Beginning and Continuing

Many moments in Matthew 5-7 and even beyond- extending into the old testament- it is easy to take a look at the laws and requirements of the Law of God. This laundry list of do's and don'ts we need to be careful about b/c the same thing happened to the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. We should take a look at them and not have a dispassionate look at these elder brothers, but look at them as needing the same kind of grace that is needed in the sinners and tax collectors- the younger brothers of each generation.

In alot of ways- it is easier for the poorer and the sinners of the gospel to receive Jesus b/c they had little or nothing to lose- and everything to gain. However, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law had much to lose. I am reminded of Mark 10 when Jesus speaks to the rich young ruler and about how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. How difficult it is for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle.

The analogy is well articulated b/c it is impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God- not b/c they are rich- but b/c of their sin. However- it is just as interesting to note that for the poor, it is equally difficult- maybe less difficult- maybe less impossible- say...."for a chicken to enter through the eye of a needle"

it is easy to compare and be judgmental toward the pharisees and teachers of the law- but Christ came for the sinners and the lost and the sick- and that includes also the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. While Jesus spent alot of time amongst sinners and the poor, He spent a substantial time with the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law talking about the Law.

So when looking at the law and all its requirements, it can be real easy to see it as a to do. If i did my devotions today- then i am good with God. If i prayed- i get 10 more points. If i helped an old lady across the street- then the next prayer i throw up- God is sure to answer. If this is our mentality regarding the Law of God- we are forgetting Romans 3:23 in which it is said- for ALL have sinned- and fall short of the Glory of God.

The question is- do you measure up to the Glory of God? That is what the Law is- it is the reflection of the perfect character and craziness of God. Can you measure up to that? Mainly- are you as righteous as God? How about as powerful?

in the end- nobody follows the Law exactly- for even at one point we fail at the Law- we fail at it all. We are imperfect. The Law is not meant to be a laundry list to JUSTIFY ourselves or to try to help us to become PERFECT. It helps to show us that we are NOT perfect- that it is as EASY as a camel passing through the eye of a needle- or a chicken doing the same....that drives us to only HE who is worthy. To Christ we run to and we look to- b/c only He can accomplish this perfection for us- and in us. If we still continue to rely on our own strength- seeking to solve our own problems- we will continually find that we cannot. And when we are frustrated beyond strength- perhaps then will we look to Christ- and ask Him to accomplish it in us.

For if He accomplished it on the cross- why would He not continue and complete the good work He began in us? Philippians 1