Question: What is this SALVATION BY GRACE? What does grace teach and do for us? Answer: "In whom we have redemption through HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14 Capitals sometimes used). Justification and "remission of sins that are past . . ." (Rom. 3:23-25). Purification and cleansing FROM ALL INIQUITY (Titus 2:11-14- Eph. 2:1-8; 11 Cor. 5:17, 18). Teaches us to DENY ALL ungodliness and lusts and to live godly, OBEDIENT lives to God (Titus 2:1 1, 12). Question: Is this salvation FROM sin, or in sin? Answer: "... He [Christ] shall SAVE His PEOPLE FROM their SINS" (Matt. 1:21); ". .. that henceforth we should NOT SERVE SIN" (Rom. 6:6). Question: Do FAITH and GRACE make VOID the LAW, the TEN COMMANDMENTS? Answer: ". . . God forbid: YEA, WE ESTABLISH the LAW" (Rom. 3:31). How? (Rom. 8:4). Questions: IF OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S MORAL LAW has NOTHING TO DO WITH our ETERNAL DESTINY, then HOW DO we HARMONIZE the TEACHINGS of JESUS and His APOSTLES in Matt. 24:11-13; 7:21-23; Mark 7:6-9; Rom. 2:7-9; and I John 3:7-10? Read these texts please to get your answer. Do ONLY those WHO OBEY have the RIGHT TO ETERNAL LIFE? God's WORD says "YES" in the following texts: Matt. 19:17; Rev. 22:14, 15; John 3:36; Heb. 5:9; 1 Peter 4:17,18. Is there REALLY HARMONY in ALL the HOLY SCRIPTURES? Answer: Yes, God's WORD is the TRUTH (John 17:17).
BASIC FACTS ABOUT GOD'S MORAL LAW AND HIS GRACE God's perfect moral code, the Ten Commandments, has WORKED WITH GRACE since sin entered this world. Let us get that fact in our minds first. Other points will then fit in without difficulty. By ONE man SIN entered this world, "AND DEATH BY SIN; and so death passed upon ALL men, for that ALL HAVE SINNED" (Rom. 5:12). The detailed account of Adam's SIN in Eden is recorded in the third chapter of Genesis. Paul further explains, "Moreover the LAW ENTERED that the offense might abound. But WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND" (Rom. 5:20). ". . . SIN is the TRANSGRESSION of the LAW" (I John 3:4). . . . Where NO LAW is, there is NO TRANSGRESSION" (Rom. 4:15). There had to be a moral LAW for sin to enter in the first place according to these scriptures and Paul says as much in the above texts. SIN did enter and the LAW was there to condemn it (Rom. 3:19, 20). Thus there was sin and God's moral Law in Eden. Adam transgressed God's Law. What about GRACE? "But WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND" (Rom. 5:20). It was salvation BY GRACE for Adam and ALL mankind from the beginning. The PROMISE was made in Eden that the SEED of the WOMAN shall bruise the serpent's head (Gen. 3:15). Paul understood that this Seed of the woman was the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4, 5). And that Jesus, ". . . BY THE GRACE OF GOD should TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN" (Heb. 2:9). It was BY FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISED REDEMPTION that Abel OFFERED a more excellent SACRIFICE than Cain (Heb. 11:4, 13). He looked forward, as God revealed it to him, to the blood Sacrifice of the TRUE "LAMB of GOD that TAKETH AWAY the SIN of the WORLD" (John 1:29; Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:11-14). We see from the above texts that God's Law condemned SIN from the beginning and that GRACE WORKED WITH that LAW that ALL who accept it might receive forgiveness and be reconciled to God. These facts stand out. As already seen, if there is SIN there is moral Law; for where NO LAW is there is NO TRANSGRESSION. Since GRACE ABOUNDED because of SIN, and if, as some teach, salvation by grace means the end of God's moral Law, and the end of the Law means the end of SIN - no Law, no transgression - and if NO SIN, then this GRACE ENDS too. LAW AND GRACE WORK TOGETHER IN THE NEW COVENANT One New Testament RULE is, "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" (Rom. 3:20). "For WITHOUT the Law SIN WAS DEAD" (Rom. 7:8). JUSTIFICATION comes FREELY BY HIS GRACE, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ... even the FORGIVENESS of all our PAST SINS, etc. (Read Rom. 3:23-26.) Does this faith in Christ Jesus make void the Law that gives a knowledge of sins? "GOD FORBID; yea, we ESTABLISH the Law" (verse 31). The primary purpose of the Law is to GIVE a KNOWLEDGE of SIN (Rom. 3:20). This is New Testament DOCTRINE. When we repent and TURN AWAY from all our transgressions (Ezek. 18:30, 31), that HOLY LAW becomes our rule of life and it is established by our lives of OBEDIENCE. (See Rom. 8:1-4.) The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes us FREE from the law of sin and death that the righteousness of the LAW might BE FULFILLED IN US, who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit (verses 2, 4). This is definitely the TEN COMMANDMENTS with which Paul is dealing. So we can be sure, he quotes in Rom. 7:7, ". . . I had not KNOWN SIN but BY the LAW: for I had NOT KNOWN lust, except the Law had said, Thou shalt NOT COVET." (See Ex. 20:17.) THE LAW IN THE NEW COVENANT Jer. 31:31-34 Under the Old Covenant, God personally WROTE His LAW on two tables of STONE (Deut. 4:12, 13; and 10:1-10). Under His PROMISED NEW COVENANT what does God say about His Law? Let Him answer in Jer. 