Law & Works part 3

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Law & Works

(Part 3 of 3)

FREEDOM

In our judicial system we have a policy whereby a judge may let a prisoner go free even though he or she has committed a crime against society. This process is called "Probation." By allowing a convicted person to be free on their own recognizance a judge places trust in that individual to do that which he knows to be right.

There are other places this system is used as well. Schools are noted for placing a person on probation if they break a rule of the school. Parents do the same with their children, as do policeman by giving a "warning" ticket when a traffic law has been broken.

Probation is not freedom from the law. Freedom only allows that person to prove their willingness to follow that law once it has been made known to them. Should they break the law again, or should they even break another law, or be where they have been told not to go (even though such a place is legal), probation is withdrawn and the person is punished according to the law as set down by the judge (or parent or school, or employer).

On the part of the one set free, they sense the freedom, not the restrictions to that freedom. At least they don't feel restricted until they desire to venture into those restricted places or practices. When barred from doing what they desire, they begin to feel bound, and become resentful of the binding and the ones who have bound him.

Israel experienced such a situation. When they were in bondage in Egypt they wanted nothing more than to be set free. And God did just that - He set them free. However, as they learned later, that freedom came with bindings. These bindings are called "Law."

Israel had a choice, which they threatened many times in their "murmurings" to alter. They could have returned to Egypt and bondage. I am certain the Egyptians would have been glad to have them back. After all, the Pharaoh needed someone to punish for all the destruction in his land, as well as needing someone to finish his pyramids.

But, Israel chose to stay.

Freedom comes with a price. We have heard this often enough in this country. The price the Israelites had to pay was their being placed on probation. In every way, even over the slightest thing like picking up sticks on the Sabbath, that probation could be withdrawn and it was either death or being cast out of their society that was to be the consequences for violating that probation.

PICKING UP STICKS

Have you ever wondered why God would have a person stoned to death for picking up sticks? I have, and the reason just came to me.

God was the total provider for those He brought into the wilderness to train. They were to be obedient and appreciative for that which He provided. If they could not be obedient and appreciative in the wilderness where they had no choice but to do so, what are the chances they will be dependant upon Him when things are good in the Promised Land?

Picking up sticks was a sign of not believing God when He said He would provide. God told them that on the day before there would be enough for both that day and the day they were to do nothing whatever, to "rest." That whatever they had would not be too little, or if they had a lot, it would not do them any good because it would spoil.

Of course God was referring to manna. But God supplies all our needs. A modern-day example of this is seen in Acts 4:32-35 and 2Cor 12:9 where the Apostles formed a commune were all needs were supplied, and again Paul was told that God's Grace was sufficient (Luke 11:3; Ex 16:15).

When God tells us something, He is serious. When He says what He supplies is enough, He does not want us running around trying to "fill our barns" with more than He has given us. To do so is evidence of being unappreciative, just as were Adam and Eve.

Jesus said that God would supply our "Daily Bread" (manna). He referred to flowers that wilt being taken care of by God, and shouldn't we trust that He will take care of us? (Luke 11:3; Ex 16:15).

To want more is to not only be unappreciative, but to think of ourself better than other, therefore more deserving.

Somehow the churches adopted the "more" attitude that the disobedient Israelites suffered with, and was punished for. I wonder what the outcome of our attitude will be?

God gave the Jews definite Laws by which they should live. They had no probation. They either obeyed the Law to the letter, or it was the maximum sentence for them, on the spot. That is a rough row to hoe. How many Christians do you think we would find in the churches if they knew they would have to follow such demanding Laws? Would you?

The Jews had a land they could live on, as long as they followed the Law. That is all, a land. And when they lived on the land it was hardly more (in fact no more in Judea) than a desert. But it was their land.

We, as Christians are not promised a land. We think we are, but we are not. Nor are we told we have to follow a bunch of Laws.

No land. No Laws.

Then, what are we offered? Is it Heaven like so many say?

Yes, kind of.

[See New Jerusalem for more on Heaven.]

Rather than give the Church Laws by which we must follow, God has given us Liberty. When I say given, what I really mean is offered. We are offered the opportunity to see what we will want to do with that Liberty.

An example of such a Liberty is in the story of the little boy who found a bird's egg. He hatched the bird, fed it and put it in a cage to keep it safe from cats. The boy learned to love that little bird, and he hoped the bird loved him as well, and that it appreciated what he had done for it.

