Tag: 2 Corinthians 5:21

The GOAT Part 3 “Law & Prophets”

Reading and understanding the Bible can be challenging at times. Am I right? It’s tempting to skip over parts we don’t understand or that seem irrelevant to us. But grappling with the harder parts of Scripture strengthens our knowledge of God and deepens our faith in Him. And in a world full of confusing messages and shifting moral codes, knowing the Bible keeps us grounded in eternal truth. 

As we continue our series based on the Sermon on the Mount, we come to one of those challenging teachings of Jesus that you might gloss over:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5:17-20, NIV)

There’s lots to unpack there. Let’s start with the Law and the Prophets. What Jesus is talking about is the Hebrew Scriptures, which Christians call the Old Testament. He’s saying that He completed what was foreshadowed in those writings.

The Prophets

Jesus’ mention of the Prophets was a reference to the many books of prophecy in the Old Testament that include warnings, instructions, rebukes, and descriptions of future events for the Jewish people. If you look at the table of contents in your Bible, the books of Isaiah through Malachi encompass the Old Testament books of prophecy.

In His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says He came to fulfill both the Law and the Prophets. First, let’s touch on an amazing truth: Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies concerning Himself that had been written by the prophets in the Old Testament. For example, in Matthew’s Gospel “Jesus was the promised Messiah whose birth, ministry, death, and resurrection were prophesied in the Old Testament. Matthew makes his case by quoting more than sixty prophecies from the Old Testament, revealing how Jesus fulfilled each one.”1  There are far too many fulfilled prophecies to list here, but you can click on the link at the bottom of this post for an overview of some of the most significant ones.2

The Law

Next let’s look at the Law. If you glance at the table of contents in your Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy encompass the books of the Law. This includes the Ten Commandments found in Exodus chapter 20 plus additional laws written to further clarify them. These books explain the early history of the Jews and incorporate: 1) civil laws explaining cultural responsibilities and moral obligations 2) moral laws dictating how people should live and behave in light of their fallen state 3) ceremonial laws for worshiping and making sacrifices to the Lord. 

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the civil and moral laws in Scripture by living a perfect life; He fulfilled the ceremonial laws through His sacrificial death on the cross. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)

To understand why Jesus’ fulfillment of these laws is so significant, we need to consider why God gave laws and sent prophets in the first place. When He created the first two humans and they chose to disobey Him in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin into the world. So, the laws the Lord created in the Old Testament didn’t save people from their sins but provided guardrails to keep their sins in check. Laws instructed them how to interact with the Lord and other people and set parameters to right wrongs and get people back on track when they disobeyed.  

The legacy of sin that began at creation has plagued every person since then, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV). We all face the same consequence for our sins: “For the wages of sin is death”(Romans 6:23a). We must remember above all else that God is holy, perfect, and sinless. Because He is also just, sin cannot go unpunished. All who sin await divine judgement and God’s wrath. However, because of the Father’s great love for us, all the sins of the world were placed upon Jesus. He endured the wrath of God and the punishment of hell because of the Lord’s divine hatred of sin. (See Proverbs 6:16-19 for any idea of what repulses the Lord.)

Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount? Our righteousness must surpass the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He was setting an impossibly high bar that no one could reach. However, when those of us who have accepted Jesus stand before God at the end of time, He won’t judge us based on what we’ve done. We can present ourselves before the Lord robed in righteousness because we’ve been cleansed of sin by Jesus’ blood. 

Talking about judgement sounds strange and isn’t popular in today’s culture, but Scripture tells us that Jesus will return to earth at the end of time when “heaven and earth disappear” and all people will stand before Him to be judged. (Matthew 16:27 & 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). It also tells us that people will scoff at this idea and mock us for believing it. “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)

God gave us life when we deserved death–this is what makes His grace so amazing.  He will judge us as righteous even though we deserve condemnation for our sins—this is what makes His love and mercy so profound. The best news is He doesn’t want to condemn anyone. He waits patiently to ensure all people have the opportunity to hear about His grace and to decide for themselves if they want to receive it.

So, how should we respond to these profound truths?

