Someone said that “True love is keeping the Commandments.” Is this true?
Discussion,
The Commandments don’t espouse “love” but condemnation (Romans 3:20). Faith in the One who embodies the Commandments, the Logos of Elohim (John 1), espouses true love as that faith honors the Father (John 6:29) and engenders New Covenant relationship with Him (John 3) and subsequently engenders obedience through the indwelling Spirit (Galatians 5:16); therefore, the letter kills as it defines man’s culpability void atonement (Romans 3:20); the Spirit gives life through the Son via faith (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Divinely inspired obedience results from true love for the Son, the Father, the Holy Spirit, this, by faith and this engenders obedience inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit via the production of divine fruit that fulfills all law, divine fruit of the Spirit that methodically fulfills every divine Commandment as there is no law against the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23).
Yes, Jesus did say “If you love me you will obey my Commandments” (John 14:15) but “love” comes first and true obedience naturally flows through the Holy Spirit given as Guarantor of New Covenant relationship with the Father (Ephesians 1:13-14) as true obedience is NOT possible void the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Faith in Jesus that honors the Father (John 6:29).
Receive the indwelling Holy Spirit and walk in obedience to the Spirit’s tutelage in daily sanctification producing fruit that honors the Father’s will (Ephesians 1:13-14; Galatians 5:16).
Live in peace with Elohim, eternally (Romans 5:1).
Someone said that the Holy Spirit is a Comforter but does not convict the World of sin. Is this true? What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?
Discussion,
The Holy Spirit is the Arbiter of free will concerning the human conscience relevant to behavioral discernment; this, pertaining to both the lost and the redeemed as the Spirit is a “restrainer” of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7); therefore, the Holy Spirit urges humanity toward behaviors that are sustainable and His intercession and work in the life of the Christian is magnified by the Spirit’s indwelling presence given as Guarantor of Covenant through faith in Jesus as Messiah (Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:16; Galatians 5:16).
It is the seared, corrupted, human conscience, the stubborn and defiled conscience that has repeatedly eschewed the intercession of the Spirit that is given-over to a life of nihilism and defilement; therefore, how can one say that the Holy Spirit plays no role in convicting the individual and the World of sin (Romans 1:18-32)?
The Holy Spirit and Christian sanctification,
Concerning the redeemed in Jesus, it is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit during daily Christian sanctification as Counselor, Teacher and Tutor (John 14:16; 1 John 2:27) that prepares the Christian for service in the New Jerusalem; therefore, I disagree with you that the Holy Spirit plays no role in convicting the conscience of ungodly conduct as this conviction is the initiation phase of repentance, repentance being essential for salvation concerning the lost and essential for restored intimacy concerning the redeemed in Jesus who inevitably relent to the Adamic sin-nature from time-to-time; hence, the need for John 3 concerning the lost and the need for 1 John 1:9 concerning the redeemed in Jesus.
Void the presence of the Holy Spirit in the World as a Restrainer of evil, human kind would implode in unrestrained narcissism and nihilism; this, as the Holy Spirit is the Logistical overseer of the Creation narrative (Genesis 1:2) and the Divine Restrainer of the Evil One (Galatians 5:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:7); this, for Elohim’s eschatological purposes going forward.
Jesus said,
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. The Gospel of John, Chapter 16
What is the purpose of Law? What is the difference between the codified Law (law of sin and death) v. the Spiritual Law (law of the Spirit of life) in Romans 8:2?
Discussion,
The purpose of all Law, whether it be codified e.g. Hammurabi – Sinai – Criminal Code (Penal Code) – Civil Code (Administrative) or Spiritual Law (divine law written upon the human heart and arbitrated via the human conscience, Romans 2:14-15) is as an arbiter of free will, lawwhich defines human moral behavior i.e. mores – norms – values that are sustainable; moral behavior that furthers the divine prerogatives for Human Kind relevant to the inalienable rights as granted by our Creator e.g. life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness.
