They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
Summary: When we talk about being a teacher of the law, it is important to consider the source of the laws we are teaching. They are not all the same.
Before we move on, we need to spend a few minutes talking about the difference between God’s laws and man’s laws.
Let’s begin by stating the obvious.
The world can be divided into two groups of people: those who recognize God as the Creator and Ultimate Authority and those who don’t.
In the world of those who do not recognize God’s existence or authority, the concept of “law” is defined by what people say it is, assuming they can enforce their edicts. This is why the laws of unbelieving leaders favor themselves and those close to them.
God’s laws are different for three reasons.
First, God is good (Psalm 34:8, Mark 10:18).
Perhaps the most striking evidence that God is good is seen in the selfless act of sacrifice God made when Jesus was crucified on the cross (John 10:11). Yet, that is not the only evidence. The Bible is full of examples of God’s goodness. What human king or leader compares? Who else can summarize their laws in one word that defines human goodness, love (agapē)? (Matthew 22:37-40)
Second, God is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17, Isaiah 45:5–7).
Being good is nice, but what if God was just a nice idea and not really all-powerful? If that were the case, it would be every man and woman for themselves. Thinking of others first would be a luxury few could afford.
Instead, God’s power is manifested every day in the lives of those he touches. Even world events are shaped by his hand (Daniel 2:21),
Third, God is spirit (John 4:24).
For the unbeliever, this is a disqualifying statement. After all, what is a spirit? Nothing!
Actually, “nothing” could be further from the truth.
In the beginning, before the earth was made, everything that existed was what we call “spirit.” Everything that we call “real” was made by the Spirit we call God (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16). The fact that we cannot see spiritual beings does not mean they are not there (2 Kings 6:17).
God is good, he is all-powerful, and being spiritual in nature, he is eternal. His laws are the definition of “good.” His power is the definition of “power.” His authority is ultimate.
Like Elisha’s servant whose eyes were opened so he could see God’s army (2 Kings 6:8-23), Paul’s eyes were opened to the reality of Jesus Christ. When he speaks of God’s law, he knows what he is talking about.
Application: Think in terms of spiritual realities.
Food for Thought: How does meditating on God’s laws improve our lives?
How does meditating on God’s laws improve our lives?
Meditating on God’s laws increases our awareness of them and the meaning of them, so that we don’t just read them and move on, we stop and think about how they apply to our life and how we should live. God’s laws move to the forefront of our mind, acting as a shield against impure thoughts.
Joshua 1:8
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Meditating on God’s laws helps us to understand and embrace God’s Will and way.
Psalm 119:15
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
Meditating on God’s laws will help us to comprehend what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. This will empower us to live as such, improving our walk with God and our life.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Thank you, Chris!
Great verses! Well said!
I really like your devotion today brother. And great verses CH.
I thought I could simply cut and paste all of Psalm 119, but I realized that would be obnoxious.
But I do not think Psalm 1: 1 – 3 is too much: Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Thank you, Rich!
Great choice on verses! 🙂
As always, great questions and comments today!
How does meditating on God’s laws improve our lives?
Today, at this moment, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God is calling out to the spirits of all mankind, as He clearly declares what is right, wrong, and the truth regarding the judgement coming to all who choose their ways over Gods blessings.
John 6:13, But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:8, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.
John 8:12, Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
As we meditate on, give ourselves to Gods word, we find ourselves, by the power of His Holy Spirit, moving into His presence, receiving the inner sight and power required to live within His will over our own.
We find peace as we begin our eternal life now and serving God, our creator takes priority over the ways of this world. Doing as we please becomes life serving our God over ourselves as we allow His love for all mankind to be made known to all those He brings into our sphere of influence. He is the source and power, we are blessed to be His instruments, His children as He gently, lovingly uses each of us.
Thank you, Ron!
I love how you describe being drawn into God’s presence!