  • Take Jesus and the Bible seriously! Make it a priority to read and study it on your own and with others.
  • Apply what you’re learning! Let the Bible guide your values, decisions, words, thoughts, and actions.
  • When Scripture shows you where you fall short, confess your sin, receive the grace of Jesus, and continue to pursue righteousness.
  • Don’t neglect the whole gospel! Read and grapple with the hard parts. Gather with others to ask questions and find answers.
  • Share what you’re learning and lead others to repentance so that they can be saved from judgement and receive eternal life too.
  • Stay motivated and be encouraged by Jesus’ words: “whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Meditate on the incredible truth of Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law and Prophets as you listen to “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong:

1. Dr. David Jeremiah, Matthew: The Arrival of the King, Thomas Nelson, 2019, vi

2. “55 Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus.” https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/old-testament-prophecies.html

Portions of this post were inspired by:

Tyler Scott’s sermon at CPC Danville on 6/20/21. http://www.cpcdanville.org/ministries/worship-arts/media/the-goat–the-sermon-on-the-mount–part-3–message-on-demand/

https://www.gotquestions.org/abolish-fulfill-law.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/ceremonial-law.html

Jackie Hill Perry’s teaching on Jude 14-15 in the Session 4 video of Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture, Lifeway Press, 2019.

A Different Kind of Christmas

Tears welled up in my eyes as I rounded the corner onto my street and spied my front porch. Two small Christmas trees with twinkling lights stood on either side of the door, replacing fall pumpkins that had been there when I left. Pulling into the driveway, I felt physically and emotionally depleted. The previous five days had been consumed with sifting through the contents of my childhood home–44 years worth of our family’s belongings. Decorating for Christmas had been the last thing on my mind.

Losing my mom to cancer in October has created a significant life shift for me. After dealing with the initial shock and grief of her passing, my siblings and I focused our energy on planning a family graveside service and an online celebration of her life. Once those events passed, the dread of dealing with her affairs and belongings became a reality. So, as my neighbors hung lights on their houses and brought trees inside to decorate, I began meeting my sister daily to clean out our mom’s house. The project drained me and required all of the time and energy I would normally focus on preparing for Christmas.  I didn’t realize how depleted I was until the end of that first week when I arrived home and saw the Christmas trees outside our door. My husband had ushered in the holiday cheer I couldn’t seem to find on my own. The sight of the twinkling trees brought comfort and tears of gratitude in the midst of heavy grief. 

Later, as we decorated the tree inside, the contrasting events of the week overwhelmed me, and the tears started flowing again. Soon, I was crying too hard to hang ornaments. Abandoning the tree, I sank onto the couch, laid my head on my husband’s chest and sobbed. It had been tricky balancing my grief, sorting the belongings in my childhood home, and launching into the Christmas season without my mom. In the background, I was also lamenting how COVID-19 would change the holidays by preventing gatherings with other family members and friends.

Grieving is hard and tiring work. And even if you didn’t lose a loved one this year, it’s likely you’re mourning a loss related to 2020’s pandemic and all of the ripple effects it has caused. So, it may not feel like there’s much to celebrate this Christmas. And yet, as much as we love the gatherings, gifts, decorations, and celebrations, they aren’t the heart of the season. They’re just the signposts of it. At the center of the Christmas is Jesus, God in the flesh who came to dwell among us.

This year is going to look different for many of us. For me, it will be my first Christmas Eve and Christmas day without my mom or extended family at the table with us. And it will also be the first time in 27 years that my husband and I don’t travel to see the other side of our family, thanks to COVID-19.  We have a lot to grieve, but we still have hope. It all goes back to that baby born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. 

Throughout this month I’ve been reading a daily advent devotional that is keeping me tethered to truth. Each entry includes Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments that highlight specific aspects of Jesus. The book focuses on the prophecies Christ fulfilled and the blessings we receive because of Him. It’s reminding me there’s still hope and joy for us, even in 2020. So, whether you’re enjoying all the trappings of the season or hurting deeply this Christmas, Jesus’ birth deserves celebrating. Here are a few truths that have especially encouraged me recently:

-Jesus brings light into our world that no darkness can overcome (not even a pandemic or a loss you’re experiencing): “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

-Jesus came to seek those who have no purpose or direction: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

-Jesus became a man and died for us, so we can be cleansed from sin and have access to God Almighty: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

-Jesus came to defeat the devil: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8b)

-Jesus came to bring us victory over death: “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-26)

-Jesus came to show us perfect love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

-Jesus assures us future glory despite our present suffering: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us… What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:18 & 31-32)

-Jesus gives us peace unlike any peace the world offers. Because of Him, we have nothing to fear: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

This year some of the jollier Christmas songs aren’t resonating with me very well. But when I heard “Behold Him” by Francesca Battistelli, I discovered one that captures my feelings perfectly. I hope it encourages you today too.

