Category: The Mosaic Law

How to Do Right!

Saturday, August 25, 2018

“And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:…. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him” (2 Chronicles 14:2-3,5 KJV).

King Asa’s noteworthy extensive religious reforms involved demolishing his fathers’ idols and shrines, and teaching good doctrine.

Asa was King David’s great-great-grandson. His father (King Abijah/Abijam) was evil, as was his grandfather King Rehoboam. Asa was Judah’s first good king in 20 years. While appearing briefly in 1 Kings chapter 15, much of what we know about him comes from 2 Chronicles chapters 14-16 (today’s Scripture). He ruled Judah 41 years and was Jehoshaphat’s father.

Verse 4: “And [Asa] commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.” They were to keep the Mosaic Law: the First Commandment instructed Israel not to have any other gods before JEHOVAH God. Idols had been worshipped long enough; it was time to forsake such folly and live realistically. Exodus 20:3-5: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God….”

Religion demands, “You had better stop sin!” Yet, no religionist knows how to do it! Asa went beyond merely forbidding evil; he told his people how to do right. Since they listened to the LORD God, he blessed them with peace in their land for 10 years. Not only do we stress the negative (sin), we emphasize the positive (eternal life through Jesus Christ). We present the bad news first to heighten the good news—“the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

A House Full of Sinners!

Thursday, August 2, 2018

“And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another” (2 Kings 10:21 KJV).

Large crowds in religion are not necessarily good!

Some 800 years before Christ, the LORD God selected Jehu to become King of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and thus destroy King Ahab’s evil dynasty. Chapter 9 says Jehu killed Ahab’s son, King Joram, and wicked King Ahaziah of Judah (Southern Kingdom). Jehu also executed wicked Queen Jezebel, wife of the late Ahab—older but still an unbelieving heathen.

Wicked as he was, Jehu was nonetheless the “best” of Israel’s 20 kings! Interested in obeying the LORD God as well as fulfilling prophecy, he delivered the Northern Kingdom from Ahab’s evil family and its extensive Baal worship. Today’s Scripture says Jehu gathered all the worshippers of Baal in Baal’s temple. These multitudes are apostates that Israeli sovereigns—chiefly, Ahab and Jezebel—inspired decades earlier.

The religionists in today’s Scripture crammed into that house of Baal, quite eager to worship a false god that had fascinated their nation for decades. If you read the context (verses 18-27), Jehu had actually convinced them to come and worship Baal with him. It was simply a trick to gather them so he could slaughter them all! While graphic, God in the Mosaic Law deemed such executions of idolaters perfectly acceptable (Deuteronomy 13:1-11). It certainly purified the nation! “Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel” (2 Kings 10:28).

Although the size of Baal’s temple is unknown, Scripture says it was filled (!) with idolaters. Any minister today should be very careful not to boast of crowd size. There may not be a single empty seat, but that does not mean all present are Christians and want to worship the one true God! “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13,14).

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #10

Friday, July 27, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

When pure Grace is proclaimed, the objection will invariably arise: “Grace is a license to sin, and I can live any way I want!” Dear friend, if you say that, you really have no idea what Grace is. Moreover, others will complain, “But do I not have to do something to make God happy with me?” Dear reader, you have not paid attention to what these passages have been teaching. Your flesh can do nothing to please God!

The Law system, once it shows a lost person his or her sinful state, has no further place in that individual’s life. “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient…” (1 Timothy 1:8,9). God added the Law to Israel’s program “because of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19)—to point out Israel’s sin, her failure to get God’s blessings based on her works. “For by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). How senseless it is to then have the Christian live under the Law… continually beleaguered by the sinfulness he or she has already confronted the moment of coming to Christ by faith!

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:18). Read the entire Epistle to the Galatians: they had fallen prey to legalism. “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). Our religious performance will add NOTHING (!) to what the Spirit of God has already wrought, and is working, in our hearts. Father God gave us all blessings in Christ the instant we believed on His finished crosswork—everlasting life, limitless forgiveness, justification (imputed righteousness), free redemption, eternal sanctification, unconditional acceptance, and so on. Now, dear brethren, we go live in and enjoy those blessings! 🙂

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #9

Thursday, July 26, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Law and Grace are mutually exclusive—they cancel each other. Speaking of the Little Flock, the few Jewish believers in the midst of an apostate nation Israel, the Holy Spirit wrote: “Even so then at this present time [the Acts period] also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:5,6).

Romans 6:14 affirms, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Sin overpowers us under the Law. Thankfully (praise God!), we are under Grace. Rather than God demanding we work to gain His blessings (the Law system given to Israel to show her and all nations we cannot perform perfectly!), He put us under a Jesus-based acceptance system in the Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” And, 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Finally, Ephesians 1:6: “He [Father God] hath made us accepted in the beloved [Christ].”

If we have been blessed in Christ with “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places,” if we have been made spiritually rich because of Christ’s finished work at Calvary, and if we are accepted in Christ, then why place ourselves under a system of curses (Law)? Christ crucified has already given us all the blessings God offers. Should we now strive in religion to gain those blessings (which is impossible)? See, dear friends, in the Law system, “No good deeds equals no good things.” Nonetheless, because of Christ’s good work (His sinless blood sacrifice at Calvary), we have avoided all curses and partaken of all blessings!!

Now, we summarize and conclude….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Thursday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until tonight around 9 P.M. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #8

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Returning to 1 Timothy chapter 1: “[7] Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” When legalists place us under a performance-based acceptance system, they really have no idea what they are saying or supporting. They make us liable to curses!