The bird matured and, as all birds do, wanted to "try its wings."

The little boy truly wanted to keep that bird he loved with him forever; but he knew that as long as he kept the bird a prisoner it would never be truly his.

One day he gently carried the bird to an open window, and tearfully released his pride and joy to the winds.

The bird was now free to do as it would. Will it be forever gone? Will it be devoured by predators? Will it return to the little boy?

It was now free. There is no way to know what is in the heart of that little bird....

Unless it returns.


God has given us just such a freedom these past two thousand years. We have freedom to do what we will with our own lives. We do not have to obey any Laws we choose not to.

What will you do with that freedom? Will you use it to satisfy your own desires? Will you use it to help others with their needs?

What will you do with your freedom?


God is looking for those "birds" who appreciate the "manna," the :Daily Bread" He has supplied, and does not expect or demand more than He has given. He has millions of people who come to Him for their feed and their shelter, then disappear into their own little lives when they are satisfied.

These people He allows to feel comfortable, fulfilled and one of the "special" ones. He gives them much of what they want so they can remain rich in their poverty, wise in their ignorance, and lost in their blindness (Rev 3:17).

God is looking for those who will come to Him when they want to give, not take. He wants those who will cling to Him when He has to chastise them. He wants those who will love Him when it seems all the world that He has cast them off (Heb 12:8).

God wants in His children everything we would expect in our own children.

God wants our all. But He wants it freely given. God wants those who do not obey the Law out of fear; He wants those who will obey because those Laws are on their Heart, and obey out of love.

ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE.

Ever heard that one before? I'm sure you have. And I'm equally sure you've heard examples of how absolutely absurd such a statement is.

I find no difference between the statement above, and the concept that God has no Works or Laws for His people today.

In the Old Testament "Law" was stated more than 300 times. But that was the Old Testament. We are living in the New Testament era. The Law, we are told, was for the rugged, stalwart Jew, not for us precious and tender Gentile Christians.

Hmmm. Interesting. I see where "Law" was mentioned almost 300 times in the New Testament as well - a sizably smaller book. Now, if I understand correctly, the New Testament is for us delicate Christians. And except for a couple obscure verses that relate to the Jews trying to fulfill the Temple Worship that was done away with at the Cross and the destruction of the Temple, I am unable to find any where that we are not to follow God's Law. However, with no trouble at all I find a multitude of Scripture that say we had better fulfill the Law; or else!


I find it interesting that there are so many preachers and theologians who make every effort to grab at promises out of the Old Testament that obviously have nothing to do with us. Yet, they make even more effort trying to avoid and bypass any Scripture that says we have to do something for those promises.

We are told that the Laws will be written on our heart. I wonder if there aren't people out there in high places trying to find problems with the Laws of God written in black and white because they don't have those Laws written on their heart.

The Impossible. I find it "Impossible" to read the Bible without running into tons of "Do's and Don'ts." But somehow there are a bunch of people who are able to sidestep these warning signs while going the wrong way on a One-way street. I also find it intriguing that these same people, while disclaiming God's Law can find so many laws of their own making that people must follow.


"Works" is only spelled out a couple hundred times in the New Testament. And though I certainly find places that state we are not justified or saved by our Works; I can find no place where it says we are to do no Works. In fact I find that if we don't Work it is evidence that we are not justified or saved. And I find where those very Works we are told not to do by the church is what we are going to be judged by when all is said and done.

I just can't understand the mind of the Educated and the Intellectual.


NO HELL

How many times have you said something to someone, and they responded as if you had something else entirely? I have that happen to me all too often. Then when I quiz that person as to why they answered as they did, I find that they heard me say something contrary to what I believed I said. Some times this miscommunication was the fault of the hearer or my garbled words. But there are times (which are confirmed by other listeners) that I had in fact said something entirely different than I thought I said.

Now I am quite certain that most of the Protestant churches do not intend to preach that hell does not exist. I don't think there are many preachers who would say that Jesus did away with all sin and the consequences of sin, so therefore we can sin all we want and still go to Heaven.

Of course there certainly are churches and preachers who preach precisely that message. And they full well believe that Hitler and Jim Jones will be up there in the clouds buddy-buddy with Abraham and Moses.

