Black and White

August 17, 2013

“I wish that the New Testament was as clear with laws as the Old Testament.  You have to figure out what the New Testament is saying; it is not black and white.”  

I heard someone say this and was a bit baffled.  I believe that the New Testament is as clear as the Old Testament.  “The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17).   We may be under grace now, but that does not mean that the law no longer applies.  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  All Scripture includes the Old Testament Law.  Thankfully God saw that we were dumb and that it was not achievable for us to keep the law without failing, and so sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die, and make a way for us to be able to have eternal life with Him.  The New Testament is full of instructions on how to live.  It IS black and white.  Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (Mark 12: 30)...  Be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6)… Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)…Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10)… Do not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:24)… Do not boast (James 3:14)… Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth(Colossians 3:15)… … Go into all the world (Matthew 28: 19-20)… "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  And do this, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13: 11-14).If you can say that it is not black and white on how we are to live then it is time to open up the leather bound book and dive into its pages!  It is very clear.  Thank You God for Your Word and instruction in how to live.