Acts 7:35 This Moses whom they refused saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? The same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Have you ever told God that you are not going to do something only to find yourself years latter doing the very thing that you said that you were not going to do? History is full of examples of individuals who told God that they were not going to do something only to find God directing them to do that very thing.

How many times have you heard of some young lady who said to her friends that she would never marry a certain man only to find several years later falling in love with that very man? How many times have you heard some individual say that they would never live in a certain area only to find themselves several years later living in that very area? How many times have you heard of some individual say that they would not do a certain type of work only to find themselves several years later doing that type of work?

This is what happened to the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel had questioned the authority of Moses to be their deliverer and now 40 years later, Moses is coming back to be their ruler. While this generation of Jews would have a lot of problem with the authority of Moses, we see during the time of Jesus, the Jews were used to hiding behind their interpretation of the law of Moses in order to deny giving any attention of Jesus. Rather than listen to the prophets and what they said about the coming Messiah, the religious leaders relied upon the authority of Moses to enable them to remain in control over the lives of the people.

You need to be careful that you do not ever categorically say that you will never do something. You do not know what the will of God is for your life tomorrow let alone next year or 10 years from now. How you feel about something today does not mean that this is how you will feel about the subject several years from now. The obnoxious fifteen year-old boy who the girl said she would never marry will most likely mature quite a bit over the next 10 years.

In the same way that God has changed you with time, so also has HE helped change others with time. If you make categorical statements about not doing something, you will fight against God in now doing that thing because you feel your reputation is on the line. You want your yes to be yes and your no to be no. Your pride now makes it difficult for you to do that thing that you said you would never do some time ago.

You do not want to find yourself in a position that you are fighting against God because of pride. You do not want to disobey God’s perfect will for your life because you do not want to lose face in front of several of your friends. It is probably best that you never put yourself in the position that you categorically say that you will never do something because you never know what God is going to do in your life. You need to remain free to do the perfect will of God. You do not need to be putting up artificial obstacles in front of God to make it harder for you to hear and follow HIS still small voice.

Be patient with God and learn not to make rash decisions about people, places, or occupations. You do not know all the lessons that God has for you and others and you do not know how God is going to use the experiences in your life and in the lives of others to help facilitate HIS will.

Galatians 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

In this passage, Paul is analogizing the covenant that God made with Abraham dealing with Ishmael and the covenant that God made with Abraham dealing with Isaac. Ishmael was the son born of the slave Hagar, while Isaac was the son of Promise born of Sarah.

Paul is using the picture of Hagar being in bondage when she had Ishmael to represent the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses was given by God at Mount Sinai. However this law was not a law of freedom but was a law that contained a lot of “thou shalt not”. For the Jews, they had to abide by this very strict code in order to please God. It was a law that could not be completely satisfied. Hagar was the slave of Sarah and there eventually came a time where she was let go because she could not please her mistress.

Isaac was the promise child; he was a gift from God. While Ishmael was part son and part slave, Isaac was completely free. Paul analogizes the birth of Isaac with the Christian walk. In the same way that Isaac did not have to worry about losing his place as a son of Abraham so also, as Christians, we do not have to worry about following a complex set of sacrificial rituals in order to maintain our position as sons of God.

Because Ishmael was the son of Abraham, God promised that Ishmael would be a great nation. In the same way, the nation of Israel has a special blessing just because they are God’s chosen people. As Christians, our relationship with God is not one based upon our heritage; our relationship with God is based upon our freedom to choose to abstain from the things of this world and to pursue the things of God.

Two sons, one is blessed because he was the son of Abraham and one was blessed because he was the promised son of Abraham. Two sons, one was a son of bondage and one was the son of freedom. The Jews serve the Living God through their bondage of sacrifices and the rituals required of the Law of Moses. The Christians serve the Living God through their freedom knowing that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Freedom is not free. The freedom we experience in Christianity is a result of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made upon the cross. Just as Adam and Eve had the choice to sin or not to sin, so also, we have the choice whether to follow the perfect will of God or to sin and do that which is right in our own eyes. Abraham tried to make the promises of God occur in his timing rather than the perfect timing of God and all Abraham did was make a mess.

