Many
say that we are justified by grace alone. However, if we really read
the Bible, we will know that we are not only justified by grace, we are
justified by faith in Jesus Christ and by the blood of Jesus Christ too:
1. Rom 3:24 KJV Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
2. Rom 3:28 KJV Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
3. Rom 5:9 KJV Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
But,
I do not like to take out only Rom 3:24, go around arguing with
everyone, conclude that we are justified by grace alone, and condemn
everyone who do not believe like us. Instead, I would say that we should
not be quick to judge, we should be diligent in taking the words of
God, and we should explain grace without radical exclusion of His words.
For example, I would explain that we are justified freely by grace
because of the blood of Christ which is given to us freely, but we must
also believe that we are justified with faith in Him. Hence, I would
still focus on Jesus Christ with our faith in His blood because we can
all find Spirit, grace, faith, and blood for our justification in Jesus
Christ.
4. Gal 2:17 KJV But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
5. 1Ti 3:16 KJV And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Justification under Jesus Christ vs justification under Moses
1. faith in Christ vs the deeds of the law (Rom 3:28)
2. grace in Christ vs the law of Moses (Joh 1:17)
3. blood of Christ vs the blood of the bulls and goats (Heb 9:13-14)
4. Spirit of Christ vs the law of the flesh (Rom 7:23-25, 8:2)
If
we look at the comparisons above, we can see that justification by
Christ is better than justification by the law of Moses. The
justification by Christ is not only better; it is also the only valid
justification for us today (for both the Jews and Gentiles). While there
was limited justification by the law of Moses, the Jews and Gentiles
today can no longer use it to justify themselves anymore. It is because
God has foreseen the limitation of the first covenant and the corruption
of it (by the Pharisees and the whole nation of Israel before the birth
of Jesus Christ - see Malachi 2:7-8). While Jesus did say that He did
not come to destroy the law and the prophets (Mat 5:17), but we know
that He did come to 'destroy' the Old Covenant and the temple and with
it the whole temple system which includes the law of circumcision, the
law of sacrifices, and the leaven or the doctrine of the Pharisees (Mar
13:1-2).
1. The commandment to worship - Under the Old
Testament, the Israelites must worship God in the temple with the ark of
God; but under the New Testament, men will still worship God without
the temple or the ark.
2. The commandment to obey - Under the
Old Testament, the Israelites must obey God by offering annual
sacrifices and circumcise themselves according to the law of Moses; but
under the New Testament, men will still obey God without the law of
Moses which demanded sacrifices and circumcision.
Hence, today we do not worship God or obey God according to the law of Moses on rituals and sacrifices, but we must still worship God and obey God according to the law of Christ or the Ten Commandments on loving God and doing good to others.
The words and the doctrine of Christ prove that God's Commandment or
the Ten Commandments are still applicable today in the hearts and minds
of all the true believers (Heb 8:10:10:16). It means that if a believer
says that he believes in Christ or believes in the law of Christ (has
high regard for the law of Christ) but he would never keep or think of
keeping His words, His laws, or His commandments, he is still a liar or a
false believer.
The law and the prophets are still in the law of Christ today
Hence, the law and the prophets are still around today
after the destruction of the temple because Jesus purposely mentioned
that He would never destroy the law and the prophets (Mat 5:17). It
means that the law and the prophets are in the law of Christ although
they are no longer in the law of the Old Covenant, in the temple, in the
law of circumcision, or in the law of Moses. How do we know that? Do
you remember that God brought Moses and Elijah to the transfiguration of
Jesus Christ in Mat 17:1-9. Moses and Elijah represents the law and the
prophets. It means that the law and the prophets are still 'alive'
under Christ. They are still 'in effect' under the law of Christ.
