NSW’s $2 billion new trains are too wide to get through tunnels

A NEW fleet of trains promises to offer greater comfort and safety. But a glaring error means they can’t even operate properly.

This story sparked an array of thoughts in my head.  My train of thoughts was more on a spiritual line though, kind of like “Pilgrim’s Progress” on a train.  These new trains are only .2 meters larger than the old ones, but still they have a big problem.  They cannot operate these new trains because there isn’t that much tolerance on the lines they will be traveling.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph 2:8 AV)

Let me move the conversation over to our Christian journey.  When we become a Christian we start on a new journey going a different direction than we were before.  Our destination is a dwelling place with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where we will live forever with Him.  There is every reason in the world to get on this train.  We live in a sin infested world that is scheduled for destruction.  The gospel train will bring us to a perfect place of peace and righteousness.

There are a lot of trains starting out in a lot of different directions, but there are only two destinations.  Either we end up with God for eternity, or we end up separated from Him for eternity.  Either we will dwell in peace and righteousness, or we will suffer the consequences of sin in hell.  Because these two destinations are so dramatically different and permanent, it would behoove us to get on the right train.

There is only one train going the right direction.  For this reason God marked the way very clearly so there would be no doubt.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (Joh 14:6 AV)

Make no mistake about this, there is only one way, and that is by following Jesus.  Peter laid out the path of salvation simply and clearly on the day of Pentecost.  Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Those who had gathered on that day of Pentecost understood the word Peter was giving them.  They were acquainted with God’s Law and were confronted with their sin.  These are not mere word Peter is saying.  It is important that we understand repentance, baptism, and how God removes sin.  It is important that we understand the gift of the Holy Spirit and His importance in our life.  I won’t go into depth explaining these now for fear of you losing my train of thought.

What caught my eye in this story was that in manufacturing these new trains someone had neglected to pay attention to some unalterable standards.  These trains had to travel through tunnels and by objects at high speeds without a possibility of crashing to reach their destination.  The size of the train needed to be determined by the size of the tunnel, not the comfort of the passengers.  In an effort to modernize this train they forgot the most important feature, that it conforms to the standards of the route it was intended to travel.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Mt 7:13-14 AV)

I hope you can see the parallel as you read this scripture.  Notice that it is a “strait gate”, not a straight gate.  Immovable objects create a strait.  Anything going through a strait must conform to that narrow opening because of things that are fixed.  That is the description of the gate that leads to eternal life, and the path that follows is likewise a narrow pathway.  It is because the gate is a strait that Jesus said that few would find it, because it is a standard that must be conformed to.

Going back to NSW’s 2 Billion dollar trains we will see that there are those people that are going to try to make the trains work.  First they propose lowering the standard for minimum clearance in tunnels.  Next they are going to notch the tunnels at strategic spots where the trains may lean while going around corners.  Problem solved, right?  I hope so, or people are going to crash and burn.

But on our Gospel Train no one is going to lower the standards and no one is going to notch the tunnels.  The strait and the narrow exist because of the very attributes of God.  God didn’t place obstacles to make the way harder.  Those obstacles are there because of who He is.  And it is because of those things that this way will safely lead us to eternal life and peace with God.  If we truly understood the commandments of God we would realize that their intent is not to restrict us, but to keep us safe and secure on our journey.

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Lu 13:24 AV)

I have watched for many years now as people have tried to modernize the old Gospel Train.  It seems like as time goes on fewer and fewer people are getting on the old one.  A lot has been invested in making the new trains up to date and comfortable.  The problem is that in the process they have had to change the standards and the new train just won’t make it through the gate.  Still there are those that insist that they can make it work.  People often pile on these new trains that either aren’t going anywhere or are going down the wrong tracks.

If you follow the account in Matthew you will see two things that discourage people from getting on the right train.  First Jesus warns us about false prophets.  These are people who will tell you that you are on the right train when you are not.  They use flatteries and false promises enticing people by telling them what they want to believe.  Then there are the self righteous that have set their own standards of right and wrong.  They think that by attaining their own standard they will be able to get on the train.

But Jesus does not leave us wondering, ignorant of how to enter the gate and begin our journey to eternal life.  He clearly says that those who do the will of His Father are the ones through the gate.  He goes on to describe those people who go through the gate, as those who listen or hear His sayings and then do them.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph 2:8 AV)

Bear with me for a little longer as we talk about the two things that are required for both entering the gate that leads to eternal life and finishing the journey that gets us there.  First there is faith; simply put it is putting our confidence in Jesus.  It is essential for salvation because we have to die and trust Him to raise us in newness of life.  Once we get started on the journey we need to keep trusting Him every step of the way because it isn’t always easy and we can’t see what is around the bend.  Saving faith is realized and exercised by three important elements: Belief, obedience, and faithfulness (steadfastness or endurance).  Saving faith gets us through the gate and keeps us on track until we reach our destination.

And then there is grace, the unmerited favor of God.  Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.  He died once for all of us.  Without the grace of the cross we could not get through the strait gate.  There is no room for sin to go through the gate.  That is why it is so hard to get through the gate.  We have to be stripped naked and our sin cleansed off of us, only the blood of Christ could do that for us.  The hard part for most people at this point is to be willing to let go of it all, in essence die to self.  The precious blood of Christ does not cleanse an unrepentant soul.

Once we make it through the Gate of Salvation we can rest assured we are on the right train.  But like any newborn we have a lot to learn and long journey ahead of us that is not without perils.  God grace continues to lift us, strengthen us, correct us, and guide us to our final destination.  The train we now ride on is not designed with all the comforts of heaven.  Its purpose is to get us to our destination safely.  A train bloated with frills would infringe upon the train’s standard minimum clearance for going through those tight spots.  The role of grace is revealed in God’s patience and longsuffering as we go through our maturing process.  His grace is also there if we sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our repented sin.  It is the grace of God that enables us to live righteously before Him.  That grace continually exposes itself in the form of instruction, correction, reproof, and forgiveness.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Ti 4:3-4 AV)

There is a new gospel being preached today and I am afraid the spirit of it has infiltrated many churches.  Jesus likened our salvation to a new birth.  You must be born again.  The dramatic nature of it caught Nicodemus by surprise.  But the new gospel is not nearly as dramatic.  It says, Jesus loves you and wants to be your friend.  People are drawn by a message of love and acceptance.  Trust Jesus and your life will be better.  People are encouraged to join in worship and praise to a God who loves you.  Since you have joined us and expressed your love to God you are a Christian and God is going to bless you.

Certainly this is a much gentler approach to the Gospel.  Avoiding the uncomfortable talk about sin and what it is or isn’t seems to be attracting more people.   Without expressing it in these words people have come to accept the evolutionary concept of salvation.  Gradually by the influence of the church and the conviction of the Holy Spirit people will gradually give up sin and sinning in their lives.  This is somewhat less dramatic than a new birth and a total repentance of sin.   But are these people really saved?

I am suggesting that the people on these more comfortable trains haven’t passed through the gate of salvation and are not on the tracks of eternal life that leads to heaven.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:9 AV)

It seems like the convenient gospel today embraces the forgiveness of sins now and delays the cleansing from all unrighteousness until we get to heaven.  It works out good for those who aren’t quite ready to give up all their unrighteousness.  Yet it provides them comfort that in the end it will be alright.  The problem is that it just doesn’t’ line up with Scripture.  Until we are cleansed from all unrighteousness we can’t even make it through the gate.  This comfortable train just can’t follow Jesus, it don’t fit.

The new 2 Billion dollar trains are a lot more comfortable that the old ones were, but they can’t legally take you to your destination.  Their dilemma is simply the results of people ignoring some basic unalterable standards.

Likewise the modern gospel is a lot more comfortable than the old one, but to make it this comfortable people have ignored God’s unalterable standards.  Without total repentance and an unconditional surrender we can’t experience the new birth.  Belief without obedience does not constitute “saving faith”.  Faith without works (obedience) is dead.  (James 2:26)

The truly good news is that anyone who is willing can go through the gate of Salvation and be on a guaranteed line that leads to eternal life with our Savior Jesus Christ.  Follow Him, trust Him, and obey Him.

                                                                         Bob Gunderson

On February 16, 2018 my daughter Roselyn was married to Nathan Burns.  Family and friends gathered to witness and celebrate this event.  Most notably we requested the presence and blessings of God as these two precious souls were united in holy matrimony.

Marriage, especially godly marriage, is under intense attack in our culture.  The very definition, intent, and purpose of marriage have been maligned and distorted.  I am afraid that even our Christian young people are lacking in knowledge of the importance and purpose of marriage.  In light of this I have attempted to briefly share my insight concerning the importance and purpose of marriage from a Biblical perspective.  Since brevity is not one of my strong points (it’s only six pages long) I must refer you to this web page.    https://www.sanctifiedthrutruth.com/books-and-papers/marriage/

When Jesus began his earthly ministry he was introduced by John the Baptist as the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Significantly the first people to be told of Jesus birth were shepherds who were watching over their lambs. Since he was also the Son of God, his Father’s messengers were the first to herald the news.

The celebration of this event we call Christmas.

Merry Christmas

“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” (Ps 95:2 AV)

Years ago I recognized that I must maintain an attitude of thankfulness to keep a proper perspective and enjoy the blessings of God.  It is so easy to lose our focus in a world filled with sin and violence the we fail to recognize God gracious hand at work.  James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”   When I pause and consider the many blessings I have received from God, then I am filled with thanksgiving and praise to our gracious Lord and Savior.

From the wisdom of the Scripture our forefathers recognized the importance of setting aside a time every year in which we as individuals, family, and as a Nation lift our voices in thanksgiving to God.  When we focus on our blessing and where they have come from our hearts are filled with gratitude.  Thankful people become gracious people.  Gracious people are a blessing to all those around them.

I realize that we live in a world and a culture that seems to be increasingly focusing on what they don’t have rather than what they do have.  Let us not be distracted by those many voices out there that would have us sink into despair.  Rather let us lift our eyes heavenward and recognize the abundant blessings that God has granted unto us.  Let us fill not only our minds and hearts, but also our voices with praise and thanksgiving toward God.  Let us lead our families, communities, and nation in focusing on all that we do have.  Let us use this holiday time to set the focus for the entire year on the gracious blessing that come from above.

May all come to know the grace for salvation that is granted to us from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Bob Gunderson

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.” (Ps 100:4 AV)

The last few months have been filled with one devastating news report after another.  Hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and violence have rocked our nation.  The news of Americans struggling for basic survival and heroic actions to rescue their neighbors has temporarily trumped the ongoing ideological battle for America’s soul.  The battle to remove God from our culture continues beneath the unfolding scenes that reveal how much we need God.

But God in His mercy continues to hear and answer the prayer of His people who remain faithful to him in this faithless generation.  God has remembered America and is patiently pleading through His prophets that as a nation America would again turn back to God.  When we look at the widespread devastation in areas of our nation and consider the low death toll we should be struck with amazement and heartfelt thanksgiving to God.  Only the hand of God could have spared us greater causalities.

Many are still looking to government as if more laws or more indebtedness could rescue us.  God alone holds the keys to renewing God’s blessing on this nation.  Rejection of God’s Law outlined in the Ten Commandments has placed the entire nation in jeopardy.  Returning to that law would restore the walls of safety that have preserved this nation in the past.  God remains faithful and His Word true.  God’s desire is that our nation would repent and turn from their wicked ways, so that He could again bless us.   May once again mercy triumph over justice.