As Christians we do not have to worry about making sacrifices to atone for our sins as we know that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice. The freedom that God has given us is not to be used on ourselves and our own selfish desires. The freedom from sacrifice does not permit us to break the law whenever we want. Just because the Jews had a long list of sacrifices to atone for their sins, it did not give them liberty to break the law.

We do not want to follow the example of Abraham who was so caught up in the promise that he tried to make it happen in his own way and his own timing. We must add temperance to our life and understand that we are living in the freedom of God and that we must wait for HIS timing to fulfill the promises that HE has made unto us.

Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Christ has just completed the Sermon on the Mount. In this verse, we are told the response of the people who heard the commands of Christ. We are told that the people were astonished. According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, astonish means amazed, confounded with fear, surprise, or admiration. The commands of Christ found in the Sermon on the Mount was not what people expected to hear.

In the next verse, we are told that Christ had said these words as one who had authority, and we are also told that he did not speak as the religious leaders of the day. You must understand, the commands of Christ are a radical change from the traditions of their fathers. The Jews have been living their entire life making sure that they were following the traditions and making the right sacrifices at the right time so as to make sure that they pleased God.

All of a sudden, here comes a man speaking with authority telling them that God is more concerned with their heart then HE is with their actions. Their entire focus has been upon what they could do for God so that they can earn HIS good pleasure. Now all of a sudden, here is a man who is telling them that if their heart is not right, God is not pleased with them.

The Sermon on the Mount is really the first major direction from God about how the nation of Israel was to order its life since Moses received the law. While Christ made clear that HE was not here to abolish the law, this new law really was much different from the traditions that the Jews had been following for many years.

The problem with the Jews was not that they were not capable of having a personal relationship with God, the problem was that the Jews were so focused upon the law that they failed to maintain the relationship that God desired to have with HIS people.

David is just one example of an Israelite who had a personal relationship with God. We are told that David had a heart after the heart of God. David understood that HIS relationship with God was the most important thing. Saul on the other hand was focused upon himself and while both David and Saul had sinned, God showed great mercy upon the house of David because of the relationship that David had with God.

The Law of Moses was filled with many things that the Israelites were to do and what they were not to do. Because the nation became so focused upon traditions, they lost sight of God. Christ was concerned about restoring that relationship with God and as such, HE taught us in this passage where the proper focus is to be so that we can live a life pleasing to God.

It is easy to go to church and just do the motions each week. You can wear nice clothing, you can sing the songs, you can close your eyes and hear the prayers, and you can say amen at the appropriate times during the sermon. You can fool a lot of people into believing that you are a good person, but God looks at your heart and your righteousness is as filthy rags.

You must take the time to add knowledge of the ways of God to your life. As you focus your attention upon what God desires you to do, you will learn that God is concerned about your relationship with HIM. Your focus should not be on traditions but on the relationship.

Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

In this passage, Jesus is laying out a higher standard for Christians. The Ten Commandments state that one should not kill. Jesus likens anger to that of killing. Jesus is making clear that God is not only concerned with your actions, but also with your thoughts. Before, the Jews could only sin by committing wrong acts. Now, Jesus is showing us the perfect law and the perfect law states that sin begins in the heart.

If you desire to add knowledge of the ways of God, the Sermon on the Mount is an important passage to study. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ commands us how we are to live our lives. Many of the teachings of Jesus in this passage are counter-intuitive. Nonetheless, if you desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord, then you must carefully study and apply the teachings of Christ so that God can be glorified through your life.

Most people will agree that killing another human being is wrong. Cain was the first man who committed the sin of murder. We know that God placed a mark on Cain protecting Cain from the vengeance of others. At this time, God was the ultimate judge and he did not allow man to sit in judgment of another man. After the flood, God told Noah in Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

After the flood, God established the civil government to punish those who had committed murder. The law that God gave to Noah was further clarified in the law that God gave to Moses. In the 10 Commandments, God made it clear that Thou shalt not kill. God also made a place of refuge for those who had accidentally killed where they could be safe from the judgment of the next of kin.

