Living Biblically
Ephesians 2:11-18
In the Steps of the Rabbi # 13

     Judaism appears to us to be a religion of legalistic rules and regulations. But the Jewish mind-set sees God's Word as an indication of his love and guidance.

● Doing what God asks is a joy and a spiritual opportunity, not a burden.
● Obeying God's commands, even when we don't understand the "why," demonstrates our love and trust for God.
● The Jewish people found ways to remind themselves, every day, to remain faithful to God's commands.
● Taking the risk of identifying our faith in public is a little reminder for us to act like Jesus.
● The laws of God reveal our sinfulness; the Holy Spirit enables us to live in the way of righteousness.

I. Taking Scripture as Principals rather than Legalistically.

A. Strict literalism doesn't seem to work, but we can glean principles.
B. Preforming good deeds of kindness make us more like our Rabbi Jesus.

II. The place of God's law for followers of Rabbi Jesus?

A. Paul says: "Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes" (Rom. 10:4).
B. As Christians, we believe Jesus took the punishment we deserve for our inability to keep God's commandments.
C. Jesus "ended" the practice of keeping Gentiles from God.

1. The "dividing wall of hostility" that the law put up in order to keep the Gentiles away was suddenly torn down (Eph. 2:14).
2. Eph. 2:11-18
"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)—12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."

D. Christ is the climactic goal of the law of Moses, the living embodiment of the holiness and compassion toward with the Law is aiming.

1. As Christians we no longer seek the righteousness of "keeping the law," but the righteousness of Jesus Christ who is the culmination of all the law.

III. We are God's representatives of Jesus to everyone we meet.

A. Try to be more up front in identifying with Jesus to the world around you.
B. Ask God to show you at least one good deed you can perform every day this week.