Studying the Book of Books – The Bible

Studying the Book of Books – The Bible

A few weeks ago my wife and I began a journey of going through the entire Bible during our discussion times. We chose a book to help with this process, "What the Bible Is All About", by Dr. Henrietta C. Mears. It is proving to be a rich time of learning, and re-learning, the events recorded in scripture.

There are a few things so far that have brought questions, and even more that have reminded me of the goodness of God. First of all I’ll mention some of the questions.

Why did Cain and Abel bring sacrifices to God? My guess is that it came from the covenant that God made with Adam after he sinned. God made a promise to Adam that He would bring an end to the enemy’s ability to control man. Even though it was not recorded, there could have been consequences added to the covenant that required sacrifice to atone for their transgressions of the terms of the covenant. We don’t know.

Why was God pleased with Abel’s offering and not Cain’s? The answer I’ve always heard is that Abel’s offering contained blood. Another plausible explanation is that Abel brought the “firstling” of his flock; Cain brought “fruits” from his harvest. I personally believe it had to do with the heart. Clearly Cain had some heart issues.

Why did Lot choose to go to the small city instead of to the mountains where the angels tried to direct him? The next morning he headed for the mountains. Why did the angels allow him to do this?

There are several more, but there’s no need to look at all of them. The best thing that came from our discussion so far is how God interjected Grace into the Old Testament stories recorded for us.

The first one came when Adam was displaced from the Garden. We know it was because of the Tree of Life. God said He did not want Adam to live forever. This is Grace! Because of sin Adam was now separated from God. He could no longer have the relationship that they once enjoyed. God did not want Adam to be separated from Him forever. Therefore, Adam had to die. God put a plan in motion that would eventually allow Adam to once again have the face-to-face fellowship that they once enjoyed. This plan was eventually completed in Jesus Christ.

After Cain killed Abel God made a covenant with Cain. God declared that anyone who brought harm to Cain would have to deal with God Himself. That is Grace! Cain did not deserve having his life spared. But God, in His never-ending love for mankind, wanted to show that there was always hope found in Him.

The ark that Noah built was a picture of Grace. God found a way to spare mankind from His wrath. Through Noah, eventually Messiah would come and redeem man.

The dispersion of the people from Babel was an act of God’s Grace. If they had continued pursuing their plan to “make a name for ourselves,” God knew they would have to die. Confusing their speech caused them to spread out and fill the earth as God had previously commanded them.

The blessing of Ishmael was a picture of God’s Grace. God had a plan for Abram. He blew it in an attempt to help God. However, because God had already decreed that Abram’s descendants would be blessed, He blessed Ishmael. God is true to His word, even when we are unfaithful with His plans for us.

Again, there are many more. All of this came from just the first two-thirds of the first book of the Bible. I can’t wait to see all of what the Lord will show us in the remaining 65 books. I love His Word!

Even More on The Law vs. Grace

Even More on The Law vs. Grace

Years ago I heard Craig Hill, author of the Ancient Paths seminars, describe the experience of the believer after being born again. Paul described the conflict that occurs in our soul between flesh and spirit.

Romans 8:3-5 (ESV) By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

The diagram below gives us a picture of where we stand.

                   

In Christ we have the ability to withstand the temptation to open the door to the flesh. Jesus Christ overcame sin, and the power of it, so that we could live in right relation with God.

Romans 7:4-6 (ESV) Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

We do not have to walk according to the flesh, but we can now live by the Spirit!!

Romans 8:1-4 (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Do not allow others to put The Law back on you after being born again. It has no place in the life of the Believer. We now live by the Grace of God. The Law is no longer used as a measuring stick in the life of the Believer.

Galatians 2:16 (ESV) yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

If The Law, any part of it, was still applicable to the Believer we would have to keep the whole Law in order to obtain righteousness. We cannot. It is impossible for man to keep The Law. So do not try.

Galatians 5:3-6 (ESV) I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV) But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Our only requirement as a Believer, one baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit, identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, seating, and empowered by the gifts He sent, is to live according to the love of Christ. And that, my friend, is enough!!

More on The Law vs. Grace

More on The Law vs. Grace

When we get our eyes off of the Lord and start looking at circumstances we begin to seek ways of correcting things ourselves. I remember an incident when our children were young, one of them was not getting their way. He came to us in total frustration and said, “We need a rule about ...” If there was a rule then he could use that leverage to get the result he wanted.

I believe that is how leaders in Christian churches get to the place of re-activating The Law and applying it to Believers. It is nothing new.

