Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral. The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same. The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity. If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. “I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died” (Romans 7:9). The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— “. . . sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone. Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
December 1, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I think I am beginning to understand why obedience is such a very important part of a joyful and abundant life. It is not because you are the cosmic killjoy, or because you want to subdue or control our individuality. It is not because you want us to miss out on all the “good times or good things” we may think are available in this world with “do not touch” signs on them. You know the impact of the guilt and pain that overwhelms us if and when we break the moral law. You understand how the enemy can and does use our guilt to bring us down. And you know the impact of the world and enemy on us, and want only the very best for us. There are many things we cannot understand, much like the limited understanding of a two year old child being told not to run into the street without a parent’s supervision. The two year old does not fully comprehend the danger and potential disaster, consequently obedience is what serves.
And God says…”When you comprehend that everything I do is based on love, much of your understanding is not required. Only your faith and trust is required. It is why faith is such an important component of our relationship; because much of what I know and understand about life and what is the very best for you, you cannot grasp. My ways are not your ways. And even this faith to trust and obey comes from Me. Trust in Me with all you heart and do not rely or trust your own understanding and I will make your paths straight.”
Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
We’ve been learning that you have some natural laws like sowing and reaping and gravity and these moral laws that Oswald mentions. They are all just there. How we interface with them is up to us and it impacts how our lives turn out. As a loving parent, you want the best for us … and you’ve given us some tips on not stumbling across some of those lines. I loved it the first time I heard David Peck say those commandments are best looked at as the “10 Suggestions” It made sense that a loving parent would not want his child to play in traffic. When the child is two, the communication is more like a command. When they are 15 it becomes more of a suggestion to be careful as the teenager tosses the football in the street. This is hard for us humans to remember. I love the analogy and I backslide into seeing your laws as rules by a hard taskmaster … to be maneuvered around and bent to the maximum. I am not alone. This revelation has even gotten me kicked out of a group who weren’t ready to hear it. So it’s probably really important?…..
It’s very important. Context is everything. If you take my laws out of context … they become things to fight over and crusade about. Keep it all in the context of the loving parent who wants the best for their kids and you wont go too far wrong.
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