They
are not dead although they did disappear before the eyes of the
disciples. They are now in the law of Christ although nobody can see
them. I have written in my previous posts that they could have been in
Christ (in a different realm) after the transfiguration and at the time
of Jesus' Crucifixion. This might also explain the spiritual realm which
John saw in his vision about the death and the resurrection of the two
prophets (somewhere in time in an unknown kingdom in Rev 11 or probably
at the same time when Jesus was crucified before the birth of the church
in Rev 12). And the rebellion and hatred against the law and the
prophets will still happen in the end time. I have explained it in my
previous posts ('Kxxx. Jesus is The Word who came in the flesh') and I
do not wish to repeat it here.
The blood covenant was good (before
the Pharisees and the Jews corrupted it with more and more temple laws
or corban law) when the Israelites obeyed God according to the law of
Moses during Moses' and king David's time. It gave acceptable offering
to God if they offered their sacrifices with a heart, attitude, and
faith like that of Abel:
Heb 11:4 KJV By faith Abel offered unto God
a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that
he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead
yet speaketh.
The old blood covenant served its purpose as the
atonement or justification for the sins of the Israelites with the
limitation as explained by Paul:
Heb 9:19-23 LITV For when every
command had been spoken according to Law by Moses to all the people,
having taken the blood of the calves and goats, with water and scarlet
wool and hyssop, and he sprinkled both the scroll and all the people,
(20) saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God enjoined to you."
Ex. 24:8 (21) And he likewise sprinkled both the tabernacle and all
the service vessels with the blood. (22) And almost all things are
purified by blood according to the Law; and apart from shedding of blood
no remission occurs. (23) Then it was needful for the figures of the
things in the heavens to be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things
themselves by better sacrifices than these.
We are justified by the words of Christ too
Hence,
when John wrote Joh 1:17, he compared and contrasted between the two
atonements or justifications of sins too: Joh 1:17 KJV For the law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Contrary
to what many had said, John's intention was not to show us which is
greater (grace or the law?) or who is greater (Jesus Christ or Moses)?
John was showing us that there were two justifications:
1. justification by Christ (under grace), and
2. justification by the law (under Moses)
Hence,
the gospel is not just justification by grace only or by grace-based
teaching only; it is also justification by Christ and based on doctrine
of Christ too. Grace is not the end; grace is the means. Grace is not
God or Jesus Christ; grace is a gift of God because grace came with the
purpose to glorify Christ; not to glorify itself. Grace is a part of the
justification because we are justified not only by grace; we are
justified by faith in Christ and by the blood of Christ too.
So far, I
have shown you that we are justified by faith, by the blood, and by
grace. Strictly speaking, we are justified by Jesus Christ. Hence, in
principle and Bible context, we are justified by the words and
commandments of Christ too. If we disobey His words or commandments, it
won't make sense to think that we are still justified by grace or by His
blood:
Rom 2:13 KJV (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Mat
7:21-24 KJV Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity. (24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Joh 8:51 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Joh 14:23-24 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words:
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him. (24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and
the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Luk 8:15 KJV But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Joh 14:15 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Hence, grace is great; but grace is never greater than Christ
Yes,
the covenant under grace may be greater than the covenant under law of
Moses, but grace is never greater than the law of Christ. Grace is never
greater than the Word, the words of Christ, the law of Christ, or the
commandments of Christ. If we must compare it with the other
justifications, we must never say that grace is greater than the other
justification by faith or by His blood; grace is never greater than
faith in Christ, grace is never greater than the blood of Christ, and
grace is never greater than the Word or commandments of Christ. The law
and the words of Moses are obsolete; but the law, the doctrine, and the
words of Jesus Christ will still speak to us with grace and truth:
Joh
1:14-17 KJV And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full
of grace and truth .. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Mat
17:5 KJV While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Tit 1:3-4 KJV But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching,
which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our
Saviour; (4) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Tit 2:10-12 LITV not stealing, but showing all good faith, that they may adorn the doctrine of our Savior God in all things. (11) For the saving grace of God has appeared to all men, (12) instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly and righteously and godly in the present age,
Please
think, Can grace teach us without any words or doctrine from Christ?
