"And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us." (Deuteronomy 6:24, 25)
I was raised a New Testament kind of guy. In most of the churches in which I grew up, the Old Testament was there, but it was merely for "recreational" reading or kept intact out of respect - much like you are taught to respect that old aunt or uncle that nobody liked. They were respected because of their old age, but they were never really listened to or their opinions regarded because they didn't really fit into the rest of the family. I honestly had one pastor say from the pulpit that the only part of the Old Testament we should regard were the Psalms, the rest was good reading for those nights you couldn't sleep! What?
As I have grown older and listened to Bible scholars from every ilk, I have learned to love the Old Testament. One of those scholars was Mr. Manske at Hannibal-LaGrange College (now University). He taught Old Testament studies and it was he who awakened within me my love of the Old Testament. I have learned over the years that the New Testament validates and completes the Old Testament and in the Old Testament one can find Christ.
This brings up the age-old argument about living in grace versus living under the Law. For years I really leaned hard on that grace issue. I lived like a true hellion - going to church on Sunday and acting holy, but living like Satan himself the rest of the week. I quoted such verses as, "He remembereth our frame, that we are but dust." I would excuse my weaknesses of the flesh by finding a Bible verse that gave liberty to me. Verses like, "When I am weak He is strong" come to mind. I would justify myself by pointing out that I was totally unable to fulfill the demands of the Old Testament Law and that's why Christ came to die on my behalf. In other words, I treated the gospel like I have treated most of the diets I have tried. "Oh well, I messed up and ate a piece of candy, I might as well eat the entire bag!" Or, "I can't seem to stop myself from envying my neighbor's new car, so I might as well have sex with his wife." Totally bogus, but that was my mindset.
Now that I am older (and hopefully a little wiser), I have come to realize that truly Christ came to fulfill and complete the requirements of the Old Testament Law; however, that doesn't excuse me from living a righteous and godly life. Jesus didn't die on the cross so I could live any way I like and expect Him to turn a blind eye to it. That is spitting on the sacrifice He made on my behalf. Sure He fulfilled the requirement for a blood sacrifice that would take away my sin. But that is just it! His sacrifice was to give me the power through His Holy Spirit to overcome and conquer my sinful nature, not allow it to live freely! Jesus defeated every sinful desire I have, every urge I might have, and every weakness of my flesh (health, disease, mental, or otherwise), then sent His Spirit to live within me! The same Spirit that gave Him the power to live holy before God is the same Spirit He promised to give me that I might do the same! Ah ha! I get it now!
Tonight if you are struggling with something in your personal life - no matter what it is - don't excuse it and allow it to grow and live. Crucify it together with Christ on the cross and allow His precious blood to cleanse you of every stain, every after-effect, every tie to that sin and set you free! THAT is the beauty of the gospel. THAT is the message of the gospel. THAT should be our testimony. Allow this word to sink into your heart and meditate upon it as you go to sleep tonight. Let God speak to your heart.
Be blessed.
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