by jimwalton » Mon Aug 08, 2022 8:10 am
It's not problematic. In 3.23, Paul is talking about the boundaries and rules that People were limited by before the new covenant. Before Jesus came, the law had to assume the temporary role of a controlling factor, as best as it could. In the same sense as in the book "The Lord of the Flies," the Law was an authority to both intimidate and guide so as to maintain some semblance of control. It was as if the only way to control people without the possibility of control through the Spirit in the heart, was to lock them up in jail so they could not misbehave. It worked to the extent that fear and intimidation can prevent bad behavior. But it could not make people good; it could not justify. It can only forcefully control. It does nothing for the heart.
V. 24: In the movie "The Village," M. Night Shyamalan shows us this principle. Fear and control can lead to a somewhat just and happy society under the illusion of freedom. Society can function adequately and admirably under this kind of fear. Ultimately, though, it is not a lasting or ideal solution, and in truth it’s just another form of bondage.
v: 25: We have to be controlled by something, because the Bible says we are unable to control ourselves. By our very nature, we lack control. Freedom, as one pastor rightfully said, is not a lack of all controls, but the ability to choose what will control us. Often we let our notions of “for the good of society,” what is right and wrong by our perceptions, or fear and authority control us. We live by our lists of rules and standards, and don’t even realize we are enslaved by them. The Bible says that faith in Jesus Christ sets us truly free. It is true because then the controls do not come from outside, but they come from inside us—from the heart—from the foundation of love. Justification by faith teaches us the freedom of love, not the fear of authority.
Where's the problem here with my position?
It's not problematic. In 3.23, Paul is talking about the boundaries and rules that People were limited by before the new covenant. Before Jesus came, the law had to assume the temporary role of a controlling factor, as best as it could. In the same sense as in the book "The Lord of the Flies," the Law was an authority to both intimidate and guide so as to maintain some semblance of control. It was as if the only way to control people without the possibility of control through the Spirit in the heart, was to lock them up in jail so they could not misbehave. It worked to the extent that fear and intimidation can prevent bad behavior. But it could not make people good; it could not justify. It can only forcefully control. It does nothing for the heart.
V. 24: In the movie "The Village," M. Night Shyamalan shows us this principle. Fear and control can lead to a somewhat just and happy society under the illusion of freedom. Society can function adequately and admirably under this kind of fear. Ultimately, though, it is not a lasting or ideal solution, and in truth it’s just another form of bondage.
v: 25: We have to be controlled by something, because the Bible says we are unable to control ourselves. By our very nature, we lack control. Freedom, as one pastor rightfully said, is not a lack of all controls, but the ability to choose what will control us. Often we let our notions of “for the good of society,” what is right and wrong by our perceptions, or fear and authority control us. We live by our lists of rules and standards, and don’t even realize we are enslaved by them. The Bible says that faith in Jesus Christ sets us truly free. It is true because then the controls do not come from outside, but they come from inside us—from the heart—from the foundation of love. Justification by faith teaches us the freedom of love, not the fear of authority.
Where's the problem here with my position?