the great deception
a Biblical study regarding God's grace & law, by bernard b carman
9/99
• preface
salutations! recently, i have decided to sit down at my word processor and begin to write studies about some of the Biblical revelations i've been imparted with over the last few years of my life. if i know you and you haven't heard from me in a while, i must say that i'm sorry i have not corresponded with you sooner... for one, i'm slack! also, if you're like me, you too have a crazy schedule, but i figured if i keep waiting i'll never take the time to share with my friends and family some things i feel are very important to us all. if i continue in not sharing these things, somehow i feel like that would be a waste! from what i have learned for myself so far, i believe that it is part of my calling to share wisdom that i gather about God over the coarse of my life, so i am trying to do just that.
i'm not trying to sell some religion - that is not my purpose! i also realize that some who will happen across this study may not even believe in a creator or God, if you will. but i do realize that after living over one third of my lifetime so far, that everyone must have, at some point in their life, at least questioned the idea whether there is a God or not. if you don't necessarily believe in a God, this study may not mean much to you, but it might spark you to question certain aspects of the belief system that has flourished upon much of the planet we live on. it might also give you a totally different view on the "status quo" of religious institutions. if you do believe in God, and the teachings and precepts of the Bible, i hope this study will spark you to question the doctrines that your church organization teaches and hope that you will ask questions and not put your faith in man, but in God through His Word, and to always ask for guidance from Him that will lead you to His truths.
this study began as a letter to some friends in response to one that i had received regarding the erroneous idea that God's laws and commandments could be done away with and not apply to the modern Christian walk. it was directed primarily at God's Sabbath. i do plan on updating this study as other questions or issues arise over time. i hope it proves to be thought provoking!
• a bit of my story...
it is the question of death that sparked my interest in finding out more about God and what the Truth of God is. for those of you who don't know, i lost my mom a few years back... my father, years before that. my dad's passing on didn't effect me so much, as we were not close at all at the time of his death. in fact, i hadn't even talked to him for years before his death... there was a bad separation & divorce and our relationship never recovered - to the point that i changed my last name! however, my mom's passing was not taken so lightly. in fact i can honestly say that this tragic event in my life was the most painful thing i think i'm ever going to face... ever!
i didn't really care what happened to me at all after she was gone - nothing really meant much to me anymore. i found myself reaching the lowest i had ever been in my life as i managed to wind up hospitalized on occasion due to my own actions and almost lost my life for real before realizing that i was on the wrong path. although, i must say that there were points during this period that seemed eye opening, but most of this period was filled with confusion & fear!
i got better! :-) i began searching out God - or, i suppose i began answering His calling! at first, i bounced around between church groups. i became discouraged after attending so many various church groups and not feeling quite right in any place. i couldn't believe how many different schools of thought there were out there!
as i look back on this i can more easily see now that God was helping me to understand that there are LOTS of different people teaching LOTS of different things about Him. so i decided to just look into His Word for the answers to the many questions i had.
• a better path...
now, after only a few years of studying and putting into practice the teachings from the Word of God, i find myself in a wonderful place of better understanding about what is going on all around me. surprisingly to me at first, most Biblical teachings i have come to understand are contrary to not only the "non-believers" i come in contact with, but also are contrary to the "believers" i come in contact with. this was somewhat disturbing at first, but became less disturbing when i came to a somewhat better understanding of how satan has used deception over the years inside of church organizations.
so, i've come to a place where i question everything the church organizations say and look to prove all things by the Word of God. by diligent study and putting into practice the teachings i learn from the Bible itself, i find better understanding and begin to reap the blessings of wisdom just as the Word explains:
Proverbs 2:1-5... My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
2Timothy 3:13-17… But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Psalms 119:97-104…Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
i found many such places in the Bible like these that, in paraphrasing, say simply... "heed My words for not only better understanding and wisdom, but also to receive blessings and eventually the greatest blessing of all... eternal life!"
these are the basic principles i have laid down as a foundation for my studies and my life. there are so many groups claiming to be "of God" or "followers of Christ" and claiming to be studying the same Bible, yet they all believe different things. how could everybody be correct in their beliefs if they believe different things? i cannot see any other way of distinguishing who is telling the truth and who is deceived, except for putting all of my trust and faith in God and His Word. He will lead me by His word, and although Bible translations have been plagued with errors throughout the years, the underlying meanings, teachings and precepts have not been broken - as the Word says!
one example of a Biblically inaccurate concept which has proliferated among mainstream Christianity is the ever popular belief in a "hell" where "immortal souls" go to if they haven't accepted Christ as their savior before they die. upon studying the scriptures, one will find this recurring Biblical precept: when you're dead, you're asleep - for a period of time until you are resurrected at either the first or second resurrection. then, the Bible speaks of a Great White Throne and day of judgment, where all will be judged according to their works. those who refuse to repent, or change their carnal minds and ways, will be burnt up or put out of existence entirely, not left to suffer an eternity! wouldn't this understanding bring peace of mind to so many people who have lost a loved one and suffer to this day for fear that their lost had never accepted Christ during their lifetime? when i came to the understanding of this Biblical precept, it surely gave me peace of mind to know that there is no one burning for eternity!
many folks have completed studies regarding the subject of death. in fact, one of my friends has completed a very in depth one that also resides on our website. however, the focus of this study is on what i see as the greatest deception of all… the erroneous idea that God's laws and commandments could be done away with and not apply to the modern Christian walk.
