What was the purpose of Jesus 'raising the stakes', and making the Law more difficult to adhear to?
I would love to hear everyone's views on this.
I would love to hear everyone's views on this.
I agree with the idea that Jesus spoke these words to show man his true perdicament and the futility of trying to follow the Law.
Originally posted by TheBear
When I purposefully put in quotes, 'raise the stakes', I am refering to Christ saying things like, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)
See? The added qualifiers and standards were not in the Mosaic Law. There are a few more examples of this.
I agree with the idea that Jesus spoke these words to show man his true perdicament and the futility of trying to follow the Law.
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." (Gal 3:10)
John
Originally posted by TheBear
What was the purpose of Jesus 'raising the steaks', and making the Law more difficult to adhear to?
Originally posted by JohnR7
We are under a new covenant. A new and living way. Because we live under grace, then we have the spirit of grace and truth in us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law in us. But to answer your quetion, we are given more, and so more is expected of us. To whom much is given, much is expected.
Originally posted by thetruthseeker
I think that the clear definition of the 2 Covenants will unravel things for a lot of people.
Do you know what the purpose of the Old and New Covenants was and is (respectively)?
Originally posted by TheBear
What was the purpose of Jesus 'raising the stakes', and making the Law more difficult to adhear to?
I would love to hear everyone's views on this.
Originally posted by JohnR7
I am still studying covenant theology. There were lots of covenants in the Old Testament. God had a covenant with Abraham, He established a covenant with Noah. Even He had a covenant with a lot of individuals in the Bible.
The one we refer to as the law, that was given to Moses is actually two covenants. One that was established at the foot of the mountain, and that is between God and man. The other covenant was given right before they entered the promised land, and that deals with the relationship between people.
That is why I feel the atonement is twofold. Jesus died not only to restore us to a right relationship with the Father, but also so our relationship with each other can be restored. Jesus also confirmed that there were two commandments, one deals with God, the other deals with our neighbor.
The law was a shadow and a type of things to come. On the passover if they ate the lamb and put the blood on the doorpost the death angel passed them over. Only they were given physical life. When we put the Blood of Jesus on the doorpost of our heart, and we eat his flesh then we are given eternal life.
The difference is the Spirit of Grace. Under the law it was a eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Now as we forgive we are forgiven, as we give so it is givein onto us. As we have faith and believe so we receive. That is why the 2000 year church age is know as the dispensation of Grace.