No. Hence, I would think that it is a figurative way of saying that
grace can teach like a person, but ultimately it is the word or doctrine
of Christ which teaches us. Please think again, How can we hear Him if
He has never said anything or given us any commandment ? Obviously, when
God told us to hear Him because He has given His words and commandments
clearly to us through Jesus Christ; God would not want us to hear any
others words which are given vaguely, evasively, relevantly, or
deceitfully by men. Hence, false prophets or men would be very pleased
if we turn away from the words of Christ and listen to them. They know
that if we would just focus on grace alone and turn away from all the
doctrine, teaching, or commandments of Christ, they can say anything
they like based on any 'hyper grace' philosophy or corrupted law and
convince us that they speak the words of God or the words of grace as
God's prophets when they are not. Yes, their words may be full of grace,
but if we analyze further, they are essentially just arguments,
boasting, and confession of grace (or taking advantage of grace);
however, they are void of any teaching, doctrine, or commandments of
Christ. Instead, they will claim that it is their own commandment, their
wisdom, their reasoning, or their philosophy which tells you to live
godly lives or righteous lives.
Is grace a person, a God, or a thing?
1. In the Old Testament:
Of course, grace can mean a person. In the Old Testament, wisdom was
described as a person in Pro 7:4, 8:1, grace was also used to describe
the favour of God (Gen 6:8), but can it be God or Jesus Christ? I do not
think so because while we may say that God is love, we cannot turn it
around and say that Love is God. Similarly we may say Jesus is grace;
but grace is not Jesus Christ and we can never worship it as Jesus
Christ. Common sense would tell us that while love is a part of God or
one of the attributes of God, it cannot be God. Similarly, grace is an
attribute of God too; it is not God. Grace is not everything. I have
explained this and I will always say this to those who worship grace to
undermine the other attributes of God or the doctrine of God.
2. In the New Testament: However, today I will explore further and find out what is grace in God's salvation or in the New Testament.
What is grace or faith?
Are we saved by grace? Yes. However, grace is not the 'real hero' who saves us; the real hero is Jesus Christ.
1. Grace is just the way
of how something is given to us. When we are saved by grace, it means
that we are saved freely by Jesus Christ or cleansed freely by His blood
without us doing anything to deserve it.
2. Faith is just the way
how we respond to something that is given to us too. Hence, when we are
saved by faith, it means that we trust Jesus Christ and the blood of
Jesus Christ for saving us.
It is called faith because we must
believe that we are saved by Him first before we are truly and
ultimately saved. For example, if we said that we had faith in the life
guard before we plugged ourselves into the deep pool knowing that we
cannot swim, it means that we believed in him first before we were
delivered by him from the deep pool. We would listen to his instructions
attentively, give total cooperation to him, and try to be relaxed in
the water so that it would be easier for him to save us. Similarly, in
the gospel, if a believer says that he has faith in Christ with the
knowledge that he cannot save himself, it means that he believes in
Christ first before he is delivered by Christ from this world too. He
would live by all the laws and commandments of Christ, surrender to Him
in total obedience, and stop struggling against God so that Christ will
guide him in life. He is saved by faith while he is in the world but he
is truly or ultimately saved when he is taken up into the heaven.
Now
please think, If the life guard was not there, would it help if we
would just have great faith in what a life guard could do for us? No,
faith has no effect if there wasn't any life guard to save us. How about
the gracious service guaranteed by the pool management to save anyone
who fell into the pool? No, it is useless too if the life guard was not
there. Similarly, we can go around and boast that we are saved by grace
or by faith; but without Christ or the blood of Christ, no one can be
saved too. Yes, grace and faith is important because it shows how we
receive and how God gives His salvation to us; but without the blood of
Christ, no one is saved.
