SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:16-18
Jesus contrasts the Law and the Prophets (Old Testament) and the good news of the Kingdom of God (New Testament).
Paul says it this way: “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. (Galatians 3:23-25)
The Law of Moses (and the Prophets supporting it) was put in place to keep our sinful nature in check.
God did not create us to have wild spirits kept in check by a whip and reigns.
God created us with good hearts, living and loving and leading like God – His perfect Kingdom (Genesis 1:26-28).
But as we are, we are not able to experience God’s Kingdom; our wild spirits are like a bull in china shop.
We can’t experience God’s kingdom with our wild spirits (not something we can force or make as we are).
The Moral Law of God needs to be written on our hearts, we need to be changed from the inside out.
As long as we refuse this inward change of heart, God needs to keep our spirits in check.
Not because He is mean and wants to restrain our freedom, but because our freedom is destructive.
As in the case of adultery, we damage hearts and lives and multiply the misery for many people.
The Law tells us that adultery is bad and hurtful, but we do it anyway.
We need our hearts changed to see how bad and hurtful it is.
We need God’s Spirit to tame our wild spirits and restore our good spirits – like God.
Then, and only then, will we start to experience God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t force this change in my heart, only You can change me from the inside out. Help me to know how bad and harmful all sin is, and help me to be more like You!