Sunday, February 26, 2012

A weekend of children

I love children. Just a short blog post on why.

Children are adorable.
Saturday afternoon, my roommates and I visited a family in South Austin for a light lunch and fellowship. Much of our time was spent playing (and taking countless photos) with their precious two-year-old. I think he was being extra cute because he knew we'd squeal at his every action.

My BFF/roomie/cousin Jo and baby Kaison


Children are unbelievable.
This morning, I served with the 1st thru 3rd grade Sunday school class as I usually do once a month. This age group is so fun because they say the wildest things. I learn so much. Today, I was carrying a Starwars-themed Lego man during class when Josh asked me to see it. Apparently my little figure was sporting a Mark-48 machine gun, one of the top 14 deadliest guns in the world. He then segued to a vivid personal story of shooting a possum.

The 8-year-old gun guru


Children are fun.
This afternoon, I was happy to babysit my sweet Ben and Aliyah. Whether we nap, watch Sesame Street, or build forts, I am always guaranteed a good time. Their home is my home away from home.

Tomorrow is their mom's birthday, so we made a surprise chocolate cake from scratch.
These pros did most of the baking. (I did most of cleaning.)
M&Ms were the kids' idea.
He insisted on test-driving the candles.

<3

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Did Jesus come to fulfill the law or abolish it?

In a Christian Students on Campus bible study last week, I finally understood how Jesus dealt with the law.

In Ephesians 2:15 Paul tells us the Lord “abolished with His flesh the law with its commandments".

However in Matthew 5:17 the Lord Himself proclaims, “Do not think I have come to abolish the law or its prophets; I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”

Does the Bible contradict itself? Of course not. If there is one thing we can always trust it is the validity of the bible. (Isaiah 40:8)

The question: Did Jesus come to abolish the law or to fulfill it?

I'd like to disprove this false dichotomy and say, yes. Jesus came both to abolish and to fulfill. While He abolished the ORDINANCES of the law, He fulfilled the MORAL of the law.





CHRIST ABOLISHED THE LAW
Through His death, the Lord Jesus did away with the ritual commandments. Colossians 2:14 says the Lord has eliminated the Judaic ordinances by nailing them to the cross. These include dietary regulations, circumcision, and observance of the Sabbath. They are no longer needed.

Keep in mind, this only speaks of the ordinances in the law – that is – the religious obligations. The moral commandments are still in place.

CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW
Jesus upheld the moral law in a three-fold way. Good morals are still needed to live out the kingdom life.

1) Jesus kept the law’s moral standards.

2) He fulfilled the requirements of the law through his death on the cross for us. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. He died in our place to satisfy this righteous requirement.

3) He complimented the old law with His new law. Matthew 5 shows us that the Lord actually introduced a higher standard.

For instance: the Old Testament law forbade murder. The new law forbids even getting angry with your brother. The old law forbade adultery. The new Law forbids even looking at a women, lest you commit adultery in your heart. 

While the Old Testament law deals with outward actions, the New Testament law is concerned with the intentions of the heart.