In God's salvation, we cannot over-emphasize one to undermine the others
Hence,
when we say that we are saved by grace, by faith, by the blood, and by
the words of Jesus Christ, we cannot over-emphasize one or choose one at
the expense of the others:
1. grace is the way how God save us (without us doing anything to obtain it)
2. faith is the way how we respond to it
3. the blood of Christ is the provision of God which must be there - without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22)
4. the laws of Christ is the words and commandments of Christ which we must obey to keep us in Him, like what was told in His parable: we are the branches; but He is the Vine (Joh 15:5-7)
Joh 15:5-7 KJV I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can
do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a
branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the
fire, and they are burned. (7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
We are saved if we do and keep God's commandments under the law of Christ
Now
we know that we are saved by grace, by faith, and by the blood, and
that without anyone of them, we are still not saved. But are we saved if
we are saved by grace, by faith, and by the blood if we do not keep the
words of Christ?
In my illustration of the life guard, please ask
ourselves, If we had assurance (grace) from the life guard, we had faith
in the life guard, we were being saved by the life guard, are we
considered as saved? I don't think so, we are really saved only when we
came out of the pool. Hence, the words of Jesus in Joh 15:5-7 are still
applicable to us while we are still in this world. If we have not been
taken up from this world, we must still be diligent in keeping His words
and commandments.
Please think again, If both you and the life guard
were paddling in the swimming pool, the life guard might tell you to
relax and expect no dangers. However, if both of you were in the
shark-infested open sea, will he still tell you to relax and stay cool?
No, he would warn you of the sharks which might snatch you away if you
did not stay close to him (let's assume that the life guard was well
armed against the sharks):
Mat 7:15-23 KJV Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ..
How do we know that we are under the law of Christ?
Do
we know it by how often we confess it? No, if we keep His law and
commandment, we would show the desire to do good to the others too.
Otherwise, it is just blowing of hot air:
Mat 7:15-23 KJV Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (17) Even so
every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
forth evil fruit. .. (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them.
The false prophets may insist that they know Christ, but we
know that they have departed from the words of Christ because they can
never show that they are under the law of Christ. They may do good to
show others that they are still very gracious and loving but they do it
schemingly to impress others to follow them. And their words are always
confusing and misleading. There is no integrity in the way they preach their doctrine:
Mat
7:21-23 KJV Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Will we sin more if we are under the law of God or Christ?
I have heard of one preacher who quoted Joh 1:7 out of context to compare and contrast between grace and the Ten Commandments.
He
claimed that he had received many testimonies from his followers. He
said that one follower wrote: "I was raised in a family to believe and
memorize the Ten Commandments, yet my family was dysfunctional and
filled with violence and gambling, and I was taught to lie and cheat.
When I was sixteen, a college friend got me born again. I felt so much
joy but my joy after sometimes faded. I learned that I was saved from
hell but I must still please God. I was told to do many things.. to keep
God's commandments. A heavy demand was placed on me. Soon after I went
church hopping but all the churches said we should keep God's laws to please Him. I felt that God was waiting for my next wrong doing to condemn me. As a result
I became rebellious and I started to have premarital sex, had an
abortion, ended attempting suicide more than once .. .. .. But after
attending the church and listening to the grace revolution, I am seeing
more right living now .. I don't boast in myself; I boast in the Lord
.." Then, he continued to say that many (all the churches) were
'harping' on holiness or behavioural changes.
Wow, obviously it is a
promotion not for Christ or the law of Christ; but for himself or his
book. It is not just a revolution against God's commandments; it is a
revolution against all the churches who 'harp on holiness'. The
implication seemed to say that the Ten Commandments, the law of God, and
all the churches were the culprits for the rebellion, condemnation, and
sinful life of his followers. That could be a strong crowd puller for certain people who had 'bad encounters' with some law (in their churches or communities).
(You
may find his 'revolutionary' video in one of my posts shared privately.