Bob

Grace If We Sin

 “1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1Jo 2:1-6 AV)

God is faithful and by His Grace He continues to extend hand to save and to heal that which is lost.  Those who have experience God’s Grace for salvation now become recipients of God’s grace (favor) in many different areas of their lives.  As our Heavenly Father he bestows upon us the special love a father has for His children.  As His children we are required to keep His commandments.  These commandment are intended to keep us safe from the enemy of our souls.  When we sin we expose ourselves and others to danger.

The Apostle John words from God were for this purpose, to protect us from the dangers of sin and the lies of the enemy.  One of the Church’s purposes is to provide support for those who were born of God, and a sanctuary from the World around us.  When the Church drifts from the purity of the Word of God, revival is needed.  We have address how God’s grace has kept the Church alive through revival.  But churches are made up of individuals.  It is on this level that drift begins and it is on this level that revivals begin.

It is God’s intention that we maintain the proper relationship with Him as His children.  That means that if we do sin, then it need to be tended to as soon as we become aware of it.  When we are born again we are cleansed from all unrighteousness, we are forgiven of all our sins.  Even though we start out as little children, God grace provides means to keep us living forgiven.  Failure to teach this to new believers has resulted in much hurt and anguish.  If unchecked it will result in the final state of the individual to being worse that when they first believed.  John said: “I write to you so you will not sin.”

To sum up what is taught in these scriptures: God has provided a means to deal with sin if it does occur.  Jesus is pleading our case and grace can keep us clean.  But there is a part that we play.  Forgiveness does not come automatic for us.  We must repent and acknowledge our sin and then we will receive grace.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1Jo 1:7 AV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:9 AV)

There is a prevalent attitude in the among those who claim to be believers, that we are destined to continue to sin even though we have been saved.  This is a defeatist attitude that ignores the teachings of the Scripture.  Paul deals extensively in the Book of Romans about the freedom from the bondage to sin that is available to those who walk according to the Spirit.

“16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, whom that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Ro 6:16-18 AV)

That is why John does not say, “when we sin”, but “if we sin”.  If we sin and If we confess our sins, God is faithful to not only forgive our sins but to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  This frees us to present ourselves as servants of righteousness and live righteously.  This is the marvelous grace that is given to the children of the Most High.

Grace Continues Through Revival

The history that I am most familiar with is that of God’s working in America, the place of my birth.  Much of the colonization of this country was rooted in a faith in God and the grace that has come through Jesus.  Even so our short history has been accented by declines and revivals.  But for the grace of God and the revivals that have swept through this country, I wonder where would this World be today without their influence.  For revivals have checked our downward decay, allowing us to avoid a potential death spiral.  The most memorable revivals took place in 1710-1750, 1780-1810, 1830-1840, 1857-1861, and the 1904 Pentecostal Revival.

I was born in the early 50’s at the end of the World War II revival 1935-1950.  This is where history and experience begin to blend for me.  I grew up in a very conservative, Pentecostal, Christian family, and accepted Christ as my savior at very early age.  This is the perspective I viewed life from.  My awareness of the steady decline of my American culture came abruptly in my high school years.  The turmoil of the 60’s had finally boiled over into my small town.  The turmoil and unrest could no longer be ignored.  It seemed like all the youth of the country had rebelled.  Those things that had been unacceptable now became blatantly displayed.

But there was something else growing at the same time.  The unrest and uncertainty of the time spawned a search for the truth.  True to His Word, those who were honestly seeking began to find Him.  What later became known as the Jesus Movement spread across this country.  Those sincere seekers began experiencing God.  Revivals were sparked across this country and many other countries.  Churches began to experience phenomenal growth.  The effects of revival and Church growth continued into the 80’s before beginning to diminish.

It happens often, as with the “Jesus Movement”, that God’s grace reveals itself in powerful ways in  the midst of despair and turmoil.  God stirs up His Church that has a tendency to drift into a period of apathy and mediocrity.  The fact that the Church so often needs revival should shame and humble us.  When we look into God’s Word and recognize our fallen state our response should be to cry out to the Lord for mercy.  When men have done this, God has responded by graciously sending revival.  Without God’s grace to restore the Church to the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, where would we be today?

Revivals and Moves of God are always happening where men are willing to repent.  God is faithful and His grace is available to those who are willing to receive it.  But the nation of my birth, that once held up His Name has now rejected God and appears to be entering into a death spiral from which there may be no recovery.  It has now been over 40 years since a revival has affected the nation as a whole.  During this time the enemy has done an effective job of educating our population through public education and the media.  Meanwhile the Church has done a very poor job of education, even our own people, in teaching the truths of the Scripture.

Revivals have kept the Church in America alive.  The influence of God’s Church has preserved our nation until now.  But we are now facing a crisis, for the Church has lost its influence in America.  We are in desperate need of a national revival.  We are losing our nation, which has become morally bankrupt.

    Warnings Confirmed By History

“3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4 AV)

The enemy of our souls is ever present seeking to invade and pervert that which God has made.  He often works through men, those who fall under his influence.  Early in Church history we are given this warning, that they would creep in among us while we are unaware.  One of the things that should command our attention is that ungodly men will seek to turn or twist the grace of God into something that it is not.  If we would follow Church history as recorded in our history books, we would see the devastating effect that these people and ideas have had on the Church.  At times the organized Church became corrupt, idolatrous, tyrannical, and downright evil.

But by the grace of God the true Church remained alive, even if at times it seemed to go underground.  God has kept His Church alive though a series of revivals throughout history.  There have always been men willing to follow the instructions found in these verses in Jude.  Men who earnestly contended for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit God has kept alive and pure, both His Word and His Church throughout all of history until our present day.

Church history is recorded for us like the history of the Israelites, but only though the period of the spread of Christianity during the Apostle Paul’s lifetime.  The History we have recorded after this time is often open to interpretation.  What does become obvious though is the tremendous effect that God’s Word has had on the World.  Those who have been faithful, to that faith that was once delivered to the saints, have been the salt and the light of this World.  Their influence has preserved and kept in check those forces that seek to destroy all that God has made that was at one time good, often times against great odds.

The Age of Grace

17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (Joh 1:14-17 AV)

With the coming of Jesus we received the Word of God in the form of a man.  He was the revelation of God to us.  He told his disciples, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”  He said that He did not come to destroy the Law, but He had come to fulfill the Law.

“23 And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].” (Lu 10:23-24 AV)

“10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1Pe 1:10-12 AV)

Grace came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law.  Jesus fulfill those portions of the Law for us that we could not fulfill.  This having been done on our behalf made it possible that the righteousness of the Law could be fulfilled in us.  For now having been cleansed from all unrighteousness His Spirit could not only dwell with us but also in us.  Grace and Truth have indeed come unto us.

Jesus is central in all of history.  Our calendar testifies of this fact, as does all of history.  Through His life, death, and resurrection, He revealed to us truth and grace.  Jesus is the revelation of God, a glimpse into the very heart of God, His plan, His purpose, and His love intended for us.  He revealed the righteous of God in human form.  The Word was made alive and lived with us.  To fully expound upon the extent and effect of Jesus life on earth cannot be stated in a few sentences.  The Apostle John ended the gospel with these words: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (Joh 21:25 AV)

After Jesus ascent into Heaven, God’s outpouring of His grace came through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  In the power of the Spirit the assembly of believers was raised up to bring the message of God grace to every people in every place.  So powerful was this message that the whole world came to be effected by it.  Where ever this message of grace was received the peace of God prevailed bringing order out of the chaos.

To this day the Grace of God abounds.  Salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to transform lives.  The message of grace empowered by the Holy Spirit continues to impact the World around us.  The Spirit of truth continues to give life to those who by faith receive this grace of God.

