#Matthew5 - Lower the Limbo Bar

Click to Read Matthew 5:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

If you have ever done the limbo, you know that you keep lowering the limbo bar until only one person can get under. They then are the winners. But, if you were to keep lowering the limbo bar, even the world record holder for limbo would not make it. In many ways, that's what it seems like Jesus is doing. In the Old Testament, God gave the Ten Commandments and actually about 600 commandments in all. It seemed almost impossible for anyone to fulfill all of them and be righteous. Still there were a very small group of people (Pharisees and others) who for all practical purposes lived in very strict adherence to the law, and were also very quick to point out the shortcomings of others. Now when Jesus came, he did not say, "Don't worry about following the laws anymore." Rather he "lowered the limbo bar" of the law so that even the Pharisees would have to see that they needed a Savior. The law said don't murder, but Jesus said don't slander a brother and sister in anger. The law said don't commit adultery, but Jesus said don't even lust after someone else. It becomes very clear that we need a Savior.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

In verse 14-16, Jesus says "You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." In John 8:12 Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Earlier John says in chapter 1, "In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." In Isaiah 9, a popular Christmas prophecy, Isaiah says, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Light and darkness is a HUGE theme in the Bible, and it is a great illustration of the Kingdom of heaven coming down to earth.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Besides all of the limbo bar lowering, and my realizing how much I fall short and need a Savior, I think this image of being the light of the world is the biggest application for me as I read this. Knowing those other passages helps me realize that the light that shines through me is NOT me at all. Rather, it is Christ living in me. That's why Jesus says people will see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

In this passage, we see that Jesus does not abolish the law, but fulfills it. In fact he emphasizes certain laws and takes them even further. The question that I have is, "What OT laws and regulations are still in effect for us today? Are there some that are not binding on us today?" It seems that throughout the New Testament there are sections that say we are free from some of the external regulations, like ritual cleansings, eating certain meats, certain festival laws, sin offerings and sacrifices, etc. But it seems like all of the moral laws are still in effect.

Have a great day.

In Christ,
Dan

image from rockhillchur.ch

#Romans13 - Submit to Earthly Authorities

Romans 13: 

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

The chapter starts out on a note that I think many young people would find challenging. I think in part it's because of that difficult 6-letter word: "submit." Part of gaining independence is to "break free" from rules and those in authority: parents, teachers, city officials and officers, etc. But God's word here is especially striking if you look at the culture to which it was written. Many Jews, and later Christians, saw the Roman government as the enemy - even the Antichrist. Still, God encourages us to submit to the governing authorities, spelling out that God is the one who has allowed people and nations to be in power. So paying taxes, abiding by traffic rules, and following legal business practices are all ways to ultimately submit to God.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

In verses 8-10, Paul talks about love as being the fulfillment of the law. Immediately, and probably obviously, I thought of Jesus' own teaching about love being the summary of the law in Matthew 22. The teachers of the law tried to trick Jesus once again (you'd think they'd get tired of being in the wrong) by asking him which of the commandments is the greatest. Whichever one Jesus picked they would find some fault in his answer. However, Jesus says that loving God and loving neighbors are the two greatest commandments and that all of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (In a side note, Jesus also talks about paying taxes to Caesar earlier in the same chapter.) It's almost as if Paul was taking his cues from Jesus. :)

3. So what does this mean for my life?

I have always been a rules follower (almost to a fault), but I really connected with verse 3 about not fearing authorities if you do what is right. I think of speeding as an example. Whenever I pass a cop car, I never get worried. I never check in my rear view mirror for lights. It's because I am not speeding. On the other hand, for those who are speeding there is that moment of tense anxiety when they see a police officer on the road. So I'll keep doing that. :)

However, another thing that came to mind was that I don't believe this chapter is talking about blind obedience to every rule no matter what. In fact, the Bible has examples where Jews did not follow the ruling laws that were in direct contradiction to God's (i.e. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel, etc.). I believe that we are able to and called to be a part of political process to protect our freedoms to worship. We are blessed to live in a country where we can speak up, vote, and contact our officials and government leaders in order to bring about justice and protect our freedoms and rights. So many people feel helpless to the government's "control," but refuse or neglect to participate in the processes which can affect change.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Two major questions really arise for me from this chapter. First, regarding the submission to authorities, when is it appropriate for Christians to directly disobey the law (i.e. other countries where it is illegal to be a Christian, own a Bible, share your faith, or assemble for worship)? I'm not talking about normal civil laws, but specific laws that prevent people around the world from obeying God's word.

The second question is about verses 11-12. The writers of the new testament all seemed to think the end of the world was near. Why did they think that? 2,000 years later, how do we take these verses? Is it referring to the order of events (i.e. the next event will be Jesus return) or time in years?

There are my thoughts and questions. I was actually surprised how much this little chapter prompted in me. I thought this would be a really quick blog entry, but there's some good stuff. I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions.

In Christ,
Dan

#Romans 7 - The Do Do Verses

Romans 7: 

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

Paul makes some very interesting logical loops in this chapter. It's a little confusing. In fact, as I read it I couldn't help but think about the scene from the Princess Bride where Wesley is arguing with Fizzini in the "Battle of Wits." If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here to watch. Yet in the middle of Paul's "dizzying intellect," he gets his point across in reminding us that the law is good, the law makes us aware of our sin, our sinful nature sways us away from God's desires, and that Jesus Christ alone can deliver us. I have come to lovingly call this passage, the do-do verses.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

This reminds me a lot of Galatians 5 in the "Fruit of the Spirit" section. There Paul talks about how the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and vice versa. "They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." (Galatians 5:17, NIV). He emphasizes that there is a battle going on every moment for your desires and actions. Even if our heart desires what is good, our sinful nature or "flesh" will fight for pleasing itself. It's not a matter of who's to blame; we still choose one way or another. But we have to recognize the battle happening within us.

3. So what does this mean for my life?

Actually, these verses in Romans 7 are some of the most comforting verses I know. To know that Paul, who I consider a giant in the faith, struggled with temptation to sin helps me realize that he was human. More often than I'd like, the sinful nature ends up winning the battle and I just do or think what is good in the moment. But I know that, like Paul, I too have the ability and freedom in Christ to choose what is right every time. If I mess up, there is forgiveness and a second chance when we repent and confess to God. Praise God for his mercy, grace, and Holy Spirit.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

In this chapter, Paul says that when the commandment came, sin sprang to life. Is he even including God's first commandment not to eat from the one tree in the garden? Because in Genesis 6, long before the law was given, Scripture is clear that "every intention of the human heart was only evil all the time." Just curious.

In Christ,
Dan