• onto the great deception…
let us begin by looking back at the very first deception of man:
Genesis 3:1-5, 13… ¶ Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, `You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, `You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'" Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." ... 13 And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate.
notice here how the serpent (later understood as satan) crafts his deception. he states a truth along with a lie. God had stated earlier:
Genesis 2:17…"but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
and in Genesis 3:4, satan says, "you will not surely die." obviously, this was a direct contradiction of the Word of God - this was a lie. but notice in Genesis 3:5, satan goes on to say that upon eating of this tree of knowledge of good and evil, 1. man's eyes will be opened and 2. man will be like God, knowing good and evil. we know that these two statements are true:
Genesis 3:22… Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"
so here we see the nature and pattern of satan's craftiness. he deceives by cleverly disguising a lie within a truth. this is very important to remember as we strive to not be deceived in our own lives. remember that Eve didn't know she was being deceived until after she was already deceived. therefore, it stands to reason that one who is in the act of being deceived, does not realized they are being deceived.
Genesis 2:6… So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
notice also, that Eve was deceived, where Adam only saw the fruit that Eve was offering and ate it - without even questioning the implications of disobeying God! then, see what happens when God confronts them:
Genesis 2:11-13…And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
instead of exhibiting a repentant nature, both Adam and Eve decide to "pass the buck". God gave both of them the opportunity to repent of their transgression, yet they both chose to blame another for their own actions - and ultimately, they were blaming God. in these actions we can see the nature and pattern of the mind of man, in contrast to and in opposition to the mind of God.
in this account of the original deception of man, it is important to note here satan's goal of, and the resulting outcome of the first deception of man. satan's goal is to persuade man to disregard his obedience to God. the resulting outcome is punishment and cursings, not blessings. and the Bible consistently warns of the deceit of mankind. in fact, the Bible says that the whole world is deceived by satan:
Revelation 12:9…So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
probably the most successful deception satan has achieved throughout the course of his existence is making the majority of believers in God the Father & God the Son accept that the Law of God has been done away with. here's a couple Q's and A's that you might find interesting to ponder on:
Q. how could satan manage to deceive the whole world in the last days as the Bible says?
A. he must make people have faith in the end time son of perdition. this antichrist must not be noticed as such to the majority of people who believe in God, therefore, he must somehow go along with the status quo of the believers.
Q. besides the acceptance of Jesus Christ being the Messiah, what do the majority of the "Christian believers" have in common in practice?
A. hands down... sunday worship / observance.
i was going to phrase the question, "besides believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father, what do the majority…" but i chose not to construct my question in that way, for many "Christians" believe in a "Trinitarian Doctrine" that was created by the Roman Catholic Church, which in itself brings confusion to a better understanding of the relationship between God the Father, and God the Son. but i do not wish to get into that much in this letter… it's a deep study and i do not feel it is the major focal point of the subject matter i do wish to cover. but, sunday worship VS. Sabbath observance is a major focal point when trying to understand how God's law fits into the Christian way of life, and is a major deception in satan's "bag of tricks".
Sabbath observance is the visible sign between God and His children forever, as you will read below in Exodus 31. it is the ONLY commandment given that cannot be hidden from the world around you… if you observe the Sabbath(s), everybody soon knows it! Sabbath observance is just as visible as observing worldly holidays such as "Christmas", "Easter" and "Sunday". upon careful study and heed of the Bible, one will come to realize that God has a sign (or distinguishing mark) and so does satan. of course, we all have heard of this "mark of the beast" and there are several theories about what that mark is, but the Bible does not theorize… the Bible tells us what these marks or signs are and it is very important that the modern day Christian studies this. but, this too is another study all unto it's own, and is one well worth taking the time to study about! before leaving this subject, however, i should point out just one passage that might spark an interest into further studying the mystery of this "mark of the beast":
2Thessalonians 2:3-7…Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
it is plain here, that Paul knew that in his own day, satan had already been deceiving the world into believing the way of lawlessness. upon studying the scriptures i should have included in my "Bible concordance/study guide" under the heading "seal of the beast vs. the seal of God", one can find that this seal, or mark of the beast is not just an "end time" prophecy and that it has been around for quite some time! i encourage you to look deeper into this topic and see what the Bible says about these "marks".
it is important that we realize that the deception satan uses is horribly clever and it runs very deep in many of the belief systems that the majority of professing "Christians" hold as truth to this very day. our only tangible defense of this deception lies within the pages of the Word of God and it is our destiny to search these truths out through long suffering and perseverance in Christ Jesus.
• do the laws of God apply to us today…
there are a few scriptures i would like to examine before even dealing with various statements that many people make suggesting that God's Law is done away with. these are scriptures that plainly make statements that are not confusing or vague in the least and come from the Old & New Testaments of your Bible:
Genesis 26:4-5…And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws."
Numbers 15:15-16…One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.
Deuteronomy 4:2-6…You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Exodus 31:16-17…Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.
Isaiah 28:9-10…"Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."
