The Christmas Conspiracy

THREE: "THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS: ABOLISHED OR CONFIRMED?

LAW

THE THIRD ARCHETYPE

"'. . . 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.

Gentleness is Commanded in the Older Testament

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When God says "A gentle answer turns away wrath,"[87] He isn't just making an idle observation. If the LORD says it, we had better obey it! God tells us that He is gentle,[88] and since we are to be like Him, we are therefore to be gentle.

The New American Standard Version translates this fruit of the Spirit as "kindness." If we wish God to be kind to us, then we had better show kindness to others.[89] "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck."[90] "What is desirable in a man is his kindness."[91] If a mere man said that kindness was desirable, I might pay him attention, but I might not. But when God speaks, I dare not ignore Him.

The Prophet Hosea says that the LORD commands kindness: "

Listen to the Word of the LORD, O sons of Israel, for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness, or kindness, or knowledge of God in the land. Therefore, return to your God, observe kindness, and justice, and wait for your God continually."[92]

Micah told his Old Testament hearers that the LORD "has told you . . . to love kindness." Where? It can't be only in the New Testament! Only in Galatians 5:22?

"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?."[93]

The same Greek word used in Galatians 5:22 is used in the Greek Old Testament, where in Psalm 37:3 and 119:66 we are told to love kindness.

Finally,

The Word of the LORD came to Zechariah saying, Thus has the LORD of hosts said, Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger of the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another."[94]

Christ did not come to set aside the Law of the Old Testament.[95] Shouldn't the Christian be obeying God's Law?[96]

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

NOTES

(87) Proverbs 15:1, NASV.

(88) Psalm 18:35; 145:17.

(89) Psalm 18:25; cf. Matthew 6:14-15.

(90) Proverbs 3:3.

(91) Proverbs 19:22.

(92) Hosea 4:1; 12:6.

(93) Micah 6:8.

(94) Zechariah 7:8-10.

(95) Matthew 5:17.

(96) The weapons of our warfare against the Old World Order are not manufactured by the Military-Industrial Complex (2 Corinthians 10:4). They are manufactured each day of our lives, as we respond to the ignorance of others with gentleness.