Differentiating codified law from spiritual law through application,
Codified laws (a written code) are created in response to the genomic Adamic sin-nature of humanity, a sin-nature possessing the propensity for narcissism, selfishness, pride, arrogance, greed, inordinate affections, inordinate lust, covetousness, all of which are unsustainable behaviors, unsustainable conduct, concerning the welfare, the happiness, the liberty, the sustainability of a social group seeking to exist in an atmosphere of peace, dignity, honor, contentment; this, concerning the whole of the community.
Codified laws define what behavior is sustainable through the “negative” via a definition of what behaviors are NOT sustainable and modern jurisprudence goes to great lengths to provide “elements” that define every behavior that wars against sustainable mores, norms, values, as derived from “natural law” or the Spiritual Law (that law written upon the human heart and arbitrated by human conscience), behaviors “naturally” deemed appropriate thus sustainable for the welfare of the whole of society. It is also true that some codified law is the resultant of trial and error where a society or legislative body determines a particular conduct is not sustainable due to its ultimate destructive, divisive, outcome over time via experiential relevance.
The Codified Law and the lawless in society,
Therefore, the codified law is given for the lawless (1 Timothy 1:9), the antisocial personality, whose conscience is seared, a conscience that is corrupted and not regulated by a natural sense of right and wrong, good and evil, as the Divine “Restrainer” of evil, the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:7), is absent in the life of the incorrigible, the rebellious, the narcissist, as they have been given-over to pursue those things, those behaviors, that are not socially sustainable and thus war against life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness relevant to the whole of society (Romans 1:18-32).
Therefore, the codified law, the written code, is given to define what is sustainable behavior through the negative; that is, by defining what behaviors, actions, are NOT sustainable and violate acceptable mores, norms, values and the codified law also articulates the negative consequences (punishment) for participating in this antisocial behavior; hence, the “law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2); therefore, the codified law is the law of condemnation as it defines the culpability of mankind but offers no semblance of hope or atonement for violations of same (Romans 3:20).
It is also relevant and important to note the subjectivity inherit within a written code as the sin-nature of Human Kind goes to great lengths to justify and/or rationalize antisocial behavior via obfuscation/rationalization/the definition of words – subjectivity; therefore, criminal “elements” e.g. mens rea (the guilty mind – “knowingly and willingly or negligently” or actions performed) accompany each individual offense; this, for absolute clarification concerning culpability. How does this written code compare/contrast to the Spiritual Law written upon the human heart?
Finally, the Codified Law and Sinai – Moses,
It’s interesting to note that the Spiritual Law had been in the World working through Human Kind from Adam to Moses and the Spiritual Law convicted the Adamic and Noahic generations (Later – Sodom and Gomorrah) of such defilement that Elohim destroyed all of humanity in judgment by water save eight (Genesis 6; Romans 1:18-32). So why Sinai?
Sinai’s Decalogue etched in stone by Elohim and Moses’ 603-laws scratched upon parchment were codified specifically for sanctification and eschatological purposes concerning Israel’s children as Elohim did NOT desire a repeat of the horrific infidelity displayed by the Adamic/Noahic generations, demonically rooted behavior that thwarted their ability to produce and introduce the Messiah into the World in order to “destroy the works of the Devil” (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8b) via a battle strategy known as the Gospel which was ordained “before Time began” (2 Timothy 1:8-10; Genesis 3:21).
Sinai and Moses’ codified laws, given specifically to Israel’s children and sojourners with them who sought the protective benefits of that theocracy, were but a mere fragment of the comprehensive Spiritual Law written upon the heart of humanity and Sinai and Moses were never intended to be a path to righteousness (a right standing) with Elohim or a path to eternal life in the Kingdom via the forgiveness of sin for if one desired to keep the codified law sufficiently to earn a right standing with Elohim, they were required to keep that codified law in perfect obedience, perfection (James 2:10) which was not possible due the Adamic sin-nature (Romans 5:12); therefore, Sinai and Moses ultimately condemned and cursed anyone seeking righteousness through them (Galatians 3:10; Romans 3:20). From Adam forward, righteousness (a right standing) with Elohim was always predicated upon “faith” (Hebrews 11) and NOT works of the law (Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Spiritual Law “Law of the Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2),
The Spiritual Law, that which is written upon the human heart, infused within the human genome on Day-6 of creation, has been relevant as an arbiter of free will subsequent the creation of the angels. The Spiritual Law or the “Law of the Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2), the eternal law, defines what is divine law through the positive; that is, the Law of the Spirit of Life motivates and articulates what behaviors and attributes fulfill the righteousness, divine mandates i.e. sustainable behavior as they relate to the holiness and righteousness of our Creator, Elohim, and against these sustainable, holy, righteous, behavior’s (fruit of the Spirit) there is no law (Galatians 5:16-23).