(Christ Himself…)
Matthew 5:17-19…Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 9:13…I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Matthew 12:8…For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath
Matthew 19:16-17…Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
Luke 16:17…And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.
John 14:15…If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21-24…"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
(the apostle Paul…)
Romans 3:31…Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Romans 6:1-2…What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 6:14-15…For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
1Corinthians 6:9…Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…
Galatians 3:10…For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
(the apostle James…)
James 2:18-20…Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! But do you want to know O foolish man that faith without works is dead?
(the apostle John…)
1John 2:6-7…He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.
1John 3:4…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1John 3:24…Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1John 5:2-3…By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
Revelation 14:12…Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 22:14…Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
so i ask again… do the laws of God apply to us today? can i even ask such a foolish question after reading the above scripture from the Old & New testament of the prophets and apostles? and there is so much more scripture that concurs with these few passages! does Christ Himself not plainly spell it out? is anyone who reads these words Christ spoke prepared to call Him a liar?
"If you love Me, keep My commandments," He said.
"…if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments," He said.
the Bible teaches us that Christ, among many other things, is our example. i think John said it best, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1John 2:6) boy, that seems simple enough! the fact that we cannot perfectly walk in accordance with all of the commandments perfectly all of the time does not mean we should not try to walk in the commandments, or God's way as often as we can.
but, as i mentioned earlier, satan is crafty! he has about 2000 years of tradition to help him deceive man since Christ came in the flesh to qualify as Lord of Lords. much of his deception is cleverly masked within supposed "Godly tradition" in the form of ritual. we all should take a closer look at where these traditions originally come from and also look what the Word of God has to say about these ways of life.
take "Christmas" for example. most people that see lighted trees & decoration in homes nearing this December 25th date make an assumption that the people having this decor are celebrating the birth of Christ. well, they probably are - at least in their own minds. there is an association made with this date and all that goes along with the ceremony with Jesus Christ. but there is no mention of such a celebration to be had by followers of Christ, or Christians in any of the pages of your Bible. in fact, a brief cursory reading of Jeremiah 10 might give you a different perspective of this event all together… in fact, this chapter was all i needed to read to bring me to the understanding that this ceremony held definite pagan rituals. also, one can merely consult encyclopedias or even the internet to find out where many of the customs originated that go along with the Christmas "holiday" (holiday is the worldly term taken from Holy Day of God).
while we're at it, let's question another tradition most "Christians" hold dearly and visible. the symbol of a cross! there are many studies in ancient pagan cultures that have been done regarding the pagan origins of the symbol of a cross, but i do not find it absolutely necessary to go to such lengths in order to find simple truths regarding this subject. let us simply take a quick look in the Bible! aside from the word "cross" originating from the word crux, which is a Latin word (Q. which part of the Bible was originally written in Latin? A. none of it!), where in the Bible does it include the symbol of a cross in any form of worship of God? in fact, is there any symbol or sign of worship given at all? well, there is no physical symbol given - the only sign given of Christ's Messiahship is that of being in the grave 3 days & 3 nights. other than that, according to the Bible, the only sign given of God's children was mentioned earlier… the Sabbath! doesn't commandment #2 forbid the use of idols? and look at what hangs upon so many church buildings… to me, worse than merely a cross, a crucifix! - a cross depicting a dead Christ upon it! does anybody really think God the Father likes this image of His only begotten Son hanging dead?
now, look at the world for a second. satan has deceived most of the world into thinking that these pagan things are a part of the Christian walk. but when we read, study and heed the Bible and listen not unto the foolishness of man, God begins to shed better understanding about how His plan is unfolding right before our eyes!
no… my God is not hanging dead on some tree, He is alive! i know that because i believe the words of the Bible, not the lies of man directed by satan over the history of man. i'm not blaming the Catholic or Protestant Churches - i know who the real liar is! the men of these worldly churches are only deceived. it is this deception that we must struggle to resist… and we must help others to better see the deception.
• legalism VS. the Word of God…
getting back to law, we have read for ourselves now from the Bible that there is one law, God says they are His laws, commandments & statutes, they are in effect forever, as a perpetual covenant and His Sabbath(s) is a sign that these people who walk in this way are His people and will inherit the gift of eternal life.
there is a common deceptive school of thought that runs throughout "mainstream Christianity" and has spread its way into all kinds of religions and cults. it is the deception that when anybody says anything about being obedient to God's laws, the red flag of legalism pops up! let me say up front that the Bible does not support legalism… and neither do i!
legalism, by definition, is a belief that one can earn his salvation (eternal life with God) through the works of the law. the Bible clearly does NOT teach this. in my best understanding and explanation up to this point in my life, the Bible teaches that salvation is a gift by the undeserved grace of God, that the grace of God alone provides the gift of salvation. where law comes into play is that after receiving the promise of the gift of salvation upon baptism & laying on of hands, we are instructed to walk in obedience to the law as a testimony of faith in God's gracious gift. for the entirety of this study, it is imperative that this is understood - perhaps i should have stated this on the first page!
