Sabbath: The Law of God and the Law of Christ
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 19:16-22; John 13:34-35; Gal. 6:1-5; Acts 17:31; John 5:30.
Memory Text: If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (John 15:10, NKJV).
In most nations a hierarchy of laws exists. At the top are laws that come from the national government and that bind all who reside in the country. Then there are laws on the provincial level that pertain to the inhabitants of certain territories. Finally, local laws govern the smallest districts. Although each division within a country is permitted to make laws that are relevant to its constituents, none can make a law that contradicts the law of the nation. And though circumstances may dictate that a certain law be applied in different ways, the application cannot deviate from the spirit of the law.
As the Supreme Head of the universe, the Creator God has established laws for all of His creatures. When Jesus Christ voluntarily transformed Himself into human flesh, He gave Himself to a life of obedience to His Father (Phil. 2:5-11) and to His Commandments. Thus, everything that Jesus taught, the perspective that He put on the law, even the new commandment that He gave, was always in full harmony with the law of God.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 24.
Everything in our present world operate under a given law. Though minute and insignificant it may appear has a law that govern it. If that thing in question do not operate under its given law, things with be chaotic. In Psalms 40:6-10 Jesus delighted to do his Father will. He was not walking against his Father but was subjected to his Father’s law.
Marva,
What indication is there that Psalm 40:6-10 is Jesus speaking in first person? I believe David wrote this particular psalm. Although I agree Jesus did delight in His Father’s will and subjected himself to His law, credit must be given to the rightful author of this text.
Willie Scott II
Have you ever found yourself accepting people’s values and you practice those values as if they originate from you? In like manner, Christ unquestioningly accepts God’s law and they become his. So his beliefs and conduct synchronize with that of the father. Putting myself in Christ’s place, I will delight myself in the law; I want to obey it; I want to be in harmony with God’s law. “Great peace have which love the law and nothing shall cause them to stumble” ( psalms 119:165).