Christ is now revealing to us the higher standards of the ways of God. God will judge our thoughts. The simple act of getting angry without cause in the eyes of God is the same as murder. Jesus revealed to us that there is a place for righteous anger when HE cleared the temple of the money changers. However, you must remember that you are not perfect like Jesus was and thus, any time you start getting angry, you better be concerned that you are not endangering yourself to the wrath of God.

You will never be able to fully understand who God is. You are a sinful man and God is Holy and pure with no beginning and no end. Nonetheless, you can understand the standard by which God will judge you. If you do not live according to the perfect standard of God, you have sinned and you must confess your sins and accept the blood of Jesus to cover your sins.

If you murdered someone, you know you have sinned and that would be a sin that you know you would need to confess. However, it is sometimes hard to remember every time you have been angry at someone else. That is one reason why Jesus told us to not let the sun go down on our wrath. This means that we must take the time each night to confess our sins of anger with God so that we keep a short list of sins with God. By coming before God daily to ask God to forgive us, we almost eliminate the chance of forgetting about a sin that needs to be confessed. If you desire to live your life according to the perfect standard of God, then you must control your anger.

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Man may judge you according to your actions. An important lesson that is learned during the Sermon on the Mount is that God will judge you based upon your thoughts. The Law of Moses stated that man should not commit adultery. However, Jesus did not come and destroy the Law of Moses, instead, Jesus revealed to the world that God does not judge you simply upon your actions, instead, God looks at the heart and HE judges you based upon your thoughts. Jesus said that a man could commit adultery not only in the bedroom but also and more importantly the man can commit adultery in the mind.

The thoughts that you think are more important then you can imagine. When you fill your mind with the things of God, God can use the fruit of your life to draw many to HIM. However, if you fill your mind with the garbage of this world, while you can put up a fake front of your own spirituality, God has no incentive to use you because eventually, your sins will find you out and all the good that you did will be destroyed.

God does care about your actions, but HE cares just as much about your heart and mind. If you do not control your mind and allow the things of this world to take top priority, how do you expect God to be able to fill you will HIS presence and guide you in the way you should go? Imagine having a single glass. For some reason you decide to fill your glass with poison because you like the look of it. Now imagine that you are thirsty and need a drink of water. You cannot simply dump out the poison and now drink the refreshing water you need, traces of the poison are going to remain in the glass.

There is not room in your mind for both the things of God or the things of man. Jesus taught you that you cannot serve two masters. Are you going to choose to serve yourself and do that which is right in your own eyes, or are you going to choose to serve God and do that which is right in the eyes of God?

When you add virtue to your life, you are choosing to fill up your glass with the things of God. Thus, when you need God’s wisdom for a difficult decision, you do not have to worry about the poison that is in your mind, instead, you can be assured that because your mind is right before God, your spiritual glass is clean and ready for you to receive the spiritual direction that you need.

No one requires that you add virtue to your life just as no one requires that you change the oil in your car. However, whether it is here on this earth or at the judgment seat of God, you will be judged according to every thought, feeling and action just as eventually, the car will have mechanical problems if you fail to properly maintain it. As a Christian, you may for a period of time be able to live a life pleasing to the Lord, but eventually, if you do not fill your mind with the things of God, your effectiveness for God will cease.

God will judge everyone for every thought that violates HIS law. If you desire to live your life pleasing to HIM, you must fill your mind with the things of God so that the things of this world will not quickly fill the void. Virtue is the tool that God gave you to think on that which is pleasing to HIM.

Ruth 2:7a And she said, I pray you let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves:

Scripture tells us that Ruth was a virtuous woman and that the entire community recognized the virtue that dwelled within her. One of the things that Ruth did in order to demonstrate to the community that virtue dwelled within her was that she asked to glean in Boaz’ field. According to the Law of Moses, it was her right to glean; yet Ruth did not assert her rights but instead, humbled herself by going to the individual in charge and requested that she be permitted to glean.

