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| Truth Outside of Time |
Thy law is truth eternal,
The guideline for our lives.
Timeless morals set in stone
By which we must abide.*
The world and people change
But God has testified
To what is good and bad,
And this won’t change with time.
We’re free from sacrifices,
From rites and regulations,
But not from God’s eternal ways
In place before Creation.
What was evil then is evil now,
Even though we’re saved by grace.
His laws will never cease.
They reach for both forevers.
Though heaven and earth will vanish,
His righteous words will never!
The guideline for our lives.
Timeless morals set in stone
By which we must abide.*
The world and people change
But God has testified
To what is good and bad,
And this won’t change with time.
We’re free from sacrifices,
From rites and regulations,
But not from God’s eternal ways
In place before Creation.
What was evil then is evil now,
Even though we’re saved by grace.
His laws will never cease.
They reach for both forevers.
Though heaven and earth will vanish,
His righteous words will never!
Eternal God has never changed.
His ways remain the same.
Nothing's hidden from His eyes.
All our motives and actions He sees.
We cannot lead lawless lives,
But must follow His righteous decrees.
-- Charity, girl, age 17
Scriptural Basis and Commentary:
"'Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.'" (Lk 21:33)
"For, 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' And this is the word that was preached to you." (1 Pe 1:24-25)
"Although they know God's righteous decrees that those who do such things deserve death, they no only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." (Rom 1:32)
"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." (Ro 7:6, NIV)
Of the New Covenant, the Scripture says, "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." (Heb 10:16, NIV; cf., Heb 8:10)
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God." (1 Co 7:19, NIV)
"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." (Ro 7:6, NIV)
Of the New Covenant, the Scripture says, "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." (Heb 10:16, NIV; cf., Heb 8:10)
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God." (1 Co 7:19, NIV)
The Lord Jesus said, "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Mat 5:18)
This is something that we as disciples of His need to understand. To help us understand what He meant, let’s look at some verses from Psalm 119, which is all about the psalmists love for God’s Word.
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you." (Ps 119:89-91)
“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth…Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.” (Psa 119:142,143b,144).
The psalmist was praying to God,
“Your commands are my delight.
Your statutes are forever right.”
According to Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, he states regarding Ps 119:142:
"Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness - It never changes...as God himself never changes, so it is with his law. That law is founded on eternal truth, and can never change."
"And thy law is the truth - It is founded on “truth;” on the reality of things. It is so essentially founded on truth, it springs so certainly out of truth, or out of the reality of things, that it may be said to be the truth itself. He who understands the law of God understands what truth is, for it is the expression and the exponent of that which is true."
“You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. Of old I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever.” (Psa 119:151-152)
"Concerning thy testimonies, I have known from of old that thou hast founded them forever - “From” eternity, and “for” eternity. They were laid in the eternity past; they will continue in the eternity to come. They are based on eternal principles of right; they will never be changed. Such a conviction will do much to keep the soul steady and firm in the trials and uncertainties of life. Whatever may change, God’s law does not change; whatever is new, that is not new; whatever will vanish away, that will remain." -- Albert Barnes.
*My father explains it like this: "We don't live by the Law of Moses, according to the written code, but God's eternal laws have been etched on our hearts. Now we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code (Ro 7:6). We are not to concern ourselves with ceremonial law like circumcision, rituals, dietary laws, or animal sacrifices. We are not endeavoring to keep up the Law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ. We are not justified by doing the works of the Law. It is only when we put our faith in Christ that He justifies us, so that we have true righteousness, the righteousness of God, and this is the intent or “end goal” of the law. Once we are justified, we will be led by the Spirit to be a doer of the Law (James 1:25; 4:11). Just remember that we can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus (Jn 15:5), and if you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love (Jn 15:10). It's not something you have to force, or do legalistically, but it happens as you open up and receive the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to flow through you."
Related blogs:
This is something that we as disciples of His need to understand. To help us understand what He meant, let’s look at some verses from Psalm 119, which is all about the psalmists love for God’s Word.
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you." (Ps 119:89-91)
“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth…Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.” (Psa 119:142,143b,144).
The psalmist was praying to God,
“Your commands are my delight.
Your statutes are forever right.”
According to Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, he states regarding Ps 119:142:
"Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness - It never changes...as God himself never changes, so it is with his law. That law is founded on eternal truth, and can never change."
"And thy law is the truth - It is founded on “truth;” on the reality of things. It is so essentially founded on truth, it springs so certainly out of truth, or out of the reality of things, that it may be said to be the truth itself. He who understands the law of God understands what truth is, for it is the expression and the exponent of that which is true."
“You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. Of old I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever.” (Psa 119:151-152)
"Concerning thy testimonies, I have known from of old that thou hast founded them forever - “From” eternity, and “for” eternity. They were laid in the eternity past; they will continue in the eternity to come. They are based on eternal principles of right; they will never be changed. Such a conviction will do much to keep the soul steady and firm in the trials and uncertainties of life. Whatever may change, God’s law does not change; whatever is new, that is not new; whatever will vanish away, that will remain." -- Albert Barnes.
*My father explains it like this: "We don't live by the Law of Moses, according to the written code, but God's eternal laws have been etched on our hearts. Now we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code (Ro 7:6). We are not to concern ourselves with ceremonial law like circumcision, rituals, dietary laws, or animal sacrifices. We are not endeavoring to keep up the Law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ. We are not justified by doing the works of the Law. It is only when we put our faith in Christ that He justifies us, so that we have true righteousness, the righteousness of God, and this is the intent or “end goal” of the law. Once we are justified, we will be led by the Spirit to be a doer of the Law (James 1:25; 4:11). Just remember that we can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus (Jn 15:5), and if you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love (Jn 15:10). It's not something you have to force, or do legalistically, but it happens as you open up and receive the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to flow through you."
Related blogs:
The Ways of Life
The Law of Christ
Law of Love in the New Testament
Remember the Eternal Law of God
The Law Established Through Faith
The New Covenant
The Law is Good if Used Lawfully
Costly Grace
Deleted Scriptures in the Bible?
Did Jesus Nail the Law to the Cross?
Is Obedience Optional?
The Obedience of Faith
Doing What is Right
Obedience by the Spirit
What Then Must We Observe?
The Law of Christ
Law of Love in the New Testament
Remember the Eternal Law of God
The Law Established Through Faith
The New Covenant
The Law is Good if Used Lawfully
Costly Grace
Deleted Scriptures in the Bible?
Did Jesus Nail the Law to the Cross?
Is Obedience Optional?
The Obedience of Faith
Doing What is Right
Obedience by the Spirit
What Then Must We Observe?
Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. The "Truth Outside of Time" illustration by Charity. Lacroix, age 17.
Author's note: The
poems in this blog were written by my children, ages ten through seventeen. The "Why This Blog"
post explains how the Lord inspired these poems in answer to a prayer
during illness. I also recommend visiting my children's blog, A Brush with Life,
where you will also find beautiful art they have drawn for the
glory of God. You can access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
_________________________________________________
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
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