• important word definitions…
it is a good thing to define some words commonly thrown around in Biblical conversations so we know we are on the same playing field. we'll just look at the Greek translations bearing in mind that there are Hebrew equivalents:
sin [hamartia {ham-ar-tee'-ah}; Gr. also skandalizo {skan-dal-id'-zo}; Gr.] - transgression of the law.
it is important for us to know that sin is the breaking of God's laws, commandments & statutes. there is really no other way to define it. John states it plainly:
1John 3:4…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
another definition…
repentance [metanoia {met-an'-oy-ah}; Gr.] - a change of mind
repentance is a continual state of being as a result of repenting (the verb form) that we, as true followers of Christ, must continue to perform. the Bible teaches us that we are to repent (change one's mind) of sin (transgressing of God's laws). notice these passages in Acts:
Acts 17:30-31…Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.
Acts 26:19-20…Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
notice in Acts 17 that God commands ALL men EVERYWHERE to repent. there is no genetic or national partiality shown and the tense is present. also, notice the last part of the Act 26 passage… it says the Gentiles should DO works befitting repentance. it doesn't say they should repent once then carelessly continue walking in sin. repentance IS a continual process throughout the walk of the Christian life.
here is another word that needs defining…
fulfill [pleroo {play-ro'-o}; Gr. also teleo {tel-eh'-o}] - accomplish
it is imperative that we understand that to fulfill something is to accomplish it, not to do away with. this is one of the many grossly misunderstood words in the New Testament. When Christ says He has not come to destroy, but to fulfill the law... He means just that! accomplish, NOT do away with! would it make sense to reason here that Christ is saying that, "He has not come to destroy the law, but to destroy the law?" of course not! if scholars speak of major and minor fulfillments (accomplishments), that's all well and good so long as we understand what the word means.
one other word that i've heard practically all of my life is "faith". i've always related this word to merely meaning "belief" in convictions regarding God & spiritual matters. i hear many people in mainstream Christianity say things like, "all you need to do in your walk with God is have faith - observing the commandments of God are not necessary and/or do not apply to us now." statements like these seem so weak as i continue to study the Word of God. from the same person who makes this kind of statement, i also hear the Biblical truth that God is the same yesterday, today & forever! how can both statements be true?
it seems that by using faith in a statement such as this one above, that the meaning of the word "faith" merely means "belief". let's take a look at these original words:
belief [pisteuo {pist-yoo'-o}; Gr.] - to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
faith [pistis {pis'-tis}; Gr.] - conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things
although the computerized Bible i use gives similar definitions of these two Greek origins, there are some major differences. notice that belief is defined as, "to think to be true", and faith is described further by "conviction of the truth". after doing word searches in a couple different Bible translations, i found a passage that helps shed some light on this subject of faith and conviction:
Heb 11:1…Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction - ASV) of things not seen.
a quick look at the original derivation of evidence:
evidence - elegchos [{el'-eng-khos}; Gr.] - a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested; conviction
it appears that one who is convicted of a truth has a different connection to this truth than one who merely believes the truth. more scripture that helps to clarify this resides in James 2:
James 2:14-26… What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
here, we see a connection with faith and works! in fact, i have not seen an example of faith given in the Bible that is not connected with an example of a work of some kind. in Abraham's most famous story, known to us as the "father of the faithful", he exemplifies his faith in an act of obedience to God! Look what Paul says about faith in Romans 16:
Romans 16:25-27…Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
here, in Paul's final praises to God at the end of the book of Romans, he sites "obedience to the faith according to the commandment of the everlasting God." so we have clearly seen that just these few verses we've looked at show a connection with faith & obedience to God's commandments.
• are God's laws restrictive or burdensome?
many modern church doctrines elude that the law of God is "restrictive" or "burdensome". let's see what the Word has to say!
1John 5:2-3…By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
are His laws really burdensome or restrictive? can we really be persuaded to believe that when Moses obeyed & followed Christ and led God's people out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt under Babylon that the weekly or annual Sabbaths were a restrictive burden??? i can honestly say that after having kept the Sabbath on a regular basis, during each week, i look forward to the next one! it is God's day of rest where we come together to put ourselves into His presence. how is this restrictive or burdensome?
what many people fail to realize is that Judaism added many things onto the Word of God. there were all sorts of amendments to God's Word, much like the butchering that has taken place throughout our brief history of the fundamental principles that were drawn up in early documents that helped shape the United States of America. and more so, we also find many amendments to God's Word in the form of denominational doctrine that does not concur with the teachings of the Bible itself. we might recall many scriptures where Christ accused the priests of the day of "forsaking God's commandments for the traditions of man." we MUST understand that Judaism is NOT the way of God as given in the Bible, it's one group's interpretation of the way of God, just as mainstream Christianity is comprised of many groups' interpretations of Biblical doctrine which has been compromised and altered since Christ came in the flesh.