31:31-34: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will MAKE a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: ... But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the lord, I WILL PUT MY LAW in RICHES of HIS GRACE" (Eph. 1: 7), ". . . that He BY the GRACE of God should TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN" (Heb. 2:9). No more animal sacrifices for sins under this New Covenant of Grace. For centuries Israel had offered the blood of animals upon the altar for sins, but Paul said that such sacrifices ". . . can never take away sins" (Heb. 10:1-4, 9-12). They were a SHADOW of the TRUE "LAMB of God, that TAKETH AWAY the SIN of the WORLD" (John 1:29). The Father loved us and sent His Son, Who, "By His OWN BLOOD ... obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION for us" (Heb. 9:11, 12, 13, 14). ". . . Christ DIED for OUR SINS according to the Scriptures" (I Cor. 15:1-3). SAVED FROM SIN - NOT IN SIN An angel of God said, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for HE SHALL SAVE His people FROM THEIR SINS" (Matt. 1:21). John said, "And ye KNOW that he was manifested TO TAKE AWAY OUR SIN: and in Him is no sin" (I John 3:5). Two things that God promised to do for the people under the New Covenant were: 1. Forgive and erase ALL PAST SINS in those who accept salvation through faith and obedience to the gospel (Jer. 31:34: Rom. 3:23-26); 2. WRITE His LAW in their hearts (Jer. 31:31-33 and Ht-.b. 10:16). In order to accomplish this second promise, GRACE MUST CLEANSE and PURIFY the heart of man. We not only receive forgiveness of past sins by grace, but our hearts are purified and MADE FREE FROM SIN. Proof: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1, 2). "... purifying their HEARTS BY FAITH" (Acts 15:9). ". . . ye were the SERVANTS of SIN, but ye have OBEYED from the heart that form of DOCTRINE which was delivered you. Being THEN MADE FREE FROM SIN, ye became the servants of righteousness.... But NOW being MADE FREE from SIN, and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto HOLINESS, and the END EVERLASTING LIFE" (Rom. 6:17, 18, 21, 22, 23). "Knowing this, that our old man IS CRUCIFIED with him, that the body of sin might BE DESTROYED, that henceforth WE should NOT serve SIN" (Rom. 6:6)...... if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new. And ALL things are of God, who hath RECONCILED us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of RECONCILIATION" (11 Cor. 5:17,18). Let us look at one more text: Titus 2:14: "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us FROM ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of GOOD WORKS." This is truly salvation FROM SIN by the GRACE of God. Sin is transgression of God's Law (I John 3:4). A life of OBEDIENCE is the net result of the WORK of GRACE in those who accept the SALVATION by GRACE. We are NOT justified by our works of righteousness, because we have ALL SINNED and ALL were under the death penalty for sin (Rom. 3:23-26). Only through acceptance of the atonement made on CALVARY by the SON of God can we receive FORGIVENESS and JUSTIFICATION. We are NOT JUSTIFIED BY our OBEDIENCE to God's LAW, but ALL JUSTIFIED persons MUST and WILL OBEY that holy Law. "For not the HEARERS of the Law are JUST before God, but the DOERS of the Law SHALL be justified" (Rom. 2:13). "That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4). Strict obedience is required of ALL who have been SAVED FROM SIN by the grace of God. Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall ENTER the Kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH the WILL of MY FATHER which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). Here is positive PROOF in the GOSPEL of Christ that only those who DO the will of God ... those who OBEY His holy LAW will enter that kingdom promised to them that love God (James 2:5; 1 John 5:3). WORKS (OBEDIENCE) REQUIRED WITH FAITH Works are required of those MADE FREE FROM SIN by the gospel of the GRACE of God. "Shall we continue in SIN, that grace may abound? God FORBID. How shall we, that ARE DEAD TO SIN, live any longer therein? ... Knowing this, that our old man is CRUCIFIED with Him, that the body of SIN might be destroyed, that HENCEFORTH WE should NOT serve SIN" (Romans 6:1-6)...... reckon ye also yourselves to be DEAD indeed UNTO SIN, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let NOT SIN therefore REIGN in your mortal body . - ." (verses 11, 12). Sin is transgression of God's Law, and when dead to sin we LIVE OBEDIENT to that holy Law "as obedient CHILDREN . . ." (I Pet. 1:14). "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His STEPS: Who DID NO SIN, neither was guile found in His mouth" (I Pet. 2:21, 22). When we receive forgiveness of sins, the command of Jesus is, "Go, and SIN NO MORE" (John 8:11). A LIVING FAITH - James 2:8-26 (read, please). "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision: but FAITH which WORKETH BY LOVE" (Gal. 5:6). A living faith in Christ must WORK by love and love means OBEDIENCE to God's Law (Rom. 13:8-10; I John 5:3). James also bears out that truth in James 2:8-12. If we fulfill the royal Law to love our neighbor as ourselves, we do well; but if we have respect of persons, we commit SIN, "and