The Ten Commandments

     I believe the New Testament teaches clearly that those who are truly in Christ (surrendered to His will and indwelt by the Holy Spirit- Matthew 7:21, Romans 8:9) are not under the Law of Moses. ( Romans 6:14, 1 Tim. 1:9, Romans 10:4) But what about the Ten Commandments? Are they no longer applicable? Not in their place as the keystone of the Law of Moses. However, I read some years ago that nine of the ten are repeated in the New Testament. While I have repeated this a number of times, I am finally convicted that i needed to verify if this assertion was Biblically true. Below are my findings.
     The Ten Commandments are given in Exodus chapter 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5. In summarized form they are as follows:  ( After the commandment are corroborating NT verse references)
No other gods:   Luke 10:27
No idolatry:   1 John 5:21, 1 Corinthian 6:9
Don't take the Name of the Lord in vain:  1 Corinthians 12:3
Observe Sabbath:   ?
Honor father and mother:  Ephesians 6:1-3
Do not murder:  James 2:11
Do not commit adultery  1 Cor. 6:9, James 2:11
Do not steal:  Ephesians 4:28
Do not bear false witness: Matthew 15:18-19
Do not covet: 1 Corinthians 6:10
    Only the fifth commandment of Sabbath observance is not restated. ( Numerous other verses could be cited for the other nine)

Grandson

     My grandson is about fifteen months old, walking, not running, climbing, a one man demolition squad. While he can say mumma, he is not talking. With prompting he can place his dirty diaper in the diaper pail in the next room. He enjoys making a mess when he eats, even getting food in his sparse hair. One of his favorite activities is being in the stroller and seeing things. He also likes to remove puzzle pieces and not replace them. He is tall for his age and likes to reach up and grab things. Baby proofing is essential. I showed him how to blink this week, which is something he has never done before. It is amazing how quickly they will learn. (So far, he only blinks with me) We have gone to a little zoo, a park, the library, and a outdoor mall. (Possible in southern CA. Not possible in New England. The weather is definitely better here but one pays a huge price in the cost of housing and of living in general.)
"The righteous who walks in integrity--- blessed are his children after him." (Proverbs 20:7 ESV)
"Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright." (Prov. 20:11)
     Last week i was with some Portuguese speaking friends and they kept mentioning a word that sounded like the country of Peru. Eventually they told me that the word meant "turkeys." My education continues.
    I am trying to relearn French along with continuing in Portuguese. Unfortunately i am also starting to confuse the two.
     God is faithful.

Priesthood

   One of the major differences between the Old and New Covenants is in who can be a priest. In the Old Covenant the priesthood was strictly limited. Any non- Israelite was automatically ineligible as were eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel. Only the Levites could be priests, and they had additional restrictions. No woman could be a priest nor a man younger than thirty or older than fifty. Nor could they have a physical defect such as blindness, lameness, broken foot or hand. And only those who were lineal descendants of Aaron could be high priests.
   In contrast to this sharply exclusionary approach, in the New Covenant there is one High Priest forever. "You (Jesus) are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." ( Hebrews 7:17) "For we do not have a High Priest (Jesus) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV)
   And all true believers are considered priests. Gender, age, physical characteristics or ethnicity are irrelevant.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood..." (1 Peter 2:9) "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood..." (1 Peter 2:5)
     "To Him (Jesus) who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5b-6 NKJV) "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second resurrection has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him for a thousand years." (Rev. 20:6 NKJV)
    This change in the priesthood is one of several reasons to question the idea of the clergy-laity distinction.

January 14, 2014 Reflections

   In my ongoing cruising through the Word of God, I finished reading in Exodus and started Leviticus today. (One of the best exhortations that i have ever received is to read the Bible through consecutively from Genesis to Revelation, and then keep doing it. I have done this twenty-five times in several languages, and the New Testament another thirty-five additional times and never fail to receive new insight from the inexhaustible treasure of the Word of God.)
   In chapter 36 i read something which never fails to amaze me. Craftsmen named Bezalel and Oholiab are building the sanctuary in the times of Moses. The people are bringing free will offerings of various kinds for this work (v.3) Finally these craftsmen say to Moses, "The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded to do." (v.5) The people actually had to be commanded not to give anymore.
   In chapter 40:34 I read "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." (All citations ESV) Talk about the presence of the Lord.
    In Leviticus 2:13ff we read, "You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt." Fascinating to see this covenant of salt required for the people of Israel.
    Finally I was thinking of the picture of the righteousness of Christ clothing His disciples and was reminded of Isaiah 61:10 which reads, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robes of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Thinking?

