Old and New: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

You are grown-ups now

If you read the first four books of the Bible that describe early Israelite life (Exodus through Deuteronomy), you will come away with several profound impressions. First, the God of Israel cared passionately about sustaining a faith relationship with those people and would stop at nothing to take care of them. Second, there was a streak of rebellion in the people that flared up constantly. Third, to help keep them together, keep them distinct from corrupting influences around them, and keep them focused on him, God established a detailed set of laws to regulate their personal, social, and religious life.

This was no democracy. The people didn’t vote on their laws. The laws were simply imposed from on high and got the basic job done. When Christ came to earth, he found people who were still faithful to God and ready for him. “The law was put in charge to lead us until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law” (Galatians 3:24,25).

Through Christ, God changed the style of his covenant relationship with people from law to faith-freedom. His basic moral commandments are timeless, of course, but the laws governing details of civic and religious life are no longer needed.

God treats you like a grown-up now. Act like it.