are convinced of the law as transgressors." If we break ONE of those holy Precepts, we are guilty of all - convicted by the Law as transgressors. "So speak ye and SO DO, as they that shall BE JUDGED BY the Law of liberty" (verses 10-12). This was written to Christians - to those under grace. A life of obedience must go along WITH FAITH. James continues: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have NOT WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?" (verse 14). Then the answer, "Even so faith, if it hath NOT WORKS, IS DEAD, being alone.... shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith BY MY WORKS" (verses 17, 18). "Seest thou how faith wrought WITH his works, and BY WORKS was FAITH made perfect?" (verse 22). We are justified by faith, we are purified and given a new heart by faith, but that is NOT the end of faith. We must live a HOLY LIFE by faith. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the LIFE which I NOW LIVE in the flesh I live BY the FAITH of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Christ DWELLS in our hearts BY FAITH (Eph. 3:17-19) that the LIFE OF JESUS may be manifest in our mortal flesh (11 Cor. 4:10, 11). Sin REIGNS unto DEATH, but "GRACE THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS" unto eternal LIFE (Rom. 5:21). If sin still reigns, the end is death. Grace reigns only through a righteous, obedient life, and, in the end, ETERNAL LIFE is the reward. That is why Paul wrote to the Philippians, "As ye have always OBEYED not in my presence only, but now MUCH MORE in my absence, WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh IN YOU both to WILL and to DO of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12, 13). These brethren were "saints in Christ" (Phil. 1:1). They had received the great salvation through Jesus Christ FROM SIN. They were cleansed and made free from sin. Now having received that salvation by grace, they were COMMANDED TO WORK OUT that salvation BY continued OBEDIENCE to God's Law. To continue in sin, or to go BACK into SIN, would be to depart from the WAY of life and to enter the WAY of death. "THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH" (Rom. 6:23)...... they which DO such things shall NOT inherit the KINGDOM of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). Paul told Titus to teach those who had BELIEVED in God to "be careful to MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS" (Titus 3:5-8). Why such admonition as they were then "heirs of the HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE" (v. 7)? Let Paul answer in Rom. 2:6-1 1: "To them who BY patient continuance in well doing SEEK FOR glory and honour and IMMORTALITY, eternal life." What about the disobedient? "But unto them that are contentious, and do NOT OBEY the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and WRATH, tribulation and anguish, upon EVERY soul of man that doeth evil...... Again I say that this was written to Christians - people who HAD been saved FROM sin by the GRACE of God. They had been forgiven their sins, cleaned up and made pure and holy by the BLOOD OF JESUS. Now the FINAL CONDITION was to MAINTAIN the good works of that holy life of obedience to the end. ". . . holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). "He that shall endure unto the end, the same SHALL BE SAVED" (Matt. 24:12, 13). Now we have given abundant proof from the Word of God that all Christians MUST maintain a life of obedience to God's Law to receive eternal life at the end, or at Christ's coming. If we refuse to obey we forfeit our right to eternal life (see John 3:36 NAS). God does require GOOD WORKS AFTER we are saved by grace FROM SIN. How then do we harmonize that with Ephesians 2:8, 9? SALVATION BY GRACE AND NOT BY WORKS "For by GRACE are ye SAVED through faith; and that NOT of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9). What IS this SALVATION BY GRACE in the text? Does it contradict Phil, 2:12, 13 - "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"? Can we be saved by grace and refuse to OBEY God's holy Law that gives a knowledge of sin? There are NO contradictions in these Scriptures if we get the answer to our question, WHAT is this salvation by grace? First note that this is a present condition - something these Ephesian brethren had already received by grace through faith, a gift of God. They did NOT earn it by any works. Read Eph. 2:11, 12, 13, 19. They were Gentiles and before accepting Jesus as Saviour they were STRANGERS to the covenants of promise, having NO HOPE and without God in the world. But NOW in Christ - through His BLOOD - they were no more strangers, but they were of the household of God - children of God by faith in Christ (verses 19-22; Gal. 3:26). This they had received by the GRACE of God. "For ye are ALL the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." This "ALL" includes both Jews and Gentiles. To understand this salvation - or redemption through Christ Jesus - we must briefly look at the Bible facts about the FALL of man. SIN - DEATH - AND REDEMPTION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST Christ must NEEDS have suffered and risen again from the dead . . ." (Acts 17:3). Why did Christ Jesus need to die? ". . . that