August 9, 2010

August 9, 2010 Ruth 2

Boaz proclaimed, “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” The Moabites were relatives and arch enemies of the Israelites. The book of Ruth took place in the time of the Judges. There were times during the Judges when the Moabites treated the Israelites severely. Moabites were not friends of the Israelites. In the law of Moses the Moabites were banned from the assembly of the Lord up to the 10th generation. Even the Lord’s enemies may receive refuge under the wings of the Lord if they will return to Him with all their heart. I am so glad that He has given me refuge! Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

Romans 10 August 2005

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. – Whoever calls on the name. God indeed has a standard of righteousness. As I write this I am in Mexico. Their standards and methods of construction are very different from ours. Even with the difference I see that within their systems, they do not seem to have inspectors that demand a certain code enforcement as we have here. Consequently when one buys a house it is a “buyer beware” situation. The house you buy may not meet the necessary quality to last a lifetime(s). I am thankful for standards in the U.S. and building inspectors. It insures that my house is safe and will last a lifetime—if I take care of it.

God’s law insures that His holiness remains holy. His law demands perfection from us. Try as I may I cannot attain to His standard of perfection. I’ve already missed the standard. That’s where His mercy comes in. Jesus is the end of the law in two ways:

The law was designed to show us our need of righteousness. The law forces us to see that we have no righteousness. Once the law shows us our need of a Savior it has completed its task—in that sense Christ is the end of the law. Just as a path from one place to another ends when you get to the destination, so also, the law takes us from thinking we are holy, to Christ—we see a need of a savior.
When Christ comes it is no longer my trying to meet a standard but resting in His already having met it—even in me. The law does not cease. It is still there. But Jesus fulfills it in me! Isn’t that wonderful?
Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John