Covenant

John 3:16, Part I

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“

In this two part series, we are going to examine: #1: For God so love the world, #2: that whosoever,

# 3: believeth in Him will be discussed in the second post.

We will not address the nature of Christ, perdition, and eternal life here. Those can and should be addressed separately to my understanding.

This post will review sections #1, 2, & 3, “For God so loved the world, that whosoever“

Post two will address # 4, what does it mean to believe in Jesus.

Some of these elements will be broken down into subsections such as “For God” because it addresses a very specific moment in time, a very specific people in the past, and it is applied generally in the future.

For God so Loved

I have always believed that this verse said that God loved all of creation; even the animals, plants, and oceans. Studying this verse more closely, I have learned that this is true. But it means so much more.

In the words “For God, ” we have have a trifold revelation: The first application a very specific span of time and a specific people. The second application is very general, addressing the character of His creation, and the third, His relation to all of mankind.

“For” meant: In this manner, in this way or in this fashion, in accordance with this description (corresponding to what follows); in keeping with; along this line, in the manner spoken; In this manner as described in the wilderness, by Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea . . . God provided a way to salvation.

It points to how God loved us while we were yet sinners and sent his Son: in this manner or in this way.

But God demonstrates his own love for us,

in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

~ Romans 5:8

The First Application of “For“

We have to look at the preceding two verse to see the first application showing His love.

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 

so that whoever believes  in Him

will have eternal life.

~ John 3:14-15

To the Jews of Jesus’s day, the brazen serpent was considered very highly. It represented a type of resurrection. Because by looking upon it, the dying lived.

When the people in the wilderness cried out for salvation (Numbers 21:4-9), God provided a way for them. He did not take the serpents away when the serpent was lifted up. They remained in the midst of the people.

The serpents represented the immediate consequences for their sin, just like death represents the immediate consequences or wages for our sin. 

Like the serpents in the wilderness, God will not take away death from us. We still have to die. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God expects us to cease from our sinning. Because sin brought forth this judgment.

 

In John 3:7, Jesus said, Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Jesus was speaking to Israel through a representative, Nicodemus, a Pharisee. Secondarily, He was speaking to the rest of mankind.

When Jesus said Marvel not that I said unto “thee“, He was speaking to Nicodemus (by the use of thee). When He said “Ye“ must be born again, He was speaking to the whole world because ye is plural. This nuance is lost in the newer versions of the Bible.

The Second Application of “For“

The second application is very general and I believe it includes every part of the creation story. God loved Adam and Eve, and during creation He called what He made Good six times.

After He finished His work and looked at the whole, God said it was Very Good!

We know God loved His creation and everything in it. We also know the whole of creation groans, waiting salvation.

For we know that the whole creation

groans and suffers the pains

of childbirth together until now.

~ Romans 8:22

Even creation is waiting its rebirth, both the heavens and the earth. 

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.

The former things will not be remembered,

nor will they come to mind.

~ Isaiah 65:17

The Third Application of “For“

Because God loves all of humanity even while we are yet sinners, He devised a plan of pardon for us all.

 

Jesus was lifted up on the cross to atone for our sins. His purpose was to set us free from sin, the power of sin, and the wages of sin, which is not fully consummated until the second death occurs.

Anyone whose name

was not found written in the book of life

was thrown into the lake of fire.

~ Revelation 20:15

Our fall into sin, pointed to the crux of God’s complete plan of salvation: 

The Fall into Sin

God hates all sin and would not make anything sinful. God is not the author of sin. He is holy and only holiness, purity, truth, and justice come from Him.

Nothing wicked or corrupt was ever found in Him or in His immediate creations. His angelic beings, humanity, and creation were all created in righteousness and perfection (in relation to the absence of sin).

The angels and mand sinned after they were created by the perfect hand of God. This shows that the angels and humanity had the ability to choose or the capacity of free will to serve God or to rebel.

Yet this capacity is not fully understood. Nor is the first revelation of sin. This passage describes when sin was found in Lucifer.

Thou wast perfect in thy ways

from the day that thou wast created,

till iniquity was found in thee. 

~ Ezekiel 28:15

When God created Adam and Eve, they were the apex of His creation: created in perfection. Neither was sin found in them until after the the creation.

This passage describes when sin was found in Adam and Eve.

She also gave some to her husband,

who was with her, and he ate it.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened,

and they realized they were naked;

so they sewed fig leaves together

and made coverings for themselves. 

~ Genesis 3:6-7

In the above passage, mankind is described as having their eyes opened. They could discern between good and evil. The discovery of personal sin was realized by the disobedience of God’s will.

Sin brought with it, shame, guilt, and death. It also altered the order of the entire creation. The makeup of the our world was completely stained and spoiled by the works of sin. 

