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“WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED...?”
Matt.
19:16-19
Can we, though we may have accepted Christ as our atonement and savior, willfully continue in sin and disobedience, with the hope of eternal salvation at the returning of Christ? ◆ “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22,23 It is to Christians that this rebuke is given! They call Christ “Lord”, and claim to have done many good works in His name; but one thing they were lacking – they were workers of iniquity! And because of this, they were rejected of Christ! Christ says “many” will share this same fate – even of those who profess Christ as their Lord and Savior. Iniquity, by definition, is sin. “Whosoever commiteth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1Jn. 3:4 ◆ “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the Father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die…The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins which he hath committed, and keep all My statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live…But when the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die…Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ez. 18:20-22,24,30 ✹ ◆ “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man drawback, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who drawback unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Heb. 10:38,39 Does this verse suggest, even pathetically, that we are “Once saved, always saved”? One that has drawn back from the faith, draws back unto destruction (perdition), and no longer has any inheritance in salvation! He that perseveres in the faith does so to the saving of his soul. ◆ “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation 10 days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev.2: 10 We are to be faithful to Christ even, if need be, unto death! Then He will give us a crown of life. Once saved, always saved? ✹ ◆ “Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Rev. 3:11 Our crowns, yours and mine, can be taken from us! And what is this crown? “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the CROWN OF LIFE, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12 The inheritance of eternal life, which is given the sinner upon conversion, can be taken back again – as the reward for the persons own actions! “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12 And notice also, it is by enduring temptation, that we retain our crowns! ◆ “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith: henceforth (because of this) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing.” 2Tim. 4:7,8 Paul was not “once saved, always saved”; for he says he fought a good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith; and because of this, he says, there is laid up for him eternal life. Why couldn’t Paul have lived a good life in the flesh, had “fun”, and yielded unto temptation instead of fighting and resisting it, if he already had a crown of life stored up for him from his conversion on the road to Damascus? ◆ “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4 ◆ “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2Pet. 3:14 Why is this command to be diligent in the faith given, if those that have accepted Christ can never lose their salvation? Notice, he doesn’t say “Be diligent so that you’re not taken to heaven early”, as many claim will happen if we turn from God and the path of righteousness; he says “Be diligent so that you’re found of Christ without spot”. He makes a direct reference to Christ’s return; stating that it is even to this point in earth’s history that we are to be found without spot and blameless – and we are to “be diligent” in the pursuit of this goal. ◆ “But Christ as a Son over His own house; Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. For we are made partakers with Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;” Heb. 3: 6,12,14 We see here conditional promises; we have a part that must be fulfilled, if we are to be partakers of these promises! “And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He (Christ) reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister:” Col. 1:21-23 Again we see a conditional promise: We are reconciled unto the Father through the blood of Christ if we continue in the faith, and the hope of the gospel. So what if one does not continue in these things? Once saved, always saved? ◆ “I know thy (the church of Laodicea) works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.” Rev. 3:15,16 It is to a church, unto Christians, that this warning is given! These “Christians”, though they have accepted Christ as their savior, Christ Himself will reject them, and “vomit them out of His mouth” – because they are lukewarm! Once saved, always saved? ◆ “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” 2Pet. 2:6 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is to act as an example for those in this world that live ungodly – this applies both to the Christian and the unbeliever! “And if the if the RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1Pet. 4:18 Let no man deceive you: the righteous are but scarcely saved; henceforth, there is no place found for the ungodly – and sinner! “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1Jn. 3:4 ◆ “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2Tim. 4:18 If we are “once saved, always saved”, then why would Paul need to be delivered from evil, and preserved unto God’s kingdom? With this manner of doctrine, Christians would never need to be delivered from, or preserved unto, anything, for they could never lose what Paul had to be preserved to keep! If Paul, Paul, had to be delivered from evil, and preserved unto the kingdom of our Father, how much more do we, as Christians in this present world – which is so many times more wicked and perverse than Paul’s day, need the same! ◆ “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils;” 1Tim. 4:1 How could any “depart from the faith”, if we are, in fact, “Once saved, always saved”? “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3 All can, and many will, depart from the faith; and in this, God has not forsaken them, but they have forsaken God! “…if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever.” 1Chor. 28:9 And take careful note, when Jude wrote of the common salvation, it was needful for him to exhort us to contend for the faith – for these go hand-in-hand. ✹ ◆ “ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.” Heb. 6:4-6 Those that claim the sinner once forgiven is forgiven forever, and can never lose God’s gift of eternal life, do so against the scriptures, and lead men into a doctrine of fables! For it is not possible, for those that have forsaken the faith, to be brought again unto repentance, forgiveness, and eternal inheritance! “When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” Ez. 33:13 Take careful note that eternal life was granted unto him (“..he shall surely live..”); and yet, he did not continue in righteousness, but forsook it, and committed iniquity. For this, the eternal life that was offered him, was made unavailable – he rejected this life by his own sinfulness! This
denies any hope for those that claim Christ their righteousness, and
yet continue in sin!