I have removed the link here on account of the weaker Christians who
may become personal and get offended. But it does not mean that I quit pursuing
on the matter 'legitimately' in some other ways or other posts until
all the captives are set free, some of whom are my dearly beloved
brothers and sisters in Christ: Gen 14:14 KJV And when Abram heard that
his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in
his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Imagine
how Abraham still considered Lot as his brother and went all the way to
save him even after the strife Gen 13:7,11. Abraham taught me something
precious about brothers. He was not afraid to take the offensive
against any king or leader who captured Lot.)
Anyway going back
to what the preacher said, I will tell him, Whether you like it or not,
the Bible always 'harps' on holiness, commandments, doing good, godly
living, and character building too. Of course, you are entitled to
complain against what you do not like to hear. But we will continue to pursue and say what the Bible says and I don't think God's preachers will say that we are 'harping'.
Now
please think, If someone committed suicide in the swimming pool, could
he blame the swimming pool for giving him the opportunity to drown
himself? If he cheated others and went into jail, could he blame the law
of his country? No, if he could not meet the demand of the law and went
into jail, we don't blame the law of his country, his lawyers, or his
parents; we tell him to blame himself and repent. If our children were
not properly taught and offended the law, do we blame the law too? No.
If no one should blame the law of his country for his crimes or his
children's rebellion, can anyone blame the law of God for his own sins?
No, it is absurd to even think of it or preach it. Only Satan would
encourage us to do it with all the absurd excuses that we can find or we
can learn from him.
Can we blame God or God's laws with all our excuses?
No,
all our excuses will 'go into the drains'. Many think that it is absurd
to blame the swimming pool for the death of anyone who committed
suicide in it as they know that swimming pools are built for a good
purpose.
But the irony is many cannot see the purpose of God's laws
and God's heart when He wrote the commandments for them. As soon as they
saw the death of anyone who committed a sin, violated God's laws, and
died, they rose up and said that they would not want to have anything
got to do with His laws or commandments. They forgot how many crimes had
been judged and prevented by God's laws, how many children and adults
had been taught and given solid principles based God's laws, how many
good works had been done by the billions of people who followed His
laws, and how many societies, communities, and countries had been
blessed because they recognized the importance of law and order through
the Bible, history of the Church, or law of God. But many would just
want to shut their 'eyes' and think of only 'death' when they could
still hear the laughters of their beloved children in their own swimming
pools. The irony is they know the goodness of the swimming pools but
they cannot see the goodness of God in giving them the laws or
commandments.
They will still argue, "But we are justified by Christ
not to have any law. You can't deny that we have total justification
under the blood of Christ .." I will ask them, Do you know what's the
difference between an excuse and a justification? An excuse is any
reason or anything given which is vain, baseless, absurd, and lawless;
but a justification is reasonable, legitimate, covenanted, or lawful. In
another words, a justification cannot take effect without the law.
Hence, our justification may not be under the Jewish law or the law of
Moses; but it must be still under the law of a new covenant which is
still the law of God and Jesus Christ.
The Bible explains that God's
commandment is good and holy: it means that we can never blame God's
laws because it was sin itself which took the occasion (unjustly took
the advantage of law) to deceive and destroy us ..
Rom 7:10-13 KJV And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. (11) For sin, taking occasion
by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. (12) Wherefore
the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (13) Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid.
But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is
good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
But
many ask, "How did sin take advantage of law to destroy us?" I will use
the same picture in the garden of Eden in Gen 3 to illustrate this. Sin
is like that serpent in the garden which knew that men would die if
they disobeyed God's commandment. So, it took occasion by the
commandment, deceived Adam and Eve, and by it slew them too. Hence, the
serpent and sin could both take occasion by the commandment to destroy
us only when we believed it that there was no more law; but only
lawlessness:
1Jn 3:2-4 LITV .. (4) Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
Of
course, we may blame the law if there is a bad law or bad governance.
But when there is a bad law in a church or in a country, it should
convince us more about the importance of a good law and the law of God.
It should never lead us to blindly believe the lie and deception of
Satan or serpent that no law is a 'good law'.
