Many discount the Old Testament because they feel we entered a period of Grace in the new testament and that the old no longer applies. Done with the law and in with grace. The challenge with that theory is the God of the New testament is the God of the Old testament times too. Do we really think his standard of living changed that much for us?
Hebrews 13:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com)
New International Version (NIV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
Perhaps we need to more prayerfully consider what is cultural vs what isn't. Some things are obvious like say, we don't wear sandals and ride a camel as was common in that culture, other things like are detailed in Leviticus 18 and 19 apply today too.
Click on link to Leviticus 18 where detail is provided as to what kind of sexual relations we should avoid. In today's world we can see the consequences of relations that are not God honouring. We can see the hurt caused by lust leading to affairs. So should we discount these guidelines laid out for us in the Old testament? Would we not be in a better place if we adhered to them?
When Leviticus 19 (click on link) details that we should not turn to idols, steal, lie, deceive, pervert justice, hate our brother, practise divination or sorcery, should we simply discount these things because they are before Jesus died to pay for our sins? Should we discount them because his death paid for our sins and we are free from the law? What does free from the law mean? Does it mean there are no standards to live by, that we can do as we want because the blanket of God's grace covers us? We can clearly see what happens when we deviate from these guideline's, we can see the ugliness of sin in full form.
Canada was founded on Biblical principles. Would you say that our country has become more or less God fearing as we have chosen to put many of these principles in a closet? Is sin and evil more or less prevalent today? The current divorce rate would suggest sin is on the rise. Horrific events would suggest sin is on the rise? The breakdown of family would suggest sin is on the rise. What will it take for us to return to biblical based principles? How long will we think we know better?
Rather then try and decipher what applies based on our knowledge, perhaps we would do well to rely on God to direct us as we navigate his word. Oh but that would require faith? Are we willing to do that, to place our lives and futures in his hand, to let him lead us?
Whens the last time I opened his word and my heart to him to guide my every action? How are you doing with this?
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