He by the grace of God should taste DEATH FOR EVERY MAN" (Heb. 2:9). "... Christ died for OUR SINS according to the Scriptures" (I Cor. 15:3). "All we like sheep have gone ASTRAY; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the INIQUITY of US ALL" (Isa. 53:6). "God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "Neither is there SALVATION in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST BE SAVED" (Acts 4:12). What is this salvation that we receive through Jesus - and why through Him alone? Let Jesus answer in part: "For the Son of man is come to seek and TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST" (Luke 19:10). What was lost? Now for the answer. "Wherefore, as by ONE MAN SIN ENTERED into the world, and death by SIN; and so DEATH passed UPON ALL, men, for that ALL HAVE SINNED" (Rom. 5:12). "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (verse 19). "For as in Adam all die , . ." (I Cor. 15:22, 23). Sin entered this world through Adam in the beginning and DEATH by sin, so that death passed upon ALL men for ALL have sinned (Rom. 3:23). All are under sin and death. No man could redeem himself - LOST in SIN - God alone could send redemption and He did. This takes us back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Read Genesis, chapter 2, please. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden which God planted for them. Every tree that was good for food and pleasant to the eye was in the garden, the TREE OF LIFE ALSO in the midst. God COMMANDED the MAN, "OF EVERY TREE of the garden thou mayest FREELY EAT: but of the TREE of the KNOWLEDGE of GOOD and EVIL, THOU shalt NOT EAT of it: For in the day that THOU EATEST THEREOF thou shalt SURELY DIE" (Gen. 2:9-17). Adam and Eve were pure and holy; no SIN had entered the earth. They were God's children (Gen. 1:27; I John 3:1, 2; Luke 3:38). God made them mortal, but HE GAVE them the RIGHT to FREELY EAT of the TREE OF LIFE, but this RIGHT was to continue on CONDITION OF OBEDIENCE. Remember that the Tree of Life was a gift from God, which He WANTED them to have, but on conditions of loving obedience to His Law. They had the RIGHT to be CALLED the sons of God. Man was on probation; he had the CHOICE of obedience and life or of sin and death. NOW READ GENESIS, CHAPTER 3. Temptation came; man sinned and LOST his perfect dominion - a curse was placed upon him and upon the earth itself. They LOST the RIGHT to the TREE of LIFE. SIN brought DEATH with all the other sorrows in the curse upon ALL men. Mankind was LOST in SIN, without hope in themselves. Since ALL were under the death penalty, there was no ransom in man's hand to redeem himself. Only God could bring redemption through His own Son, born in the FLESH, without a human father, so that He would NOT be under the curse we all inherit from ADAM (I Cor. 15:22). God GAVE His Son as the GIFT of GRACE to die, the just FOR the unjust (John 3:16; Heb. 2:9; I Pet. 3:18). He died for our sins that whosoever BELIEVETH on Him should NOT perish, but have eternal life. Jesus GAVE US BACK what WAS LOST in Adam's sin (Luke 19:10). Adam lost the RIGHT to the TREE of life, and his place as a son of God, through SIN. GIFTS BY GRACE Through FAITH in JESUS as the Son of God and His redemption of MAN FROM sin through His death, we RECEIVE as the GIFT of God the following: lst - Forgiveness. "Remission of sins that are past" (Rom. 3:23-25). "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the FORGIVENESS of sins, according to the riches of his GRACE" (Eph. 1:7). 2nd - We are JUSTIFIED BY FAITH and have PEACE with God through Jesus (Rom. 5:1). By this same FAITH in Jesus, "we have ACCESS by faith INTO this GRACE" of God and rejoice in HOPE (verse 2). - No condemnation (Rom. 8:1-4, 14-16). 3rd - By FAITH God PURIFIES our hearts, makes us FREE FROM SIN and lust and WRITES his LAW in our hearts by His Spirit. (Read Acts 15:9; Titus 3:4-7; 11 Cor. 5:17-20; Rom. 6:3-6, 17-22; Jer. 31:31-34; 11 Cor. 3:2, 3.) 4th - By this SAME FAITH, we are RESTORED to SONSHIP that was lost through Adam's sin. "Ye are ALL children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26). "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Rom. 8:14-16). This IS the SALVATION by GRACE, through FAITH, NOT of WORKS, that the Ephesians HAD received in Eph. 2:1-10. God does for us what we CANNOT DO FOR OURSELVES, that is - GRACE. This forgiveness of sins, the justification and cleansing from sins, making us NEW CREATURES with a delight to DO God's will, restoring us to sonship with no condemnation - these ALL given us by grace, when we repent, believe and OBEY the gospel (Rom. 6:17, 18). That MISUNDERSTOOD TEXT - Eph. 2:8, 9. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (verses 8, 9). They had been SAVED FROM SIN by the grace of God. They were forgiven their sins, cleansed from ALL sin by the blood of Jesus (I John 1:7). They were children of God - all by the grace and mercy of God. Read Eph. 2:1-4 carefully and note the following facts: Before they accepted Christ as Saviour, they were DEAD in sins, walking after the spirit of disobedience, fulfilling the lustful desires of the mind and were by NATURE the children of wrath as all sinners are. How were they made FREE from that life of sin? "But God, who is RICH in MERCY, for his GREAT LOVE wherewith he LOVED US, even when we were DEAD IN SINS, hath QUICKENED US together with Christ, (By GRACE ARE YE SAVED); And hath RAISED us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (verses 4, 5, 6). Even when they were dead in sins, God in His great love and mercy quickened or resurrected them from that life of sin - delivered them from the bondage of sinful habits and made them NEW CREATURES in Christ "By GRACE YE ARE SAVED"! This is WHAT they had RECEIVED by the grace of God. From here on Christ MUST DWELL IN their HEARTS BY FAITH, directing them in the life of LOVE AND OBEDIENCE to God's holy Law (Eph. 3:17-20). The OLD MAN of sin was put off and crucified with Christ (Eph. 4:20-22; Rom. 6:3-6). They put ON the NEW MAN, 11 which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24-32). There was ONE divine PURPOSE in this salvation, or work of GRACE - to forgive and cleanse FROM ALL SINS. God works IN US both to WILL and TO DO His good pleasure in a life of OBEDIENCE - "as ye have always OBEYED, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT your own SALVATION with fear and trembling. For it is God that worketh IN YOU both to will and TO DO of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12,13). Here is where WORKS are required - after we have received salvation from sin by the grace of God. He commands that the righteousness of the Law be fulfilled IN US who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:4). We are MADE pure and holy by the grace of God and He requires that we CONTINUE to the END in that condition to receive eternal life (Matt. 24:12, 13). Now let us go back to Eph. 2:8-10. We have already dealt with verses 8 and 9. These verses plainly teach that the salvation from sin that we receive is by the grace and mercy of God and verse 10 reveals the divine purpose in the lives of those made free from sin by this grace of God. "For we are his WORKMANSHIP, CREATED in Christ JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ORDAINED that WE should WALK IN THEM" (verse 10). This is a great truth revealed here. We that have accepted the SALVATION through FAITH, by grace, are God's own workmanship, created in Christ Jesus - new creatures, with new hearts - God's Law written in our hearts for the one purpose: "unto GOOD WORKS" which God had BEFORE ORDAINED that we should walk in them. It is God's plan that ALL His children live obedient to His holy Law, and for that reason He delivers us from the bondage of sinful habits and gives us His love and His Spirit so that we can and will walk in the GOOD WORKS of obedience to His Law and be a light to the world. God's moral Law is thus "ESTABLISHED BY FAITH" as a RULE of life in His children (Rom. 3:31; 8:4). If we are DEAD TO SIN we ARE OBEDIENT to God's Law. Grace then establishes this Law, because Grace reigns through righteousness unto ETERNAL life, but SIN reigns unto DEATH (Rom. 5:21). The rule of Grace is, "LET NOT SIN THEREFORE REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY . . . " (Rom. 6:12). GRACE TEACHES OBEDIENCE Titus 2:11-14 "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; Who GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, that HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, and PURIFY unto himself a PECULIAR PEOPLE, zealous of GOOD WORKS." Let us study these verses carefully and prayerfully. First note that the GRACE OF GOD that BRINGETH SALVATION is the central theme here (verse 11). The big QUESTION is, WHAT IS THIS SALVATION and WHAT does it DO FOR US and WHAT does IT TEACH and REQUIRE of us? In verse 12, this GRACE teaches US that we should DENY (repent of, and TURN AWAY from) UNGODLINESS and worldly LUSTS. This involves the VERY FIRST GOSPEL requirement - REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37, 38; Ezek. 18:30, 31). In true repentance, we MUST CONFESS our SINS and TURN AWAY FROM ALL OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. This is the VERY FIRST thing God's Grace teaches us to DO when WE BELIEVE ON the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:21). Titus 2:12: Read this again. What does THIS GRACE TEACH us about the LIFE we MUST LIVE AFTER we have truly repented? "We should LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, and GODLY in THIS PRESENT world." This is the very point of TRUTH that we have shown already in other scriptures. On GOD'S PART, what does this GRACE DO FOR US? Titus 2:13, 14; Heb. 2:9. Read these please. Note that Jesus GAVE HIMSELF in death for our SINS, ". . . that HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY unto Himself a PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS." The FORGIVENESS of SINS is INCLUDED (Eph. 1:7). OBEDIENCE A CONDITIONTO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE AT CREATION Obedience was a CONDITION given and required in Eden of Adam and Eve for ETERNAL LIFE. READ GENESIS 2 again. God placed the TREE of LIFE ALSO in the GARDEN. This TREE which could cause them to LIVE FOREVER if its fruit was eaten, was among the trees that God said they could "FREELY EAT." This was a GIFT of God. They had the RIGHT to eat of it. They were pure and holy, no sin had yet entered their lives. They were