TWC – The Word Connects: Connecting you to God and to one another … Monday 12 May 2014
There are 613 commands in the Old Testament and you may be surprised to know that there are 1050 commands in the New Testament – the Testament of Grace! For those who are interested, you can read all about the 1050 NT commands here – 1050 Commands in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul told his disciple (spiritual son) Timothy in 1Tim.1:8-11 that the law is not made for the righteous but for “lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God”. And we read this concluding statement about the ungodly listed in 1Tim.1:8-11 in Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, “Now the law lies upon, and against such persons, as an accusing, terrifying, cursing, and condemning law.” We are called to be holy just as the Lord Himself is holy. We are also called to love just as God is love. If we focus only on holiness and not love, we would become legalistic. We would become legalists who insist that everything has to be done a certain way and when people do not conform to our ideas of holiness, we punish and condemn them. On the other hand, if we focus only on love and not holiness, it is very easy to end up becoming so loving towards each other that we condone all kinds of ungodly habits and lifestyles. And our reason would sound something like this, “surely God will understand why they do what they do because God knows we are only human; after all, God is love, isn’t He? Since we are called to love one another, we shouldn’t judge each other.” The truth is – the God who is love will one day also be our Judge – the One who will separate the sheep from the goats, the One who will say to some so-called Christians, “depart from Me, I never knew you!” (Mt.7:23) As for how we ought to live today, and how we ought to relate together, encourage one another and strengthen each other’s faith, Paul tells Timothy in 2Tim.3:16,17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Yes, Scripture is useful not only for teaching and training but also for correcting and rebuking for the benefit of fellow believers.As you walk with God today, remember that you and I are called not only to love but also to be holy for God is both a God of love and a God of holiness. Have a great day!
Today’s Bible text: “8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” (1Tim.1:8-11)
Pastor Barnabas Chong
Aldersgate Methodist Church
revbarnz@gmail.com
Today’s recommended video: Love God Hate Sin … Click here for YouTube link
twcdaily.com 