What must I do to be saved? ◆ “And being made perfect, He (Christ) became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;” Heb. 5:9 Salvation is presented as a conditional promise in this verse: it is on the condition of obedience that salvation is granted. This is not to be confused with a teaching that you need to keep God’s Ten Commandments to be saved – for that is false. We’re told in Acts 17:30, referring to the lawlessness by idolatry of the people of Athens: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at (overlooked); but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:” Our heavenly Father overlooks punishment on those who sin in ignorance, and so if there was one who has accepted Christ as his Savior, and believed on His name, but yet was ignorant of the requirements of God’s law, he would still receive eternal life at the coming of Christ. The condition that is to be met is obedience – on whatever level of understanding it may be found. But when light is shed where there was darkness, and the requirements made known, there is then no excuse – judgment is passed, and justice enacted. “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries…it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb. 10:26,26,31 The word “adversaries”, in this verse, means: “One that is contrary to; that is, opposed (Strong’s concordance.). ◆ “And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto Him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother: and, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 19:16-19 Christ’s instructions to enter into salvation were to keep God’s Ten Commandments! Many bring in the argument that since Christ did not mention all of the ten, we only need to be obedient unto the ones He did mention – this is a desperate attempt to avoid the truth, and hide the light. Christ spoke of these persons: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:19,20 This is an attempt made by those whose deeds are evil, and who hate the light, to hide the truth from others – so that their own wickedness will be seen, from the hiding of the truth, as something righteous. To accept this teaching would be to consent to a religion where we could freely and willfully worship other gods, bow before, and worship, idols, and curse and blaspheme the name of God; and these deeds would then be deemed good and righteous – for these commandments are not referred to in this passage by Christ either. No; instead, rather than naming the specific commands that are required of us, Christ is referring to the specific law we are required to obey, by referring to various precepts within it. It is to the royal law of Ten Commandments which Christ bears reference; proclaiming obedience to this law, the qualification for the receiving of salvation (providing this light has been revealed). Keeping holy the seventh day of the week – the Sabbath – is the fourth precept in this law! ◆ “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, “I know Him”, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1Jn. 2:3,4 ◆ “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” Jn. 14:21 ◆ “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Rom. 6:16 You cannot get any clearer than that! Sin leads unto death. Obedience leads unto righteousness. We reap what we sow; those that perform the work, will reap the reward! “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12 ✹ ◆ “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to keep company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 1Cor. 5:11 Here we are told that we can keep company, to a limited extant, with sinners which are of the world, for if we couldn’t, we would have to “go out of the world”; but in contrast, we are not even to eat with one that has accepted Christ as their savior (“called a brother”) if he is a willful sinner! Why then, do some consider those that do such things righteous, and Godly, and possessing the hope of eternal life at Christ’s return? By this, we know that they who do such things are false brethren, though they claim Christ their savior, and have no inheritance in the kingdom of our Father; for if we, whose righteousness is but filthy rags, cannot so much as eat with such a one, how do you suppose that such a brother could live for eternity in the presence of the Almighty, Whose righteousness and purity propagates inapproachable light? And would you so much as dare to propose, that our heavenly Father would bring to heaven early such a one as that, which is represented as being worse than even an unbeliever? “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” 1Cor. 10:21 There is no fence walking! If you are on the Lord’s side, then do the works of our Father (righteousness: 1Jn. 3:7-10); but, if you are on the side of the devil, then fulfill the lusts of your father the devil (Jn. 8:34-36, 44). ◆ “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Rev. 3:11 Only he who overcomes is saved from the second death! So then what happens to those that do not overcome? Once saved always saved? ◆ “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Eph. 5:5,6 Fornication, Spiritual uncleanness, and Covetousness (which is Idolatry): let no man deceive you, for BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. ◆ “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” Rev. 21:7 In overcoming, we are made the children of God. Consider now one of the many things Christ has given us: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:” Jn. 1:12 It is in overcoming that we are made the children of God, and this is what Christ has given us the power to become – so He has given us the power to overcome, because we need to overcome to become God’s children. Why would Christ give us the power to overcome, if we don’t have to overcome anything? “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels”. Rev. 3:5 ◆ “If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” 1Jn. 1:6 The “darkness” to which this verse is speaking, is not unbelief in Christ, for he says those who have fellowship with God can walk in darkness. The darkness of which this verse is speaking is the wickedness of this world – sin is the darkness this verse speaks of, and those that claim fellowship with Christ, are but lying, if they are living in willful sin! “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.” 