• Jesus and Judaism
there IS much to understand about such statements as "Jesus was born a Jew, and he died a Jew." first of all, the term "Jew" is a slang term that was taken from the meaning "descendant of the tribe of Judah." as you will recall, Judah was only one of the tribes that descended from Abraham. so to statement, "we must understand how Jesus relates to his Jewish heritage," is almost a misuse of words. As today's "mainstream Christianity", Judaism was never always in agreement with God. likewise, the ways in which the tribes, including Judah, lived were not always in accordance with the Word of God. Jesus totally understood this, for it was He who stood in the garden of Eden and taught Adam, then Eve how to live. it was Christ who spoke to Abraham. it was Christ who wrote in the tablets of stone before Moses and led His people out of Egypt. it was He who would soon teach the ways of God all over again and expound a little bit more on the plan of God when He came in the flesh. He wasn't teaching Judaism, He was teaching from the scriptures - the Old Testament, not doctrines of Judaism.
it is true that He did institute a new, better covenant (agreement), making the old agreement obsolete, but what most people do not realize is the new covenant is simply the laws of God put in our minds and written on our hearts…
Hebrews 8:7-10…For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them,
(notice, He found a fault in the first covenant (agreement), not in the law, but in "them" - His people…)
He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
is there a new law given? NO! He's speaking of the same law. He is not doing away with the law, just altering the implementation of the arrangement of how the law is applied. it is a new agreement of how the law is in effect in our lives each and every day.
1John 2:7…Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
also, there is another Biblical inaccuracy often stated that reads, "The 10 commandments are part of an extensive and detailed law code given to the Jews which governed every aspect of their lives." Let us look back at scripture:
Leviticus 24:22...You shall have the same law for the stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the LORD your God.
Numbers 15:15-16…One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.
Romans 10:12-13…For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
these scriptures, along with many others, explicitly state that there is one ordinance for all mankind and that God shows no partiality toward one kind of person or another! turn to the "salvation being offered to all/one law for all" section of the concordance/study guide i should have included and you will find many scriptures dealing with this subject. so we see the the Bible teaches that the law is not given only to the "Jews", but they are given to all mankind. therefore, any statement made that, "Jesus had to remain Jewish, in the strictest form of the word, through to His death," just doesn't make sense once we more closely scrutinize what the real meanings of the word is.
• is God's law a curse?
i have also heard it said that the "law code is referred to as a curse". let's look at Galations 3:
Galations 3:10-14…For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
the law itself is not referred to AS a curse, for it says that everyone who does not continue in all things written in the law ARE cursed. so we are ALL cursed because we cannot keep the law in perfection as Christ did. the curse IS death! if it were not for Christ redeeming us from the curse of death, we would never receive the promise of resurrection to eternal life.
here again, we must not confuse the role of the law with the role of grace through faith. the law was never given to provide salvation, it was given to point out what sin IS - remember the definition of sin:
1John 3:4…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
that's pretty plain. there's not much room for misinterpretations here! regardless, we must always be careful NOT to interpret the Bible ourselves, for we as we are human, err. Remember what we read earlier in Isaiah 28:
Isaiah 28:9-10…"Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."
we are instructed here to let the Bible interpret itself. let us keep these things in mind as we continue and embark upon on of the most grossly misinterpreted phrases in the Bible.
• "under the law"…
the phrase "under the law" has been used by many people as meaning "under obligation to uphold obedience to the law". but is this really what the phrase means? in Galations, Paul uses "under a tutor" in which, "tutor" is referred to as "the law". in other letters by Paul, he does use the phrase "under the law" and in most places, Paul seems to imply that one should not place himself "under the law". he also says in many places (see Romans 3 & 6) that the law is good and that God forbid we walk in sin, etc. so what does he mean by "under the law"? does this refer to law obedience, or rather, could it be easier understood if it was worded "under condemnation or penalty of the law"? here are some scripture references that lead to a better understanding of the relationship between law & Christ and what Paul means by "under the law"...
Galations 3:19-29… What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
here we see that the law was given by Christ, which can be also established by comparing many scriptures that state that no man has seen or heard the Father with the many scriptures that say Moses was speaking with God; if Moses often spoke with God, but not with the Father, he must have been speaking with Christ - God the Son, therefore, it was Christ who wrote the 10 Commandments in stone. we also see that the law is "certainly not" against the promises of God, but is our tutor to bring us to Christ. Christ justifies us by faith and then we are no longer under a tutor - the penalty was paid… we die in Christ. does this mean we should not walk in obedience to the law anymore because we are now freed in Christ?
Romans 6:1-23...What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
wow! what an excellent chapter in helping to better understand this relationship of law & life, VS. sin & death. this is one of the most clear passages that spells it all out. there is no way within this context that "under the law" could mean "under obligation to uphold obedience to the law" for most of this chapter emphasizes obedience to righteousness (walking in obedience to the law) and opposes obedience to sin (walking in opposition to the law). there is no way to understand the true meaning of this widely misinterpreted phrase other than "under condemnation or penalty of the law". it's the only way this passage could make sense!
another such phrase that has been taken out of context and has been assigned an interpretation, is when Paul includes "dead to the law" in an example. let's see what the context of this phrase is:
Romans 7:1-13… Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
when taken in context, dead to the law does not mean we should not seek righteousness in obedience to the law. it simply means that we are dead to the condemnation of the law through the body of Christ. it is the condemnation of the law that has died with Christ, not the law itself. otherwise, the Bible would be contradicting itself everywhere!
a word about Paul: you might have noticed by now that Paul's writings are sometimes very difficult to understand. on cursory readings, his letters seem to make statements that are contradictory. but upon further study, and in practicing reading the Bible in the manner that It says to ("here a little & there a little, precept upon precept"), his text begins to make sense! Peter even warns us to be very careful when reading Paul's teachings, that if we misunderstand, we will twist them ultimately to our own destruction.
