared to think of our neighbor and notice where they may need grace or mercy extended.  Simply put-- Love God, Love Others. 

Caged by Love

Psalm 19:7 (NIV)
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 

Research reveals that using a crate to train your puppy is not cruel, but a helpful tool for both owner and young pup. The crate insures that while in the puppy stages, our furry companion won't demolish our carpets and furniture. The confinement a crate offers provides for a safe environment for Fido to stay as he learns the rules.

When I feel bad because he has been left alone, locked behind wire bars, for a portion of the day the fact is he recognizes he is safe there. Many dogs are prone to seek out a den to lay in, the crate is that den, not a prison to for punishment or to keep him from having fun.

The laws of God, the Commandments are similar in intent. They are guidelines to help us grow up strong and faithful. They are lights for our path rather than chains on our hands and feet.

Psalm 19:9 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

Rules are not meant to stifle our joy; quite the opposite. Just as we teach to rules of the house to a new pup so ensure his safety and to make him a fruitful part of the household, the rules Jesus teaches are for the same purpose. They teach us right from wrong and from them we gain love and peace. We become valuable players in the game of life.




Psalm 19:7-14

What Breaks Your Heart? Matthew 12:1-21

Reading today’s passage Jesus words, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” strike me. So often we go through life, “sacrificing” for Jesus. We sacrifice our Sunday’s by going to church. We sacrifice our pleasures, by following the Ten Commandments, all the time not understanding that Jesus desires mercy from us. Mercy for others is true sacrifice. This reminded me of a poem I once wrote. I hope you can relate.


As I drive down the road, focused on my own load,
there's a family I simply pass by.
Broken down they are stranded; they come empty handed
Was I the answer, yet gave no reply?

Out in the school yard, kids trying real hard
to fit in, but what do I see?
They're young and neglected, always rejected
Will my heart break or neglect sympathy

With my hands and my feet, I walk away from lost sheep.
Lost in myself, I walk by and just stare.
I praise You on Sunday, yet forget You on Monday
When there's a world in deep need of Your care.

Blinded by judgment, my mind is absorbent
Jaded opinions I form from TV.
I must admit my transgression, start my confession
And change what I call reality.

Does my heart break for the lowly, the sick who die slowly?
Am I sad for the child who is blind?
Do I hide light in the dark? Has my salt lost its spark?
Do I still take the time to be kind?

Although these words were for me, I hope we can all see how God is calling us to have mercy on those around us who are in need.

Read today’s passage at Biblegateway Matthew 12:1-21

Getting To The Heart Of The Matter

I use to dread having substitute teachers. Some got walked all over and we never accomplished anything, and the one who did accomplish thing, always seemed mean. It wasn’t until later that I understood why some substitute teachers were “mean”. It is easier to relax once you have established your authority than it is to gain it, once it is lost.

Our scripture today reminds me of that. The only difference is that instead of Jesus being a substitute teacher, he is more like the principle taking over a classroom. Once Jesus started healing and forgiving sins, all signs of his authority, the Jewish leaders thought that he also came to change the law. He explains, in our scripture today, that he has not come to abolish the law but fulfill it.

If you read further you can see how the law may even seem stricter now. He makes statements like. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

Now that Jesus is here it’s more than just about our actions, it’s about our heart. The law is going to seem even more restricting unless we accept God’s free gift of grace, through Jesus. The cool thing is, once we get our heart in the right place, the rules won’t seem so restricting.

Click to Read the entire passage on Biblegateway Matthew 5:17-32