July 31, 2025
Fulfilling God's Word - Part 4
Matthew 5:17-18
07/31/2025
17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law
or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
but to fulfill them.
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth
pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from
the Law until all is accomplished. (ESV)
Jesus told His disciples:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven
and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass
from the Law until all is accomplished.
There are two answers to the question, ``How do you get to
heaven?'' The first answer, which is the basis of every religion
except Christianity, an answer based on logic, says we must live
to balance the evil we do by doing good works. The problem is
simple, we can never do enough good to balance the evil.
The second answer, the heart of being a Christian, is
redemption from sin and death because of God's rich love, grace,
and mercy. When Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, when
He cried out from the cross, ``It is finished,'' that fulfillment
was complete. Our relationship with God changed, for we can, in
faith, point to Jesus' righteousness as our own.
As people declared holy in God's sight for the sake of the
death and resurrection Jesus, what is our relationship to the
Law? Now it becomes a guideline, a way of life in response to
God's love. Because we have received God's grace, we honor Him
above all things even as we reflect His love to our neighbors.
Our good works do not earn us a place in heaven, but are the
result of having a place in heave.
May our Lord grant that we receive His grace, love, and
mercy for our eternal life with Him. Amen.