Warned
"A person should obey every command, even a command that does
not seem important. If a person refuses to obey any command
and teaches other people not to obey that command, then that
person will be the least important in the kingdom of heaven.
But the person that obeys the law and teaches other people to
obey the law will be great in the kingdom of heaven."
-- Matthew 5:19 (ERV)
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law. His disciples cannot set aside
the Law simply because they don't like it or it is inconvenient. Jesus
is trying to help them to a greater righteousness and holiness. While
this can be received only by grace, Jesus emphasizes grace must not
mean rewriting God's will for character and holiness so the standards
are lower. This is especially true of those who teach others about
God's will. The last thing we want to do is promise an easy Gospel with
no demand when God has set the character, faith, ministry, life, and
service of Jesus as our standard. We do not want to make the way for
others more difficult to follow, nor do we want to be the source of
their drifting off the path either. In sharing the Gospel, we want to
share the truth: God's will, revealed through his Word by the Holy
Spirit.
"A person should obey every command, even a command that does
not seem important. If a person refuses to obey any command
and teaches other people not to obey that command, then that
person will be the least important in the kingdom of heaven.
But the person that obeys the law and teaches other people to
obey the law will be great in the kingdom of heaven."
-- Matthew 5:19 (ERV)
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law. His disciples cannot set aside
the Law simply because they don't like it or it is inconvenient. Jesus
is trying to help them to a greater righteousness and holiness. While
this can be received only by grace, Jesus emphasizes grace must not
mean rewriting God's will for character and holiness so the standards
are lower. This is especially true of those who teach others about
God's will. The last thing we want to do is promise an easy Gospel with
no demand when God has set the character, faith, ministry, life, and
service of Jesus as our standard. We do not want to make the way for
others more difficult to follow, nor do we want to be the source of
their drifting off the path either. In sharing the Gospel, we want to
share the truth: God's will, revealed through his Word by the Holy
Spirit.
