In the movie Frozen, a young princess named Elsa has the truly chilling ability to freeze anything she chooses. But then she accidentally harms her beloved sister Anna with her gift. Not being able to control her freezing ways, Elsa eventually hides in her own lonely ice castle. In the end, however, the princess finds that the personal touch of love allows her to see her gift reach its full potential—under control and as a blessing to others.
As Jesus delivered His famous Sermon on the Mount, He proclaimed that “the law of Moses” had been fulfilled in Him (Matthew 5:17). Of the law and the prophets’ words, He said, “I came to accomplish their purpose.” Jesus upheld the Old Testament completely by interpreting it in light of Himself, by explaining God’s original intention in giving the law (see Matthew 5:21-48), and by fulfilling the righteousness that the Father requires (2 Corinthians 5:21).
But there’s something more, as one writer penned, “Jesus was the embodiment of Israel’s God, the God whose Spirit had inspired the Scriptures in the first place.” He displayed the personal touch of God’s love as He healed the blind and lame, confronted and comforted sinners, and fed those who were hungry.
Jesus—God incarnate—lived out the essence of the law. And His unmatched sacrifice on the cross has allowed us to know God personally. As we believe in Jesus and follow His ways, He says, “My father will love [you], and we will come and make our home with each of [you]” (John 14:23).
We can now live out the law that Jesus fulfilled as we bask in the personal touch of God’s love and yield to the leading of His Holy Spirit within us (Romans 8:3-4).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 7:1-31
More:
Read Romans 10:4 and consider the result of Jesus accomplishing “the purpose for which the law was given.”
Next:
Why is it important to view Old Testament laws through the lens of Jesus’ fulfillment of them? How has the personal touch of God’s love and the work of His Holy Spirit allowed you to experience a fulfilled life in Jesus?
alexaoj on July 27, 2016 at 4:29 am
Thank you Jesus, for fulfilling all the requirements of the law. Imagine God in Christ reconcilling the world to Himself, so that we can have forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Help me, Lord, to realize that only in your marvelous Grace alone I stand, amen. Stay bless saints of God.
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 10:17 am
Amen, alexaoj. God’s grace to truly amazing and marvelous!
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 6:21 am
Well, Tom, I wouldn’t have thought that “Frozen” would be among your movie-watching experiences…:). I must be the only person on the planet who hasn’t seen it, yet I’ve gathered enough bits and pieces now to know what it’s about. I can even sing “Let It Go”. 😉 You’ve used the story line to make a nice segue into your topic here today, Tom. The love of Christ has certainly lifted me from my “lonely ice castle” and brought meaning and fulfillment to my life. I have been trying to saturate my mind lately with the truth that I am righteous in God’s sight. I can never exhaust learning about that and the implications it has for my life. That is only possible because Christ fulfilled the righteous demands of the Father on my behalf. He is my righteousness. In His sinless perfection, He accomplished for me what I could not…and what the Law could not. Now I don’t have to live with the burden of never measuring up…never being good enough. It is so liberating to be who I am “in Christ” and to find my purpose in the power of His love. Kinda like Elsa, huh? Thanks, Tom. Grace and peace today to all.
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 9:48 am
I haven’t see it either GAgirl. Last night I was listening to this song, “Amazing Love”, one of the lines is “I’m forgiven because You were forsaken”. You’re right, we never have to try to measure up because we are liberated in Christ.
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 10:17 am
Amen, Sandy! Great song. The club is growing! Welcome! 🙂
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 10:25 am
sandy, great song and powerful lyrics. From Jesus’ unmatched sacrifice we now experience unmatched life, joy, peace . . .
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 10:23 am
gagirlive, yep, not my normal movie fare—but a cute story. And the music—well—since you know “Let it go” without having seen the flick, I’ll simply let it go. 🙂 I love your practice of focusing your mind on God’s truth of who you are—a child of God. It is so freeing to walk in His grace and live out that reality!
