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To: pastorbillrandles
The real understanding of the Law, brings brokenness, self-doubt, utter filial fear of God, willingness to be humble, contrition( sorrow for sin), total love and devotion for forgiveness and redemption.

I like what you wrote there. I would add the following. The law, as David says in the longest chapter in the Bible is a delight. David uses 176 verses to tell us how much he loves the Law. Clearly it is not a curse to David as it is to Paul. The law was never meant to be a "saving tool" in and of itself for us. It is a means of serving the G-d of the universe, out of love. It is the blueprint for humanity to engage with the Creator of the universe. It is a means of elevating everyday, even mundane phusical things, to the spiritual. Even the simple act of washing your hands is an opportunity to worship G-d and thank him. Is that a curse? I suppose if ones motivation-priorities are out of whack, perhaps.

The law gives gives us an opportunity to elevate our relationship with G-d in numerous ways. When we perform the mitzvot, we are fulfilling G-ds will. And in the process, actively engaging in Tikkun Olam, repair of the world. When you love your neighbor as yourself, (Leviticus 19:18) that is making the world a better place. We are to following G-ds example; Deut 10: 18"He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing."

Jeremiah 22:3 'Thus says the LORD, " Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood......"

And of course the 10 mitzvot.

The other thing the law makes provision for, which is often overlooked is Teshuvah. G-d wants to forgive us when we sin (miss the mark)and bring us back into a relationship with him. Teshuvah is more than just repentance. It is repentance and "turning away from the sin" redoubling our efforts to never repeat the sin again. When this is done with a broken and contrite heart, G-d forgives and restores us. Teshuvah is a very holy act which spiritually is counted as a mitzvot.

We are constantly in a battle with our yetzer hara, our evil inclination. When we fight back with love, humbleness, prayer, repentance, charity, random acts of kindness, we are winning against the yetzer hara. It is a process, a life long process.

So certainly when the Law is done in a hypocritical, by rote or shallow way, G-ds sees that for what it is but it doesnt indict the Law. Many Christians struggle with hypocrisy as well. As you aluded to, the Prophet Jeremiah, Isaiah, Hosea etc had much to say about people who intentionally flout the Law. And how we can do it properly.

4 posted on 08/05/2010 2:42:33 PM PDT by blasater1960 ( Dt 30, Ps 111, The Torah is perfect, attainable, now and forever)
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To: blasater1960

Thanks Blasaster- I ‘m sorry i haven’t gotten back to you laely- i still intend to its just crazy busy lately-


6 posted on 08/05/2010 3:10:14 PM PDT by pastorbillrandles
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