Either Or

Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.” [Esther 8.8]

There is a spiritual principle in this verse that is of no small significance.

Many are of the opinion that the Law of Moses was done away with because of Jesus. However, Jesus Himself said:

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. [Matthew 5.17]

God gave the Law to Moses. Because of this, it cannot ever be abolished. Like Xerxes edict, the Law could never be revoked.

The Law of Moses was the determining body of rules for obedience or disobedience as described in Deuteronomy 28. Again, it could never be revoked. However, it could be fulfilled! 

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law by suffering the punishment due upon the disobedient. However, the imparting of that redemption has a requirement of its own: faith. Likewise, faith has a requirement attached to it too: forgiveness (not being forgiven, mind you, but giving forgiveness). That forgiveness is the natural expression of God's love.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

So, if people today still suffer the consequences of the Law (everything described in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience to the Law including all manner of suffering, loss, and disease), then there is obviously a shortcoming in the execution of the New Law of Christ. That shortcoming is not in the work of Jesus so then it must fall upon us.

Just as the Jews were granted power to overcome the first edict of Xerxes manipulated by Haman, so Christians have been granted power to overcome the Law of Sin and Death. But Christians must necessarily act upon the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus for it to have effect!

Again, if we do not see the blessings of obedience, the shortcoming is not in the work and the Cross of Jesus! It is a failure of faith. But faith, again, is short-circuited by our own unforgiveness and there is but one recourse: repentance.

Jesus taught about repentance and forgiveness. These two topics are paramount to Kingdom understanding. Unless God's people grasp understanding of this, there remains only the Law of Sin and Death.

So, what is working in our lives? The Law of Sin and Death? Or, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus?

Had the Jews not acted upon the new edict of Xerxes allowing them to defend themselves, they would have suffered greatly by the old edict of Xerxes allowing their enemies to wipe them out. Doing nothing (failing to preemptively and legally defend themselves) would have defaulted to their being legally destroyed.

Father, there is so much more here than I can even get my head around. Help me to understand!