children of God. But there was ONE CONDITION upon which they were to RETAIN that RIGHT to this FREE GIFT, the TREE of LIFE. That condition was OBEDIENCE to God's holy LAW. If they disobeyed, DEATH was the PENALTY. They would forfeit that right. They would lose the free gift of eternal life. This was a period of probation so that Adam and Eve could exercise the power of choice. Man sinned. He disobeyed. His right to the tree of life was lost God brought us that right back through His great LOVE. What we lost through Adam, we gain back through Christ. When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we become free from sin, we are made PURE and HOLY. Our past sins all forgiven, we are children of God as Adam was. We again have the RIGHT to the TREE of LIFE through the Lord Jesus (John 3:16; Rev. 22:14). It is ours by promise (Rom. 4:16; Gal. 3:21, 22; Rom. 8:17-21). We have been reconciled to God by the death of His Son. We are now where Adam was before he sinned, with the RIGHT to eternal life (Rom. 5:10, 18-21). Are there any conditions required of us to retain that right so that we might receive it at Jesus' coming? ". . . be thou FAITHFUL unto DEATH, and I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN of LIFE." "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, 10). "TO THEM who BY patient CONTINUANCE IN WELL DOING SEEK FOR glory ... ETERNAL LIFE" (Rom. 2:6-8). "Blessed are they that DO His COMMANDMENTS, that THEY may HAVE RIGHT TO the TREE of LIFE." (Rev. 22:14). God's order has NOT CHANGED. Although Adam was pure and holy, his right to the TREE of LIFE was retained only on FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE to God's Law. So today the divine conditions are the same. We, who are washed from ALL our sin through the BLOOD of Jesus and are pure and holy, must faithfully OBEY God's LAWS until death - to retain the RIGHT given us by the Lord Jesus. The divine rule is, "MANY shall be PURIFIED, and MADE WHITE, AND TRIED" (Dan. 12:10). ". . . WE MUST THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION enter into the KINGDOM of God" (Acts 14:22). Our faith and our lives for God must be tested (Deut. 8:1-10). Love means obedience, without reservation (I John 5:3; Rom. 12:1, 2). Does our required obedience mean that we are seeking salvation by works? NO, a thousand times NO. We have already received salvation from sin by faith in Jesus and the life of obedience is a needful requirement to RETAIN THAT SALVATION and the RIGHT to eternal life. As long as we HAVE JESUS LIVING WITHIN and RULING our lives, we HAVE this hope, sure and steadfast, but if we do NOT let Jesus rule in us and keep us obedient, we DO NOT HAVE that blessed hope (Gal. 2:20; Heb. 10:26-29; John 3:36). THE ADDED LAW OF ORDINANCES -CONTRARY TO GRACE We have shown that the Ten Commandment Law is God's perfect, holy and just Law working WITH GRACE to give a knowledge of sin - and that when our lives are changed by the POWER of the gospel, this holy Law is ESTABLISHED as the RULE of life; and the righteousness of that Law is fulfilled in a life of OBEDIENCE in ALL who have been saved FROM SIN by the GRACE of God. This holy LAW and GRACE are NOT CONTRARY one to another (Rom. 3:19, 20; 7:7, 12; 8:4). There is ANOTHER LAW that IS CONTRARY to GRACE - a temporary LAW of COMMANDMENTS, CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES. This law was abolished at the Cross. It had served its purpose (Eph. 2:15). "Blotting OUT the HANDWRITING of ORDINANCES that was AGAINST US, which was CONTRARY TO US, and TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS" (Col. 2:14). It is plain to see that Paul is NOT speaking of the Ten Commandments, for he says in Rom. 7:7, 12, 14 that the Ten Commandments ARE "HOLY, JUST, and GOOD" - also that the RIGHTEOUSNESS of this HOLY and JUST Law is fulfilled in those who are IN CHRIST (Rom. 8:1-4). Also he says that this holy Law is ESTABLISHED by faith (Rom. 3:31). The same law cannot be CONTRARY to us and at the SAME TIME be HOLY and JUST. The SAME LAW CANNOT be blotted out, abolished by Christ and at the SAME TIME be ESTABLISHED by faith IN CHRIST. This law of ordinances is NOT the Ten Commandments. What is this law of ORDINANCES and where was it written? WHAT did it regulate? What was its purpose? These ordinances were written IN THE BOOK of the LAW GIVEN BY MOSES (see Gal. 3:10; II Chronicles 34:14). ALSO called "the book of the covenant" (Ex. 24:1-10; Heb. 10:10). Paul (usually considered the writer of Hebrews) says that the first, or OLD Covenant, "had also ORDINANCES of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." Then he briefly describes the tabernacle and the sacrifices - sin offerings - made there (Heb. 9:1-8). Now read verses 9-12. He tells of the GIFTS and sacrifices that could NOT take away sins and make the conscience perfect. "Which stood ONLY in MEATS and DRINKS [meat and drink offerings, and divers WASHINGS, and CARNAL ORDINANCES, [MARGIN: rites or ceremonies], imposed on them UNTIL THE TIME OF REFORMATION." Here we have that law of ordinances described as the law that regulated the sacrifices and other rites and ceremonies as directed by this law GIVEN BY MOSES. This law also commanded CIRCUMCISION. It was sometimes called the law of