1Jn. 2:1 ✹ ◆ “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1Jn. 2:17 All that is of this world – the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life (1Jn. 2:16) – will pass away; only he who does the will of our Father has eternal life (“abides forever”)! He that does not the will of the Father will pass away! “ Not everyone that sayeth unto Me, “Lord, Lord”, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21 Take note that these are “Christians” to whom Christ is denying eternal life! They call Christ “Lord” showing that they have received Him as such; and yet what is said unto these that have not performed the will of the Father? v. 23 – “…DEPART FROM Me, ye that work iniquity.” (!) Once saved, always saved? ◆ “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Heb. 10:36 And what is the promise? “And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1Jn. 2:25 The promise of eternal life is given unto them that perform the will of our Father; those that take no part in the will of God, take no part in the promise of God; even if they claim to have Christ as their savior! ◆ “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7 In this we see that those who claim Christ their savior can lose their inheritance in His kingdom – for the right to eat of the tree of life is given solely unto those that have overcome! "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon Him My new name.” Rev. 3:12 ◆ “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 It is by much tribulation and hardship, through overcoming and keeping unspotted from the wickedness of this world, that we enter into life – for the enemy of our souls, who has control of this world, will try anything and everything to separate us from our Father, Christ, eternal life, and Their kingdom! “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1Pet. 5:8 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Jam. 1:27 ✹ ◆ “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.” 1Jn. 2:29 Let no man deceive you: those that do righteousness are those that are born of God! And those that perform unrighteousness are, instead, born of the devil! “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1Jn. 3:10 Note carefully, the topic of these verses is works; and it is by our works that we are either adopted, or disowned! “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (worthless).” Titus 1:16 “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt. 7:19,20 ✹ ◆ “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.” 1Jn. 3:6 Does anyone remember what sin is? We found out earlier – here it is: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1Jn.3:4 Those who transgress the Ten Commandments, have not seen, nor known our heavenly Father – regardless of the fact of them having accepted Christ as their savior or not. “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Rom. 6:15 ◆ “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that DOETH righteousness is righteous, even as He (Christ) is righteous. HE THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1Jn. 3:7,8 Let me now propose a question: Is one that is of the devil going to be found in the kingdom of our God and His Christ? Let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous. ◆ “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1Jn. 3:15 According to this verse, if I accept Christ as my savior, and then become a literal murderer, or a figurative murderer through hate, will I receive salvation at the return of Christ? “…no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” Once saved always saved? ◆ “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1Jn. 5:18 ◆ “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2Tim. 2:19 ✹ ◆ “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Rev. 22:14,15 Those that have the right to eat of the tree of life, and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and the Father, are those that keep Their commandments! “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments…” In the keeping of our heavenly Father’s commandments, our love for Him is revealed; and yet many want to claim that “we can never keep God’s commandments”; upon this thought, we will finish the verse: “…and His commandments are not grievous.” 1Jn. 5:3 To them that have a pure, true, honest love for God, rather than being a lover of pleasure (1Tim. 3:4), the keeping of His commandments are not to be found as something burdensome, or grievous – for it is a delight to their soul to please the One Whom they love more than any and all. Christ says: “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” Jn. 14:15 We must remember that there are two sets of laws found in the scriptures. The distinction of the two is found, among other places, in James 2:10,11: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law (notice he says “whole” law), and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, “Do not commit adultery”, said also, “Do not kill”. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” Notice now how he says “whoever keeps the whole law”, and yet he refers only to the precepts found in the Ten Commandments; stating that he who breaks these is “become a transgressor of the law.” In this verse the writer has made note of two separate and distinct laws: He speaks only of the Ten Commandments, and yet declares these “the whole law”; even though there is mention made of the ceremonial law throughout the previous book (Hebrews). The Ten Commandments comprise the whole moral law; while the sacrifices and offerings, types and ceremonies, of the ceremonial law comprise all of it. The one law, the ceremonial law, was given solely unto the Jews for a representation of Christ, His Sacrifice and priestly work. By performing this law, the people of Israel were pronouncing their faith in the coming Messiah, and by this, they were saved by faith in His blood. This is the law which Christ our Savior nailed to the cross! This is the law which He has abolished – the one that represented what He had just fulfilled! We’re not saved by the sacrificing of spotless lambs, for those sacrifices represented Christ, and He has come! He is our sacrifice, and by His blood which He shed we have salvation in Him. To follow this law in obedience would be a denial of His sacrifice; and would be a sure work in the refusal of the offering of salvation. The other law, which is the moral (or, royal) law, is the Ten Commandments. This is the law Christ was referring to in Matt. 5:17-19 when He stated “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” This word “fulfill” in the Greek means – “To fully preach” (Strong’s Concordance of the Bible, Greek section, #4137). This translation of this word is upheld by Christ’s words following: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” And reflecting on what Christ continues in saying (verses 21-28), we see that He is in fact “Fully preaching” this law! 1John 3:4 tells us: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” And in 1John 3:8 this startling window on the character of Satan is given: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” The first point I want to address regarding this passage, is that 1John 3:4, which we have read, says that sin is the breaking of the Ten Commandments (We know that this verse is in reference to the moral law because this was written after Christ died, so it would not be proclaimed a sin to break a law that Christ Himself had abolished.), and 1John 3:8, which we have just read, tells us that Satan has sinned from the beginning. Since sin is the breaking of God’s law, it is by necessity that this law would have to exist from the beginning – since Satan has been sinning since then. “(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Rom. 5:13 “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Rom. 4:15 And so in this we see another distinction of the two laws. The moral law has existed from the beginning, and as such has been the governing standard by which all in the Father’s creation have been subject to; while the ceremonial law was instituted on the grounds of transgression of the moral law, for the purpose of redemption for those living before the time of Christ’s crucifixion. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” Gal. 3:19 Which law is this verse referring to? The ceremonial law! Again we see the distinction of the two: the ceremonial law is referred to as “the law”, and not “part of”; stating that it was added because of transgression. But if you remember, there is no transgression, when there is no law: in this again we see that the moral law existed before the ceremonial, and it was on the grounds of transgression of this law, that the ceremonial was added. Praise our Father for His mercy and patience towards us, for the human race has, by means of Satan’s control of this world, fallen short of the heavenly precepts both of morality and of Spirituality. The second point to be addressed from 1John 3:8, is that for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil, Christ shed His precious blood. And what are the works of the devil? 1John 3:8 gave us an insight: “…the devil sinneth…”, but the answer is found in John 8: v. 39 – “They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our Father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” v. 41 – “Ye do the deeds of your father…” v. 44 – “Ye are of your father the devil…,” Christ is speaking of their works, and He said in v. 41 that the Pharisees did the deeds (works) of their father (which is Satan, as is told us in v. 44); so let’s see now what works…back to verse 44: “…and the lusts of your father ye will do (A “lust” is to desire to commit a transgression of God’s law – sin. It is a desire to sin.). He was a murderer from the beginning (which means he was a transgressor of God’s law – a sinner – from the beginning), and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him (Again we see evidence of sin being his works – lying; which is a transgression of the 9th commandment). When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” All–in–all we see sin as being the works of Satan; and as we saw earlier “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Christ was manifested unto us in order that He might destroy sin – the works of the devil. He was not manifested unto us in order that we might continue in sin. Out of the love for the things of this world, and in the love of pleasure more than the love of God, men declare that God’s law – which has existed from the beginning – is no longer binding upon us, and has no bearing in the Christians life; but at this time of desperation for the sinful nature, the ramifications of this theology are not seen. What does this mean in its fullest sense? How broad is its scope? ▶ Can I have intimate relations with one woman or many, in marriage or out, and still be pure and clean before our heavenly Father while involved in this? Is this what Christ shed His precious, spotless, sinless, blood for? That sin may reign supreme in the hearts and deeds of Christ’s “followers”? For that is the sure result, when God’s restraints – indeed, freedoms – of the base nature of man are removed (I say “freedoms” because to be separated from the lusts, and resulting actions, of mans lower nature, is to be made free from them! “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36). ▶ Instead of worshipping only the one true God, as directed so by the commandment, can I freely worship as many gods as I wish, bow down to and worship any idol my desperately wicked heart (Jer. 9:17) would desire, because Christ has