But such preachers and churches are the minority (though they are making great strides into the Mainline churches). I don't think anyone who believes such a thing would read but a few sentences of a website such as this one that advocates complete obedience to God, and says only a very few will escape damnation.

There are some sincere Pastors out there who are struggling to do the right thing with their flock. They are trying to get their sheep to move forward in the Lord and move them on to perfection. However they don't realize they have thrown stumbling stones before themselves and their sheep by preaching "No Law and No Works." Even should the Pastor full well understand just what he means (I don't see how that could be, but I will assume that he does), his congregation is going to hear it as "No Laws and No Works." They are going to see no reason to do any thing but what pleases themselves because there are no consequences for doing nothing.

In other words, they hear that there is "No Hell" for anyone who has said the sinner's Prayer and taken a bath. They believe in hell alright; but the hell they believe in is for the "other guy" and not for them.

In other words, regardless of what the preacher preaches, or how well the preacher says what he is trying to get across - he is saying; "No Hell and No Consequences."

Another way of expressing the above: you may not know you are preaching "No Hell," but your listeners surely do.


BONDAGE

We are all judges. We can't help it. From a tiny tot we have been taught to compare ourselves with others, and to judge others by others.

"I'm smarter than you because I got a "C" in grammar and you only got a "C-", so Ha!"
"So what? I wear Shmirnoff Pants. See the label? So I'm better than you! So Ha! to you!"


"Sue is Prettier than Betty."

"Yeah, but Betty is a better cheer leader than Sue."


We all judge. Yet we are told in the Bible we are not to judge. How can we possibly not judge? For instance, how can you pick a wife or a husband without judging?

Isn't it interesting? In most other countries today, and in all countries in the past, one didn't pick their spouse; their spouse was picked for them.

Nor does one, in the natural scheme of things, pick one's parents or children.

In fact, throughout history there was very little a person could pick and choose for themselves. Life dealt Man a hand, and Man took what was dealt. It is a fairly recent occurrence where the "common man" (the hoi polloi, not the Highfalutin) could make his own way through life.

We, that is Modern Society has become spoiled, claiming it our "right" to have this or choose that. It is probably this very choice, therefore judgment call we have been given, that keeps us from seeing what God requires of us.

In order to see God, we must first be brought out of bondage. We, Civilized Man, refuses to accept bandage. We are "too good" for bondage.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for just such an attitude. Even though they were under bondage to the Romans, they refused to humble themselves so they could see God who stood before them, or to see God's command to come out of the bondage of the flesh (John 8:33). The common man, on the other hand, knew full well they were not only under bondage to the Romans, but to the Laws the Pharisees and other such religious leaders had placed upon them. They knew there was a "Bondage" to come out of. We, the rich Americans do no know nor accept this for ourselves. We are the frog in the boiling pot who has become comfortable with the "warm bath" and see no need to escape our "luxury." (Rev 3:17)

We judge. We judge ourselves by others, and by what we are told; by the Media and by our church. We know we are "too smart" to fall for false doctrine. We are "too good" to be cast out by God. And we know this because our preacher tells us so. We are "too good" for bondage (of the Law). We are "better" than that. Therefore, being "better" keeps us from being "humble" and makes us a "Judge" over what is right and wrong. These are two express "No-No's" in the Bible (Mat 7:1; 18:4).

But, of course, "No-No's" equal Laws. And since there are no Laws according to the Protestant churches, there is no Law against Judging and no need to be Humble because that is a Judgement call.

(Confused?)

Yet! Without being Humble (feeling less, not better than others), and without abandoning our Judgment, we will not see Heaven (Mat 7:1).

Again, I see abandoning Laws and Works as replacing Stepping Stones with Stumbling Stones.

FAVORITE SIN

"You smoke, and you're goin' to hell for it."
"How about you, you lush. You drink like a fish."
"Yeah, but that's different. It ain't as bad as smoking."

Of course it's not my sin that will get a person sent to hell. But your sin sure will!

Somehow we have gotten the idea that one sin is worse than another. We have a judgment list we form, each one of us, that shows the hierarchy of sin, and somewhere on that list we have drawn a line that separates the "Unacceptable" sins and the "Acceptable sins. And oddly enough, we fully expect God will abide by our list.
Does God have such a list? Does God condemn a whole rack of sins and send the performer of those sins to their doom; and have another set of sins He allows to slide on into His Pearly Gates?