*The devotional I’ve been reading is Advent 2020 Jesus Christ is Born created by shereadstruth.com.

*All Scriptures quoted from the New International Version.

Eternal Rewards

Curling up on the couch to read aloud to my boys used to be a nightly ritual. As they grew older, we became captivated by a book series, called Christian Heroes: Then & Now. The biographies tell the stories of “ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory.” We were inspired and challenged reading about Deitrich Bonhoeffer defying the Nazis in Germany, Jim Elliot risking his life to share the gospel with the Auca Indians in Ecuador, and George Muller saving thousands of orphans from the mean streets of Bristol, England. The books we read about modern heroes of faith were set in all different parts of the world at a variety of times in history. The one thing they had in common was that the heroes and heroines were passionate about sharing faith in Jesus and usually suffered in some way as a result.

What is it that drives people like them to trade earthly comforts and glory for the sake of the gospel? I think we get an explanation in 2 Corinthians when Paul urges us to not to lose heart when we face troubles, but to focus on what is unseen and eternal instead. He describes how earthly trials produce lasting glory.  Just a few paragraphs later, he explains, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV)

We know that being “good or bad” is not what determines where we end up for eternity. It is only through accepting Christ’s payment for our sins that we can be saved. Paul clearly explains that we could never be good enough to attain the perfection God requires. Instead, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)

So, we can rule out the idea that Christians who appear before the judgement seat of Christ are being sent to heaven or hell based on their behavior on earth.  Second Corinthians 5:10 is not about our salvation, but about our eternal rewards. Paul is echoing the sentiments of Jesus, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” (Matthew 16:2, NIV)

Once we’ve accepted Christ, our eternal destiny is secure. So, what Jesus will look at on judgement day is how we handled our gifts, opportunities, and abilities to determine the heavenly rewards we’ll receive.

Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:14-30 gives one of the clearest explanations of heavenly rewards. You might remember in the story that a man who was leaving on a journey called his servants and “to one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.” (Matt 25:15, NIV) After a long time he returned and settled accounts with his servants.  “The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matt 25:20-21, NIV)

The second servant also returned double the amount of money that he’d been entrusted after investing wisely. These two servants illustrate Christ followers who diligently invest their time and talent for the sake of God’s kingdom. They know the way to show their love for God is by obeying His Word.

The third, servant, however, buried the bag of gold instead of investing it. His master chastised him for not even putting it in the bank where it would earn a little interest. This servant represents people who don’t have a heart for God’s kingdom and don’t use what God has given them.

Our good works don’t save us on judgement day, but they do reveal our hearts. This is especially comforting when I think about the many people who serve the Lord but go unnoticed.  Life deals hard knocks to everyone– even those who continually serve God and bless others. It’s good to know that even if life on earth seems unfair and harsh to some of the most generous and kind souls, God sees everything they do. Jesus explained: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven…But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1,3,4, NIV).

God sees when we give of ourselves and He will reward us accordingly. Those heroes of the faith we read about must have known this because they saw beyond their present realities to future glory. They loved God and poured out their lives sacrificially knowing that they were obeying His call. They trusted that the Lord saw them, whether others noticed didn’t matter.

Pray and ask the God to show you the good works He’s prepared in advance for you to do. Examine your gifts, your skills, your time, and your finances and offer them for His use here on earth. And one day, you can look forward to standing before Jesus and hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Use Matt Redman’s song “Gracefully Broken” as inspiration for your prayer.

Kelly Minter, All Things New, Lifeway Press 2016

Janet & Geoff Benge, Christian Heroes: Then and Now, YWAM Publishing (For more information on their books, click here. )

*Ideas from the Zondervan NIV Life Application Study Bible footnotes were incorporated into this post.