Galatians 3:1-3 (ESV) O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

I mentioned this last time, but it is worth repeating here. There were some in the Old Testament that operated in Grace, even before Jesus paid the price for sin and made a way for us to be accepted by Father. Look at Abraham. Even though he lived before The Law, he knew there was something more than trying to live right in order to please God.

Galatians 3:4-9 (ESV) Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Now, even though we live after The Law was written, we are not bound by it for the same reason that Abraham was not bound by it. Jesus, the Christ, redeemed us so we no longer have to try to be justified by keeping The Law.

Galatians 3:10-14 (ESV) For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Now, since He has received the promise given to Abraham, we get to be partakers of it if we are “in Christ.” The Law was never intended for us before Jesus, and certainly not after Jesus. Our whole focus is to live “in Christ.” Nothing else matters. Do not allow anyone to put The Law on you as a requirement to have fellowship with Father. He explicitly made a way so you would never have to strive to keep The Law, but instead, enter His presence boldly in faith, knowing you have already been received!!

Selah!

The Law vs. Grace

The Law vs. Grace

“The Law” is found 183 times in the New Testament. That is amazing to me. It’s only found 137 times in the Old Testament. So why is there all this talk about The Law in the New Covenant?

Bottom line: The Law is still relevant. Without The Law, how would men know they need a Savior? Without The Law, how could we ever truly appreciate Grace? As far as I can tell, there are two ways to get God’s approval. The first is to live The Law flawlessly; perfectly; not one single mistake, ever! Before you think you have, or can, I’ll let you down gently. You cannot keep The Law.

The second way to gain acceptance by God is to be baptized into Christ. The Holy Spirit is the only way to be baptized into Christ. The only way the Holy Spirit will baptize you into Christ is if you are willing to give up your life and become identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of Father, and then receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent after He ascended to Father. This is all made possible by the Grace of God alone. Nothing you do will qualify you for rebirth. It is only through the provision made by Jesus.

The mark, or sign, of agreement to New Covenant rebirth is water baptism. This seals the experience for you, and testifies to the world that a change has occurred.

The real issue with The Law comes after you choose option two. There seems to be much confusion regarding the role of The Law in the Believer reborn through Grace. This is not a new problem.

Acts 15:24-29 (ESV) Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

The early church dealt with this very same issue. Some said, “We’re glad you got saved. Now follow The Law!” The apostles and elders made it very clear. The Law does not apply to the New Covenant.

Galatians 6:11-15 (ESV) See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

The real truth is this: Even those under The Law, after receiving a revelation of the Grace of God, were not condemned by The Law. Look how Jesus responded to those accusing Him of violating the commandments.

Matthew 12:3-8 (ESV) He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

David and the priests did things contrary to The Law, and yet they were without blame. They were operating out of love for Father rather than working to please Him. If you are “In Christ” and He is “Lord of the Sabbath” then everything you do In Him is done in Grace and therefore is not under The Law.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (ESV) For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Anything you can do in the love of Christ is acceptable to God. Anything you do outside of that is a dead work. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to complete what He started when He baptized us into Christ. Now let Him renew our minds to the liberty we have In Christ, and pursue everything Jesus provided in our rebirth that is found in Him.

Leap Day – A New Beginning

Leap Day – A New Beginning

If you’re a golfer you know about the Mulligan. It’s an unwritten rule when playing with friends that allows you to “take a Mulligan” and disregard a bad shot. Unfortunately, in many things in life there are no Mulligans. There are some things for which you cannot get a do-over.

Our God knew this. This very thing is the essence of the Grace of God. The reality is we can’t even do it the first time, much less a do-over. But God …

After Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, they came to the mountain in the wilderness and God met with them there. One of the things God spoke to Moses is one of the most pronounced look at the Grace of God in the Old Testament.

Exodus 12:1-2 (ESV) The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.

Regardless of what had occurred up to that point, God said it is all in the past. Today is a new day! Today is the first day for you. Nothing before now matters. Here’s the plan, and it starts now.

This is a leap year, and we just experience the Leap Day, February 29^th. It’s added to our calendar every forth year to keep our calendar in sync with the Earth’s revolutions around the Sun. As I was thinking about that I could not help but consider the Grace of God. Wherever we are found lacking (which is everywhere) the Grace of God is there to make up the difference in the life of the Believer.

Let that “leap” up and grab you! Keep your eyes and ears open. There are things around you constantly that the Holy Spirit will use to bring you encouragement. Give Him thanks.