AND THE REST OF THE STORY

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).

The laws as they were called never did apply to just the Jews. God is the ruler of the universe; He is the final authority on moral conduct. All of humanity is subject to Him and His standards, whether they believe in Him or not. All will bow at the knee to the Lord one day.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Jesus was referring to the law when He said that hatred was equal to murder, and lust to adultery. We have all had thoughts such as these. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards.

For the Israelites breaking the law was a serious offense. To deviate in any way from the commandments was to sin and fall short of God’s standard of holiness. Knowing that it was impossible for any human to perfectly follow the law, a sacrificial system was established. With this system the Israelites where able to make reparations for the sins they had committed. The sacrifices continued endlessly as did the sins. Blood sacrifice was not to be thought of as barbaric but symbolic of the gravity of sin.

We are to do the best we can to live up to the standards that have been set up before us. Because of the grace that we have received by being saved and giving our life’s to Christ we do not belong to ourselves anymore. We have Jesus to thank for giving His life for us. We might sin and fall short but we have forgiveness through the Son. We do not have to sacrifice the lamb or dove, Jesus paid the price in full.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG