Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading Matthew Chapter 5 and at verse 17, where we see that it is possible to think wrongly. It is possible to think in a wrong way about what Jesus Christ came to do, and to think wrongly about the Word of God, and about what God wants us to do as disciples of Jesus.
Jesus Christ came to fulfil the law and the prophets, and yet Jesus was not a legalist.
If fact, Jesus got into trouble with the religious leaders of the day because He did not do what they thought he should be doing.
Jesus came to fulfil the law, and Jesus speaks highly of the writings of Moses and the prophets, and he endorses every word. The Old Testament is full of hope. Many are unaware of that.
Jesus also makes it very clear that the keeping of the Commandments is important, as is the teaching of the Commandments. But, your righteousness must surpass, or must be greater than, that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law.
Legalism is a terrible thing when it comes to faith and belief and religion!
What is legalism? It is the attempt to achieve righteousness by keeping any set of rules, or, by adding to what God requires for righteousness. The Pharisees tried that, and it cannot be done.
Legalistic people can be very unloving. If you do not obey my rules or my laws, then I will have nothing to do with you. Keeping rules will never make me righteous in the sight of God.
The alternative to keeping rules and obeying Commandments with regard to attaining righteousness is to be led by the Holy Spirit. He will never lead you astray.
In the Old Testament, God is revealing Himself supernaturally, and speaking to Moses, and to the Prophets, and through the Psalmist.
The Bible comes from the word BIBLIA, which means books – a library of 66 books – 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. In the Old Testament we have History – Law – Poetry – Prophecy – Wisdom literature – and of course, the Song Book, the Psalms.
When teaching in schools I have often used these very simple numbers to teach or remind children of the number of books in the Bible. Three times nine give us twenty seven which when added together gives us 66. This may appear so elementary but I meet many who are unaware of very simple basic information.
Beware of legalism. Rather, seek to filled with the love of Jesus, and be led by the Holy Spirit – and this appears at another Pentecost when Jesus Christ launched and birthed the Church by pouring out the Holy Spirit.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.