“[8] But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; [9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, [10] For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; [11] According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

As a rabbinical scholar, Paul the Apostle knew the purpose of the Mosaic Law. The “lawful” (proper) use of the Law is to point out sin. Having just delineated and reviewed the Law system, we understand that it is not the friend of any (sinful) son of Adam. The Law “is not made for a righteous man;” it is not made for us because we believers are righteous in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is senseless to place ourselves under the Law!

Galatians chapter 3: “[22] But the scripture [Law] hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe [not work!!]. [23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith [not works!!].” The Law is a teacher: it points people to Christ as Saviour. It is not meant for us Christians (we have already recognized our sinful status and come to Christ by faith)!

In this the Dispensation of Grace, we are under Grace not Law….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Wednesday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until tomorrow. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #7

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Religious tradition promotes the 10 Commandments as God’s method for entering Heaven. “I keep the Law!,” one boasts. “I do the best I can!,” brags another. Long ago, a Christian brother correctly observed: “The widespread delusion that a person can be saved by good works is dangerous, and many are on the road to hell smug in their supposed goodness.”

When God issued the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), it was bad not good! Israel had ignored His free blessings of grace (chapters 13-18), and preferred to work for those gifts (chapter 19)! Rather than “do,” they “did not!” How severely were they judged (today’s Scripture)—and even worse later. Moreover, today (2,600 years after Jeremiah), God has actually not fully punished disobedient Israel!

First John 3:4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” So Israel could recognize sin, God erected boundaries (Mosaic Law). Romans 3:20 again, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” When Israel sinned, she really “transgressed” (“crossed limits”). First Corinthians 15:56, “the strength of sin is the law.” Sin will reign in our lives—as it did with Israel—when we adopt a performance-based acceptance system (Law).

“But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence [strong desires]. For without the law sin was dead…. 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” (Romans 7:8,13). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10).

We thus need Grace, not Law….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Tuesday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #6

Monday, July 23, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

According to Leviticus chapter 26, Israel would endure five courses (stages) of curses or judgments for disobeying the Mosaic Law. The second course involved God weakening Israel politically (verses 18,19). Once King Solomon died, his kingdom split into two kingdoms—the 10 northern tribes (retaining the name “Israel”) and the two southern tribes (assuming the title “Judah”).

Reading today’s Scripture in context: “[23] But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. [24] Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. [25] Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Since the Jews have been habitually wicked, God has not given them rain—the first course of judgment (Leviticus 26:18-20). The second, third, and fourth courses are already working. Number five is coming!

The fifth and final course of chastisement is expulsion from the Promised Land (Leviticus 26:27-39). About a century before Jeremiah, the Northern Kingdom was deported into Assyria (2 Kings 17:1-23). The Southern Kingdom, where Jeremiah conducts his ministry, will be deported to Babylon in just a few years (2 Kings 24:1–25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:14-21).

We can just hear the echo of Israel 900 years earlier at Mount Sinai: “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8). That little two-letter word—“do”—doomed them. Romans chapter 3, verses 19-20: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [!!!!] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [!!!!]” Dear friends, the Law exposes (not empowers!!) and condemns (not commends!!) sinners! Works-religion damned God’s special nation, Israel, and it damns all sons of Adam even today….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Monday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #5

Sunday, July 22, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Some 900 years after giving the Mosaic Law, God said of Israel in Jeremiah 1:16: “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”

Chapter 2: “[7] And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. [8] The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal [pagan god], and walked after things that do not profit [idols]…. [11] Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.”

“[20] For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot [spiritual whoredom]…. [27] Saying to a stock [stick], Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. [28] But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. [29] Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD. [30] In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. [32] Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” Also see Jeremiah 3:6-9,13,21 and Jeremiah 4:1.

Israel has broken God’s Law to such an extent that today’s Scripture has come to pass….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Sunday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #4

Saturday, July 21, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

God said to Abram in the Abrahamic Covenant: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and [I will] make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and [I will] curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3). Doubtless, God will make Israel His people.

Contrariwise, the Mosaic Covenant (Law): “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Exodus 19:5,6). That little, conditional word—“if”—is weighty. Israel will be God’s people only “if” she obeys His every command. “If” she fully complies, “then” God will bless her. Conversely, “if” Israel disobeys the Law Covenant, “then” she is disqualified from being God’s people! This is “legalism.” When man’s performance is inserted, uncertainty is certain.

Moses says to Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 28: “[1] And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: [2] And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God…. [14] And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. [15] But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:….”

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference begins tonight, Saturday, at 7 Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #3

Friday, July 20, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Fast-forward over 400 years after Abraham. His seed through Isaac—the nation Israel—is in bondage to Egypt. Israel is helpless: she cannot rescue herself, and must depend on God’s power to deliver her with mighty signs and wonders (Exodus chapters 1-13). The culmination is God’s parting of the Red Sea to allow Israel to escape Pharaoh and his army (chapter 14). In chapters 15 through 18, God graciously blesses Israel with His provisions. He has done so much to make them His people. Will they rest in this grace?

Notice Exodus chapter 19: “[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I [God] did unto the Egyptians, and how I [God] bare you on eagles’ wings, and [I God] brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. [7] And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. [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.”

How tragic! They have not learned the lesson that their father Abraham had centuries earlier. Instead of letting God work to fulfill His promises (namely, the Abrahamic Covenant—He will work to make them His people), their sin nature has deceived them into thinking they can perform to get the blessing. They believe they can make themselves God’s nation. Grace has been tossed aside, and thus begins the strict, cruel reign of the Law! Sinful Israel is doomed….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is Matthew 25:31-46 a plan for our salvation unto eternal life?”