By asking for permission to do what she had the right to do, Ruth gained favor with the head of Boaz’ field. They knew who Ruth was and why she was there and as such, they did not build up any resentment towards the foreigner who was gleaning in the field. If Ruth had just showed up and started working, the head of the field would have seen her but not known who she was and naturally would have allowed some resentment of this foreign woman who chose to glean in the field he was responsible for.

By humbling herself, and asking for permission, Ruth demonstrated to those around her the inward character of virtue. As you go through life, you too have the obligation to ensure that you remain humble and not assert rights but instead do those things that will cause others to see Christ through you. Christ is the Son of God. HE has all authority. While Christ was on the earth, HE did not come as a proud man desiring to show the world HIS’ power. Instead, Christ came as a meek and lowly lamb. Christ humbled HIMSELF and did not assert HIMSELF upon others but allowed others to come to HIM.

God is your Maker. HE could demand that you accept the gift of salvation that is given you through Jesus Christ. However, HE instead allows you to make the choice whether you are going to accept HIS gift. While it is within HIS power and authority to control your life and dwell in your heart, HE desires that you give HIM the permission to do that which HE is entitled to do already.

Just as Ruth humbled herself and asked permission to glean and as God has humbled HIMSELF to give you the choice whether to accept HIS gift, so too must you learn to humble yourself rather than asserting your rights. Because Ruth remained humbled, those around her saw her inward character and this opened the door for Boaz to later be willing to marry her and support her even though she was a foreigner.

People are watching you. They do not care how well you know the rules. Instead, they are looking to see how you treat them. People do not want to be treated as mere objects that you use to live your life. You are just another human, there is nothing special about you, and thus you should be willing to humble yourself so that God receives the glory.

You never know how God is going to use those around you today to help you fulfill HIS perfect will for your life tomorrow. You cannot afford to live your life with a superior attitude. Instead, you must follow the example of Ruth and be willing to humble yourself even when it is not required to humble yourself. By demonstrating a humble spirit, God can use others to open doors that you could never image being opened up today.

Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

Scripture tells us that Ruth was a virtuous woman and that the entire community recognized the virtue that dwelled within her. One of the things that Ruth did to demonstrate to Boaz and the community that she was virtuous occurred when she arrived in Bethlehem. Ruth diligently sought for a way to support Naomi and herself. Ruth did not go out and beg, but instead, she must have taken the time to understand the law how she was entitled to follow the reapers in the field and pick up that which they dropped.

Ruth did not sit around and wait to see how God would provide for her and Naomi. Instead, she was proactive in her approach and she quickly learned what her rights were and how she could work in such a way as to put food on the table. Ruth was a foreigner and as such, would not naturally know her rights under the Law of Moses. However, Ruth took the time to understand her position under the law and then conform her actions in accordance with the law so that Naomi and her might live. Ruth demonstrated her inward character to the community by learning the Law of Moses and following the law to provide food to eat.

It is one thing to call yourself a Christian, it is a whole other thing to learn the laws of God and apply them to your life. One way that you demonstrate to others that you have added virtue to your life is by diligently studying the word of God. Life brings many difficult decisions your way. You can do what seems best in your own eyes, or you can study the word of God to see what God would have you to do. It is the fool who thinks that God does not have a perfect plan and a way to direct every aspect of their life. To God there is no such thing as a small decision.

There is a purpose to your life and you must take the time to see what God would have you to do. You will never enjoy the benefit of living a life set apart for God if you never allow God to speak in your life and show you the way that HE would have you to go. If you fill your time with the things of this world, then you will not understand the narrow path that God has for you and you will miss the blessings HE has for those who chose to follow HIM. However, if you are careful in your way and you allow HIM to direct your path, then HE will be able to shut doors that HE does not desire you to go through and HE can open doors that HE desires you to take. Because you take the time to study HIS will, the world will see God through you.