Moses. Those animal sacrifices could not take away sins, but served as a type and shadow POINTING TO Jesus and His true sacrifice for sins (Heb. 10:1-12). This was the LAW OF WORKS by which the Jews sought justification. This was the LAW that Paul says was ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSION, or SIN. UNTIL Christ, the promised Seed of Abraham, should come (Gal. 3:10, 16-19). This law was a SCHOOLMASTER with all those sacrifices, circumcision, etc., to BRING them TO CHRIST, that they "might be JUSTIFIED BY FAITH" (Gal. 3:24-26; Heb. 9:6-15). That added law of types and ceremonies ended at the Cross. We are no longer under the schoolmaster. Some of the converted Jews caused trouble among Gentile Christians by teaching them that they could NOT be SAVED unless they were CIRCUMCISED and kept this law of Moses. (Read Acts 15:1-29.) But God required NO such thing (verses 23, 24). It was this same law that was being taught to the Galatian churches, causing some to go back and seek justification by circumcision and other rites of this book of the law, after they had ALREADY been justified by faith in Jesus. This was perverting the gospel and wrecking the faith of some. (Read Gal. 1:6-10; 3:1-6, 10; 5:1-4.) "If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Christ has become of NO EFFECT unto YOU, whosoever of YOU are JUSTIFIED by the LAW; ye are FALLEN from grace." This was a serious matter. These brethren had been justified by FAITH in Christ Jesus, their sins had been forgiven and they were children of God; but now they had been deceived into believing that they must go back, be circumcised and keep the other rites of the law of Moses to be justified before God. Paul tells them that if they seek justification by this law of ordinances, Christ is made of no effect. That law of WORKS had ended at the Cross and NOW "... by Him [Christ] ALL that BELIEVE are justified from ALL things, from which ye COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY the LAW OF MOSES" (Acts 13:38, 39). If the Christians went back to circumcision and other rites of that law, it showed that they did NOT BELIEVE that Jesus FULLY made ATONEMENT on Calvary. Truly that law of works of types and shadows that could never take away sins, but POINTED FORWARD to the TRUE Sacrifice, the Son of God - IS CONTRARY TO GRACE and justification by FAITH. Paul, as a Pharisee, kept all those ordinances, had been circumcised, and was "as touching the righteousness, which is in the LAW, BLAMELESS" (Phil. 3:3-7). But that law, with its rites, circumcision and sacrifices, could NEVER give true justification and TAKE AWAY SINS (Heb. 10:1-12). It pointed to the TRUE "LAMB OF GOD" that "taketh AWAY the SINS of the world" (John 1:29). Yes, Jesus died for the SINS under the FIRST, or OLD, Testament.... He tasted death for every man (Heb. 9:15 and 2:9). That schoolmaster law of ordinances BROUGHT THEM TO Christ, that they might BE JUSTIFIED by faith (Gal. 3:24-26) - if by faith, then they are SAVED BY GRACE, too. Much more could be said, but space will not permit here. For further study, write for the FREE PAMPHLET "WHY LAW?" (Also see list of other Bible Sabbath Association literature.) A PERVERTED GOSPEL A perverted gospel cannot save us (Gal. 1:6-12). Many people are being misled by the doctrine that says that God's GRACE is OPPOSED to God's HOLY LAW and CONTRARY to it - so that LAW CANNOT WORK WITH GRACE even as a MORAL RULE of LIFE. This is DANGEROUS and will lead MANY to DEATH in the end because they believed that GRACE gives eternal life, regardless of what we do - or don't do - after we accept Christ as Saviour. The VERY SALVATION BY GRACE is salvation FROM sin, not IN sin. Grace gives us pardon; GRACE ALSO SETS US FREE FROM SIN, "that HENCEFORTH, WE should NOT SERVE SIN" (Rom. 6:1-18). Grace reigns THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE, BUT SIN REIGNS UNTO DEATH (Rom. 5:21). "Let NOT SIN therefore REIGN in your MORTAL BODY..." (Rom. 6:12). "The wages of SIN IS DEATH." Only the PURE and the HOLY will enter God's Kingdom (Matt 7:21-23; Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7-9; 22:14). Study these points carefully and in prayer, friends. Your ETERNAL destiny depends upon your HONESTY before God in this matter. A FINAL WORD Finally, brethren, keeping in mind that it is a terribly FEARFUL thing to fall away from God (Heb. 6:4-9), LET EVERY ONE OF US FLEE! FLEE! FLEE FROM SIN, crying out to God as David did, "Search me, 0 God ... and know my THOUGHTS: And see if there be ANY wicked way in ME, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psa. 139:23, 24). "Who can understand his errors? CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS. KEEP BACK thy servant also FROM presumptuous sins (Psa. 19:12, 13). AND let none of us EVER forget that IF a sincere brother is overtaken in a sin, WE WILL IMMEDIATELY OBEY the exhortation of Scriptures, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, RESTORE such an one in the SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; considering THYSELF, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ" (Gal. 6: 1,2). Let us point out to him: 1. "For as the heaven is high above the earth, SO GREAT IS HIS MERCY TOWARD THEM THAT FEAR HIM" (Psa. 103:11). Also, "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and MERCY REJOICETH AGAINST JUDGMENT" (James 2:13). 