We do not have the luxury of only agreeing with and embracing just some of the things Paul wrote to the church. You know, those statements that we are familiar with and ‘fit’ with our current theological beliefs. Statements like ‘the just shall live by faith’, or ‘the righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by the deeds of the law’ (Rom. 3:20-21). 

 Of course it is “by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves...the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9) 

 I dare say that most church members would agree with this general assessment that states something to the effect where ‘No one other than Jesus could keep God’s holy law, so by simply professing with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, His righteousness is imputed to us wretched sinners as a gift from a loving God. In the meantime, ‘just believe’, try to live better and go to Him regularly to confess your sins asking Him to forgive you, and all will be well with your soul.” (And try not to miss those weekly church services either.) 

 Folks....I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve taught that. And I’m telling you...God is wanting to get our attention to ‘correct’ some erroneous misconceptions that many have been misled by. Many of us have been like those “who had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge...being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish our own righteousness...’ (Rom. 10:2-3). Paul wrote that as well. 

 Would you like to hear an example of what that looks like, this idea of ‘establishing our own righteousness’? Keep in mind, there is a spiritual enemy who is out to deceive us and does rather well in leading people astray. He’s had a lot of experience at it. (Rev. 12:9; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:3-4). 

 Jesus came preaching the gospel of His kingdom that included statements like ‘forsaking all’ and ‘taking up one’s cross’ and ‘laying down one’s life’. And let’s admit it, those kind of statements don’t set well with our flesh nature that has no interest in ‘dying’. In several places, when asked what was needed to receive or inherit this eternal life, Jesus pointed people to the law, of all things, saying that if they ‘did that, they would live’. (Matt. 19:17; Luke 10:26-28). 

 There has to be an easier way, right? So, along comes man-made doctrines that do nothing to conform us to godliness and the nature and character of Christ. Many are simply told...’just do this or say this or sign here...and you can go to heaven’. Jesus accused the Pharisees of doing similar things as they laid aside the commandments of God and taught their own traditions. (Mark 7:7-13) They really did not appreciate what Jesus had to say about all this either. 

 Would you like to hear a few other things Paul said regarding the ‘law’...that many sincere believers think has no relevance today? Look at Romans 2:13- “For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified”. 

 Or what about Romans 3:31 that states: “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law [we confirm or uphold the law].”  Wait....we do...what?

 Paul also wrote that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” (Rom. 7:12) 

 So what is it...’faith or law’? If you are feeling a tad overwhelmed about now, maybe even a bit confused...take a deep breath and ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your understanding. And please remember...you need not be afraid of God’s word. If what you are reading/hearing now does not seem to ‘fit’ with what you were always led to believe...at least consider the possibility that maybe you just learned something incorrectly? And relearning, after ‘unlearning’ certain things can be a bit daunting at times. Just ask a baseball player or golfer who finds out they’ve been throwing or swinging incorrectly all these years and need to relearn. Muscle memory can really mess with us when having to be retaught. Trust me, I know. 

 Let me also reassure you here that this walk of salvation and abiding in Jesus has nothing to do with going out and keeping a bunch of laws and commandments. Would you read that again, please? 

 Here’s why: IF... your heart and mind is fixed on Jesus...and totally surrendered to Him, having made Him Lord of all, then you have committed yourself to following Him...obeying Him and being led by His Spirit. That is, what children of God do...they ‘trust and obey...and follow’. (John 10:27; Rom. 8:14; Luke 6:46; Heb. 5:9). Those who really love Jesus...do what He says and keep His commands. (John 14:15; 1 John 2: 2:3-4). I sure hope you look up these scriptures and really read them. It’s His word that will bring freedom and healing to you, not 'my' words. 

