So what is my preoccupation with this ‘law stuff’ that I keep bringing up here?
Let me begin first by saying that my days are not consumed by waking up with a long list of ‘laws and commandments’ that I go about trying to keep.
Nor am I advocating that being a ‘rule keeper’ or a ‘law follower’ is what saves a person or makes them ‘righteous’ in the eyes of God. We've proven repeatedly our inability to do that.
I think part of the great deception and ‘sleep mode’ that many believers find themselves in today has been brought about over time as a ‘planned strategy’ by a spiritual enemy. I mean, it’s what he (Satan) has been doing ever since God set boundaries back in Genesis.
Admit it…talk of ‘obedience’ and ‘laws’ and ‘commandments’ makes something inside many of us bristle as we sit around at ‘ease in Zion’ sipping tea from our cups of grace while muttering words of accusation like ‘legalism’.
So why should any New Testament believer…or non-believer for that matter, be even remotely concerned with the Law of God?
I don’t know…can you tell me why a roofer should be concerned or knowledgeable about the ‘laws of gravity’?
[Long dramatic pause here]
Well, for starters…I have in my possession, as do many of you, a book known as the bible, or “God’s Word”, (which we lovingly like to refer to it as), that contains quite the documented history of generations of people who suffered greatly as a result of ignoring this ‘law’. (I hope you are nodding your head in agreement underscoring that statement to be factual and true.)
would suggest that for any ‘believer' to ignore the Book of Deuteronomy, for example, would be to their own peril, as well. The reason I would steer you in the direction of visiting or revisiting this book is so you might be reminded, if not educated on, the fact that God really, really esteems His Law to be holy and significant and important. One cannot stress enough how death and life, blessings and curses were tied up in adhering to this ‘Law’. ( A law, I remind you, that we are incapable of fulfilling on our own)
Perhaps I can encourage you to at least purpose to read through chapters 1-13, and then 28-30 (Deuteronomy). And before you start, just ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate various passages to you that He might want you to make note of. And don’t undertake this ‘assignment’ thinking you can do it in 30 minutes or less either, please. ;-) You have the whole weekend ahead of you.
You might even spend extra time going over that 28th chapter. It’s a long one. The first 13 verses focus on the promised blessings that follow obedience to God’s word/law.
We like to read and ‘claim’ those.
But it’s the next 55 verses that you will find sobering, if not downright disturbing. God goes in to great detail warning of the consequences of ignoring, turning away from, and disobeying (or not adhering to) His Laws.
As one pastor somberly observed years ago looking over his congregation…”If the curses have been done away with and are no longer with us, why do I see so many of them happening to people in my church?”
That…is a really good question.
[Really long dramatic pause here]
May I again remind you of some of Paul’s comments he wrote regarding the law/commandments.
The law was given 430 years after the covenant with Abraham…and it was added because of transgressions (sin) (Gal 3:17,19)
He underscored the fact that the law brings with it, curses (Gal 3:10) and wrath (Rom 4:15) and it brings death (2 Cor 3:6)
Paul expressed this to Timothy in his first letter to him: “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made NOT for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me”. (1 Tim 1:8-10)
And you did note that clarification in there: “the law is made not for the righteous”.
So just ‘who’ are the ‘righteous’?
I’m sure we could all offer up our thoughts and opinions on that one, but allow me if you will, to just answer with the Word: “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” ( 1 John 3:7) If that troubles you, may I encourage you to take it up with the one who put that there. :- )
Now consider this, if you will.
God set His law in place centuries ago.
Jesus confirms that He did not come to do away with or to abolish the Law. (Matt 5:17)
Therefore, the law still stands today and is just as much in effect as it was when God gave it.
You might want to read that last line over again slowly.
God’s law was not taken away anymore than the law of gravity has ceased to exist.
The only way anyone can escape the wrath, the curse, the judgment and the death that the law brings is through turning to Jesus in repentance and making Him the Lord of their life.
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
And you do know what it is we are 'saved from'? The wrath of God. (Rom 5:9)
To think or believe that one can ‘accept Christ as Savior’ without submitting to His Lordship is probably one of the most deceptive and destructive lies ever passed down to the church world.
There. I said. It.
The ONLY way anyone can escape the wrath and judgment that the law brings is to become not just a ‘believer’ in Jesus, but a true ‘follower’.
You won’t find this any more clearer than in Galatians 5 where Paul writes that ‘IF….you are Led….by the Spirit…then you are Not under the law (nor subject to the penalties that it brings) (vs 18)
And why is that?
Because IF…you are ‘walking in the Spirit, you will not be fulfilling the lust of the flesh. (vs 16)
Or, as John put it, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” ( I John 3:6,4)
And the reason for this is because ‘those who are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God…and they ‘by the spirit’ put to death the deeds of the body, so they might live.’ (Rom 8:14,13)
“Now the works/deeds/fruit of the flesh are evident: ….[long list here in Gal 5:19-21]…and “those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” (vs 21)
Now it will be evident by the fruit produced who are the true followers of Christ…”The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is NO LAW… and those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires.” (Gal 5:22-24)
Time to take a deep breath.
You might want to print this one off…read it over several times…and break out that bible so you can look up all these verses.
Folks…this is gonna be hard to wrap your head around. Trust me. I know.
But it is really serious.
And for those of you who press in and allow the Spirit to make some things clear to you regarding all this…some really good things are on your horizon.
Have a good weekend. I’ll be back tomorrow, Lord willing…for whoever among you ventures back as well.
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