Are we saved if we do not do or keep the law of God or Jesus Christ?
I
will tell them, Yes, we are not justified by the law, but are we saved
if we do not do His laws? No, if we do not do His laws, it simply shows
that we are not under the law of God or Jesus Christ.
Many will argue, "Yes, we are still saved
even if we do not do the law of God. We can never lose our salvation
because we are the believers. Anyway, we are the believers who know the
righteousness of God. Will we think of breaking God's laws or
commandments? No. Do we think of sinning? Come on please stop thinking
negatively about us or accusing us .."
I will tell them, My question
was simple: Are we saved if we do not do the law of God or Jesus Christ?
Obviously you refused to admit the answer; but gave the vague reply,
because of pride or lawless thinking. I do not want to argue with your
lawless reasoning, I will just show you the following illustration and
ask you to judge for yourselves and determine if there is anything wrong
with your reply:
Supposed you had a son and you asked him, "Son, is
it safe to cross the road when the traffic light is red?" and the answer
you got from him was "Yes, I am still saved even if I break traffic
rule. But because I am your clever son, I can never act foolishly.
Anyway, I am an adult and I know when to cross and when not to cross
safely. Do I look like someone who want to break the law? Come on, daddy
.." Please think, If God is the daddy, what will He do?
Do we leave church or God just because we do not like any law?
Something
is wrong if I leave my church just because I find that it is legalistic
(in their dressing code or minor rules) too. However, I will leave the
church only because it is no longer living under the law of God or Jesus
Christ. Yes, when there is no more law in our church, more rebellious
people may stay in the church; but it is also a dead church. When a
church removes the law of God, God will remove them:
Rev 2:4-5 KJV Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;
or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick
out of his place, except thou repent. (departing from the law of God is
departing from our first love, and departing doing good to others is
departing doing the first works)
Obviously, the testimony of
'revolution' read by the preacher above was created with the subtle
intention to ask all the believers to depart (leave their churches) for
the revolution or 'grace-based' churches. But I will tell the believers,
Before you leave, please think. You will never find a perfectly
non-legalistic church because there are always some hidden church rules
which you will only find later (even in a perfect church or the
so-called 'grace-based' church). Do you know that most God's churches
are always considered as legalistic, not because they lay down
unreasonable rules to ask you to dress conservatively or live godly
lives? They are always accused of being legalistic by the unrepentant
sinners because they preach repentance and keeping the laws and
principles of God; not because of preaching basic church rules eg.
telling the believers to read the Bible more often, go to the church
every Sunday, take holy communion, pray, make confession, give thanks,
observe silence while the pastor is preaching, respect the order of
worship, and dress decently not to distract others. Please think if you
cannot keep these simple basic rules of life in the church or community,
how can you keep the law and commandment of God? If you think that
basic rules of life, godly principles, or God's laws are legalistic and
are not necessary, how can you say that you have high regard for God's
law! Do you know that, if we still need the basic rules of life in the churches, how much more we need the law of God in the life of the believers too? If you have high regard for God's law, you will know the importance.
Please
think again, If the snake still comes to us today, do we believe him
and think that there is no more law from God or Jesus Christ?
Gen 3:1
KJV Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which
the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Yes,
we should tell him that God's law is not obsolete yet. We do not have
the law about the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil; but we still
have the law of God to please Him:
1Th 4:1-3 KJV Furthermore then we
beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye
have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Rom 8:7-8 KJV Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Yes,
I would think that this is STILL a law which you cannot deny. Yes, you
said that there is only a gospel for everyone; there is also a law for
everyone too; it is the law of Christ.
Rom 12:2 KJV And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Eph
5:6-17 KJV Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
.. (10) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (11) And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them. (12) For it is a shame even to speak of those things
which are done of them in secret ... (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise,
but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
What is a law?
