I heard someone say recently: "I have seen it all". Well, how about this? Ever notice that speed limits end in either a 0 or a 5? Eleven miles an hour???? Sounds pretty picky, doesn't it? But, I suppose that I shouldn't be too surprised, ever increasing regulation have become a way of life in America. The government is attempting to regulate everything, from using a wood-stove, to that little kid on the corner, trying to sell Kool-Aid for some spending money. But, I suppose it could be worse- or could it? Read on, to see where I am going with this...
Galatians, Chapter 3
1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.”
I have heard it said that the Law contained 613 precepts; one for every day of the week and one for every bone in the body. Add to this the oral traditions and Rabbinical teaching and suddenly a sign precise as 11 mph looks pretty good!!! Paul's point in this chapter is that even Abraham (who the Jews considered one of the greatest in Judaism) was saved by faith!!! Face it; nobody is perfect- we all do things we regret now and then. Personally, I am glad for a Gospel of faith and not just obedience to rules and regulations, because sometimes I forget to do the right thing or inadvertently do the wrong thing!!! However, from now on I intend to look a little more closely a the posted speed limits, though....
PS. A special thanks to sister Terri Justice for sharing this picture with me. And Terri, if you are reading this- PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU TOOK THIS PICTURE, because I want to keep out of that neighborhood!!!!!