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"'. . . that He may teach us about His ways
And that we may walk in His paths.'
For from Zion will go forth the Law
Even the Word of God from Jerusalem."
Micah 4:2
The Argument:
Some Christians say we are not obligated to obey the Laws of the Old Testament, we are
only obligated (no . . . not "obligated," but "it would be better if we
decided to") bring forth the "Fruit of the Spirit" mentioned in Galatians
5. But by refusing to listen to the Words the unchanging Spirit authored before Christ,
the "Fruit of the Spirit" is distorted. The only way to bring forth the Fruit of
the Spirit is to obey God's Law.
All of the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 are commanded by the Law of God in the Old Testament. Paul had nothing less in mind than obedience to the Scriptures.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Man's law, a code of vengeance and "national security," is an expression of the quest of the unregenerated heart for instant gratification. When our neighbor (across the street or across the world) irritates us or frustrates our desire to "be as gods,"[74] "law" (as man calls it) stands ready to incarnate our lust for vengeance. The pound of flesh is extracted, the enemy is destroyed.
And the prophets of the State are only too willing for us to believe that the earthy Scriptures of the Old Testament are also rooted in vengeance, and that the message of the Old Testament is in conflict with the message of the New Testament. This (misinterpreted) message of the Old Testament is thus made the basis for the institutionalization of human vengeance (the State), while the (misinterpreted) message of the New Testament is relegated to personal pieties which cannot "realistically" be applied to the work-day world. How convenient.
The word "longsuffering" occurs only four times in the Old Testament, and in all cases it is God, not man, who is longsuffering.[75] Can it be that man in the Older Testament didn't have to worry about being longsuffering? Nonsense! The very fact that God is longsuffering is precisely the reason we are to be longsuffering. The Apostle Peter tells us, "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written [Leviticus 11:44] 'Be ye holy, for I am holy.'"[76] By telling us that God is longsuffering, the Bible (God's Law) is actually commanding us to be the same! Paul says that the very reason we are shown mercy through Jesus Christ is so that "Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe in Him."[77]
The word "longsuffering" is actually two words, and means "long of anger," i.e., long before getting angry. The thought is that God takes a long, deep breath as He holds His anger in abeyance. As we know, there is a righteous limit to God's patience, and it is understandable for man to be angry.[78] But because God holds His anger, we are to do the same.[79] It is the wicked who lose their temper.[80]
The Greek word for longsuffering (which also means "great breath") is found in the Greek Old Testament which was used by our Lord and the Apostles. It commands us to be longsuffering.[81]
The New American Standard Version translates "longsuffering" as "patience." Does the Old Testament command patience? Of course it does! "Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit."[82] Just as the Lord is slow to anger, we also should be slow to anger.[83]
Would Christians sue each other in secular courts if they were obedient to God's Law and suffered long the sins of others?[84] Christ, "Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered."[85] Shouldn't the Christian be obeying God's Law?[86]
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(74)
Genesis 3:5.(75) Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15; Jeremiah 15:15.
(78) 2 Samuel 12:5. The key is to "be angry and sin not" Ephesians 4:26, quoting Psalm 4:4). But the verse goes on to say "let not the sun go down on your anger," Which means that when someone causes us to be angry, we are to go promptly to them and resolve the source of anger (Matthew 18:15ff.). If they will not repent, we forgive, separate, and leave vengeance to God. In this way, we "put away all anger" (Ephesians 4:31-32).
(81) Proverbs 17:27; 16:32; 15:18; 14:29.
(82) Ecclesiastes 7:8.
(83) Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11.
(86) The Old World Order was not built in a day. Neither will it be overthrown in a day. We will not have the patience to see its downfall, and will continue to be oppressed by it, if we cannot endure with longsuffering those people God brings into our everyday lives.