God never changes, Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." and Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." and Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
On the other hand, we change our minds as quickly as day turns to night. That is why we have tens of thousands of laws, and God has one that does not require any other laws, Romans 13:8, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." and Romans 13:10, "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." and John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
How can one law replace the tens of thousands of laws in the United States? Because it gets to the heart of all laws. When we are selfless, we do not steal from others or sleep with someone else’s wife. Instead, we tell the truth, no matter the consequences, instead of lying to avoid trouble. Selfless people put the well-being of others above their own comfort.
This principle allowed a few hundred people in the first century to turn the most powerful empire in the world into a Christian nation. They did not use weapons; in fact, they were being tortured and killed because of their beliefs. Instead of retaliating, they showed love to everyone, and it won hearts and minds for the truth that God's way is better than ours. Like a virus, God's love spread throughout the empire.
Here is a copy of Chapter 5, 'The Manners of Christians,' from The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, written in 130 AD and describing first-century Christians:
"Now, one thing you need to realize about Christians is that you can’t distinguish them from other people, simply on the basis of country, language, or any specific customs. They don’t live in their own cities, they don’t have their own language, and they don’t lead any unique kind of life. They don’t conduct their lives, though, according to any speculative theory of any man; nor do they claim to be advocating any human doctrine.
"In fact, they live in all kinds of cities and towns, be they Greek or Barbarian, and they follow the customs of the people of those cities: they dress like everyone else and they eat the same food as everyone else. Still, they are able to put their wonderfully striking method of life on display for all to see. Yes, they dwell in the countries of their origins, but they consider themselves as sojourners. Yes, they are citizens of their given country, just like everyone else, but they live their lives as if they were foreigners. As strange as it may sound, every foreign land is to them like their native land, and every land of their birth is like a land of strangers.
"They marry, just like everyone else; they have children, just like everyone else, but they would never destroy or kill their own children. They share a common table with each other, but they do not share their marriage bed with others. Yes, they live in this present age of the flesh, but they do not live after the dictates of this present age of the flesh. They live out their days here on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the laws of the land, but they live their lives that surpass them.
"They love all people around them, and yet still are persecuted by everyone. People don’t know much about them but they condemn them anyway. They are put to death, but are restored to life. They are poor, yet they make others rich. They may be lacking in many things, but in reality, they abound in all things. They are dishonored, but even in that dishonor, they are glorified. People speak evil of them, yet they are seen to be righteous. When they are reviled, they bless in return.
"When they are insulted, they repay those insults with honor. They do whatever is good, and yet they are punished as evil-doers. And when they are punished, they actually rejoice that they’re being punished because they view it as getting closer and closer to true life. The Jews attack and berate them as foreigners, and they are persecuted by the Greeks—and yet still, those very people who hate them are not able to actually give any real reason for their hatred toward them."
This is the life Jesus calls us to. We bring no new laws to our neighbors. We just love them as Jesus loves us. This lifestyle is not a heavy burden. It is sharing, giving, helping, and loving. No lies to remember. No hatred to hide. No guilt or shame. I feel lighter just talking about it. And that is the point. This is the peace Jesus promised us, John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." All we have to do is accept Him as our savior and enjoy the abundant life now and for eternity.
Ray Foucher's Character of God website was a resource for this blog, here is the link to Ray's study https://characterofgod.org/law-god-end-world/
God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the Quarterly Newsletter, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.
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