There are a lot more words in Exodus 20:2-17 to explain the Ten Commandments shortened to fit in this graphic. The succinct version still means the same thing as the verses. This is the basis for Jesus’ answer to the lawyer’s temptation:
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)
The first four of the ten are the great commandment – love the Lord God will all our heart, soul and mind. The next six are covered in the second – love our neighbors as ourselves.
Now let’s move to Galatians – much of this you’ll have to look up on your own strictly because I have (sorta) a word limit (well, within a hundred words or so.)
Within fifteen years of Christ’s resurrection, Paul visited Galatia to give them the same witness he had given others – Christ lived, died and is risen. After that visit, Paul wrote a letter to the churches believers established:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: (Galatians 1:1-2 KJV)
Why? Because they were very much as we are today – forgetful:
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-8 KJV)
Of what? Grace. They forgot God’s grace and were depending on obeying the law to reach God. That is error. I’m going to do some skipping ahead – so please read between posted verses to be certain I do have the context – to the gist of the matter. I believe Paul used sarcasm here:
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (Galatians 4:20-21 KJV)
It’s the next chapter that gives the gist as to why that’s a problem (though verses between are explanatory):
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (Galatians 5:1-3 KJV)
People in the church were requiring new believers be circumcised in accordance with Mosaic law. In his letter Paul spends time explaining what is done to meet the law, requires us to keep the whole law. We can’t. You haven’t, I haven’t, no one has – except Christ. All have come short – as Paul wrote to the Romans (3:23) and remains true for us all.
Read Paul’s letter to understand trading bondage for freedom – or else Christ’s death means nothing:
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4 KJV)
There is no doubt that nobody could possibly be justified by keeping the whole! If it were possible, the death of the Lamb of God would not have been necessary. But is it possible to keep the whole once one has been justified? Consider these passages:
ReplyDeleteDeut 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Tim 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Absolutely - through Christ is the whole key. Without Him, we would be bound by the law that He fulfilled. Through Him we strive to meet the mark that our flesh misses. I am eternally grateful that God does impress His law in us - in our hearts and our daily lives. Unfortunately, it takes many words, many verses to explain that when we are indwelt, our goal is to do His commandments because of love. We are not bound by fear of punishment but concern that we would be a disappointment. That we would be the ones to cause Him to cry as to how oft He would have sheltered us under His wing - and we would not.
DeleteAmen! Our obedience to His commandments is out of love, and not for fear of falling out of His love, or salvation.
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