UPHOLDING THE LAW THROUGH CHRIST

Ro 3:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.
Ro 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Ro 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Ro 3:30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
Ro 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
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up·hold \(")əp-'hōld\ vt, -held \-'held\ -hold·ing (13c)
1 a : to give support to b : to support against an opponent
2 a : to keep elevated b : to lift up support
— up·hold·er n

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Jesus brought a new covenant of love. The work of Jesus on the Cross began because of God's love for us (JHN 3:16). We needed the Commmandments in order to physically understand what sin is. It gave us a place to start. As humans, we need this tangible information in order to understand the spiritual nature of Christ. We need to sometimes physically act things out in order to understand them. Someone can explain something new to you. You may pick up a lot of what they are saying but there is nothing like hands-on training. This is why I feel Jesus spoke in parables, so that He could compare his spiritual teachings and lessons with something their mind could relate to. The problem is that when Jesus came to show the new covenant, the Jewish leaders were more in love with their religious customs, and the security and power that it brought to them. In the days of Christ, the scribes, Pharisees, etc. earned their living by being spokespersons for God and explaining the observations of the law and upholding them to it. They were also using this law to create bondage for the people and slavery to sin. They were making them feel as if they needed to be perfect in order for God to love them. All the while they were doing this, they knew in their hearts that they were not upholding the law themselves. Instead they were being hypocritical. I feel bad for them. That is what they had been trained their entire lives. They were trying to be who they thought they were supposed to be in God. The only thing that I see that Jesus was upset with is the fact that they knew they were holding the people accountable but in their hearts and by their actions, they were not doing it themselves. I am sure they were also running with teachings that man decided to throw into what Moses had originally said. This happens still today. Most likely a lot of them doing it for their own gain whether it be egoic or financial gain, or power. So imagine this scenario in your head with me. We have groups of people who have lorded it over to others for many years. Everyone came to them for all answers about things that were very important to the people. They were secure in their positions and comfortable with their way of life. Does this sound familiar to any of you? Jesus came to reveal a new covenant of love. One of thinking from your heart and doing what is right for that reason. When someone commands that you to do something, what is your first gut reaction? Of course, the answer is NO! As a matter of fact, you will go to great lengths sometimes to assure that you will do what was commanded not to and maybe even worse. This is a sinful human nature of a fallen world. Even if something is right, we have so much pride and evil in us, we don't want to do it simply because we were told to. Especially if it is connected to a long-standing belief that we have held. Jesus knew that if we had His Spirit in us, one of love, we would naturally want to do things for the good of all because we love one another, and in taking this approach we would uphold the law out of love. This is no longer an action born of obligation but of the heart. Doesn't it always feel better when you are doing things out of your heart? These religious sects had only known of serving God in these ritualistic and non-heart committed actions in most cases. They were used to it, it was comfortable and no one was going to come and tell them otherwise. Even though I believe they had to know in their hearts that they themselves could not live up to the practices they had been preaching and they had to feel the bondage it was creating inside of them. Still they were going to make sure that everyone else did and no one was going to come around there and change things. No way, not on their time. Their hearts were hardened to letting the people out of their bondage of needing them and to the laws, just as Pharaoh's was to letting his slaves free. Jesus came to free us from this bondage just as God had freed the Israelites from Egypt. They knew His Truth would set them free. It is funny how our human nature would rather sit in bondage to something rather than make a change. We are so comfortable where we are even if it is bad for us. Like a baby that cries when you change his dirty diaper. It was warm and familiar sure it stinks and causes a rash, but who wants to go through the seemingly uncomfortable and cold diaper change? Jesus is not looking to change our diaper, He is looking to change our heart. There are very many uncomfortable moments that will happen to us through the transformation but in the end, we will be free.

I challenge you to exam your life. I bet there is at least one thing you can say that you are in bondage to. Is it what someone else thinks of you? Is it your appetite? Is it your job/money? Is it your false sense of freedom? If you have not already, make your starting point turning to Christ. Accept His gift of His blood poured out for you on The Cross. BELIEVE this in your heart and receive His Spirit. Read your Bible and keep communion with Him and community with other BELIEVERS. He will make radical changes in your heart if you choose to let Him. Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him. Seek His Kingdom first and the rest will be given. His Truth will set you free.