I was looking into your archives, and I noticed something about Jews keeping the Sabbath holy, not christians.  Can you explain that according to Scripture, since we are spiritual Israel?

Sincerely,
On Sabbatical

Dear On Sabbatical,

Christianity is the spiritual Israel (Gal 6:15-16).  Christianity has replaced Judaism and the Old Testament law.  Physical Israel was merely a shadow of that which was to come (Heb 10:1).  The law to obey the Sabbath was a part of the Old Testament law (Ex 20:8).  The Old Testament law has been replaced by a better covenant (Heb 8:4-7).  God tells us that when Christ died for our sins, He nailed the Old Law to the cross (Col 2:14).  Under the new law (the New Testament), we are told to no longer regard the Sabbath as holy (Col 2:16-17).  The things written in the Old Testament are a great example to christians (1 Cor 10:11), but they are no longer binding.  The Old Testament was a tutor to lead mankind to Christ, but now that Christ is here, we are no longer under that tutor (Gal 3:24-25).

     I am having issues with some people.  They are making me sin.  They are making me sin by making me use bad words.  What should I do?  Should I keep trying to get along or stay away from that person?

Sincerely,
Foul Friends

Dear Foul Friends,

No one can make you sin, but on the other hand, the wrong type of people can definitely lead to greater temptations.  1 Cor 15:33 says that bad company corrupts good morals.  If you feel that this person is that type of influence, then yes, it may be best to give some distance.

My problem is with a co-worker.  She always has some issue, and as a Christian, I do my best to help her, especially since she has told me she has re-dedicated her life to Christ.  The problem is, I have come to believe she is narcissistic.  I do feel for her and try to be positive and encourage her, but everyone who knows her is constantly on eggshells.  I work in a small office, and there is no way to try and avoid her when she is on her rampage.  I really need advice on what I should do.  Do I distance myself from her, or do I continue to believe that God will heal her?  I want to be there for her.  I know she had a terrible childhood, but she does upset me and honestly frightens me at times.

Sincerely,
Across The Hall

Dear Across The Hall,

Biblical love does what is in the best interest of someone else.  When we love others, we always give them what they need… even if what they need isn’t the same as what they want.  Love rejoices in the truth (1 Cor 13:6); that means that love does what is right, not what is easy.  When this co-worker “rampages”, it is easy to avoid the conflict like others have.  The hard thing to do is to kindly and honestly say, “This is unacceptable behavior, and we cannot build our friendship off of this foundation.”  Confronting someone is sometimes the right and loving thing to do.  Do it with dignity and tact.  If she really is placing her faith in Christ, she should be willing to alter her behavior to imitate Him (1 Cor 11:1).  Real friends wound, so others can heal (Pr 27:6).

     I read your answer about seeing a naked person (see that post here - “Clothing Required”).

When I was in medical school, I had to dissect two human cadavers, completely naked.  How do you feel that compares to viewing and studying a live, nude, anatomical model to further art education?

Sincerely,
Dr. Question

Dear Dr. Question,

The difference is that medicine and medical education has biblical precedence – while nudity for the purpose of “art” goes against everything that the Bible teaches.  There are plenty of verses that teach that nakedness is not something to take lightly – all the way back to Adam and Eve sewing fig leaves together to hide their nakedness (Gen 3:7).  Verses like Isa 47:3 and Rev 16:15 re-emphasize the idea that nakedness is shameful in most circumstances… not to mention the idea of lustfulness and fornication being associated with viewing people naked.  Certainly, removing your clothing purely for the purpose of “art” is man’s wisdom and not God’s.

However, the Bible seems to make exception to such things in the case of medicine.  Doctors have to study, diagnose, and treat the human body – even in the Old Testament, the priests had to view the human body to inspect it in cases of leprosy (Lev 13:1-2)… leprosy doesn’t just choose to show up in modest areas.  Luke was a Christian and a physician (Col 4:14), and Jesus talked about people seeing doctors (Lk 5:31).  It seems that the Bible makes a distinction between nudity for medical purposes and worldly philosophies such as nudity for “art”.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

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