The New Covenant and the Spiritual Law,
It is the Spiritual Law, written upon the human heart on Day-6 of creation, infused within the human genome by Elohim, that is integral with Human Kind having been created in the likeness of Elohim thereby possessing certain divine communicable attributes of our Creator (Genesis 1:26-28). The Spiritual Law written upon the human heart is but one of these divine communicable attributes provided by Elohim for His eschatological purposes going forward.
In the New Covenant, established in Messiah’s blood at Golgotha (Matthew 26:28), it is the Spiritual Law that is employed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who is given by Covenant promise to the redeemed in Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14; Ezekiel 36:22; Jeremiah 31); it is the Spiritual Law in combination with the redeemed conscience of the faithful in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17) that the righteous mandates of the “Law of the Spirit of Life” are fulfilled during daily sanctification as the Holy Spirit methodically prepares the redeemed in Jesus for service in the New Jerusalem; this, as the one who “walks by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) is methodically guided by the Spirit when confronted by any number of moral, ethical, decisions made during one’s daily life; it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who urges the redeemed toward righteousness via the redeemed conscience; this, through an enlivened sense of discernment and wisdom via an enlivened and applicable Spiritual Law.
When one honors the Holy Spirit in daily sanctification and allows the Spirit to produce divine “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23) through them, they obey every Commandment, every edict, that pleases the Father, the Son and the Spirit, eternally, and this fruit will reap rewards at the BEMA Judgment of Messiah Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Jesus did say “You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20).
In closing,
Therefore, in the New Covenant of grace, the sin-nature of mankind is moderated-mitigated by the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit via a New Nature (2 Corinthians 5:17) that wars with the old Adamic sin-nature (Romans 7:14-25) and grace/forgiveness via the imputation of Messiah’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 8:12) is provided by the Father so that the defiled conscience is mitigated, liberated, by the “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) having been “born again” by faith in Messiah Jesus (John 3:3-5); therefore, peace with the Father is realized through faith in Jesus (Romans 5:1) and redeemed mankind is freed from the consequences of the written code by grace (Romans 6:14) and is therefore able to live in harmony with Elohim and walk in a manner that pleases Elohim via the production of “divine fruit” during daily sanctification; divine fruit, against which there are no laws as this divine fruit defines the very nature of our Holy and Righteous Creator and His will for humanity as well as His will for His cherished angelic creation (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8:1-9).
The demonic deception that is “Sinless Christianity” or “Sinless Perfectionism”
I am personally amazed and somewhat angered by those in these “religious” forums who stubbornly defend and foolishly espouse the false doctrine of “Sinless Christianity.” People, this is a detachment from reality, this is borderline psychological illness, this is absurdity flirting with the demonic.
Discussion,
It is Scripturally true that those who are “born again” by faith in Jesus as their Messiah (John 3) receive the indwelling Holy Spirit as Guarantor of New Covenant relationship with the Father (Ephesians 1:13-14).
It is true that the divine, anointed, presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit in one’s life results in a “new creation” in Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:17).
It is true that the presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life secures them, keeps them from stumbling in a manner that would result in a falling away from grace; this, due the imputation by covenant promise (Jude 1:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 8:7).
It is true that those who are symbolically “raised with Messiah” to a new life through faith they are to set their mind and their affections on the things of Christ and pursue holiness in this fallen and defiled World (Colossians 3:1),
BUT….
You have not been glorified as this point in Time as your faith has indeed made you “positionally right” with the Father due the Father’s grace and mercy shown you due the work of the Son, Jesus Christ, at Golgotha and the subsequent imputation of Messiah righteousness over your life by faith, but the body that constrains your spirit, the body subject to Time and physics, though redeemed with a price, remains subject to the Adamic nature that flows through your human genome; therefore, the redeemed in Jesus possess two-natures that function concurrently, simultaneously, in this body of Adamic death and the struggle between good and evil that exists in this Adamic body of flesh is OVERWHELMINGLY apparent to the one who is truly redeemed by faith in Jesus and walks daily in a fallen and defiled World; an Adamic sin-nature that relentlessly seeks the compromise of the New Nature in Christ; AND, that New Nature, weakened by the sinful nature during times of testing and temptation, DOES compromise now and then; this, even though the New Nature in Jesus loathes sin and rebellion because sin disrupts intimacy with the our Lord and for the Christian there is no greater goal in life than daily intimacy and relationship with Elohim resulting in peace and contentment (Romans 5:1); hence, the gift of 1 John 1:9 for the faithful in Jesus.
Please listen?
Listen to me people, Jesus enhanced personal culpability though the addition of mens rea or the “thought life” during His divine discourse in Matthew 5,
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
People, even your thoughts are judged in accordance with the Law of Messiah; therefore, how can you say “I have no sin?”
Again, until you have attained a glorified body at the resurrection, you will remain encumbered by a body of flesh subject to the Adamic sin-nature; therefore, you are commanded to walk by the Spirit so that the flesh does not rule your thoughts and actions in your daily life (Galatians 5:16) but you have NOT put on incorruption yet as you have not been glorified yet even though the Father considers your glorification in the present tense as per Romans 8:30; this, due the Father’s grace and mercy and covenant promise (Hebrews 8:7), but you will not be truly and practically be “glorified” until the resurrection of the righteous.
Please note the comparison/contrast relevant to the corruptible v. incorruptible, present tense v. future tense in 1 Corinthians 15,
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Also, remember this,
Excerpt: “As human beings we are bound under Adam’s nature in this world. No matter how hard we try not to, we will still sin against God. This holds true for everyone. The apostle Paul rebuked Peter for showing favoritism (Galatians 2:11–13). Late in his ministry, Paul calls himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Peter, James, John, and Paul all admitted that they were imperfect. How could you or I claim anything different?
True perfection will not come until the rapture of the church, when we rise to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At that time the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and the bodies of the living will be changed (Philippians 3:20, 21; 1 Corinthians 15:54). We will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) where our works will be judged and rewards will be given (1 Corinthians 3:9–15). Our redemption will be complete, and our sin will be gone forever. We will live and reign with Christ in sinless perfection forever.” (GotQuestions: “Is sinless perfection possible in this life?)
Finally,
For those of you who espouse the heresy of “Sinless Perfectionism” or “Sinless Christianity”….When do you stop sinning? Can you honestly say you have not sinned in word, thought, deed, subsequent your confession of faith in Messiah Jesus?
What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
The Gospel or the “Good News,” its purpose and intent is provided us in Genesis 1-3; John 3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9.
For brevity’s sake, the “Good News” concerning Jesus our Messiah begins “before Time began” (2 Timothy 1:8-10) as our Creation, matter constrained by Time and physics, is the result of an unfathomable rebellion that manifest in the Kingdom of Elohim; a rebellion initiated by a narcissistic, anointed, cherub angel (Ezekiel 28:11+); to make matters worse, one-third of Elohim’s cherished angelic creation followed the rebellious cherub angel in an angelic coup d’état (Revelation 12).
The Creation Narrative (Genesis 1) manifest in response to the angelic coup d’état this coup necessitating a repository for that Kingdom War apart from the Kingdom of Elohim where nothing impure is permitted to exist (Luke 10:18; Rev 21:27). Currently, Elohim is dealing with the Great War that rages through us (Ephesians 6) and around us as every human conflict, every war is rooted in the spiritual.
Elohim commissioned the Son, Jesus our Messiah (John 3:35) and Creator (Genesis 1; John 1; Hebrews 1; Colossians 1), to procure elements from the unseen Spiritual Realm and fashion those elements into matter that can be apprehended by life constrained by Time and physics (Hebrews 11:3). All that we see and perceive with the human eye, the human sensory capabilities, and all that we’re unable to see physically yet is constrained by physics/Time, these find their origin in the Spiritual Realm. This is why the Darwninist-Evolutionist, the Physicist, the Anthropologist, the Cosmologist, will never define origin of life or matter.
In Genesis 3, in response to the Heavenly coup d’état and Adam’s compromise with evil at the behest of his wife via Satan, Elohim draws-out a “battle plan” for us in Genesis 3:15-21. Elohim tells us that an anointed One will enter the Realm of Time via the virgin seed of the woman and do battle with the rebellious cherub angel we know as Satan or Lucifer and the Warrior will be victorious over Satan as crushing the head of the serpent while the serpent would bruise Messiah’s heal (Genesis 3:15).
Elohim’s divine battle strategy, the Gospel,
It is duly noted in the First Epistle of John that Messiah’s primary reason for entering the Realm of Time was “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8b). Elohim, immediately subsequent enacting a declaration of war against Satan in Genesis 3:15, provides humanity with a word picture of the divine “battle strategy” He would employ to defeat Satan at Golgotha; that is, Genesis 3:21 where Elohim, Himself, sheds innocent blood and clothes sinful Adam and Eve in an imputed “robe of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 5:21) while Elohim rejects Adam’s attempt to cover his own sin and shame by the works of his hands via fig leaves (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Gospel made applicable in Time,
The entirety of Scripture, from Genesis 3 forward, is the eschatological plan of Elohim to introduce His Messiah into the World who would “destroy the works of the devil” via the Gospel, the “Good News of Victory” and offer the “spoils of war” to humanity via the redemption from sin provided through the Gospel of Grace; that is, Jesus Christ who entered the World via the virgin womb (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) and thereby circumvented the sin-nature of Adam’s genome and Jesus walked blamelessly before the Father, the Spirit, humanity, and Jesus shed His innocent blood as blood atonement for our sin, our rebellion, in accordance with the divine mandates of Leviticus 17:11 and through Messiah’s faithfulness He destroyed the works of the devil i.e. death, Hell, the grave while simultaneously providing a divine Path to eternal life with the Father by faith in Jesus as our Messiah (John 3; Matthew 26-28); essentially, the perfection and righteousness of Jesus is imputed-gifted into the life of the one who believes Jesus is Messiah who died for them; this, in exchange for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This “great exchange” is the Gospel or “Good News” of Jesus Christ who conquered death, Hell, the grave, sin, for sinful humanity and freely offers us His perfection-righteousness imputed-gifted into our lives by faith in Him as Messiah and the Father agrees by New Covenant promise to declare us “not guilty” and welcome us into His Kingdom as children of Elohim (Hebrews 8:7).
In conclusion,
Therefore, the Gospel of Jesus our Messiah has manifest in Time as a battle strategy to destroy the works of the Devil as Elohim strives to maintain volitonal love with His cherished angelic creation that did not follow Satan in the angelic coup d’état ; in addition, as an example of Elohim’s selfless, unfathomable, divine love, the Gospel is a strategy of reconciliation between Elohim and sinful humanity whereby Elohim destroyed the works of Satan, death-Hell-the grave and offers humanity eternal reconciliation with Him by faith; this, further demonstrating to the faithful angelic creation the enteral benefits of obedience, sacrifice, holiness, purity, righteousness contrasted with the unsustainable attributes of narcissism, arrogance, self-righteousness. This 7000-years of contrasting the sustainability of holiness and righteousness v. defilement and disobedience will also act as an eternal bulwark against future rebellion in the Kingdom of Elohim, the New Jerusalem, as free will exists in the Kingdom by necessity.
How does one please Elohim and glorify Him in this life constrained by Time and physics?
Elohim provides humanity one Way to please Him through obedience. First, comply with His will concerning the Son, Jesus our Messiah, and “believe in the One He has sent” into the World to provide you blood atonement for your sin (John 6:29); then, receive the indwelling Holy Spirit as eternal Guarantor of Covenant with the Father (Ephesians 1:13-14) and walk in obedience to the Spirit’s tutelage and anointing (Galatians 5:16) thereby producing “fruit” against which there is no law as the “fruit of the Spirit” fulfills all law (Galatians 5:22-23). This is the only Way to please Elohim in this Life constrained by Time and physics (John 14:6).
Someone said: “Justification is instantaneous. Salvation is a process.” Is this true? What is the “process” of Biblical regeneration (the second birth)?
Discussion,
Subjugation – Procrastination
From the womb, humanity enters a World constrained by Time and physics, a World in subjugation to the god of this World, Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31). Every man, woman, child, begins their Earthly journey subjugated to the Adamic sin-nature and the ruler of this World, Satan (John 12:31); unfortunately, “many” will perish as subjects of Satan due procrastination (Matthew 7:13-14) as the Holy Spirit, the divine “Restrainer” of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7), methodically works through the human conscience to convict the soul-spirit of humanity concerning their need for forgiveness of sin and righteousness (a right standing) with their Creator; therefore, all of humanity that rejects the call of the Spirit will be “without excuse” as they stand in the Judgement of the Condemned, are adjudicated guilty and perish in the “second death” in Hell; this, as their self-righteousness, their arrogance, their sin, cannot enter the Kingdom of Elohim (Romans 1:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:27).
Salvation – Redemption
Salvation from the “second death” in Hell; Redemption – having been purchased with a price – mankind’s sin-debt paid by Jesus via blood atonement at Golgotha are instantaneous divine gifts of grace provided a man or woman at the moment one “believes” that Jesus is Messiah who died for them as they are sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who is the Guarantor of New Covenant relationship with the Father (John 3; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Justification
Justification i.e. to be declared righteous (possessing a right standing with Elohim) is integral with Salvation and concurrent (manifests jointly with salvation) because our Justification comes through faith in Jesus who justifies (imparts righteousness to) the ungodly by faith at salvation; therefore, Salvation and Justification run concurrently (Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Sanctification
It is sanctification (the setting apart for Elohim’s purposes) that is a daily process in the life of the redeemed in Jesus as the Holy Spirit methodically works through the redeemed conscience (2 Corinthians 5:17) via the law written upon the heart to produce divine fruit (Galatians 5:16 -23) that honors Elohim, eternally; the daily process of sanctification continues throughout the life of the redeemed in Jesus while they are constrained by Time and physics. Sanctification is performed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who prepares the redeemed in Jesus for service in the New Jerusalem.
Glorification
Finally, glorification, concerning the redeemed in Jesus, will manifest at the resurrection of the righteous who will receive a “glorified” body likened to the glorified resurrected body of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21); a glorified body that is freed from the Adamic sin-nature, a resurrected, glorified, body that possesses the capability of true worship with the ability to infinitely discern the holiness and beauty and majesty of our Creator Whom we will serve in the New Jerusalem, forever.
Understanding Matthew 7:21-23: What is Messiah Jesus teaching; a works salvation or salvation by faith? Is the quality of work performed at question or the absence of Covenant relationship with the Father?
Discussion,
Before we begin, for contextual concerns, please note that the divine discourse of Matthew 7:21-23 immediately follows Messiah’s teaching concerning “fruit” as works that identify the motives of the individual performing same, see Matthew 7:15-20.
If one has NOT established New Covenant relationship with the Father by faith in the Son, Jesus Christ, their works, their efforts, their prayers, are interpreted as a “filthy garment” (literally: bloody menstrual cloth) in the nose of Elohim (Isaiah 64:6); therefore, anything done by humanity with the motive of “earning righteousness” (a right standing with the Father) through human effort is lawlessness and putrid from Elohim’s perspective. Elohim first demonstrated this for you in Genesis 3:21 immediately subsequent Adam’s disobedience as Elohim, Himself, shed innocent blood and clothed Adam in a robe of imputed-gifted righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) while rejecting Adam’s self-righteous attempts to cover and conceal his own shame with fig leaves (Ephesians 2:8-9).
What are the “works” articulated in Matthew 7:21-23?
1) “did we not prophesy in your name?” Prophesy is not a lawless work if it is performed through the indwelling Holy Spirit who is given to all who believe (Ephesians 1:13-14).
2) did we not “cast out demons in your name?” Casting out demons is NOT a lawless work if it is performed in the Name of Jesus via the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit given to all who believe in Jesus as Messiah (Ephesians 1:13-14).