2 Peter 3:15-17… and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked
again, it is imperative that the studious Christian exercises caution where "buzz-phrases" are used that are assigned a meaning or interpretation! it is a trick of deception to take a phrase out of context and attach a definition to it as if it were defined as such in the Bible.
• "the Law died with Him"???
although i've heard this said, i am always astonished at this erroneous statement! would someone please let me know in which translation of the Bible does it say this??? i suggest that anyone speaking this statement challenge themselves and do some serious searching through their Bible in attempts to find any traces of truth and Biblical agreement with this statement! i'd bet my life on it that he would not find a one!
Acts 28:23…And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
if the Law died with Christ, why were the disciples still preaching it along with testifying of Christ having come in the flesh? why did Paul continue to stress the importance of not continuing in sin that grace may abound? etc, etc… we must remember that the New Testament was not even written until decades after Christ had risen! the scriptures that Christ and His disciples had been teaching from was the Old Testament! Christ or His newly established church did not tear apart the OT and pick and choose which parts they'd teach from! they taught from the entire Word of God up to that point - the Old Testament!
it's a clever deception - i call it the great deception - this notion of the Law of God being dead, especially with all of the plain scripture that plainly states that the Laws of God are forever! one might just as well say that God the Father died when Christ died… now think of how silly that sounds! well, if you're a believer in the "trinitarian" formula, you'd have to wrestle with that one!
i have also heard it said that, "we do not need to be told not to murder, etc…" it is apparent that we do! for at no other time in history have we been so plagued in America with killers of all kinds! i do not need to even mention one of the many horrible incidents that have been happening at an ever increased rate throughout our country. if we are not constantly reminded of what is right and what is wrong, over time our generations will become very distant with morals of any kind. the proof is in the pudding!
• the two greatest commandments
there is another misinterpreted passage in scripture that is almost always brought up as one tries to back up the argument that God does not require His followers to live by His commandments, or that they were "done away" with. many people will say that Jesus said to one who questioned Him that there are only two commandments. let's go to the scripture and see what the Bible really says:
Matthew 22: 34-40…But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
as we plainly read here, Christ never says that these are the only commandments, He says that these are the greatest commandments. think a while on the last statement made here: "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." also take a moment and open to Exodus 20 and read the Ten Commandments. notice that the "first and great commandment" that Christ teaches the lawyer encompasses the first 4 commandments, and the "second great commandment" He gives encompasses the remainder 6. an interesting answer Christ has given this lawyer! yes, Christ "summed up" the Ten Commandments here, but He did not belittle them either.
the commandments are not given to restrict us… we have freedom… in His love!
1John 5:1-3…Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
• evidence of Christ's followers actions…
i have heard it said that, "after His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, His followers did not continue to keep the Sabbath." and that, "the Sabbath's mentioning in Acts is not in connection with Christian worship." let us see just how often the followers of Christ mentioned and taught on and observed the Sabbath:
Acts 16:13-15…And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.
here, Paul performed baptisms, healed & taught on the Sabbath… is this not an example of Sabbath observance? i believe that if i were to have ever performed such great works for God on His Sabbath, i would consider that particular day as monumentous and it would surely go down in my diary among the greatest days of my life!
Acts 13: 14-16…But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:
and Paul continued to preach. Paul then joined the Israelites and various Gentiles in Sabbath convocation and stood up and witnessed to everyone the story of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. when he finished, notice what was said:
Acts 13: 42-44… So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
if the Sabbath was not being observed by Paul and other disciples, why would they be going back to preach on the following Sabbath? if Sabbath observance was abolished, why bother keeping that day Holy (set apart)? why even mention it? for that matter, why is there absolutely no mention about the Sabbath being done away with in the entire NT???
Acts 18:4…And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
to say that the apostles were not observing the Sabbath, but merely chose to preach on the Sabbath because the Israelites did, is reaching a bit after reading through the verses above and when considering all that we have already learned about what these men and Christ had said about law.
let's not forget about the annual Sabbaths being observed after Christ's physical death. let's remember some of Christ's examples first:
Mark 14:12-16…The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"
Matthew 26:17-19…So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
Luke 22:7-20…Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer
after Christ's physical death:
Acts 2:1-4… When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 18:21…I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.
Acts 20:6…But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Acts 20:16…he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem if possible on the Day of Pentecost
1Cor 5:6-8… Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1Cor 16:7-8… For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.
after further study into scripture, how could we possibly be deceived into believing Sabbath observance was done away with any easier than we could be duped into believing the Law of God is dead? another NT reference gives further depth into God's Sabbath:
Hebrews 4:9-11…There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
here, we can begin to see an association between God's Sabbath or rest and another time of rest to come. upon more deep study into this subject one will begin to understand the ‘typeology' that God has given us in the example of weekly Sabbath observance - it points to a time of rest for God's children to live in peace under the Kingdom of God here on earth, referred to by many as the Millennium. this is another study well worth the time to dive into.
• the law forever in the New Testament
i've cited many places in the OT where one can find written how the Law of God is forever, but let's take a look at a few NT scripture that says the same thing:
Matthew 5:17… Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Christ says He did not come to destroy the Law! plain, in black & white!
Matthew 5:18… till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled
Luke 16:17… And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.
has heaven & earth passed away? i don't think so!
