Law or Instruction
July 21st, 2008Americans have a view that “law” is restrictive and confining. We look in the rearview mirror, see a police car, and immediately feel like we have done something wrong. This has to do with our view of “law” and our guilty consciences.
We tend to see the “Law of Moses” as the “Restrictions of Moses” and the “Law of Christ” as a set of his restrictions. What if the Bible translators had opted to translate “law” as “instruction”? We would have the “Instruction of Moses” and the “Instruction of Christ.” Rather than a feeling of constraint, the instructions would give us a positive sense of freedom and growth.
Certainly within the instructions there are directives that we are to keep. There are consequences when we do not. God’s intention, however, is not to use his “instructions” to see how many times he can trip us up. He is not out to find an excuse to keep us out of heaven. He wants to be our “Father” now and forever and he has gone beyond the “second mile” to make it possible.
In addition to the gift of his Son, he has given us instructions (law) so that we can be the people he expects us to be. His “Instruction Manual” helps us create an intimate relationship with God. It guides our lives so that we produce the fruit of the Spirit. It helps us see people the way God does.
Let’s resolve to keep the instructions. Let’s follow the way of Christ. Let’s be his people.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
