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About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman The
Heart Of The Ten Commandments In a recent article I
wrote that even though the Law of Moses still has some informative,
historic and prophetic relevance for us (Hebrews 8:13) Jesus put an end to
it as it pertains to a life of salvation (Romans 10:4).
Its legal judgements of condemnation were nailed to the cross with
Jesus (Colossians 2:13 - 14). Understanding
this, how should we view the Law's Ten Commandments? I think Jesus answered
this question when He said that "you have heard it said [in the Law
of Moses] that you shall not murder, but I tell you that anyone who is
angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgement"
(Matthew 5:21). Jesus also
said "you have heard it said [in the Law of Moses] you shall not
commit adultery ... but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman
lustfully already commits adultery in his heart" (Matthew 5:27 and
29). What was Jesus getting at? Obedience to the Law of
Moses was central to the life of the Jewish legal system and now Jesus
said that the Law said one thing but I'm saying another thing.
Jesus was saying obedience to Him takes precedent over obedience to
the Law. He was also
addressing our hearts, the source of our sin, something the Law could not
do. Any law, including the
Law of Moses, only addresses outward issues, like outward sins.
Law has no power to transform a heart where sin originates.
Jesus was, and is, all about heart issues, like "the mouth
speaks what the heart is full of" (Luke 6:45). Also
like, "love the
Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew
22:37). These are matters of
the heart that in turn affect the way we live.
So what was Jesus
getting at when He said "but I tell you." I
believe He was actually redefining the Ten Commandments to be matters of
the heart, not just matters of the flesh.
It's why He tells us that we must be born again (John 3:3 and 5).
It's why Paul said that a Christian is one who has been spiritually
transformed into a spiritual human (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Law can't do that. This
is what I believe is being sadly lost in much of today's Evangelical
church. I'm not disregarding the
Ten Commandments or any other law. I'm
saying law has limits, the biggest being it can't transform a heart that
in turn can change a life. Adultery,
murder and all sins originate in the heart.
All laws have their place, but for example, a law banning abortion
will not stop abortion. We
know drunk driving laws don't stop drivers driving drunk.
Much of Evangelical Christianity has forsaken the heart felt reality of being born again. It has replaced it with what it views as Biblical morality that is reflected in social/political activism. It hopes that will Christianize their nation. The Holy Spirit, not law, Christianizes people, not a nation since He doesn't live in a nation. We've been commanded to make people, not nations disciples for Jesus (Matthew 28:19 - 20). We are required to seek God's Kingdom above all other kingdoms (Matthew 6:33).
Long after the Law of Moses was given to the Jews, Jeremiah prophesied that "the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it (Jeremiahs 17:9)? Well, Jesus understood it and that's why He got to the heart of the Ten Commandments. It's time for church to do the same by introducing people to Jesus so the Holy Spirit can sanctify their hearts which leads to their sanctified lives. Scripture
References Hebrews 8:13 "By calling this
covenant 'new,' he [God] has made the first one obsolete;
and what is obsolete and outdated will soon
disappear." Romans 4:10 "Christ is the
culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who
believes." Colossians 2:13 - 14 "When
you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God
made you alive with Christ. He
forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal
indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it
away, nailing it to the cross." John 3:3 and 5 "Jesus replied, 'Very
truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born
again' ... Jesus
answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can enter
the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'" 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Matthew 28:19 - 20 "Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations [ethnic people], baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 6:33 "But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well."
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