In the same way that Ruth studied the Law of Moses to understand her right to glean so as not to enter the profession of prostitution or professional beggar, so too must you study the ways of God to see how you should live your life for the glory of God. You cannot afford to do whatever you feel is right; you must learn to do God’s will.

The individual who adds virtue to their life will take the time to read the Bible, pray and sometimes fast in order to determine God’s will and direction for their life. Those around the virtuous individual will see the inward character of the individual as they strive to pattern their life after Jesus Christ by following in HIS’ footsteps.

Proverbs 31:28b her husband also, and he praiseth her.

The woman who has chosen to allow virtue to permeate her life has chosen a high calling for her life. She is not like every other woman. She has chosen to live her life so that others might succeed. She has chosen to live her life so that when others look at her, they understand that there is something different about her.

According to the Law of Moses, if a husband felt that his wife had been unfaithful he was allowed to bring his wife before the priest who would make her drink a mixture of holy water and dirt. If she was faithful, then God would allow this mixture to have no consequence upon her life, however, if she had committed adultery, then the mixture would be her curse.

A virtuous woman would never have to worry about her husband being jealous of her because her choice to add virtue to her life has caused her husband to safely trust in her. She knows that she is valuable in her husband’s eyes. She understands that because she has decided to choose inward character rather than doing what everyone else is doing, in her husband’s heart, she is the most valuable thing to him; more valuable then rubies.

Her husband does not simply sit back and enjoy the fact that his wife has chosen to live her life so that he is successful. Her husband does not take for granted that he has married a woman who because of the choices she has made has enabled him to do more then he could have done had he not married or had he married just any other girl. No, the virtuous woman’s husband recognizes what she means to him and he lets everyone know through the words of his mouth that she is highly respected and worthy of praise.

When you chose to add virtue to your life, your life will naturally start affecting those who God has place around you. No longer will you simply be living your life for yourself, but instead your focus will be upon God and what you can do for HIM. As you diligently live your life for HIS glory, God will cause those whom you have touched to rise up and praise you. This praise is not for you to become proud and self-righteous, this praise is to encourage you that the path you have chosen is right, and that others are grateful for the positive impact that you have had upon their life.

The reason you have chosen to add virtue to your life is not because you desire the praises of man. However, one of the benefits of doing what is right before God is that others will see your conscience choice serve the Lord and they will let you know how your life has benefited them.

You have a choice to make. You can chose to add virtue to your life and to see what God can do through you because you have chosen to put HIM first in your life, or you can chose to live for yourself and see how the world treats you. If you chose to live for God, you will touch the lives of many and they will let you know how you have blessed them. If you chose to live for yourself, do not expect the praises of man; you can expect the flattery of man as they try to use you for their own selfish desires. The choice is yours; how do you desire others to remember you? What legacy do you want to leave for those who come after you? The praises of man for doing right is always better than flattery.

Acts 28:26-27 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Paul was a prisoner in Rome and many of the Jewish leaders came to his house and permitted him to share the truth of what he believed. These leaders where naturally against him because of the things that they had heard indicated to them that the things Paul was going to share was a false religion. Nonetheless, they were willing to hear what Paul had to share and they set a time by which they could hear his argument.

Paul understood that he had an audience that was prejudiced against him. Nonetheless, he was wise in that he used the Law of Moses and the prophets to explain the truth of Jesus Christ. Nonetheless, even though Paul used sources that would be understood by his listeners, not all of them were willing to accept the truth. Those who disagreed with Paul left and Paul reminded those who remained with him that the prophet Isaiah had once prophesied that there would be those who hear but do not understand. These individuals would allow the hardness of their heart to prevent them from being convicted of the truth.

All around you there are individuals who can hear the truth but will not accept it. It will not matter how persuasive you are, they have allowed their hearts to harden. Because of the hardness of their hearts, they will hear the truth, but the truth will not set them free. You must understand that while you have a duty to share the truth of God’s word with others, it is not in your hands whether or not they will positively respond.

