January 30, 2012

Gonna shelve Blackaby for a bit in favor of Read the Bible for Life.  This is the current small group study at Ridgecrest and if I will write about the curriculum, I will be much more consistent in completing the lessons.

Week 4-  Day One-  How the Law Fits into the Story

Interesting fact(?) I heard on the radio this week that ties in nicely to today's lesson.  The speaker made the statement that each of the ten commandments were reinforced by Jesus EXCEPT the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy.  Supposed significance of this if indeed that is the case?

There are many much smarter and well-read than I who espouse that the Israel and the Jewish nation are still God's chosen nation.  They interpret many verses in Revelation along with a host of O.T. verses to support this view.  There are those much smarter and well-read than I who argue that when Israel rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah the Jewish people lost their covenant standing.    I personally have not developed a strong conviction on either side of this issue; however, Jeremiah 31:31-34 does seem to be saying that the O.T. covenant based on do's and don'ts will be replaced by a new covenant based on a personal, one-on-one relationship with God.  This personal, intimate relationship can only be achieved through a belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior.