On Sunday, I posed a couple of questions that have led to some great conversations: (1) When God interacts with us or judges us, which holds more sway – God’s Commandments or God’s Love? (2) Do God’s laws change?

God’s commands and the obedience of God’s people are obviously important because God tells Moses to tell the people: “Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6).

Since the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai, people have debated how to observe God’s law and even whether to obey God’s law. Some people feel as though God’s law must be observed in every detail without any variation. Some feel as though God’s law is no longer relevant and has no place in modern thinking and life.

So, what do you think?

I encourage you to take some time to think through this. You may find it especially helpful to journal on this topic. Write down what you believe and why. Revisit these questions throughout the week. Try to understand why God would command these things. See if you can find examples or support for your thoughts in the Bible. Keep in mind that there are the Ten Commandments, and the 613 commands and ordinances of God recorded in the Old Testament.

Feel free to post your thoughts. Later this week, I’ll post some of my thoughts and answers to these questions. Keep in mind, these questions are not in any way to diminish God’s law. Instead, by asking these questions, iI hope we dig in to God’s commands and the grow closer to God in the process.

Resources

• Sermons
  • Sunday – 10/13 @ 8:00am – The Story | New Commands and a New Covenant
  • Sunday – 10/13 @ 11:00am – The Story | New Commands and a New Covenant
• Word Study – “abomination” [pdf] – this is the 16 pages and 146 verses.
• Matthew 5:17-48 – This is a fascinating passage from Matthew’s gospel. Jesus says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Jesus then goes on to clarify the intent of some of the laws with a pattern “you have heard that it was said … but I say to you….”