LORD taught us many things about the body in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, the apostles insisted only on four commandments[1] :
- Eat not food sacrificed to idols
- Eat no blood.
- Eat not strangled animal, (because blood is in them).
- No unchastity.
Does it mean that all other commandments (especially those about body) are nullified ? And former teachings of LORD are worthless ?
LORD taught us not to touch grave, dead body, etc. Once I took a walk in the wild, and came across a site full of graves. I was tired, and there was a big grave, built of concrete and has some concrete chairs upon it. I rested there for about half an hour, then I returned home. A few days later, I had a temperature and became ill. Ever since then, I am careful not to touch those.
LORD also taught us not to touch unclean persons. I touched an unclean person, and got "scabies", causing me extreme itch. (Note: if you don't know what "scabies" are, you may read about them on the Internet. They are a kind of insect, about 0.3 to 0.5 mm long, and will live on our skins. The female will also burrow into our skin to lay eggs, making us very itchy. The usual medicine is 25% Benzyl Benzoate Emulsion, but I found that would cause deformation of skin wounds, so I switched to a mixture of "sulphur" powder mixed with cooking oil instead. Sulphur had long been used in fumigation and in bleaching organic things white.)
Also, once I travelled to Singapore. The same night I had a temperature, and I remembered LORD's teachings, and I immediately took a bath, and temperature receded the next day.
Therefore I know that all teachings of LORD are meant for our good. But as not to be wearisome to us, LORD cut them to the minimum four : "no unchastity, eat not food sacrificed to idols, ... ". In fact, it would be hard for some professions, e.g. doctors, nurses, fireman, ... to observe all the physical rules. Doctors, nurses would handle those unclean wearing gloves, and firemen, even they could not rest every sabbath, are given one day off in a week.
LORD finished his creation in 6 days. LORD created many many angels to manage everything he created : there are angels who monitor the sun (which is a vast nuclear reactor), there are angels who monitor other "suns" in the galaxies, there are angels who are responsible for the rise and fall of kingdoms/governments, there are angels to look after the plant/fish/animals, there are angels to look after rain, there are angels to bless and keep the good people, there are angels to curse the Law breakers, ....
How does LORD manage human ? By his Laws and Commandments.
|
Were I to write for him my laws by ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing. [Hosea 8:12] How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us?' But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. The wise men shall be put to shame, they shall be dismayed and taken; lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD, and what wisdom is in them? [Jer 8:9] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your GOD, I also will forget your children. [Hosea 4:6] Jesus : For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [Mt 5:17-20] |
The "Feast of Passover" is for us to remember we must be meek and gentle and obedient onto death like Jesus, and take not vengeance with our own hand (or else we break the Law).
The "Feast of Booth" is for us to remember our temporary stay in this world, that we have proper attitudes towards the money/possession we have.
"Sabbath" is for us to remember that LORD rules the universe by his Laws, and that we must not break LORD's Laws. And that by observance of His Laws, would we have "rest" (sabbath).
"Feast of Passover", "Feast of Booth" is done once every year, but "Sabbath" is a constant reminder week after week.
Do not be misled by proud people, who do things high-handedly, thinking that they are doing great service to the world ! If you break the Law, what confidence do you have ? Even for laws of our government, if you break it, you do not have confidence to face even the policemen.
Only when you have kept the Laws, and after searching your conscience, that you have broken none of the Laws of LORD, would you have confidence to face all eventualities.
Also, you must trust the angels who administer LORD's Laws. They are extremely just, and will take no bribe, and will not show partiality. Moreover, they are under direct control of LORD.
Recompense may be not done fully in this life, just as punishment could not be done fully in this life, but justice will surely be done, as Lord Jesus, who suffered death on a cross, is now seated at the right hand of LORD, with authority over all things in heaven and on earth.
Therefore, give heed to LORD/Jesus teachings, they are meant for our good. If we hold them fast, they are a safety rail to prevent us from falling into cliffs, and will lead us safely to LORD.
I have heard of a young girl, who had been a Christian, but she longed for the life of many young people, how happy they are in parties, how happy they are in giving free vein to their passions. So she left the church and joined them. She did not find that as "happy" as she saw, and after 11 years, she returned back to her church. And the first time she came back, she cried. Real happiness cannot be found in us pursuing "vain" things, but that we be obedient to LORD, and lead an honest, upright, decent life, and in our service to our fellow people as Jesus did (wash the feet of other people).
|
You shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. ... Wherefore, the people of Israel shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign for ever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. [Ex 31:13-17] |
Troubles in this world come not in a day, nor will it go away in a day. If we hold fast Jesus teachings, this is doing the work of LORD[2], and the world will "inch" forward towards the kingdom of LORD, and it will give rest to us, as well as our neighbours.