Christian, Inspirational

Catch Alls

If you read my previous post, I must apologize. Rather than spend the next 24 posts examining the remaining 600 Commandments in the Torah, I will skip to some ideas I was planning for the summary post. I think at a future date I may develop the idea more fully into a book.

Concerning the verses I’m not covering at this time keep in mind there are changes which have taken place because of Jesus. We are under his blood and the New Testament when we are baptized properly into the family of God and following him. Jesus is the final and only sacrifice for sin. Hence animal sacrifice for sin is ended. The dietary regulations of the Jews ended with Peter’s vision in Acts 10 opening the Jewish family and salvation to us Gentiles. To call food unclean is to once again call the gentile unclean.

There are some New Testament verses which I consider catch alls and key verses that I think are important in understanding the Law of Jesus.

Romans 13:8 KJV
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

James 4:17 KJV
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Matthew 23:23 KJV
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Matthew 9:13 KJV
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And one of my favorite verses, especially if someone makes you feel forsaken or left without hope. This is what God said in Romans 9:15 KJV,
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

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Christian, Inspirational

I Know What Love Is

Do you ever empathize with Forrest Gump? I do. He once said, I know what love is. This fictional movie character has a better understanding of love than many preachers.

Unconditional love is a lie and a worthless thing. If someone says God loves you unconditionally or I’ll love you no matter what you do, run the other direction.

John 3:16 is the first condition to God’s love and salvation. It is one of many. Love hopes for reciprocity. It demands respect. 

To quote another movie, Moulin Rouge, the greatest thing is to love and be loved in return. In the same way a person’s actions reflect their love for another, our actions can either alienate or endear God.

Jesus did say, If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

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