     As technological advances accelerate, and, increasingly people have the world at their fingertips, I wonder if we are losing our ability to think. Particularly with younger adults I observe an ability to use technology that my generation will never have. At the same time they seem to have little critical thinking ability. If the media says that every weather related occurrence is a result of global warming then they accept this without hesitation.  Or if assertions are made that wealthier people have gotten their riches in some unethical or illegal manner this is widely accepted. I hear the phrase "social justice" on a regular basis but have never had anyone offer a practical definition even though they all desire it. They don't seem to question.
     Now i realize that few had the advantage of a dad who posed, and expected answers to questions like, "if you were stranded on a desert island and could have three people with you; who would they be and why?" every night of the week. We were systematically taught to consider alternatives to problems or questions, and not simply accept whatever we heard.
     What is sobering is the observation that many younger people do not think on a deeper level despite all the information that they have instant access to, and, do not have an interest in learning from those who do. Will they gain perspective over the course of time? One hopes so.
     Ultimately all true wisdom and knowledge come from Christ as Colossians 2:3 asserts, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Yet even younger Christians are not immune from the phenomenon I describe. For clarity, I do not in any way doubt their intelligence. What i question is their use or lack thereof of the brains that God has provided.

Visiting a Local Congregation

Regular readers are aware that i was involved in the house church movement for many years, but became disillusioned with our lack of spiritual fruit. This wrenching reappraisal has led to a willingness to explore a more traditional approach again if the primary focus is on the Kingdom of God and personal discipleship.
     Today i visited a local church about twenty minutes away. I was actually greeted by a number of people including a elderly lady who inquired how i had become so tall, and a gentleman with whom i conversed at some length. Attended a small group that focused on 1 Peter 1:22 as part of a series on the many "one another" verses that had considerable interaction.
   Then went into the more formal service with a young worship team doing contemporary music. Then the pastor, a man in his mid sixties spoke, first on the finishing touches of a two year eldership process. He invited congregational input specifically any Biblically based character issue of any of the three prospective elders. Throughout there was a blend of humility and fidelity to the Scripture.
   The message focused on the primacy and characteristics of discipleship.He also raised four questions that he is pondering and that we should also examine.
Are we seeking God personally?
Making time for spiritual renewal?
Uniting in prayer for revival and redemption?
Formulating action plan to complete the Great Commission?
     I found the experience refreshing and hope inducing. Over the years i have attended a number of different churches both regular and home types. Seldom have i had something as Word oriented as today.

Brazilian Worship Music

     One of the blessings of learning another language is the experience of listening to worship music. Currently i have five Portuguese language music CD's. Some contain lyrics, which enhances the situation because i have some ability to read.
     The first is a live performance by a young man named Joel Jordao titled Nao Se Contamine, (Don't be polluted) whom I don't know. Number two is "Frutas na Terra," (Fruit in the Land) by my friend Bruno. He has a powerful anointing. Third is Jesus/ Decido por Ti, (Decided for You) by my friend Samir from Porto Alegre complete with a few words from his then three or four year old daughter. The fourth is by a brother named Winderley whom I met briefly in Vitoria prior to a celebration of a Korean pastor's many years of ministry. In contrast to the others who have bands and loud music, his is solo voice and guitar, and rather tranquil titled A Ele a Gloria, (To Him is the Glory). Finally I have "Desperta," (Awaken) by a young couple Marcelo and Luciana whom I met in the Porto Alegre area one evening. The following Sunday they gave me a copy of their CD, saying that i might not like it. Actually they have wonderful talent. I hope they are working on a new CD.
     "But I have trusted in your steadfast love, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:5-6 ESV)
     "I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music."  (Psalm 101:1)