Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Law Misunderstood

The Law Misunderstood 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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There are three misconceptions that most people entertain about the law of God and its Ten Commandments:

1. Most people have a vague notion that the law always was in existence and that it must have been given to the first man, Adam, or soon after. Actually, God gave the law to Moses for Israel about 1500 B.C., after about 2500 years of human history had elapsed (John 1:17). So mankind lived on earth for about 2500 years without the law or the Ten Commandments.
2. Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to mankind in general, while, in fact, it was given to Israel alone (Deuteronomy 5:2,3).
3. Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to help us to do right. Even some clergymen teach this, although the Bible clearly teaches that they were given to show us that we are guilty sinners.

It is true that the law, while given to Israel, also shows the Gentile that he is a sinner. This is why Romans 3:19 says:

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God.”

But most important of all: Few people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins to deliver us from the just condemnation of the law. This is taught in the following Scriptures:

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…” (Gal.3:13). 

“For God hath made Him to be sin for us, [Christ] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Cor.5:21). 

“For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE” (Rom.6:14).

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Wordless Wednesday And A Joke

Yellow Scallop Moth (Anomis erosa)
Thanks Wiregrass Steve!

Not much going on here thus the cop out. :) Hope your day is blessed.

Sunday Post: Studying God's Word

[Sorry about the video size. I can't figure out how to squish it down.]

I enjoy the traditional hymns best, don’t you?

My memory is getting atrocious. It was someone else’s pearls of wisdom that prompted this post otherwise there would be first a credit for this inspiration.

Paraphrasing, I’m sure, but here goes: “It is better to listen to God first before prayer.”

I know that’s rather simplistic but truth usually is.

In other words, it is better to READ God's Word than to talk excessively AT Him making requests, therefore ignoring His voice. Reading His Word faithfully is one of my many failings. I’m too busy, too tired, too bored, too distracted, too hungry and plethora of other excuses. I am proficient at submitting requests to our tolerant Lord or to pray for others. That’s easy. Make no mistake, though, prayer is key to one of our many wondrous, privileged communications with our loving Saviour. I hope I’m learning that it’s equally, maybe more so, important to listen to Him speak to me first before making my wishes known. Especially since I tend to get the wrong end of the stick in many situations.

So since there are no more burning bushes or pillars of smoke or tablets of stone to guide us, in this “present evil age” [Galatians 1:4] He has chosen to speak to us through His written Word. And the Word was “made flesh” [John 1:14] in our Lord Jesus Christ. Reading His Word is to listen to Jesus talk to us, and therein lays peace. This truth is revealed numerous times in His Holy Word.

Be as the Bereans and “search the Word daily to see if it is so”. [Acts 17:11]

I hope that makes sense. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of reading to do. :)

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

[II Timothy 2:15] NKJV

Mischievous Country Wickedness

We suffered a mild vandalism last night. Our house sits 350' from the dirt road on almost 7 acres of tranquility. Many years ago, I had an electric gate, lights, etc. installed at the entrance to insure privacy. And because I try to always exhibit community pride, there are pretty decorations and flowers meant to please all who pass by.

It’s my little Corner of Zen and a friendly wave to all.

Last evening someone on a UTV (like a 4 wheeler but can seat 2 or more) tore my husband’s hand painted bird gourd down, flinging it with great force at the gate entrance. Then proceeded to leave 3 beer cans and container. Thank heavens the Carolina Wren's are done nesting or I would have went ballistic in every Irish sense of the word and sought the villains out to do unspeakable things to their body parts. I still was SO ANGRY at first but have pretty much calmed down since. I don't think we were singled out but still feel a little violated. 

I get asked sometimes as to why we're not friends with many of the neighbors. This is why. I dislike saying it, but my impression of the reason many that live in the country are here because they're losers. These fish eyed mental midgets can't cut it in a neighborhood where one must be civil or suffer the consequences. I pick up the leavings of their dull, zero purpose lives almost daily on our walks.

This event has helped me to finally decide to call Mr. B. to install security cameras that has been discussed in days past. I dislike going this route but it looks like this may be our only option. Catch the perp’ on camera. Call the police. Let them handle it. Well, I call them police, in the loosest sense of the word. Just between you, me and the fence post, the local law force is more like the Keystone Cops. Good luck with that, right?!

If we go that route, I'll be sure to share a post that guarantees to be imbued with snarky comments and all. Right now, I pray that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Throw Back Thursday: 1973 Titusville Florida

May 1973

Astronaut High School Junior-Senior Prom

This is a scanned image of an old, worn polaroid of your's truly and my first boyfriend, Bill Anderson, in Titusville, Florida. I don't remember the dance but I'm sure it was enjoyable. The early '70s where still a time of innocence for America. It was also a time of fantastic music that still lives on today. Anyway, I remember Bill as a gentle, kind hearted, jolly, generous fellow. The following year we went our separate ways but I always think fondly of our time together. Time has obscured the reasons for the split. We both went on to marry good, loving people and have productive happy lives.

My step-mom, Myra, made the dress. She made almost all my clothes. Myra was so talented, she could have been a professional seamstress. I learned a lot about sewing from her for which I am eternally grateful.

Hope your day is blessed.