B
brakelite
Guest
There is a common underlying theme to so many discussions which touch on the Ten Commandments, OSAS, salvation by faith, the Sabbath, works, obedience , antinomianism etc,etc, and that common thread is the nature of sin, and God's method of dealing with it. Following that theme, I would like to post my thoughts on the underlying purpose of God's plan of salvation...the ultimate purpose in preparing us and making it possible for us to receive that most precious gift of eternal life.
Quoting from Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 8.....
1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(now see why Christ condemned sin in the flesh....)
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death (why is it that to be carnally minded leads to death? Because the wages of sin is death); but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(Note that the carnal mind is not subject to God's laws...the carnal mind cannot obey God...it is in fact at war with God)
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(But note the very next word).....
9 But ....BUT....ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
(Note this carefully.The born again Spirit filled believer in Christ is set in direct contradistinction to the carnal flesh minded unsaved unregenerated non-believer. The latter cannot obey God...but the former..what can He do??? Surely he can obey the law...he was even re-created for that very purpose!!!)
The creative power of God, the same power that created the universe and everything in it, and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, it is often claimed is not powerful enough to make such a change in your life that you cannot overcome sin!
As Christians we are required to obey all God's commandments. As far as I am concerned that's a given. However, it is how we accomplish this seemingly impossible task that makes all the difference between the Jews of the OT and we of the NT. Let us not make the same mistake as did Israel of old. They made a rash promise at Sinai, one which they paid for throughout their ensuing history. After God gave the law, Israel pronounced: Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. It was this weak promise that is alluded to in the book of Hebrews, and which inspired the Lord to establish a new covenant based on 'better promises'. Israel attempted to obey in their own strength. They said we will do. In the NT God has promised that He will do. How? By writing His laws upon our hearts and minds. Thus we as Christians are not to go about our lives trying constantly to obey, no no. The just shall live by faith! (An OT recommendation btw) It is as we abide in Christ...as we absorb the life giving power that comes through the vine....power that grows fruits of obedience (Phil. 1:11)....it is as we focus on our Savior Jesus, that our obedience to the laws of God become a living reality in our lives. And the key force, the key virtue that unlocks all of this is LOVE. Love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:9,10) Love enables us to demonstrate the righteousness of Christ in our day-to-day living. It is love, the very nature and character of God imparted to our hearts and minds, bringing to us the image of our Savior, the very same character that Jesus demonstrated throughout His walk on earth, that fulfills every single requirement of the law. For when we love, we cannot be offending either God or man. This is why Jesus said unto him, (the lawyer)
Matt 22:37Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
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.
Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
The only thing that impedes God's ability to create in us His own righteousness...to make true obedient disciples...to make us experientially holy, righteous, virtuous, "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that we (the church) should be holy and without blemish." ......is our unbelief.
It is therefore never God's plan to remove or change the law, but to remove our fleshly nature, and change us that we may walk in harmony with the law.
Quoting from Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 8.....
1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(now see why Christ condemned sin in the flesh....)
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death (why is it that to be carnally minded leads to death? Because the wages of sin is death); but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(Note that the carnal mind is not subject to God's laws...the carnal mind cannot obey God...it is in fact at war with God)
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(But note the very next word).....
9 But ....BUT....ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
(Note this carefully.The born again Spirit filled believer in Christ is set in direct contradistinction to the carnal flesh minded unsaved unregenerated non-believer. The latter cannot obey God...but the former..what can He do??? Surely he can obey the law...he was even re-created for that very purpose!!!)
The creative power of God, the same power that created the universe and everything in it, and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, it is often claimed is not powerful enough to make such a change in your life that you cannot overcome sin!
As Christians we are required to obey all God's commandments. As far as I am concerned that's a given. However, it is how we accomplish this seemingly impossible task that makes all the difference between the Jews of the OT and we of the NT. Let us not make the same mistake as did Israel of old. They made a rash promise at Sinai, one which they paid for throughout their ensuing history. After God gave the law, Israel pronounced: Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. It was this weak promise that is alluded to in the book of Hebrews, and which inspired the Lord to establish a new covenant based on 'better promises'. Israel attempted to obey in their own strength. They said we will do. In the NT God has promised that He will do. How? By writing His laws upon our hearts and minds. Thus we as Christians are not to go about our lives trying constantly to obey, no no. The just shall live by faith! (An OT recommendation btw) It is as we abide in Christ...as we absorb the life giving power that comes through the vine....power that grows fruits of obedience (Phil. 1:11)....it is as we focus on our Savior Jesus, that our obedience to the laws of God become a living reality in our lives. And the key force, the key virtue that unlocks all of this is LOVE. Love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:9,10) Love enables us to demonstrate the righteousness of Christ in our day-to-day living. It is love, the very nature and character of God imparted to our hearts and minds, bringing to us the image of our Savior, the very same character that Jesus demonstrated throughout His walk on earth, that fulfills every single requirement of the law. For when we love, we cannot be offending either God or man. This is why Jesus said unto him, (the lawyer)
Matt 22:37Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
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.
Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
The only thing that impedes God's ability to create in us His own righteousness...to make true obedient disciples...to make us experientially holy, righteous, virtuous, "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that we (the church) should be holy and without blemish." ......is our unbelief.
It is therefore never God's plan to remove or change the law, but to remove our fleshly nature, and change us that we may walk in harmony with the law.