Thursday, February 2, 2017

The Book of Matthew: Morning Moments with God, Day 14

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Day 14: The Word is Holy

Please take time to read the verses for the day.
Matthew 5: 17- 20

The Fulfillment of the Law

17 “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. 18 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. 19 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 practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 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.

"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." (Matthew 5:17) When I first read this verse I read it as saying, '...the Law OF the Prophets." That is a completely different meaning than what it actually says, "the Law OR the Prophets." I was thinking that Jesus was saying that He had come to fulfill only the first five books of the Bible, but He is saying more than that. He is including the Books of the Prophets too: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings and the twelve minor prophets. (NIV commentary) Jesus had come to fulfill or complete, redeem, satisfy, finalize, accomplish and carry out the Word of God. The Bible is filled with life stories and prophecies that all point to the coming Messiah. Jesus came to answer all the questions and that makes Him the answer. He didn't come to throw it all away, but to show how it all fits together. For example: There was Adam, and then Jesus became the second Adam. (Romans 5:12-14, 1 Corinthians 5:22, and 1 Corinthians 15:45) As we read the Bible, God satisfies all our questions through Jesus. Our souls are at peace. There is no more wondering, or waiting. He has done it all through Jesus.

"I tell you the truth, 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." (Matthew 5:18) This is so powerful. The Word of God is so powerful. God is true. God keeps His promises. He wrote the Word and will see everything that He designed accomplished. God holds the Word of God in a serious place of holiness. My question is, do we? 
"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same 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. " (Matthew 5:19) It's scary how many people read the Word and change it's meaning to fit their life. It's scary how many cults have risen up or churches fractured over changing the Word. This is pretty serious stuff here- I know, I was in a cult. As I look back now, the cult I was a part of changed so much of the Word of God it is baffling. For instance, the leader said that she, herself and only her,self, was the bride of Christ. But the Word tells us that God refers to all of us as His bride. That one alteration in the Word had us worship her! 'She was THE bride of Christ! The Chosen ONE!' Can you see how one modification, even one word changed, can bring about confusion and carry people away from Christ instead of drawing them to Him? 

"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 5:20) The Pharisees obeyed the Law, but not the spirit or heart of the law. We are called to die to self, and to live for Christ. We are not called to die to the Law and live for the Law. We are to use the Word of God to draw us into a deeper relationship with God and our need for Him.

Pray with me:
Father, thank you for the Word of God, the Bible. Thank you for making it an eternal book that breathes life in us. Forgive me for not regarding it as Holy and taking it for granted. Help me to love your Word more and more. Draw me into a deeper revelation of who you are that my life might glorify you and draw others to your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

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