GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 416 April 11, 2012
APPLICATION OF God's Law Is Spiritual
The thrill of knowing the Word has never left. In fact, it's grows within my heart each time I understand just bit of the Bible. The meaning of knowing any verse is a joy; especially when I can share it with others. I am sure it's that way with you, too. But, when we look clearly at God's Word, it becomes a serious matter. So serious that most do not want to address the Word. Some try to keep the LAW themselves, in their own actions. The 4th Commandment proves this. But, the real problem is, we can't keep any portion of the LAW. Not the 4th; not any of it. Besides, just look at the last commandment.
It is recorded in Deuteronomy 5:21. God said, "...neither shall thy covet." There is a real problem, here; causing Brother Garner to say, "If Number Ten wasn't there, man might be okay." But, Number Ten is there, clearly showing that man can't keep any point in the Law. Man cannot help it. He covets. Paul did, as well. His teaching on the subject is "...I had not known sin, but by the LAW," Romans 7:7. He says, "The commandment was ordained to life, I found to be death," Rom. 5:10.
So, why did the Almighty give man a Law that He knew we couldn't keep? It is because of sin, as Paul states. And, even more importantly, God want's man to understand that he sins. God wants us to realize that sin is pervasive in our hearts. We need to Know about sin; in order to call on Jesus and to repent. Man must have forgiveness. He cannot do something in order to be saved.
Man misses the mark. When he does, he starts with excuses that are – not only Biblically incorrect – they make me sick. God, however, is more patient and kind. He always offers salvation to the most erring sinner. Sure He does. God saved me. Hallelujah!
The finality is that every man comes under God's Ten Commandments. And, every man fails to keep them. Therefore, we have the reason that God sent His Son. Jesus was born of a virgin to honor His Father by keeping the Ten Laws and then, dying in man's place. Jesus kept what man could not keep; not, initially, not after he is saved, not ever.
Today, man is allowed to honor God but, he has to approach the teachings within each law in the only way he can keep them; that is, inwardly. This is the teaching of Matthew 5:18. We are told that Jesus did not merely remove the Law, He fulfilled it. Next, the LORD tells us how the Law is applied.
On the Holy Subjects of: MURDER, ADULTERY, DIVORCE AND, EVEN OATHS, (Mt. 5, Vs 21-42), Jesus taught that they are kept, inwardly. Thus, the LORD directs man to where it all begins – in the heart. If, "ANGER" was not in man's heart; neither, would be the urge to "KILL" thy brother. We know this is the answer, even on the last one of the Ten Commandments; that of, COVETOUSNESS.
Yet, we also must understand that Christians are to love one another. We have to get along in life and, to do this in the Christian manner, we must apply every point of the Law within; that is, inwardly in our spirits. We don't, always; so, we confess and Jesus forgives us of every sin. Hallelujah.
We conclude that Jesus taught that all God's LAW was an inward matter. Never is any portion to be attempted by man's fleshly action. And here, we keep even the FOURTH ONE; the Sabbath. We understand it is also has an inward meaning. Since, it is a day of rest, we realize that we rest every day because Jesus, by "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinance that was against us, and took it out of the way, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS," Colossians 2:14.
Today, we know how to approach the LAW. It is through Jesus. Thus, when He teaches on ADULTERY In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus points out that the physical act is also a heart problem. THAT'S WHERE IT ALL BEGINS. When a man looks upon a woman "to lust after her ... has committed adultery already with her in his heart," Jesus said. The matter is so serious, that Jesus said we have to pluck out our eyes, if necessary. But, we also know that that it is a spiritual matter of the heart. If we took away everything – even, our eyes, we would still have the sin of lust in our hearts. And, that's the problem.
So, while we are not to pluck out our eyes, we have to take care of the matter, nonetheless. And, thank God for His grace. We fill the heart; not with worldly affection but, God's LOVE. This is what God did for us. HE LOVED US. The Christian message is living in the Spirit and the Law is fulfilled. From the beginning, it has been a heart issue. Adam's heart was not RIGHT. He listened to another. Every man has done the same; except, the one born of God. Jesus is His name.