Friday: Further Thought ~ Violating the Spirit of the Law

Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “A Rebuke Against Extortion”, pages 646–652, in Prophets and Kings.

“As Nehemiah heard of this cruel oppression, his soul was filled with indignation. ‘I was very angry’, he says, ‘when I heard their cry and these words’. He saw that if he succeeded in breaking up the oppressive custom of exaction he must take a decided stand for justice. With characteristic energy and determination he went to work to bring relief to his brethren” – Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 648.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“Jesus proceeded to lay down a principle that would make oath taking needless. He teaches that the exact truth should be the law of speech. ‘Let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one’. R.V” – Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 67.

“These words condemn all those meaningless phrases and expletives that border on profanity. They condemn the deceptive compliments, the evasion of truth, the flattering phrases, the exaggerations, the misrepresentations in trade, that are current in society and in the business world. They teach that no one who tries to appear what he is not, or whose words do not convey the real sentiment of his heart, can be called truthful” – Page 68.

Discussion Questions:

Why does selfishness lie at the core of our human problems when dealing with finances and interpersonal relationships?
How can God’s people avoid greediness? What is God’s provision against it? Study the following texts: Isa. 58:3-12 and Mic. 6:6-8.
Dwell more on the gift of speech and the power of our words. What does John 1:1-2 mean when it calls Jesus “the Word”? How does this help us understand the importance of words and what they mean?
It’s amazing that thousands of years ago Jesus said that the poor would always be among us. We also are admonished to help those in need. How do these two ideas fit together in helping motivate Christians to work for those who are less fortunate?

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Jesus has quite a bit to say about the "Spirit of the Law" and the last few verses of Matthew 5 add a corollary to this idea that is worth pursuing. I like the way it is written in The Message Bible:

“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matt 5:38-48MSG

Jesus does not ask us to just keep the law, but to go beyond it and live generously. I think that is a great description of the KJV translation:

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt 5:48

Perfection is about going beyond the letter of the law.

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Comments

Friday: Further Thought ~ Violating the Spirit of the Law — 8 Comments

Maurice Ashton on October 31, 2019 at 11:21 am said:

Jesus has quite a bit to say about the "Spirit of the Law" and the last few verses of Matthew 5 add a corollary to this idea that is worth pursuing. I like the way it is written in The Message Bible:

“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matt 5:38-48MSG

Jesus does not ask us to just keep the law, but to go beyond it and live generously. I think that is a great description of the KJV translation:

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt 5:48

Perfection is about going beyond the letter of the law.

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- SG on October 31, 2019 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  Timely.
  
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Newbegin Devaraj on October 31, 2019 at 3:39 pm said:

Law - “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7 "His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. He was made captive by Satan, and would have remained so forever had not God specially interposed. " Steps to Christ Page 17
Grievance - Proper investigation is a key on any grievance process. 17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes forward and examines him. Proverbs 18:17
After serious thought: This was great leadership from Nehemiah. He was a man passionate enough to get angry; but wise enough to not act until he had considered the matter carefully.
Nehemiah Acts - He assembles everyone together. This allows for transparency. No one could accuse Nehemiah cutting a deal with the noble and the rulers. It is important for leaders to have their action be transparent as possible.
Oath - Oaths are taken all the time, both a professional capacity and in a personal capacity. In some cases, you can get into serious trouble for taking an oath and then going back on your word or not living up to your promise.
Example - Nehemiah could tell others to do what was right here because his own walk was right. His public words and private actions said the same thing.

"Sin is a serious matter, spreading easily and quickly. The biggest challenge does not come from outside—but from infidelity to God with His own people not following His revealed will." Lesson Author

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Lyn Lew on October 31, 2019 at 7:55 pm said:

A fresh indwelling of the Spirit of God. The power of the Holy Ghost to change human heart.

Why does selfishness lie at the core of our human problems when dealing with finances and interpersonal relationships?

Humans by nature are selfish. It was and is about me. Have you ever been thirsty that you felt you were about to pass out. If you are in a group and you are all thirsty, who gets the water first? Humans don’t know our own hearts? The sinful nature is about me.
When dealing with money many give for different reasons. Some asked, what is in it for me? Good friends and families become enemies because of money? There is nothing wrong with money but the love of it the Lord despise.
Almost all court cases are rooted in money. There is something about money that has or create a new you, you become not of your self. E.g Judas and the 30 pieces of silver. Jesus help us

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IHEDIGBO, MBAUKWU on November 1, 2019 at 1:19 pm said:

Just like Nehemiah stood against the perceived injustices during his time,how many of our religious leaders mostly pastors can do same.In Nigeria for instance ,we have pastors that kowtow every government in power even when they are performing badly .We must stand and fight for what is right always ..

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- Maurice Ashton on November 1, 2019 at 2:19 pm said:
  
  Our pastors are often a reflection of our own behaviour. What is it about us that allows our pastors to act in this way.
  
  I here reports of some of the issues in our world church and it concerns me that there is a spirit of self-interest in some churches. Rather than blaming our pastors, we need to ensure that our own spiritual journey is influential.
  
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  - Tendai Mawunde on November 2, 2019 at 12:09 am said:
    
    Amen sir... we sometimes confront our Pastors in a Nicodemus way undermining other church members about their attitude(s) especially @ election time(s)... Godhead Infinite help us!
    
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Paul Blanke on November 1, 2019 at 9:56 pm said:

The admonishments above are not the way most people live. They are concerned with self rather than others, and don’t want to hear it.

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