E
So to finalize my thoughts. Accordingly, we can all agree that this country was founded upon the principle that our self-governing principles were of the people, by the people, and for the people. Knowing then that most American citizens were church going people, 50 to 100 years ago, the fault lies with the people bringing this country to the point of being non-prosperous with escalating crime. Rhetorically then, what are "we the people" doing wrong, that we continue to see this degradation? Could it be that we are preaching in many of our churches that the Mosaic Law is replaced and extinct, being extinct by the grace of Jesus Christ? Maybe we should reconnoiter and adopt the moral aspects of the law given to Moses, and start teaching, and preaching that the Mosaic Law is valid, and has it's place through Christ Jesus. Here is some scripture that I think could, and should be used from behind the pulpit.
Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
John 5:46-47 (KJV)
[SUP]46 [/SUP]For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
[SUP]47 [/SUP]But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Psalm 72:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
[SUP]5 [/SUP]And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Leviticus 19:18 (KJV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP]Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Galatians 3:19-21 (KJV)
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Galatians 3:24-26 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Considering verse 25, what tool do we have left to bring others to Christ Jesus if we have forsaken it? How many false conversions might there be because of this discrepancy? So the works of the law and works by faith to justification should not be at odds with one another. They should work together hand in hand. Wisdom is what we need. It’s takes education to know that a tomato is really a fruit, but it takes wisdom to know that one doesn’t use it in fruit salad.
Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
John 5:46-47 (KJV)
[SUP]46 [/SUP]For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
[SUP]47 [/SUP]But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Psalm 72:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
[SUP]5 [/SUP]And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Leviticus 19:18 (KJV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP]Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Galatians 3:19-21 (KJV)
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Galatians 3:24-26 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Considering verse 25, what tool do we have left to bring others to Christ Jesus if we have forsaken it? How many false conversions might there be because of this discrepancy? So the works of the law and works by faith to justification should not be at odds with one another. They should work together hand in hand. Wisdom is what we need. It’s takes education to know that a tomato is really a fruit, but it takes wisdom to know that one doesn’t use it in fruit salad.
2. 100 years ago and more. people were more apt to help and think of others than self. today it is all about self.
3. Trying to go back to law is NOT going to help. The law condemns and it judges.. You go judging people and you will not find renewal and repentance you will find a stiff hand in your face saying how dare you judge me.
what we need to do is get away from self. and get to other thinking. This is the example Jesus showed. he did not go around shoving the law in sinners faces, he did not have to, they already knew they were sinners. you could tell by their reaction. It was the pharisees job to judge, and because of it, they will be judged.
it is no different today. You do not need to tell people they are sinners, THEY ALREADY KNOW. show them love and forgiveness, as Jesus did. and how the things of this world do not make us happy, even though society will tell you different, prove society wrong, people will come in groves. Everyone wants to find what is missing, Christ is the ONLY one who can satisfy our inner selves.. this is what people need ot hear. Not thou shalt not this or that!