Great stuff. There is a lot to chew on here. I love so much of this idea of Moses' two trips up the mountain. I love the idea of the transactional law vs. the law of love. I do see potential peril in misreading what is transactional vs. what is love. If I allow myself, I might start to think certain doctrines are transactional because they chafe and simply choose "not to pick that one up." If the children of Israel had seen the requirement for blood on the doorposts or the requirement to look upon the brass serpent as transactional, they would have been among those who perished. I think there is a lot of good here and much to learn from. Thanks, Steve Young (I feel weird saying that :) ).
Loving one's neighbor requires community. Community requires legalism. Christ placed himself in the center of community by receiving baptism from a legal administrator. He, in turn, organized community to minister the gospel. "He that receiveth my servants receiveth me".
Christ did not abolish law, he established himself as the law giver. His law is not based on tradition, letters, and scholars. It is also not based on our own selfish wills, conveniences, and desires. His law is based on revelation to his authorized servants.
Through them, he gives give us instructions for governing the church and administering the ordinances. This legalism is absolutely vital as we submit to authority. It's hard to have community without a meeting schedule, an organized hierarchy, and handbooks. This legalism is powered by our obedience to the first and second great commandments.
The only valid rejection of legalism is the hollow legalism that rejects the authority of Jesus Christ and his servants.
Great stuff. There is a lot to chew on here. I love so much of this idea of Moses' two trips up the mountain. I love the idea of the transactional law vs. the law of love. I do see potential peril in misreading what is transactional vs. what is love. If I allow myself, I might start to think certain doctrines are transactional because they chafe and simply choose "not to pick that one up." If the children of Israel had seen the requirement for blood on the doorposts or the requirement to look upon the brass serpent as transactional, they would have been among those who perished. I think there is a lot of good here and much to learn from. Thanks, Steve Young (I feel weird saying that :) ).
Loving one's neighbor requires community. Community requires legalism. Christ placed himself in the center of community by receiving baptism from a legal administrator. He, in turn, organized community to minister the gospel. "He that receiveth my servants receiveth me".
Christ did not abolish law, he established himself as the law giver. His law is not based on tradition, letters, and scholars. It is also not based on our own selfish wills, conveniences, and desires. His law is based on revelation to his authorized servants.
Through them, he gives give us instructions for governing the church and administering the ordinances. This legalism is absolutely vital as we submit to authority. It's hard to have community without a meeting schedule, an organized hierarchy, and handbooks. This legalism is powered by our obedience to the first and second great commandments.
The only valid rejection of legalism is the hollow legalism that rejects the authority of Jesus Christ and his servants.