freed us from the “burdens” of the Ten Commandments? Would this be pure and undefiled religion before God? Is that what Christ died to bring us? ▶ Can I freely and willfully murder any I choose, and with the same hand, go and lay it on one for prayer expecting the Father to work a healing or deliverance by His Spirit through me? Is that the gift we have been given? ▶ Can I deliberately and purposefully dishonor and disobey my parents, and still be as pleasing before our perfect heavenly Father as Christ was? Was it for this purpose that Christ gave His life? ▶ Can I, at the unbridled and flighty whims of my heart, steal any and every thing I would covet after, even from one who would place his trust in me and consider me his friend? Is this the fruits of God’s Spirit in this new covenant? ▶ Can I, as my wicked heart would deem appropriate, tell any and all lies and deceits to my fellow man, all for the advancement of my own dishonest, selfish ends? And in the same breath, shower heaven with praises and spiritual songs, and actually be glorifying our Father in this? Could this freedom for wickedness possibly be what required the death of the only begotten Son of the Most High God? ▶ Could I curse the name of our God and His Christ, speaking lightly or dishonorably of the name by which men are saved, the sick are healed and the dead are raised to life? Treating that as something common or a thing to curse by, and receive the blessings of heaven from the one who’s name I have blasphemed? Has the freedom to do this required the death of the Son of God? It is in the recognition of this folly that we see the error of this teaching. Only in the grossest depths of apostasy would one declare these as legitimate rights which the “Christian” possesses through the spotless, perfect blood of the lamb! The true Christian, whatever his/her stand on the law of God would be, would never claim these laws mentioned as being abolished, and we being free to transgress them at our every impulse. “Here is the patients of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, AND the faith of Jesus.” Rev.14:12 But we still have one which has yet gone unmentioned… “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20:8-11 Can we, while still being honest with ourselves and with God, claim the fourth precept of our Father’s law as having been abolished, while the other 9, contained in the same law, would still be binding, and applicable in their fullest sense? “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Which constitutes the keeping of the last 6 commandments – our dealings with our fellow man), ye do well…For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:8,10-12 To keep only part of the Ten Commandments, or only the ones that suit you, is not only hypocrisy, but makes you just as guilty as those that willingly break all of them; those that do such will be judged according to this law as sinners – performing the works of iniquity. “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22,23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23 To reemphasize the binding claims of the fourth commandment, consider the following: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Heb. 4:9 The Greek word “rest” used here is the same word, but of Hebrew origin, as was used in the commandment “Remember the SABBATH…” (!); both words have the same root meaning: “A day of weekly repose from secular avocations.” (Strong’s concordance of the Bible) And so there remains therefore, along with the other nine, a “…Sabbath to the people of God.” Heb. 4:9! As mentioned earlier, the ceremonial law pointed perfectly to Christ and His sacrifice; for the purpose that those, who living before the time of this fulfillment, by performing this typical ceremony, could receive remission of sins, and be partakers of the gift of salvation. Interesting enough is the fact that, since the ceremonial law represented what Christ was going to do when He would be manifested, if He was in fact, despite all we have seen here, going to abolish the moral law of Ten Commandments, why was there not any relation to that in the ceremonial law? It showed all of Christ’s work; both of His earthly ministry, and of His heavenly priesthood. Yet there is not to be found a single reference to lawlessness being a part of pure religion before God, or of God’s Ten Commandments being abolished! All that is found there is complete forgiveness, through the blood of the Lamb of God, of our past transgression of God’s Ten Commandments. “Whom God hath sent forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Rom.3:25 In closing: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than God, judge ye.” Acts 4:19 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 Judge among yourselves, shall we follow after the teachings of man, or of God? “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction…For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantoness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” Jn. 8:34). For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world (Polluting what? Righteousness!) through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end of them is worse than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2Pet. 2:18-22 To place our belief, salvation, and our relationship with God, in the wisdom of man is not safe! “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads…These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Rev. 14:1,4b Let us therefore follow what our Lord and Savior says above any other authority! “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 Consult the scriptures for yourself, to find out whether these things are so; there are many more verses which testify of these things then have been shown here. Amen and Amen. “Here
is the patience of the saints: here are they
that keep the commandments
of God,
and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12
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