Today, focus is on the appearance in Scripture of commandments granting equality in judgment to the poor with the rich. Divine law is to be administered as fair, impartial, and unbiased as well as “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” (Leviticus 19: 15, King James Version (KJV): 15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.) For many mature Christian believers the only wealth that has lasting value is that from the abundance of GOD as his imparted, indwelling Spirit. Thus, the carnal, material and social distinctions of rich and poor have become meaningless in Jesus Christ. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “East” (Level 2 with 384 points, a member since September 06, 2015) posted the following:
Does the Bible say that laws should be applied the same way to the rich and the poor, with no exceptions made in favor of the poor?
I know mercy and love are crucial in the Bible, but I also recall reading in the Bible that laws must be applied consistently, whether the person affected is rich or poor (i.e., an exception can't be made to a law on a case-by-case basis if the person is poor).
Can someone tell me where to find verses that say this about laws, if it's true?
Thanks.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 14-22, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Respect of Persons? (10/14/2016); Money Is No Object? (10/14/2015); Holy Garments? (09/24/2015); The Rich in Divine Relationship? (11/29/2013); We Are Still Sinning? (11/30/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)
“East”, divine law in support of the poor does appear in the Bible. Even so, overarching principles of unity and oneness without sameness appear throughout the holy writings. In some instances their application is limited to those who were in the formal covenant relationship with GOD that was established for Moses and those who left Egypt with him, and in others they apply to the new covenant through the blood of Jesus. Provisions do appear in the making of offerings, the payment of certain fees, and sacrifices that acknowledged the limited resources of the poor, and gave them a peculiar “relief” without also removing their duty and obligation. Additionally, many admonitions and warnings appear to those who might transgress that disobedience by one individual could result in punishment for the entire nation. Here are some points from the Scriptures that may be helpful:
(1.) Deuteronomy 1: 16-18, King James Version (KJV): 16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. 17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. 18 And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
(2.) Exodus 23: 1-3, KJV: 1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
(3.) Psalms 140: 12, KJV: 12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
(4.) James 2: 8-10, KJV: 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
(5.) Ephesians 4: 4-7, KJV: 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
(6.) Galatians 3: 27-29, KJV: 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (7.) Ephesians 2: 11-16, KJV: 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment