One of the nagging issues facing the early converts to Christianity was its relationship to the Mosaic law. The Law was a rich and complex aspect of Jewish life in the time of Jesus, deriving from the five books of Moses. Which aspects of the Law do we need to keep as Christians today?
Paul tells us that, “…for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will do no evil to our neighbor.” He goes on to explain, “Hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Following the Ten Commandments with hearts of love and God’s Holy Spirit (given in baptism) now fulfills what the Mosaic laws were after. Jesus repeatedly said the same thing, “…love one another as I have loved you.”
The law of Moses was originally designed to help order daily life towards that end, loving our neighbor. Israel did not always follow it, but God is generous and encouraging. Before Christ, many laws were needed because the snares this world offered were many. But after the coming of Christ, God gave us what is sometimes called “the law of love” and sent His Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sin into our hearts. In Baptism, we are invited into loving others with God’s love in us.
For Christians, those Mosaic laws focused on living a life of love were kept (such as the Ten Commandments), while the food, liturgical and judicial laws were adjusted or let go entirely. Our lives are now powered by God’s own Spirit!
God’s love acting IN AND THROUGH US now allows us to fulfill the true purpose of the law. Amen.
Paul’s guidance this week to the Christians in Rome offers us some challenging guidance that is very applicable to life in modern-day Charlotte.
Paul writes, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.”
The Roman culture offered their gods sacrifices of animals and grains. Christians do something different. Paul here encourages his readers to live their lives for God, following his ways in obedience. This gift of ourselves is a gift or “sacrifice” that includes not just our hearts, but our day-to-day decisions as well. Regardless of the time in which we live, our lives can be a gift to God. Being Christian is not just something we do on Sundays; it is a life lived moment to moment. As C.S. Lewis once pointed out, God does not just want part of us; he wants all of us. Our lives are our true gift to the Lord.
Paul goes on with one of the most beautiful challenges in the New Testament: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
This world and its concerns will never fulfill us. It is God’s will that we conform our lives to. Our true glory, the goal of the Christian life according to Paul, is living according to God’s will. In accord with God, we will find what is good, true and perfect. This brings true happiness—even joy.
Reflection: Do I seek God’s will? Am I concerned in all my decisions with how this helps or hinders my relationship with God? What new part of my life can I surrender to God this week?