2. "My little children, these things write 1 unto you, THAT YE SIN NOT. And IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS: AND HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:1, 2). 3. FLEE - RUSH - IMMEDIATELY TO THE LORD, CONFESSING OUR SINS, (in Godly sorrow, REPENTING - II Cor. 7:9-11) YEA, TOTALLY SUBMITTING OURSELVES TO GOD that He in His GREAT mercy may forgive us, cleanse our hearts FROM ALL SIN and give us POWER TO RESIST AND OVERCOME THE DEVIL in EVERY AREA of our lives, to the end that we may be a blessing to others, also. "IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" (I John 1:9). "SUBMIT YOURSELVES therefore to GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU" (James 4:7). Written in love and from a heart greatly burdened over this matter. May our God give you understanding as you study this (James 1:5). - Frank M. Walker Fourth Edition AP.3M.7-84 Copies of this booklet, other printed matter, and further information may be obtained by addressing: THE BIBLE SABBATH ASSOCIATION Fairview, Oklahoma 73737 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Prayerfully presented by THE BIBLE SABBATH ASSOCIATION 1. ITS INCEPTION: The B. S. A. was begun because of the widespread and growing realization of man's need for the sacred Sabbath of Scripture with its immeasurable benefits and the obvious necessity, because its restoration can become general, for its promulgation wholly apart from other religious issues. 2. ITS PROGRAM: To bring together into one strong organization all believers in the Bible Sabbath, regardless of sect, creed, or denomination, for the sole purpose of spreading knowledge of, belief in, and observance of God's only weekly holy day. 3. ITS BASIS: Such challenging facts as these concerning the Biblical seventh-day Sabbath - a. It was instituted by the Creator at the very beginning of human history for the good of all mankind, and is hence in no sense racial or sectarian. b. The memorial Sabbath of Creation has been uninterruptedly observed by followers of the one God from the very morning of man's creation to the present day. c. Its universality is irrevocably established by the exclusive designation of the last day of the week by terms meaning "Sabbath," or "Rest Day," in over one hundred of the world's leading languages, proving that it was the only weekly Sabbath when languages were first formulated. d. It is the "Keystone Commandment" of the Decalogue, the most perfect of all codes of conduct, and God's basic WILL for mankind - which we continually pray may "be done on earth as in heaven." e. The Sabbath is the ONLY commandment rejected by most Christians - the other nine being also often disobeyed, but none of them actually repudiated as is the Sabbath commandment. f. It is the one commandment of God's law legislated against by mankind, through statutes designed to enforce rest on Sunday, instead of on the sacred seventh day of Scripture. g. It remains the only true weekly Sabbath of Christ, the Apostles, and of the New Testament, and of His present-day Church. 4. ITS AIMS: Creation of the very highest possible ideals and practices in individual and group life - a. By emphasizing the HISTORICAL FACTS that both individual ideals and group behavior advance or degrade as reverence for the Bible and obedience to all of God's Law rise or fall. b. By promoting REVERENCE FOR THE SCRIPTURES, sincere reverence being impossible as long as Scriptural Sabbathism is rejected. c. By stressing RESPECT FOR GOD'S LAW, true respect being impossible while God's Sabbath Commandment is repudiated by Sunday observance and non-Sabbathism. d. By encouraging as ONE USE OF THE SABBATH, as evidently intended, the study of all the Ten Commandments, since only thereby can their real meaning be grasped, their perfection and importance appreciated, their obedience consummated, and individual ideals and collective civilization attain their intended lofty goals. 5. ITS METHODS: A carefully balanced use of God's Word and other books, pamphlets, periodicals, platforms, pulpits, radio broadcasts, television programs, personal work, and cooperation in promoting Sabbath observance by individuals and groups. 6. ITS STANDARDS: Tolerance in all its activities; accuracy and thoroughness in its efforts; attractiveness in its products; complete accountability for all funds and entrusted properties; periodical reports, investigations, and audits in such detail and with such frequency as shall insure compliance with these and other right principles. 7. ITS INVITATION: The Bible Sabbath Association extends a cordial invitation to every believer in God's recorded Will to cooperate in its great work by devoting a part of his or her time and means for advancing the Sabbath Truth and to become a member of the Association and to share in shaping its policies and carrying on its lofty purpose of promoting the Creator's only weekly Holy Day and increasing understanding, goodwill and cooperation among Sabbathkeepers everywhere. THE BIBLE SABBATH ASSOCIATION FAIRVIEW, OKLAHOMA 73737 **The Above was literature that the Elijah Messenger whole heartedly beleives** |