I
am not an English professor or linguistic scholar, so I cannot define a
law based on its correct linguistic usage with many words; however, I
can explain it based on my layman understanding by doing the
compare-and-contrast explanation between 'a word' and 'a law':
1. A word
can be a description, a condition, a promise, a blessing, an action, a
name, a thing, or anything which does not have any requirement, reward,
constraint, discipline, or effort to do something or not to do
something;
2. but a law is more than a word. It is any of the
above which has the requirement, reward, constraint, discipline, and
effort to do something or not to do something. For example, when there
is a law against littering, it means that there is a consequence of
doing it; we can never use 'a word' to replace 'a law'. Similarly when
there is the law of gravity, there is the constraint for the objects to
fall down. We can never say that it is a 'word' of gravity too.
Now, with that understanding, I can explain what it means when we need to keep the words of God or the words of Jesus Christ:
Mat 7:24 KJV Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Luk 11:28 KJV But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Joh 14:23-24 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words:
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him. (24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and
the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Rev 1:3 KJV Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Psa 1:2 KJV But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
I
do not have time to list down all the Bible verses about keeping the
words of God or doing the words of God. However, we can say that, based
on our simple understanding, all these words are the words which require
us to do something; not to do nothing. In another words, they are all the laws of God (which require us to do something). When we are told to keep the words, we are actually told to keep the laws of God.
Mat 7:12 KJV Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The
words of the Lord above is still a law. Whether it a law within a law
or a law of the law, the Lord's words show that there is still the law
and the prophets in His laws. It also proves that the Ten Commandments
which are in the laws and the prophets are now in the law of Christ too:
Mat
22:37-40 KJV Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord .. (39) And
the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
We are not justified by the law; but we are certainly justified (by His blood) to do the law
of Christ to be under the law of Christ. However, it puzzles me to see
so many believers being deceived to think that there is no more law. But
false christs will have many vain and fake 'words of Christ' which have
no more law or requirement for us to do anything. Obviously they said
that with two most likely reasons:
1. to create a crowd puller so
they can enrich themselves directly or indirectly with the 'sales' of
their false doctrine, false assurance, or false liberty
2. to
indirectly justify themselves, and argue that Jesus could not judge them
even if they did not do His words or His laws (and show the fruits of
doing His laws), that therefore Mat 7:15-24 is not a valid commandment
or warning for the churches, hoping that they will escape detection:
Mat
7:15-23 KJV Beware of false prophets .. (20) Wherefore by their fruits
ye shall know them. (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord
.. (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity.
When we keep the words of God, it is not just the words that we keep; we keep the laws of God too
Many
would just want to hear the words of God without doing anything because
they want to hear only words which are not demanding (or only 'pure
words' which has no more requirement for them to do anything). In
another words, they do not want to hear or keep any word or any law
which requires them to do anything. They think that any law which tells
them to do something to please God is self-effort. (I will tell tell to
read Rom 8:7-8 again). They argue that any law, including the laws of
God, will make them legalistic, rebellious, or hypocritical. Is it true?
I say, No.
There are many types of laws. Hence, when the Apostles
commanded the believers not to keep the law in Act 15:5, 24, Rom 2:25,
and Gal 6:13, they did explain what type of law we should not keep.
Act 15:5 KJV But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Act
15:24 KJV Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from
us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
However,
they did not tell us to reject all the laws of God. This is evident
when Paul wrote in Heb 8:12 and 10:16 that we should still keep His laws
in our hearts and minds. Obviously, there is not only a difference
between the law of Moses and the law of Christ; there is also a
difference when the Apostles told the believers to take note of the
justification by circumcision in the law of Moses. It means that they
did not reject everything in the law of Moses. They still followed the
Ten Commandments and principles of God in the commandments:
1Co 9:9 KJV For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Rom 13:8-9 KJV Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
(9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill,
Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not
covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended
in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Eph 6:1-3 KJV Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
What is a license to sin?