Galatians 3:10… Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
so, if the apostles were not observing the Sabbath in Acts, they must have really not cared much about the cursings that transgressions bring.
Hebrews 8:6-13… I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
He did not remove the law from stone as He added them to the minds & hearts of His children - those who would follow and obey Him.
Revelation 2:26…And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nation
Revelation 22:14… Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
even in Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we read to do His commandments, that we may have the right to everlasting life.
• Paul's writings in context
many will attempt to twist Paul's writings into various meanings that he simply did not teach. there are two of such passages which come to mind that i feel the need to share.
as many say, "no man can judge another man", i ask, "how can one live without making judgments?" we need to establish what ‘judge' is being defined as. here are some various Greek translations for the word ‘judge': krino = condemn, teach, evaluate, test, reprove, punish, rule. let's look at Colossians to see how this term is used in the scriptural context.
first of all, who is speaking? Paul. we've already established that Paul agrees with Christ, in that the law is not done away with and is still in effect. Paul has also established that we are dead to the condemnation of law in that we are dead in Christ. who is Paul speaking to? besides the fact that God speaks to us through His Word, Paul is speaking to the Colossians - a collection of gentile people part of Christ's church during that time period.
Colossians 2:4-8… Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
why is Paul speaking to this church - what's the subject matter? Paul warns against letting oneself become deceived with persuasive words, according to the tradition of men. let's read on to allow Paul further paint the picture for us:
Colossians 2:11-15… In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
onto the scripture often cited with twisted meaning:
Colossians 2:16-17… So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
does this mean Paul is reproving this gentile church for obeying the laws of God? can we come to this conclusion after knowing Paul's stance on obedience to God's Law? read on:
Colossians 2:20-23… Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
here is the key! there was a group of people with their own set of worldly doctrines who were ‘judging' the Colossians for not obeying their doctrines. now can we guess after reading the chapter who these people were and what doctrine they taught? obviously, it was the same sort that Christ Himself reproved for teaching the doctrines of men... the Judaic priests of the day.
here, we can see once we apply the teachings of the Bible as It suggests (precept upon precept, etc.), we understand that this chapter mainly deals with walking in Christ (as he walked) as opposed to walking in man (as man's doctrines teach).
turning to Galations, we find another place where Paul is so often misunderstood. this one is kind of funny once you question it for yourself!
Galatians 4:8-11… But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
it has been said by some that Paul is reproving the Galatian church for observing "certain days" - many argue that these certain days being spoken of by Paul are God's Holy Days! well, if the reader subscribes to this, there are a few questions he should ask himself. consider who Paul was speaking to:
Q. was the Galation church an Israelite church or a gentile church?
A. gentile.
Q. if Paul is referring to God's Holy Days, how could this gentile church ‘turn again' to their observance?
A. ughhhhh...?
also, would Paul dare call God's statutes & commandments ‘weak and beggarly'? after reading much of Paul's writings, it is safe to answer, "not a chance!" he is referring to pagan days & months, and seasons & years.
after all, the naming of the weekly days (except the Sabbath) was of pagan origin - after pagan gods! also, the months are named after pagan gods & rulers as well. the seasons are described in paganism in the form of story regarding the relationships of their gods. and years and dates are often given credence by many pagan religion as part of a zodiac system where astrological signs are attributed to birth dates and the stars are considered to govern various aspects of a person's life. pagan days have also been adopted by the majority of the "Christian" organizations.
digressing a bit regarding seasons, i have found it quite interesting how the Annual Holy Days of God signal important times in harvest seasons, and also correspond with the timely actions of the heavenly bodies within our immediate example of creation - the solar system. i have found it interesting how full moons can act as a reminder for several of His sanctified times. personally, i feel that these Days have much more to do with His creation (& continual creating) than we can ever imagine in our carnal state.
there is another place in Paul's letters, where i have heard it said, states that the Law has been done away. let's look at it and see what Paul says:
Galatians 5:1… Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
if we stop there, we see another case where Paul seems to be in conflict with his earlier statements. however, if we continue to read:
Galatians 5:4… You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
here we see who Paul is talking to: those who attempt to be justified by law. he is not making these statements to those who are simply trying to be obedient to God's Laws, for that is what is commanded of us all!
i think here it is a good place - again - for a reminder of how we must let the Bible interpret itself and not put our own meanings on phrases taken out of context. i've cited the "precept upon precept" concept, but let's take a look at another passage:
2Peter 1:19-21…And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
here again in the NT we are reminded to not interpret the Word of God, for man's will is weak and beggarly and prone to deceit. but the Holy Spirit is not prone to deceit. in building this precept upon what we have already read, and putting into practice (obeying) the way in which we are told to study scripture, we come to a stronger platform of understanding on which to stand, so as to better understand the great and wonderful plan of God.
• how about the future?
many scriptures we have already looked at state plainly that the Laws of God & Holy Day observance are statutes forever. we know that Christ is our example, and that He gave the Law and said plainly to keep the Law, and to walk in Him - to obey Him! what does the Bible say about Holy Day observance in the future Kingdom of God? let us first recall a recurring theme of the Bible:
Hebrews 13:8… Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
that's pretty simple… He changes not! it is only man's relationship with Him that changes, one example being the first & second covenants. if He changes not, can we expect the Law, as described throughout the entire Bible, to not apply to His Kingdom upon the return of our King?