3) did we not “do many mighty works in your name?” Working and dedicating oneself to the ministry of Elohim in the divine Name of Jesus is NOT a lawless work if it is done with a pure motive via FAITH through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Therefore, we must logically conclude that the works of these rejected by Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 were not lawless on their face but lawless because they were done void the Holy Spirit and were therefore done in the flesh under girded by self-righteous motives apart from FAITH.
Jesus confirmed the self-righteous nature of the works performed by clearly telling those who were rejected that “I never knew you, depart from me you workers of lawlessness.”Therefore, it is COVENANT RELATIONSHIP, the ABSENCE of same, that is the focal point of Messiah’s teaching and NOT quality of work done!
If one desires to enter the Kingdom of Elohim, they must FIRST comply with the Father’s will; that is, “believe in the One He has sent into the World” to provide you blood atonement for your sin (John 6:29); then, the works of obedience performed SUBSEQUENT salvation by faith in Jesus, alone, must be done through the indwelling Holy Spirit via the production of divine fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) in order that those works be divinely motivated and acceptable to the Father and actually pass the test for authenticity at the BEMA Judgment.
Therefore, we must conclude that Jesus, in Matthew 7:21-23, is teaching the eternal mandate of Covenant Relationship by grace through faith as a divine PRIORITY if one’s works performed subsequent salvation by faith are to be considered honorable and pleasing to the Father, Son and Spirit in that Day (John 15:8).
1) God said, I will teach you to obey My Laws. Be ye
perfect because the Father is perfect.
2) God’s Laws stands fast for ever.
3) Obey that, grace will stop. Obedience to God’s law will save us. Sinners can’t inherent the kingdom of God.
Discussion,
The legalistic statement above is the perfect example of the Devil’s subtle deception in Judaism and religion in general as divine Truth is commingled with demonic deception that deceives the soul into Hell via self-righteousness via works.
First of all,
If perfection were attainable in the flesh, Jesus would not have needed to suffer and die in our place as blood atonement for sin (Galatians 2:21); therefore, Jesus entered Time via the virgin seed circumventing the Adamic sin-nature and walked blamelessly before the Father as the Spotless Lamb who takes away the sins of the World (John 1; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 2:1-2).
The only “perfection” humanity can attain in this life constrained by Time, physics, flesh, is the perfection of Jesus imputed-gifted into the life of the one who believes in Him as Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:21). This was first demonstrated for you in Genesis 3:21 but so few listen and see and find life in what the Holy Spirit proclaims.
Second,
Elohim’s eternal law is the Spiritual Law or the “law of the Spirit of life” (Romans 8:2; 2:14-15) that has been extant as an arbiter of free will subsequent the creation of the angels and infused within the human genome on Day-6 of Creation as Human Kind was created in the spiritual image of Elohim possessing certain divine communicable attributes of Elohim; this, for eschatological purposes going forward (Genesis 1:26-28).
Third, Grace is eternally relevant…
Grace will never be nullified as the very existence of humanity and redemption from sin hinges upon grace (unmerited favor) from the Father; this, both as an element of salvation and during daily sanctification. Grace will be eternally relevant as free will remains eternally necessary, essential, as foundational to authentic love and intimacy with our Creator.
Finally, Concerning Sinai-Torah-Moses,
Sinai-Torah-Moses are but mere, incomplete, fragments of codification relevant to the eternal Spiritual Law and Sinai and Torah and Moses are wholly incomplete, insufficient, inadequate, as instruments of righteousness (a right standing) with the Father (Romans 3:20); Sinai-Torah-Moses were given as elements of sanctification-eschatology concerning Elohim’s efforts to thwart Israel’s compromise with Baal and Molech, pagan compromise that nullified the Adamic and Noahic generations as progenitors of the Messiah, the Gospel message, the Great Commission; these, being essential eschatological elements concerning the “destruction of the Devil’s works” via the Messiah (1 John 3:8b) via the Gospel that was ordained as a divine battle strategy “before Time began“ (2 Timothy 1:8-10).