Paul was wise in that he restrained from sharing these controversial words until the dissenters had left. Upon sharing the words of Isaiah, Paul then told those who remained that the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles and that the Gentiles would hear it. After these words, the Jews that remained left Paul�s presence and they reasoning among themselves.

God desires that you be willing to step out and share the truth with those around you. Do not be afraid that your audience might reject you. Instead, it is your duty to obey God and to teach others the truth that God has given to you. Take the time to ensure that your motives are right before God. Do not allow yourself to be thinking more highly of yourself then you ought. Remember, it is God who has put you in the position that you are in and that it is God who ultimately is responsible for the results that you receive. Rather then be proud of your accomplishments for God, you should diligently seek HIS face to see how you might be more effective for God.

The Jewish leaders were religious yet many of them were not willing to set their minds upon that which is true and honest. They were religious but they were not willing to allow the conviction of God to change their thoughts, feelings and actions. Paul also was religious, but because he had added virtue to his life, he was willing to allow God to take him wherever so that God might be glorified through his life. Religion is not the important thing; the important thing is where your heart and mind are.

Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Paul was a prisoner in Rome. However, rather than being locked up with all the other prisoners, Paul was permitted to dwell by himself in his own house with his own private soldier. Because Paul had his own house, Paul was able to minister more freely then he would have been able to do had he been in prison.

Once Paul reached Rome, one of the first things he did was he called for the Jews. The Jews acknowledged that the Jews in Jerusalem had not sent any message to them regarding Paul. While the Jews had not heard anything about Paul, they had heard about those who preached Jesus and they acknowledged that everything they heard was not good. Nonetheless, they were willing to give Paul audience and as such, they set a day were many of the Jewish leaders came into Paul’s house to hear Paul teach.

Paul may have been the captive, yet he was able to captivate the Jews with his speech for an entire day. From the morning until the evening, Paul spoke to the Jews about Jesus using only the sources that the Jews held as authoritative. Paul did not use his life changing experience on the road to Damascus as a reason why the Jews should believe Jesus is the Messiah. Paul used both the law of Moses and the prophets to show the Jews that Jesus was the One that they were looking for.

Paul understood the scriptures so well that for an entire day, he was able to use them to captivate the Jews in Rome. As a result of Paul’s teaching, some of the Jews believed. Paul demonstrated the importance of understanding your audience. Paul was as wise as a serpent yet as harmless as a dove.

Paul had set his mind on converting the Jews and as such, he ensured that he was prepared with the right message that enabled him to speak all day without losing his audience. Paul did not go into this meeting simply saying whatever felt right; Paul was calculated in his approach so as to ensure that the maximum harvest for the Lord would be received. Paul knew his audience and thus prepared his message accordingly.

When you add virtue to your life, your perspective in life changes. No longer are you concerned about yourself, but instead you are seeking the will of God. Virtue changes your desires. No longer do the desires of the world consume you. Instead, the desire to do the will of God becomes your ultimate gain. Rather then spending your time seeing how you might obtain more things for yourself, you will spend your time seeing how God might open a door so you can do HIS will.

Paul was well prepared for this meeting with the Jews. He had prepared his heart, his mind and his message so that God could use him to reach many. Paul was not in charge of the result; Paul was only responsible for preparing himself so that God could use him. You too need to follow the example of Paul and live your life in such a way that regardless of your circumstances, God can use you to do many mighty things for HIM.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

How many times have you heard someone say that because we live in the age of grace, the law is of no effect? In Matthew 5:17, Jesus told us, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” The simple truth is that Jesus never said that the law was over and neither did the Apostle Paul. God no longer requires the sacrifices outlined in the Old Testament. These sacrifices are not necessary because God made the Perfect Sacrifices that made the need for animal sacrifices no longer necessary. The main difference between before Christ and after Christ is that instead of us making a sacrifice to appease our guilty conscience, now one only needs to turn to Jesus Christ and ask HIM to blot out all your sins.