Isaiah 66:22-24… "For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD. "And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
Zechariah 14: …16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
the chapters of Isaiah 65-66 and Zechariah 14 describe the return of Christ in all His glory and the coming Kingdom of God. these verses specifically refer to the time commonly known as the Millennium. this is the 1000 year period of time that Christ will be ruling on earth upon His return. notice that during this time, everyone who remains in the flesh after the 1st resurrection of the dead will be observing not only the weekly Sabbath, but also annual Sabbaths. how could the Law of God not apply to us when it obviously applies to His people of this future time?
Matthew 6:10… Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
what is the will of God? let's see what Strong's concordance says of the origins of the word will:
thelema {thel'-ay-mah}
1) what one wishes or has determined shall be done
1a) of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ
1b) of what God wishes to be done by us
1b1) commands, precepts
2) will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure
and as Matthew 6:10 states, God's Kingdom is coming, and His will, will be done here as in heaven. upon studying the Bible and putting It's teachings into practice by faith, the will of God toward man becomes evident - God wills man to walk in righteousness (eventually, perfect righteousness as a member of the God family), unto salvation and everlasting life, by the gift of grace, through Christ.
Revelation 2:26-27… "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- `He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' --as I also have received from My Father;
here in Revelation, we see another reference to this time of the Millennium in the form of a conditional promise to rule over the nations as Christ Himself received from His Father. what are the conditions? to overcome (through faith, obtain victory), and keeps My works until the end (telos):
telos {tel'-os}
1) end
1a) termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be
(always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end
of a period of time)
1b) the end
1b1) the last in any succession or series
1b2) eternal
if obedience to the Law does not apply anymore, why will some people be destroyed at the Great Throne of Judgment? if the Law of God is dead, what jurisdiction do the scriptures have regarding the fate of unrepentance?
Luke 13:3… but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Romans 11:20-23… Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
Matthew 7:15-20… "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 13: 36-43… Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
not many people like to discuss the potential "falling away" [apostasia (a falling away, defection, apostasy)] from God, so they come up with statements like "once saved, always saved". man finds it easier to hide behind erroneous doctrine than to search out and face the truth. but the Bible gives many references toward this tragedy, usually in the description of bad fruit, tares among wheat fields & broken branches. outside of parables, Luke 13:3 spells it out for us. to perish is conditional upon repentance (of sin - transgression of God's Laws), which is a choice everyone must at some point make.
these examples plainly show that the Law of God exists during and after Christ's return.
• wrapping it up:
if Sabbath observance, along with the Law of God, does not apply to us (modern day Christians), then why did Christ say to "keep the commandments?" why do so many scriptures say His statutes are "forever?" if Paul and other disciples did not observe the Sabbath & Laws of God, why did they continue to say to "obey the commandments?"
how is faith exercised in Christ? as we see many examples throughout the Bible, one comes to mind first… the example of Abraham. time & time again Abraham's obedience is exemplified as an act of faith, and regarded as righteousness.
likewise, nearly every book of the Bible stresses the importance of repentance of sin and obedience to Christ. how is it possible to be repentant of sin, and simultaneously be apathetic to it? how can one be obedient to Christ, and maintain that His Laws and examples do not apply to us? a mind set of this nature is simply contradictory and has no place with the mind set of Christ. this is the mind set of confusion… Babylon… the harlot… the beast… satan.
it is said that no one can serve two gods. Christ has a way. satan (the adversary) has another. it is the choice of each individual to decide which way to follow after. Christ is our example. if we call ourselves "Christian" (Christ followers), we ought to follow in His footsteps. what more sound conclusion could we come to otherwise?
the fact that we cannot observe the Law of God perfectly doesn't mean we should not try to observe the Law to the best of our ability. Christ did not die for us in order to keep us from obeying God. He didn't say to the woman, ‘Go and sin some more'… He said, "Go and sin NO more." He obviously knew that she would sin again, but i'm sure His words made a definite impact on her for the rest of her life, and as a result of this account, she probably had more of a repentant attitude.
if one finds himself confused by the writings of Paul, remember what Christ Himself said:
Matthew 5:17-20… Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
• some final personal notes
in writing this study, it has not been my intention to offend you in any way. if the scriptures have offended you, i cannot apologize for the Word of God, but if my words have caused you to stumble, i sincerely ask for your forgiveness.
the real purpose of this study, besides to further educate me, is to encourage anyone who reads it to not believe what "church organization officials" say, and to search out for oneself in the Bible what the Word of God really says!
if you are online, visit our website (www.main.nc.us/returntotruth). i encourage you to download a copy of my Bible concordance, which is an ever growing concordance that may help in finding scripture related to specific topics. also, i highly encourage reading "A Bible Study of Death" and studying this often misunderstood and erroneously taught subject… the time spent should prove rewarding!
i do hope and pray that this study has sparked some question as to how the Truth of God differs from the doctrines of man. thank you sincerely for taking the time to read and study it. feel free to contact me any time with comments, questions… and perhaps, minor wisecracks! :-)
in Christ's service,
bernard baruch carman, infinity@main.nc.us
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