Yes, He does. God does have a list that He considers unacceptable sins. If we look closely at the Old Testament we can find it. The List begins with Adam and Eve. Their sin, for which they were condemned was eating a piece of fruit.

The second sin we see committed is that of a man killing his brother. And oddly enough, God seemed less aggravated at Cain over his murder than He did Adam and Eve over their piece of fruit.

Later, in Exodus, we see God about to kill Moses' son because he wasn't circumcised. And a bit later we see God through Moses having people stoned to death for picking up sticks or for sassing their parents.

Since God is the one who laid out these Laws personally, I would suspect He fully expects (demands?) these Laws be fulfilled. And I would also expect that if He, God would have a person stoned to death for committing these sins, He will also have them cast into the pit at Judgment Day. Wouldn't you agree?

Considering this list God has made up it appears to me that the slightest infraction of His Law (Sin, disobedience, Transgression) tops the list that will get a person condemned, and everything else is placed under this. In other words, murder and stealing will get you the death penalty, and so will back-talking your parents.

Incidently, in case you are thinking this applies to all those outside of God's family, and not to those in the "church," keep in mind that these Laws were given to those God called His "Son," and His "Bride" (Ex 4:22-23; Hos 2:19-20). Those outside the family are condemned already. Those in the family of God are expected to be much better than those outside. And the punishment and discipline is much harsher and stricter with the family than with outsiders (Heb 12:8; 1Pet 4:17-19 see also Mat 7:1-2). What, pray tell, does this say for those who preach that we can do nothing (or even less) and God will take us in?


READING WHAT YOU LIKE

"Today's weather is brought to you by Smutz seltzer water: the weather may be bright and beautiful, or it could be drizzly and lousy. We'll just have to wait and see."

"Did you hear that, Jack? The weatherman said it's going to be a good day for you to paint the garage. Bright and clear, he said."

"No he didn't, Marge. He said distinctly that it was going to be wet and miserable. Not a good day at all to paint the garage, but a great day for me to go with the guys bowling though, don't you think?"


We hear what we want to hear. Is the glass half full? Or is the glass half empty?

The Bible is certainly a good example of this rule. For instance, is it all grace and no works? Or is it works and no (or only partial) Grace?


If you desire to serve God, you will read "Works" all through the Bible. In fact, the more your heart is inclined to serve the Lord, the more indisputable references to Work you will find.

But if you are inclined to have God serve you, you will find a multitude of Scripture that seem to clearly back up your stance. And to be sure, you will find a multitude of preachers and writings by theologians to support your view.


Have you heard this statement? "The bottom line to the Gospels is that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior."

Now, how can such a statement be disputed. After all, the statement is true, isn't it?

Yes, it is true if your purpose is to have Jesus serve you. That is, half of that statement is true if you want Jesus to serve you. If you desire to serve Jesus, then the other half of that statement is true.

"Jesus Christ is Savior." This is the half the Protestant church catches and clings to. By this statement a person can just sit back and feel content that Jesus has done it all, and He is now in the process of making us happy while He builds that mansion in the sky for us.

Lucky us.

On the other hand, if we take seriously the first half of that statement that is so often passed over, we then have the full Truth of what God wants of us.

Jesus is our Savior. That is true if the first part of the statement is also true: Jesus Christ is Lord!

According to the dictionary, a lord is: "Master or ruler or sovereign." Is this the picture you get when you read in the Bible that Jesus is Lord?

Let's look at those words that describe "Lord."

Master: "A man who has control over people or things."
Ruler: "A person who rules by authority."
Rule: "To have authorities control over people or a country, to govern."
Authority: "Power or right to give orders and make others obey."
Sovereign: "A king or queen who is the supreme ruler of a country."

In time past, and still in other countries, this definition would be clearly understood. What it is saying is that the king owns those he rules over, and can do with them as he likes, even to the taking of their life if he so chooses. This concept is lost to us, because we have been so pampered and soiled. But being ignorant of the meaning does not change the fact of the case, which I am afraid we will find out all too clearly as we stand before the Judgment seat of Christ.


DISCLAIMER

I think it is quite clear that I am pointing most of these statements of harsh criticism at the Modern Protestant churches. I find these to be a tangled web of confusion that makes no sense whatever and has very little to do with the Bible other than what they can twist out of it to suit their Doctrines.