“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Joh 1:12-13 AV)

Law Turned On Its Ear

“12 Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Ro 7:12-13 AV)

The Children of Israel received the law from God through Moses at Mount Sinai.  Having been separated from the corruption of this world they experienced in Egypt, they were introduced to the righteousness of God.  The Law was to govern them and in so doing distinguish them from all the peoples of the earth.  But it was also much more than this.  The Law was to be their schoolmaster revealing the very character of their Creator.  The Law was to teach them of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  The Law was to prepare them for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, in which righteousness reigns.

A Note: I pause here to remind us that often when we speak of law we are talking about those ordinances and statutes that are in place to protect us from violating law.  The actual law cannot be violate without severe consequences.  For example: We have signals to regulate traffic, because no more than one vehicle can occupy the same space at the same time.  The actual laws aren’t negotiable.  What is true in the physical is also true in the spiritual.  The Laws that govern all of creation have consequences if they are violated.  Those laws also reflect the character of the Creator.  Sin is the violation of God’s Law and the consequence is death.  The laws of God will never change.  But often when we speak of law we include the works of the law and some of the ritualistic practices we see in the Old Testament.  The purpose of these works are accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  The fulfillment of these works satisfy the requirements of the law, and as we will see in our study, continue to fulfill the purpose of the works of the Law.

In addition to the laws and ordinances, there are what we call the works of the Law.  They would include the details, order, and symbolism in the construction of the meeting place, first the tabernacle and then the temple in Jerusalem.  Also included are the details and symbolism relating to the priesthood.  Then there are the washings and the many sacrifices that were offered for sins and cleansing.

The purpose of the works of the Law was to show the need for redemption from our bondage to sin.  The blood sacrifices were made as an atonement or covering for sin.  Each one of these things was a daily reminder of our sinfulness and tendency to violate the law of God.

“3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. 4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Heb 10:3-4 AV)

The Law and the works of the Law revealed sin, righteousness, and judgment.  As we are taught in the Book of Hebrews, these things were but a shadow of things to come.  There was before them the continual reminder of sin and the need for a Savior.

But in time this reminder of sin was covered with an attitude of pride and arrogance.  The humility and thanksgiving that accompanied the giving of the Law were replaced by their pride and arrogance.  Israel’s privilege in receiving the oracles of God came with the responsibility that they were to be a light to the World and a revelation of God’s grace.  Those who remained humble were indeed a reflection of that light and have come down to us as the hero’s of the faith.

But many became elevated in their own minds.  They elaborated on their fulfillment of the works of the law as if their efforts were justifying them before God.  In doing so they became blind to the righteousness of God that was revealed in the Law, or its reminder of their continuing sinfulness.  Faith and obedience were replaced by their confidence in their works and self-righteousness.

Two things resulted from their blindness.  They were unrepentant, presuming that they were righteous, resulting in a lack of gratitude and love for God.  They in turn did not love their neighbor.  By not acknowledging God’s mercy toward them, they extended no mercy toward their neighbor.  The essence of the Law and the Prophets was lost on them because of their pride.

When Jesus addressed the matter, he got right to the heart of it.  What is the greatest commandment?  To Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And the second commandment is also like this, that you would love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commands hang all the Law and the Prophets.  In other words all that God has been trying to teach you through the Law and the Prophets is how to live these commandments.  The problem was that in spite of the knowledge of the Law, people still ended coming up short.

When Jesus broke the Law out, it revealed to the religious people of His day how much they themselves were in need of the grace of God.  The savior that they were looking for was a man who would save them from the sins of their neighbor.  They considered themselves righteous through the works of the law, but it was the Law that exposed their need for a savior who would save them from their sins.  Outwardly religious people learn to put on a good show.  Man looks on the outward expression, but God looks on the heart.  Jesus exposed that inner heart condition.  Jesus said, If you look on a woman to lust, then you have already committed adultery in your heart.

The Law which exposed their sinfulness and was intended to be a schoolmaster pointing them to the truth was turned on its ear.  It was instead used to mask their true heart condition and elevate themselves in the eyes of their neighbor.  In their self-righteousness they were so blinded that they could not recognize grace and truth when it stood right in front of them.