Not Comprehensive

The Old Testament law was not comprehensive. It did not cover every possible issue that could arise in life. It gave principles and then a few cases in which these principles were applied. These cases were teaching instruments. But there were many cases that would arise in civil life that were not covered in the law, which Israel had to judge for itself, applying the principles contained in the law.

God wants us to apply His truth, not just serve Him blindly by rote. He wants us to participate in His fellowship and life. The law was not meant to be taken by the letter, but by its intent or principles and then applied to situations that arise. God intended that Spirit filled people should judge on matters of the law, guided by its principles.

God intended regenerated man to live as elohim: judges, rulers and magistrates. His intention is that being born again, we would have the nature to make good judgement for family and society. In this sense we are gods. Here we see the humanist influence of the Renaissance coming in by the Quakers, but here it is correct: God liberating the individual and making him a joint heir, a son, not a servant. But it is His will that is always in focus.

When Christ leads us His leading will never violate His principles in the law. But He judges the principles. The early Quakers correctly taught this, saying that we are led by Him by faith, not by the letter of scripture and that He never violates scripture, but as He judges it and not as human tradition judges Christ. This is the truth, but some twist it by being unaccountable.

The Pharisees misjudged God’s principles and so does religious man today. He judges God’s principles naturally, outwardly, by a human code of behaviour. He thinks that by hearing, accepting and believing scripture he is justified. He then follows the laws in the New Testament to maintain that justification. But this cannot bring life. The source of life is always a person and His faith.