It seems to me that these churches fall all over their own feet trying to make a point; while the Truth stares them in the face. Why they do this I haven't a clue. It's obvious that the system doesn't work.

I suspect it has to do with trying to be just as different as possible from the Catholic church that obviously does not work either. But although the Catholic churches and the "Cults" clearly do not have a handle on the "Truth" according to the Bible, they at least have a manageable system that does not have to fight with its own doctrines in order to function.

If this study, or any other seems to step on your toes and sounds like it is criticizing your church or doctrines, I apologize. However, if you feel offended, but the statements made about your church or doctrine is true, then I suggest you look at the doctrine for your own sake. Arguing the merits of my statements and findings will accomplish nothing if there is something that needs to be corrected in your church.

If I am wrong on any subject or point I am making; it means nothing except the wasted time I spent writing it and the wasted cyberspace I used in publishing it. If, however, the point is disregarded on your part, and there is truth in what I say, it could make an Eternal difference to you and all who you preach to (if you are a preacher or a parent).

There's an old expression we used to use that goes: "Don't throw out the baby with the wash water." The meaning of this little saw is; don't miss the big picture because there might be some point or two that you disagree with. This is so easy for us humans to do. I know this because I am prone to do the same. And the worst, and the most dangerous examples of this very same thing is what I am seeing in the churches where God's Big Picture is being smudged over with foolish and self-serving doctrine.


LAW? WHERE IS IT?

Law? There is no more Law. The law that was written on stone and papyri no longer exists. In this the churches are correct. Jesus did away with all the Laws. Jesus fulfilled the Law, and in doing so proved once and for all that the Law can be lived. But in so doing, He also proved that it could not be lived by Mortal Man, that is Adam. He proved that it can only be lived by God Himself. So for us to continue to try and live the Christian life is pure foolishness. Yet that's exactly what is taught by all the churches.

But yet, we are to live the Christian life; so how can that be?

The Law no longer exists, that is for the World the Law no longer exists, just as it did not exist for the World when the Jews lived under the Law of Moses.

But the Law does exist, and must be followed to the letter, for the Christian. So, if you are a "Christian" by your own acclamation, the Law exists for you.

If the Law no longer exists as it was ascribed to Moses, then how is the Christian supposed to follow the Law? How is the Christian supposed to even know what the Law is if it is no longer written to be seen?


Remember: "I will write my Laws in their hearts and in their minds"? If you are a Christian, (in fact, not in words only) you have the Law written in your heart and are working (Works) to live it to the best of your ability, and seeking to learn even more of the Laws Jesus wants you to follow.

And if you are a Christian in fact you have residing in you the Holy Spirit Who is explaining the Scriptures and aiding you in your efforts to become like your Leader: Jesus.


Works? There is no more "Works." Whatever we do to try and win God's favor is going to fail. Yet we must do the Works of the Lord. We must be His Body here on earth fulfilling His purposes. Yet, we can not work. All our Works are as filthy rags. Yet, we are told to work. How confused this has made the leaders of the churches throughout history.

So, man works. Or, man doesn't work, depending on the church he listens to. Either way, it is a failure. Man's work is going to be burned. But God's Work, that is the Work He does through us by way of His Holy Spirit will be saved.


Those who possess the Holy Spirit know what I am talking about. Those who do not have the Holy Spirit Working in them will consider all this pure fantasy and turn to their theological commentaries and their Pastors in order to convince themselves that what they already believe is the truth.

And who can blame them? They have no other option....

Other than turning from their own lustful ways and allowing the Holy Spirit to take over their lives.


[ If this that I have written makes no sense to you and sounds like foolish twaddle, rest assured, you are not alone. There are many experts on the Bible (if not all) who will totally agree with you. If it does make sense to you, then you are the one this piece was written for. To all others, thank you for reading it, in my estimation that speaks well for you because you were willing to read "outside the box."

As I see it the Law can only be lived by those made Righteous through the Holy Spirit. And to obtain that Righteousness and the Holy Spirit we must come prostrate to the cross of Jesus and submit all we are and all we have with a humble and contrite heart. We must realize that we are no more than dust that only has a value when it is used by our Lord for His own purposes, and not our own. We must recognize and admit that there is nothing we can say or do that will make us more acceptable to God, but rather all our "good works" of the flesh must be pruned so that the Excellent Works of the Holy Spirit may be brought forth.]

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(See References on Law & Works for more)