Hebrews 7:18-19

Hebrews 7:18-19 – The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

           What is the former regulation that is talked about in this passage? The former regulation is the law. When the law was set up it was set as a means to make men perfect. It pointed out sin and told the people what they could and could not do. If you obeyed the law you would be perfect; if you did not obey you would receive the consequences, or would have to sacrifice an animal to receive a temporary covering for the offense.

           There was a problem with the law, however. It did a great job of pointing out sin, but there was no one who could follow it. There was no one who could be obedient, so as a result everyone deserved death.

           This was not God’s plan. He did not want His people to die. His Love created another way. God couldn't allow us all to die, but He is also a Just God, so sin had to be punished. So a better plan came into play. This plan would get rid of sin once for all and would allow us, His children, to walk with Him again.

           This new plan is Jesus. Jesus is the “better hope” that is talked about in this passage. He is the one by which we are able to draw near to God. Through Him all sin (past, present and future) is taken care of. He paid the price so we don’t have too.

           Jesus did what the law could never do; He made us perfect before God. Now we are able to stand before God blameless and set free from sin.

1 Timothy 1:8-9a

1 Timothy 1:8-9a – We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for the lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious.

           Before we were saved we were governed by the law. It showed us what was right and what was wrong. We would try and follow the law, not because we wanted to do what was “right”, but because we wanted to avoid the consequences of breaking it.

           When we accepted Christ we changed. He came into our hearts and made us new from the inside out. We have been made righteous before God and He calls us His children. No longer does the law have power over us because we have been freed from it.

           Just because we are free from the law doesn’t mean we can break it and get away with it. Rather it means that the law cannot touch us because we are abiding to a higher law; the law of Christ. He has instilled in us a desire to obey out of Love, rather than duty.

           Christ has called us to a higher standard of living. He says that we are no longer judged by what we do; now we are judged by our hearts. If you think it, you have done it. It is now our thoughts and motives that convict us. As Christ renews us in heart and mind we begin having the desire to what it right. It is a change in attitude.

So you can see that we are no longer controlled by the law since we now live by a higher standard. If we live according to the standard that Jesus set for us the law will never touch us, because we will be far from breaking it. As we fall deeper in Love with God it will become easier to obey Him. Our obedience will be motivated by Love instead of necessity.

Acts 24:14

Acts 24:14 - However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.

Paul was on trial before Felix, the governor. Some of the Jewish elders and a lawyer named Tertullus had come with Paul to stand before Felix to present their case against him. Tertullus had just finished accusing Paul of being a ringleader and troublemaker who stirred up riots and even tried to desecrate the temple. Now it is time for Paul to speak.

As he began he first gave honor to Felix, acknowledging his position of authority. Then he continued on to make his defense. He spoke of how the accusations were not true and how he believed in the Law and the Prophets, just like his accusers. Paul knew the Word of God well. He had been born and raised a Pharisee and it had been drilled into him from a very young age.

Now, as he makes his defense he is able to use the Word to support his case. God’s Word is our only constant in an ever changing world. We know that God is “the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)” and that “heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35).” That is why it is so important for us as believers to read the Word daily. David writes, blessed is the man who meditates day and night on the Word (Psalm 1:1-2).

As we get into the Word we get to know God better. That is the most important reason to read it. It describes Him and tells us who He is. It also gives us the ammunition to fight off the attacks of the enemy. When Jesus was being tempted by Satan He used scripture to overcome him. Also, as in Paul’s case here we will be able to use it in witnessing and in our defense. The Holy Spirit will bring it to our remembrance when we need it (John 14:26). Make a commitment to get into His Word and meditate on it.