In closing,
The codified Law you worship, Sinai-Torah-Moses, were both temporary and incomplete and are of no consequence concerning righteousness with the Father or life in the New Jerusalem; Sinai-Torah-Moses were simply eschatological roadmaps pointing to the need for Messiah Jesus by faith (Galatians 3:24); therefore, it is high time that you leave the bygone Covenant of Law (Hebrews 8:7) and find life in the New Covenant of Grace through faith Jesus as your Messiah and the indwelling Holy Spirit as your obedience to the Father’s will via the production of divine fruit (2 Corinthians 3; Galatians 5:16-23; Matthew 7:15-20).
Jesus preached obedience to Commandments; Paul preached obedience to the Holy Spirit. Why the confusion; why the disconnect?
Jesus said,
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 (ESV)
Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said,
“16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” Galatians 2:16 (ESV)
“20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” Romans 3:20-22 (ESV)
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Discussion – Explanation,
First of all, Jesus, who is Elohim (Genesis 1:1) in flesh via the hypostatic union, kept the righteous mandates of Torah Law for us as He is the only One qualified to keep the Law as Jesus was absent the Adamic sin-nature (Romans 5:12) through the virgin birth (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus’ fulfillment of Torah Law was essential for our redemption from sin as His sinless perfection was mandated in order that He be our “Spotless Lamb” who takes away the sins of the World via blood atonement (1 Peter 1:18-19; John 1:29-32; 1 John 2:1-2); this, as per the mandates of Leviticus 17:11.
Second,
Jesus came to a people group, Jacob’s children specifically, who were under the Law (Matthew 15:24) as Jesus was under the Law (Galatians 4:4) and Sinai was their ICON concerning relationship with the Father via a conditional Covenant (Deuteronomy 28) but things were changing in accordance with the Father’s eschatological plan and Jesus preached Grace-Faith-Intimacy and Jesus promised the Spirit (John 14:16) as per New Covenant promise (Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 36) to implement these divine elements of eternal life which would be actuated through blood atonement (Hebrews 10) and Jesus ordained His minister of the Gospel, Saul of Tarsus AKA Paul the Apostle (Galatians 1:11; Acts 9:15-16), to articulate the particulars of this New Covenant’s Gospel established in Messiah’s blood (Matthew 26:28); therefore, those born again by faith in Jesus as Messiah, possessing the indwelling Holy Spirit by Covenant promise (Ephesians 1:13-14: Ezekiel 36:27), are NOT under the Law – Sinai – Moses – Torah (Romans 6:14); that is, their New Covenant relationship with the Father is not predicated upon law-keeping but upon faith (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:21).
Those in the New Covenant by faith in Messiah have been granted “grace” through “faith” and the indwelling Holy Spirit is their Arbiter of a Law written upon the human heart as per New Covenant promise (Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 36; Hebrews 8:10) and this Spiritual Law (Romans 8:2; Romans 2:14-15) is comprehensive and vastly, eternally, superior to Sinai – Moses – Torah as the Spiritual Law addresses every moral decision encountered by the redeemed in Jesus, daily, and the Spiritual Law is NOT subject to obfuscation, rationalization, interpretation, by the Adamic sin-nature but the Spiritual Law is methodically applied in the life of the redeemed in Jesus through a redeemed conscience (2 Corinthians 5:17 “the new creation”) via the Holy Spirit’s anointing (Galatians 5:16; 1 John 2:27) and this divine anointing is realized through the production of divine “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23) against which there is NO LAW as the “fruit of the Spirit” fulfills all righteous mandates of all moral Law (Galatians 5:22-23); therefore, there is a stark, eternal, differentiation between the application of law in the Covenant of Law AKA “the Law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2) compared to the application of the “Law of the Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2) in the New Covenant of Grace; a New Covenant Spiritual Law that is made relevant, applicable, through faith in Messiah Jesus and the Arbiter of the New Covenant Law, the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16; Romans 7:6).
If you worship at Sinai, you will die in Hell in your sin (Galatians 2:16); If you worship at Golgotha, you will live eternally by grace through faith in Jesus as Messiah via New Covenant promise (John 3; 2 Corinthians 3).
"RickeyD" Holtsclaw 