Chapter 6 - Free from the Law
It seems that as we dig deeper and deeper into this idea of "exchanged life" we continually return to the same contradictions. Kind of reminds me of the phrase about, "continuing to do the same thing, but expecting different results." That's where a lot of Christians are stuck. McVey has a great question near the start of this chapter: "Is your concept of the Christian life one which suggests that God's primary concern with you is your behavior?" If God's primary concern were my behavior, and I could change it to satisfy Him, I wouldn't need Jesus in the first place. (Have we heard this before?) If I cannot change it to satisfy God (which the Bible clearly says I can't) does that mean God has invited me into a relationship doomed to failure? (Have we heard this before?)
To the original audience the "law" meant either the Jewish law or new rules some believers were trying to impose on other believers. Today I think we tend to hear it as referring to the Old Testament laws. It not only refers to those, but to much, much more; to any legalistic requirement imposed on, or practiced by believers. In no uncertain terms, Paul repeats over and over that we are free from the law. How much of the law? ALL of it! We are free from the Old Testament law and from the requirements to read the Bible, pray, attend church, witness, tithe...the list goes on and on. We are free from the law of no dancing, playing cards, going to movies, working on Sunday...the list goes on and on. Not that these things are bad -- but the motivation to do (or not do) must come from a desire to glorify God and be a manifestation of Christ in us. They must not come from obligation or expectation or a desire to serve, do for, or influence God's view of us. I am as equally free to do these things as I am not to do these things. As McVey says, "When we understand that Christ is our life, we are motivated by His desires within us. We want to do the things that glorify God."
We always, always need to remember that the Scriptures are not a list of rules of how to live. Their only purpose is to reveal Jesus to us and draw us to Him. What does Jesus say in John 5:39-40 about the Pharisees (non-believers) who were so filled with Biblical knowledge? "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive life." There is no purpose for the Scriptures other than Jesus. Its not about knowledge; its not about understanding; it is not about figuring out what God wants us to do -- it is about a relationship.
So often the life of a Christian is all tied up in doing. Doing "good" things. Doing "for" God. Now, what exactly is it that God needs us to do for Him? He is the creator of the universe, and He needs me to do what? Where did we get so off track and start thinking it isabout behavior? Remember Paul's comments to the Galatians in 3:1-4? He would say the same thing to so many of us: "Oh, you foolish..."
The discussion so often comes around to, "I just can't sit around and do nothing." I will grant that "doing for God" is the opposite of "abiding." But I will not grant that "abiding" is the equivalent of "inactivity." It is the move from "us" doing to "God" doing. Was Jesus inactive? Did He sit around and do nothing? What did He say about the things He did? Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19 Is the logical progression in our understanding of and living in, exchange life that we can say, "I can do nothing by myself, I can only do what I see Jesus doing?" I think it is. Because if we move into John 15:1-5 and John 17:21 we see Jesus drawing a picture of His relationship with the Father and our relationship to Him. They are the same. WOW! Just like we left Sunday school behind...this is way beyond a behavior issue.
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