Christ came to fulfill the Law, and with His death He satisfied the wrath of God for all who believe. What a blessing it is to us that He has already paid the penalty for our sins so that we might enjoy a right relationship to the Father. Verse 17 is fairly easy to understand and comprehend but it is followed by some strange thoughts that need further investigation. What does God mean that whoever breaks these commandments will be least in the kingdom of heaven. I did not know there would be hierarchy of perfection in heaven. The outcomes of disobedience for those who believe seems to be an area of Scripture that is not clear.
What is clear however, is the command to be righteous and love righteousness. And that seems to be the theme of the whole sermon. It is a connection to the Beattitude, Blessed are those who thirst and hunger for righteousness, for they will be filled. We do not gain access to God through our righteousness because we would not measure up, but our hearts, once we find Christ, should love righteousness. If we do not love righteousness, then we should reflect on what grace and salvation really are, because maybe we do not realize the fullness of our salvation.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Aeneid
In my classes I have had the joy of teaching some of the greatest works of literature from Western Civilization. One of my favorites is the epic poem, The Aeneid, in which Aeneas escapes the burning city of Troy in order to found a new Troy, which became the mighty power of Rome. The peom is extremely engaging on several levels, but I believe it is most important to understand the purpose of Virgil in writing the poem, especially in our culture today. The main purpose of writing the Aeneid was to validate the current leadership of the Roman empire and to envoke partriotism in the Roman citizen. These are two concepts that desprately need to be instilled in our young people today.
The undercurrent of the poem which drew out the other purpose of the book was to display the virtuous character of Aeneas as he put all other distractions aside in the name of destiniy and duty. There are really two parts to the poem in which we see Aeneas transform from a man of distraction and worldly concerns to a man of purpose, intensity, and courage. Throughout the first five books we see Aeneas distracted by the circumstances of his situation at sea, the downfall of his great city Troy, the distraction of meeting a woman Dido, the joy of playing games and competition, but all of these things kept him from the main purpose of his destiny. In Book six we see Aeneas enter the underworld to visit is father and there is able to see the future of the Roman empire. From then on he is driven to fulfill the destiny he had before him without the distraction of circumstances, girls, and games.
As he enters the shores of Italy, the gods intervene and provide for him the advantage to overcome the Latin adversaries led by Turnus. He is given a great sheild and armor that is stronger than any other metal known to man. In this act it is clear that the gods wanted the empire of Rome to be set in motion. In the end there is nothing that can prevent Aeneas from realizing his goal of founding the great city of Rome.
There are many messages that can be gleaned from this ancient story to apply to the lives of young people today. First, how about putting off those distraction of circumstances, girls and games in the name of calling and purpose? Our culture is certianly saturated with the entertainment and escape from reality, rather than being devoted to duty and to country. Second, having the sense that there is a divine purpose for the country in which we live, or even that there is a God with a plan at all in mind. This is important for young people today to have confidence that the sovereign Creator had a plan from the beginning of time that was greater than simply their experience of salvation. Third, and most importantly, that we can learn pietas from Aeneas. He was devoted to a task because he had a clear vision of something larger than himself. That is what we need to cast before our young people today. There is a larger purpose to life than the latest movie, coolest clothes, or romanitic interest. This book opens them to this larger world of purpose.
The undercurrent of the poem which drew out the other purpose of the book was to display the virtuous character of Aeneas as he put all other distractions aside in the name of destiniy and duty. There are really two parts to the poem in which we see Aeneas transform from a man of distraction and worldly concerns to a man of purpose, intensity, and courage. Throughout the first five books we see Aeneas distracted by the circumstances of his situation at sea, the downfall of his great city Troy, the distraction of meeting a woman Dido, the joy of playing games and competition, but all of these things kept him from the main purpose of his destiny. In Book six we see Aeneas enter the underworld to visit is father and there is able to see the future of the Roman empire. From then on he is driven to fulfill the destiny he had before him without the distraction of circumstances, girls, and games.
As he enters the shores of Italy, the gods intervene and provide for him the advantage to overcome the Latin adversaries led by Turnus. He is given a great sheild and armor that is stronger than any other metal known to man. In this act it is clear that the gods wanted the empire of Rome to be set in motion. In the end there is nothing that can prevent Aeneas from realizing his goal of founding the great city of Rome.
There are many messages that can be gleaned from this ancient story to apply to the lives of young people today. First, how about putting off those distraction of circumstances, girls and games in the name of calling and purpose? Our culture is certianly saturated with the entertainment and escape from reality, rather than being devoted to duty and to country. Second, having the sense that there is a divine purpose for the country in which we live, or even that there is a God with a plan at all in mind. This is important for young people today to have confidence that the sovereign Creator had a plan from the beginning of time that was greater than simply their experience of salvation. Third, and most importantly, that we can learn pietas from Aeneas. He was devoted to a task because he had a clear vision of something larger than himself. That is what we need to cast before our young people today. There is a larger purpose to life than the latest movie, coolest clothes, or romanitic interest. This book opens them to this larger world of purpose.
Matthew 5:13-16
This passage is common in the pulpit and is typically preached as an exhortation to share the gospel with others. However, I wonder if more is going on than first appears. I have heard the phrase in my seminary class that the imperative is always based on the indicative, meaning that what I do is always based on who I am, or who I have been declared to be. In this passage we could say that we have been made salt, and we have been declared the light. Now since we are these things, what is purpose of being made or declared these things? It is clear that salt and light have a purpose. That purpose should be embraced as a person.
As Christians we are declared righteous for a purpose. We have a distinct calling in life that revolves around proclaiming Christ. The subtle difference is not declaring I am this special light or special salt but that it is not about me whatsoever. God is using me to fulfill His divine plan. I am therefore, called to purposeful life that revolves around following His calling.
As Christians we are declared righteous for a purpose. We have a distinct calling in life that revolves around proclaiming Christ. The subtle difference is not declaring I am this special light or special salt but that it is not about me whatsoever. God is using me to fulfill His divine plan. I am therefore, called to purposeful life that revolves around following His calling.
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