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Law and Grace - OLD TESTAMENT EYE GLASSES?

(By Joshua P. Bohlen)

 One of the problems with being occupied with the study of the Torah, or the Law, is that it can take our focus off of the end or fulfillment of the Law, namely Jesus Christ Himself.

 I've heard it said by some of these dear folks that we need to view the New Testament through the eyes of the Old Testament.  I find this view to be unbiblical.  2 Corinthians 3:14-16 states, "But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.  But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."  (NAS)  I believe that this passage indicates that we must read the Old Testament through the eyes of the New Testament, yes, even through the eyes of Christ the very Word of God--John 1:1. To view the New Covenant (N. T.) through the eyes of the Old, is like standing on Mount Sinai trying to see Mount Calvary or Zion through the wrong end of a binoculars. The truths of the Gospel of the Kingdom becomes distorted. 

 It also seems as though those who have a preoccupation with Old Testament laws and regulations seldom, if ever, talk of the Spirit.  Little is mentioned of the Spirit-led life-style or the importance of being "led by the Spirit".  It seems as though the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are at the outer edge of their doctrines.  Look into it

 Leaven of the Pharisees, permeates the whole Christian walk

 Yes, be wary, be a little bit on your guard.  Jesus said to His disciples: Beware of the leaven of the scribes and the Pharisees.

This doctrine of doing to please the Father is exactly the kind of leaven Jesus was talking of.  Just remember this:  a little leaven leavens the whole lump.  Just a little bit of this teaching accepted into your mind and heart will mess up your whole walk with the Lord.  Unfortunately, this kind of philosophy permeates so much of the Church's teachings that it's sometimes hard to discern what's what anymore.  It disguises itself in so many different forms.  Obeying the Law as a means of pleasing God or "winning" salvation, is its basic raw form.  Works-based righteousness, or performance-based acceptance by God is to be found in every single religion in the world.  Almost without exception, every religion, cult,  etc. has this as a basic doctrine.  Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindus, Buddhists, Islam, Catholic, 7th Day Adventists,  you name it...  These say:  "DO!"  Jesus and the Gospel of Christ says: "DONE!--It is finished!"  Any other "gospel" that says that you have to do something to be in right-standing with God is an affront to the Cross of Christ; it is an offense, an insult, a slap in the face of Christ.  To say that we have to continue to do something good to be in right standing with God is like saying, "Thanks Jesus, but Your suffering on the Cross was really not necessary, I can do it on my own without You."  Yet that is exactly what we say when we try to do more to please Him.  The only thing we can do is thank Him and accept His finished work on the Cross.   Yours and my righteousness are as filthy rags.  Our faith in His righteous deed is what is required of us.  The very faith we have in His righteousness puts us in the right place!

 Acts 15:5  "But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.' "  (NAS)

 (End of Joshua's words.")

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