 So exactly what function does the law serve then today? Same thing any laws are designed to do...keep folks in line or else suffer the consequences. As in, punish the evil doers. (Rom. 13:2-4) 

 You see, the law brings ‘wrath’ and ‘curse’ and ‘condemnation’ and ‘death’. (Rom. 4:15; Gal. 3:10; 2 Cor. 3:7,9). Those are things we should not be desiring, obviously. Now consider another statement that Paul wrote and it just does not get any more clear than this: 

 “We know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person...” STOP HERE- and go look at 1 John 3:7. 

 Paul continues on...the law is made “for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers, for man-slayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other things that is contrary to sound doctrine...” Paul wrote this in his first letter to Timothy- (1:8-10) 

 Do you see what he is listing here? - an assortment of the deeds of the sinful flesh nature, the carnally minded. You can read a lengthier list of these traits as well in Romans 1:28-32 where he emphasizes that those who practice such things are deserving of death. And what did Paul say there in Romans 8 how “the carnal mind is hostile against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be so then those who are in the flesh (nature) cannot please God”. (7-8) And what did he write there in Romans 8:13? 

 But...But...But...for those ‘who are IN Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but the Spirit...there is now therefore NO condemnation”. (Rom. 8:1). Do you know why? Because they are following Jesus by the Spirit and in doing so...in doing so...”ALL the righteous requirements of the law are being fully met in them.” (Rom. 8:4)  That is what He leads us to do...to fulfill the law just like He did. And apart from Him, it is impossible for you to accomplish this. (1 John 2:6; John 15:5)

 Do you see that? Read that again please. 

 And IF...you are being led by His Spirit, you are no longer fulfilling the lustful, sinful desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16) which means you are ‘not under the law’ (nor subject to its wrath and curse) because...you are ‘led by His Spirit’. (Gal. 5:18). You might circle that two-letter word there: IF...you are led. 

 Do you know what the Spirit leads us to do...long before it leads us to join the praise team so you can change the world? It leads you to put to death all the sinful deeds of the flesh. (Rom. 8:13). And ‘those who belong to Christ HAVE (past tense) crucified (or put to death) the flesh with its passions and desires”. (Gal. 5:24). 

 Those would be, by the way, the same sinful flesh desires that give place to the devil to operate and control us if you go read Eph. 2:1-3 & 4:27. Paul wrote that as well. That Paul...he really had much to say about this ‘old man’ or sinful flesh nature. Look at that other exhaustive list there in Gal. 5:19-21; and did you note how he wraps that all up at the end? “Those who continue to practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” You might go glance at Romans 2:2-3 now. 

 So this ‘law’ that God instituted because of sin/transgressions (Gal. 3:19)... -Did Jesus come to do away with this law? Of course not- Matt. 5:17. Jesus said He came to fulfill it. Are you ready for this? Not only did Jesus fulfill the law, but those who surrender to Him as Lord...and abide in Him (as opposed to being a faithful church member)...will WALK JUST LIKE JESUS WALKED. ( 1 John 2:6). This is how we know who His disciples are...by the love they have one for another. (John 13:35). And you do know: ‘love is the fulfillment of the law’? (Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8)  But it has to be the 'God kind of love' that only comes from being a partaker of His divine nature.(2 Pet. 1:3-4) To not love in this manner, as outlined in 1 Cor. 13:4-8, is breaking God's law.  That is what sin is. (1 John 3:4)

 Now then - do you think God is capable of enforcing His laws today? Do you know how He does this? He uses Satan and the powers of darkness, demons and unclean spirits that come to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’. (John 10:10). That is why Jesus told that man He healed to ‘go and sin no more or something worse will come upon you’.(John 5:14)  Now make no mistake about it...God keeps them 'on a leash' as they can do nothing without His permission.  But if you begin to see just how they have access in to our lives, it will be quite the wake up call for sure.

Have you ever read where John wrote: "We know...(do we?)...that whoever is born of God does not sin...and the wicked one does not touch him." (1 John :18)

 If you happen to sense a certain level of the ‘fear of God’ picking up in you about now, that is good. That is very good. We’ve been pretty ignorant of that as well. Join me tomorrow?