I have written before regarding the mixing of the Old Testament and the New. I find it interesting how Christians almost become Judaic in their understanding of scripture before they venture into the New Testament.
Our children are taught the Old Testament history before they are taught the New Testament and the works of the Apostles. Paul made it a habit to minister to the Jewish population before he moved on to the Gentiles. In Acts chapter eighteen Paul becomes so frustrated in Crointh he shakes out his clothes in protest.
“Your blood be on your own heads!” Paul said. “I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6).”
Paul is upset. He tries to reason with the Jews, but they become abusive. The Gentiles (you and me) on the other hand welcome the Good News.
Jesus tells his disciples in John sixteen, “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.”
How many Christians were executed by God Fearers in history? Those who believed they were doing God service by acting in violence. The accepted and most popular understanding of scripture today, is the Old Testament version. Even the unbeliever knows, “Eye for an eye.” When the Bible is referenced in pop culture, the day of judgement is often understood as the cornerstone. The basis for all morality taught in scripture. Grace has been pushed as the “Get out of jail free” card.
The cornerstone of our faith is Jesus. It’s not the law, it’s not judgement. The problem that needed to be solved was union with God. Sin was a symptom.
Jesus says, “When he comes (Holy Spirit), he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned (John 16:8-10).”
WOW! Jesus nailed it.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3).” Jesus defined eternal life.
Knowing God and Jesus Christ. It won’t be until we are in complete unity that the world will know God sent
Jesus and God loved the world as He loved Jesus (John 17:22). “Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Jesus is the cornerstone. We must devote ourselves to His teaching. We must work towards unity with one another in this, so the world will know.
This is the Good News . . . Knowing God and His love for us. This will change the world.
May you see God’s love everyday
May you teach God’s love everyday
May you teach through your actions
May you work towards unity with fellow believer, so the world will know1
In His service and yours,
Josh
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