The law of Moses was that thou shalt not kill. Jesus did not make void the law of Moses, but instead HE said that if you hates your brother, it is the same as killing. The law of Moses was that you should not commit adultery. Jesus did not make that law void, but instead stated that if a man even looked at a woman and lusted for her, he committed adultery in his heart. The law of Moses was that you should have no other God’s before the One True God. Jesus did not make void the law of Moses, but instead, HE told you that you are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.

Just because the sacrifice changed, it does not mean that the law has changed. Before sin entered into the world, everything was perfect. Because man now does that which is right in their own eyes, God established basic laws of what man must do to be right with God. However, sin has made it impossible for you to completely obey God and as such, God created a sacrifice so that you can still have a relationship with HIM.

God does not desire to not have fellowship with you. Instead, HE yearns for you to have a personal relationship with HIM. However, if you do not obey the law, you depart from the presence of God and you place yourself in a position where you cannot have fellowship with HIM. By faith, you understand that God is your Creator and that HE has not changed and that HE has established a perfect law that you have fallen short of. By faith you accept the law and accept the perfect sacrifice so that you might have a renewed relationship with God your Creator.

One who does not have faith does that which is right in their own eyes. While they may be saying that they believe in a God, their actions do not substantiate the words of their mouth. Instead, their actions demonstrate that they are their own boss and that they can do whatever they want whenever they want. When you choose to live by faith, you demonstrate to the world that there is a higher calling, that there is a God, and that there is a perfect law that one must live by.

By faith you obey God’s commandments so that you can have sweet fellowship with HIM. By faith the law of God is established through you as the world sees you honor the Lord with your actions. Your faith should create a desire in you to do that which is right in the eyes of God. By faith you please God and demonstrate to all the need for the law and the need for a personal relationship with God.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

You are not saved by the law but by faith. While you are commanded to do good works, your good works will not save you. You can obey every law in the Bible but until you take a step of faith, you will not be innocent of your sins.

During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees and the Sadducees sought to be justified by the law. They obey their laws down to the last detailed. However, they were not any closer to God because of it. Yes, they received the praises of men. Nonetheless, they did not recognize Jesus for who HE really was and they crucified the One who they had been waiting for.

Because the Pharisees and Sadducees were so focused on the law and not on listening to the words of Christ, they missed the whole message. If you remain so focused upon the law, you will miss the opportunity to live by faith. Instead of focusing your attention upon being legalistic, you need to focus your attention on listening to the Holy Spirit. You will miss many blessings that could have been yours if you had just been willing to stop and seek God.

When Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha, Martha was so busy trying to please Jesus by how good of a host she could be that she failed to hear the words of the Master. Martha desired to please Jesus, but she was doing it in the wrong way. She was trying to please HIM by doing what she could do. What Jesus desired that Martha do was stop, sit down and listen to HIM speak. Until you hear the voice of God, you will never be able to live by faith.

We like to be in control. We like to determine what we do next. Living by faith does not allow us to be in control of our own life. Living by faith requires that we spend time being patient listening to HIM. Living by faith is similar to a horse and his master out for a ride. The horse may desire to be finished and go back to the barn for feeding. The horse probably is comfortable in its routine. However, what happens if the master changes the routine. What if after finishing the normal lap the master guides the horse down a new trail? Will the horse be attentive to its master’s signals and go to a new destination, or will it balk and demand that the master stay within the horse’s comfort level?

Living by faith is how you are commanded to live your life. You are not commanded to live by the law but by faith. Granted, both living by faith and living by the law require obedience. However, living by the law allows you to make the law and your works the most important thing. You receive the credit when you obey the law. However, when you live by faith, God is the one who receives the glory.

You cannot afford to become legalistic. If you focus your attention upon the law, your law will become more important to you then people. It is not your obedience to your laws that will make you righteous. It is not your diligent observance to your doctrine that will make you innocent. It is your ability to listen to the voice of God and to do what HE has said. It is when you take that step of faith that enables you to live a life pleasing to God.