The Old Testament

Here is something for us to really think about. Most people today think that we are bound to keep the laws of the Old Testament. But are we? The scriptures contained in the New Testament tell a different story. Therefore, if the Old Testament is still binding today:

• Why did Paul tell the Romans we are "dead to the law" and "delivered from the law" in Romans 7:1-7?
  
• Why were the Corinthians told that the Old Testament was "done away in Christ" in 2 Corinthians 3:6-14?
  
• Why did Paul tell the Galatians the law was a "schoolmaster" and "we are no longer under a schoolmaster" in Galatians 3:23-25
  
• Why were the Ephesians told the law of Moses was "abolished" in Ephesians 2:15?
  
• Why did Paul tell the Colossians that the Old Testament was "wiped out" and "taken out of the way, having nailed it to the cross" in Colossians 2:14?

The Hebrew writer said "A New Covenant, He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away" (Hebrews 8:13). We are no longer under the Old Testament law of Moses. We are under the New Testament, the law of Christ.

May we all strive to live our lives dedicated to His service, striving to do everything that He has instructed of us. Remember, Jesus Christ now has all authority (Matthew 28:18-20).  

Be Steadfast

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians and urged them to “be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). That is a beautiful charge and one that every Christian should keep on their mind to keep focused in life and their duty for God. A true Christian is certainly steadfast and so is the Word of God and our hope (Hebrews 2:2-4; 6:19). Christians should strive to be steadfast in faith as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:9 when he uses the word “firm” which is another form of steadfastness. We should also be steadfast in our prayers, confidence, and in our worship to God (Romans 12:12; Hebrews 3:14; Acts 2:42). We realize as Christians that it is important to be steadfast in our faith in Jesus, but some may still wonder why. We are commanded in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be steadfast - why? To be approved.

Paul tells the Romans “...patience, experience…” (Romans 5:4). When we are patient under the daily pressures, then we become a better Christian, one that has proven to be steadfast and as a result we become much stronger! One that is steadfast also produces joy (Colossians 2:5). We also need to be steadfast to resist the devil, to be holy, and not to be enticed (1 Peter 5:9; Colossians 1:22-23; 2 Peter 2:14). One can strengthen their steadfastness by enduring tribulation as Paul mentions in Romans 5:3-4. And of course the greatest reason to be steadfast in Jesus is because “we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Hebrews 3:14). Steadfastness reaps eternal benefits!