I
have said in my previous post K.132 that Jesus is the narrow way or
narrow gate to the city of God in Rev 22:14. That would include His
words, His doctrine, His laws, and His commandments too. Why are they
narrow? It is because there are constraints, disciplines, and efforts in
His words or laws. Of course, we can never use any constraint,
discipline, or effort to earn our salvation because we can only depend
on the blood of Jesus Christ for our salvation. But, it is perfectly
alright and in the will of God to have constraint, discipline, or effort
in the law of Christ. I will ask those who insist on living in Christ
effortlessly, Do you find constraint or effort in the following Bible
verses, especially those words that were highlighted? If we do, we ought
to teach about it honestly:
1Co 16:13-16 KJV Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (14) Let all your things be done with charity .. .. (16) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
1Pe
5:4-10 KJV And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a
crown of glory that fadeth not away. (5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions
are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (10) But the
God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Many
will argue, "But Jesus said His way is always easy, or else He won't
tell us to relax and carry His yoke .. Have you read His words?"
Mat
11:28-30 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I will tell
them, Please read it again. Did He say that His way or His gate is
easy? No, why did He say that His yoke is easy? A yoke is a wooden scale
normally put on the cattle so that the bullock cart can move forward by
the pulling of the cattle. Thayer defined it as " .. any burden or
bondage metaphorically, or any slavery or troublesome laws imposed on
one, especially of the Mosaic law, hence the name is so transferred to
the commands of Christ as to contrast them with the commands of the
Pharisees which were a veritable ‘yoke’; yet even Christ’s commands must
be submitted to, though easier to be kept .." It means that His law or
command is easy and that we must still keep His law or commandment. All
His true believers who keep His laws and carry His yoke can tell you
that it is easy too.
But today I want to explain further that there is a big difference between constraints and bondages.
1. Under the constraints
or law of Christ, one will yield, discipline, or submit himself
willingly as a bond servant (slave or instrument) of God's
righteousness: 1Pe 2:15-16 KJV For so is the will of God, that with
well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (16) As
free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (Jas 1:21-25, Jas 2:12, Rom 6:13, 18-19)
2. But under the bondage of sin and the law of flesh, one would live with corruption and lawlessness: 2Pe 2:19-21 KJV While they promise them liberty,
they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is
overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (20) For if after they
have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and
overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21)
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them. (Rom 7:14, 23).
Preaching the freedom of God with lawlessness (or without the law of God) is preaching the license to sin
Hence,
there is liberty for both cases above; however, only the one in the
first case is blessed because he did not make use of his liberty for
wrongdoing. Why? It's because of the law of Christ. But what if we
preach that there is liberty; but no law? It will be license to sin. I
will explain with the following two illustrations:
1. In a supermarket,
if I were to instruct my kids that they should grab everything secretly
without paying (as though there was no law), I gave them the license
to sin.
2. Similarly, in a church, if I were to preach to my
fellow brethren that they should do everything effortlessly without any
constraint, any principle, or any law of God, I preached the license to
sin too. They might not do as I said and sin like the devil, but in the
sight of God, I had already become lawless, slothful, and wicked servant
who was not fit to become His preacher too:
Mat 5:19 KJV Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat
25:24-26 KJV Then he which had received the one talent came and said,
Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not
sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (25) And I was
afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast
that is thine. (26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
I
used to think that God's judgement for the servant was cruel when he
was judged as a wicked and slothful servant just because of doing
nothing. But now I realize that God was not judging ordinary people; He
was judging a servant or a preacher who was given the privilege to use
His 'talents'. The 'talents' are certainly not our natural talents, our
resources, our money, our houses, our businesses, or our good works; the
talents are His words or His commandments. Hence, when the preacher buried God's 'talent', obviously he would make it of none effect:
Mar
7:9-13 KJV And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment
of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (10) For Moses said,
Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother,
let him die the death: (11) But ye say, If a man shall say to his
father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever
thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. (12) And ye suffer
him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; (13) Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Mat 15:6 KJV And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
It is a wicked behaviour. It could be giving license to sin too !
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