ROBERT@kontu.utu.fi (Robert W. Johnson) (10/07/90)
Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time ... but I say unto you ... Matthew 5.21 f. Bondage to law may be defined as a rigid adherence to a bygone code of life that leaves us unready to follow the Lord's speaking in the present. We see the law as a standard of living; but it is a fixed standard. When we were youngesters at school our gymnastic teacher lowered or raised the rope for the high-jumping according to our age and ability. The standard was subject to adjustment, and left us scope for development. But the law's standard is rigid. It leaves no room for advance beyond a given point. "But I say unto you ..." These words contain a principle for all time. I have heard people dispose of an argument with "Oh, that matter was settled in Calvin's (or Wesley's, or Darby's) day!" But their days are "old time," and so are your yesterday and mine. If I do what I did a month ago because today the Lord leads me to do it, that is life; but if I do it because He led me a month ago, that is law. The law can be a week old or centuries old; but the leading of the Spirit can never be twenty-four hours old. The vital question is, do we know the freshness of today's walk with Him? ----- Robert W. Johnson Computer center, The University of Turku, Turku Finland robert@kontu.utu.fi (InterNet) robert@firien.bitnet (BITNET) The preceeding is my opinion and may not express the opinion of my employer and furthermore has nothing to do with my employment.