Gary Shultz on July 27, 2016 at 7:13 am
Good morning Tom: There many things in the Old T I struggle with in light of the New T; however, your statement in the “Next” section has proven to be the saving grace for me. The Holy Spirit, He guides and speaks to us and allows our minds to be open to His purpose and balance. It would be nice to allow gagirl to have the honor of the last person standing not to see frozen; however, I don’t know the story and can’t sing the song. Sorry, I just had to get that in since I’m in a different time zone and get to see her thoughts before I leave for the day. Thanks Tom, you must have important lady’s in your life, WBP
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 7:28 am
LOL…so it’s you and me together then, Gary. No granddaughters to pull you into that girly stuff?
hsnpoor on July 27, 2016 at 7:49 am
Count me in this club exclusive as well. Too bad we’re in all parts of the country. If not, we could have Frozen viewing party…. Now, wouldn’t that just be fun!
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 8:01 am
That would be fun! Welcome to the club. 🙂
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 9:59 am
Count me in too
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 10:29 am
Haha!
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 10:29 am
I do, Gary! It’s good to know at least two people who haven’t seen the once-wildly-popular movie. So glad the Next Qs proved helpful. And, yes, praise God for the illumination the Spirit brings to our hearts and minds as we tackle challenging sections of the Old and New Testaments!
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 9:52 am
Amazing Love lyrics
I’m forgiven cause You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me
‘Cause You died and rose again
I’m forgiven cause You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me
‘Cause You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
I’m forgiven cause You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me
‘Cause You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
Amazing love, how can it be?
That You, my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, I honor You
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
You are my King
Songwriters
Billy James Foote
Published by
Read more: Chris Tomlin – Amazing Love Lyrics | MetroLyrics
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 9:58 am
3 times I tried to post the lyrics for “Amazing Love”, but for some reason it’s not working…….at least I don’t see it.
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 10:19 am
It’s here, friend!
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Thank you!
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 10:32 am
The lyrics are up now, sandy. Thanks for sharing! Our pesky automated content filters were simply concerned about the length of the post.
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Oh, ok, thanks for letting me know about that.
youssef1777 on July 27, 2016 at 11:12 am
SHOW LOVE AND CARE FOR PEOPLE EVEN IF YOU DO NOT THEM . SO THEY CAN SEE HOW JESUS LOVE THEM BY YOUR CARE FOR THEM . GOD BLESS YOU ALL .
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 11:14 am
Amen, youssef1777!
jim spillane on July 27, 2016 at 11:40 am
Tom – thanx for this devotional today. I think that the “More” and “Next” sections above bring us right to the heart of the matter. To me, the purpose of the law was to show us how sinful we truly are. There is no possible way that we could ever accomplish all that it entails. Only Jesus could live a perfect life. And because of our sinful nature we need a Savior. In that, He fulfills and accomplishes the purpose of the law. I once had a pastor who explained it this way – there’s a distinct difference between law and gospel. Think of it in medical terms. There’s something wrong with you so you go to the doctor for help. His diagnosis is the law, it shows what’s wrong with you. The remedy or medication he prescribes is the gospel (or good news) that cures the problem. Hallelujah!
gagirllive on July 27, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Ooh, I like that analogy, Jim. Thanks for sharing!
godlove on July 27, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Wow, really nice analogy to explain the difference between the law and the gospel. Thanks for sharing, jim. Blessings to you.
sandy229 on July 27, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Amen Jim, I love that analogy, thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Good stuff, Jim!
godlove on July 27, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Praise and thanks be given to God for His Son Jesus Christ who came down to redeem us from inevitable condemnation by the law. He didn’t abolish the law but thanks to His saving grace, we obey the law’s prescriptions, with the help of the Holy Spirit, out of love and not as a means to achieve righteousness with God. Thank you for this very insightful post, Tom.
PS: I won’t dare to wade into the “Frozen” debate, as I’m firmly in Gary’s territory as far as that is concerned :-). The story sounds okay though, maybe I’ll try to watch it with my little cousin sometime, she would surely love it.
Tom Felten on July 27, 2016 at 3:53 pm
godlove, it’s so helpful that Jesus didn’t come to abolish but fulfill the law. What an amazing Savior! And, regarding seeing Frozen—I think you and your young cuz will enjoy it!