Now, I do not claim to understand how the darkness of sin enters every living soul after Adam and Eve, but I do not ascribe to the concept of original sin as defined by Augustine of Hippo.

Augustine’s attempt to frame the mystery of sin in mankind was built around his earlier influences from Manichaeism, Gnosticism, and Augustine’s own sinful proclivities.

These influences are clearly corruptive in nature. Man’s unscriptural philosophies do not belong in the train of Christian thought for they increasingly distort our understanding of God, create false doctrines, and our understanding of His plan and will for our lives.

Sin in Mankind

God created all of mankind after the likeness of Adam and Eve. Procreation is one of the many ways we are created after God’s image. So is the knowledge of good and evil.

And the LORD God said,

Now that the man has become like one of us,

knowing good and evil,

he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand

and take also from the tree of life and eat,

and live forever.

~ Genesis 3:22

We are conceived by parents who sin and are born into a world full of sin. We have a natural disposition to sin because the corrupted world in which we are conceived demands our corroborative effort in order to exist. 

It is as natural for us to sin as it is to breath. The deeper we go into sin the easier it is to do. Likewise, the deeper we live in God’s righteousness, the easier it is to be righteous.

Little Children

He called a little child to him,

and placed the child among them. 

Truly I tell you,

unless you change

and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore,

whoever takes the lowly position

of this child is the greatest

in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoever welcomes one

such child in my name welcomes me.

If anyone causes one of these little ones

who believe in me to stumble,

it would be better for them

to have a large millstone hung around their neck

and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

See that you do not despise

one of these little ones.

For I tell you

that their angels in heaven

always see the face of my Father in heaven.

~ Matthew 10:2, 4-6, 10

Age of Accountability

We are told by Jesus that heaven is filled with the likes of little children. It is clear that children go to heaven because their sin is not counted against them for their capacity of good and evil is not yet developed.

Consider Genesis 3:7 where Adam and Eves eyes were opened and they had an awareness that sin had become a part of who they were. Before that, in a sence, they were like little children who did not comprehend good and evil.

Children eventually reach an age of accountability, when child-like innocence fades and the sinful characteristics that have taken a hold of their life, are awakened by their their consciousness.

Then Jesus goes on to describe the 99 sheep and one that was lost. I believe one application of this parable is linking children as sheep who enter into sin after they have become accountable. Then God goes looking for them.

We all like sheep have gone astray. Since the whole context of Matthew chapter 10 leading up to this parable was in reference to children, this is a likely contextual application.

Like the prodigal son, we fall and utter sinfulness and are accountable to the judgment due if we remain in our sins by disbelief and disobedience.

 The rest of Matthew 18 describes brothers in Christ who sin and servants of God who fall into sin and lose their position with God (lose their salvation because of sin).

There is a clear development of accountability, and increasing levels of responsibility described in this chapter. It is likely Jesus was describing accountability and responsibility in the context of the Jewish life.

And this is why God sent His son to us; To give us the opportunity to correct our sinful disobedience and change our dispositions (our heart) by “believing” in the gospel of His son.

Later we will discuss the key word of the verse, “believing.” It is very important to have a correct understanding of its meaning and application.

I was led astray from the Lord and fell back into the practice of sinning after initial salvation due to a common misunderstanding of the word believe in the church today.

That is why the next section only discusses the concept “to believe.” It is my understanding now that if I died in that state, I would have perished. Thanks be to God’s grace alone I am alive today and believe in Him.

The World

World – κόσμος or kósmos literally means something that is ordered, or more properly it means an ordered system such as the human body, the Earth, our solar system, the universe, even the whole of creation.

Order demands intimate and precise functioning of everything. The English word “cosmetic” comes from kosmos and describes an ensemble or garnishments, which enhances the order and details of the face as a whole.

So God does loves everything that he created and wants to make it all Very Good again. Mankind was creation’s garnishment: the perfect ensemble added completing the magnificent and expansive universe.

It is right to add: God did not create anything that He hates. And we know what God hates. 

God wants not only to restore us but to exalt us to a heavenly nature. Those who serve God are not a partaker of this corrupt world. We live in it but do not ascribe to its characteristics or nature.

If you were of the world,

the world would love its own;

but because you are not of the world,

but I chose you out of the world,

because of this the world hates you.

~ John 15:19

———-

Do not love the world

or anything in the world.

If anyone loves the world,

love for the Father is not in them.

~ I John 2:15

———-

Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these ye might be

partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.

~ 2 Peter 1:14

Whosoever

The word whosover in Greek is (πᾶς) pronounced pas. Literally means all, the whole, every kind of, any, everyone.

The emphasis in the Greek considers the total picture and then focuses on “one piece at a time. The context is the world (the emphasis) and every person in the world (one piece at a time) is the effect.

Since God loves the whole world and everyone and everything He created in it (Satan and the angels are not of this world). 

Whosoever is clearly a call to humanity for we are the only thing in the creation of the universe that is fashioned after His image with moral and intellectual capacity to receive the gift of salvation.

Although the whole creation groans for redemption, man is given the honor to receive Jesus’ act of redemption. As a result, the whole creation will be made anew, perfect in God’s eyes because Jesus gave mankind salvation.

For God did not send the Son

into the world to judge the world,

but that the world might be saved through Him.

~ John 3:17

———-

For we know that the whole creation

groans and suffers the pains of childbirth

together until now.

~ Romans 8:22

———-

But in keeping with his promise

we are looking forward to a new heaven

and a new earth,

where righteousness dwells.

~ II Peter 3:13

In the new heavens and new earth, only the righteousness will dwell: God, His Angels, Humanity, and the rest of living creation living in perfection order with God in glory forever.

In Part II, we will explore the word Believe.

Keep the faith!

If You Love Me . . . Part 3

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The Commandments

The title of this post, makes me think of the 10 commandments found in Exodus 20:2-17. Surely these are implied in the commandments we are supposed to keep according to Jesus.

These commandments have a very specific nature and a new name, which will be discussed at a later point.

If you love me,

keep my commandments.

~ John 14:15

So, how do we show our love for Him?

I am afraid that we have been so indoctrinated with the belief that we are saved by faith through faith alone, to the exclusion of works having no part of our salvific faith. 

This bias against some of scriptural instruction that supports works as part of our faith comes out of the Christian reformation.

Martin Luther was key in helping the church separate from the misuses of scripture that the religious powers of the day propagated. But Martin Luther tried to do some other things as well.

He wanted to remove the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation from the Bible. His personal view of salvation by faith alone caused disdain for parts of God’s word, forced him to ignore other parts, and attempt to discredit entire sections of the Bible.

Holding to a doctrine that makes one want to omit God’s word speaks volumes. Nowadays we usually just gloss over those verses, say they do not apply, or ignore their exegetical implications.

Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation elaborated many doctrinal principles found in the gospels and the rest of the epistles. As a result many who hold to a view similar to Luther’s use modern hermeneutic principles associated with their doctrine at the expense of exegesis.

I am by no means an expert or even seriously informed in these two disciplines. Neither will we go into the details of hermeneutics or exegesis here.

Let me just say that as we read scripture, we dare not exclude anything that has apparent contradictions with other scripture or complicates our personal doctrine.

That is exactly what Luther was doing when he proclaimed his doctrine of salvation by faith alone.

Everything in scripture is true and in complete agreement with every jot and tittle found in the Bible. That is the only way to interpret scripture although we may come to different conclusions.

My general rule is, that scripture must be interpreted literally and consistently with the whole counsel of scripture and can only be applied allegorically when a literal interpretation is not reasonable.

I like what George Allen Turner says about exegesis: “Theology should be the result of scientific exegesis rather than determining the exegesis.” (via predetermined doctrinal, hermeneutic principles)

What about Old Law?

The first question is, do we have to follow any of the old testament laws, holidays, or ordinances? I have been doing a lot of studying about Halloween, Christmas, and Easter; particularly their origins.

In this research, I came across Gentiles who follow the Torah and believe in Jesus. Their historical information about the Pagan origins of the above mentioned holidays are accurate but their teaching others to follow their instructions does not mesh with scripture.

To teach Gentiles that they are suppose to follow Torah, or Old Testament law in order to be obedient to Jesus’ commands falls into the same category condemned in scripture as quoted below.

We have already observed that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. But what does this mean?

The early Christians were all Jewish and they religiously practiced O.T. principles such a dietary laws, fasting, feast days, Sabbaths, and sacrificial offerings.

There were basically no Gentiles or Gentile Christian practices in existence until 8 years after the church was born at Pentecost. This caused a problem when the Gentiles entered the church.

Then fourteen years

after I went up again to Jerusalem

with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 

And I went up by revelation,

and communicated unto them that gospel

which I preach among the Gentiles,

but privately to them which were of reputation,

lest by any means I should run,

or had run, in vain. 

But neither Titus, who was with me,

being a Greek,

was compelled to be circumcised:

~ Galatians 2:1-3

This incident shows that the spiritual Jewish believers did not try to make Gentiles follow their laws. Both Barnabas and Titus were accepted as proper and genuine disciples of Christ.

Circumcision was clearly not a requirement. To teach gentiles to do so was severely rebuked.

And certain men which came down from Judaea

taught the brethren, and said,

Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses,

ye cannot be saved.

~ Acts 15:1

————-

Forasmuch as we have heard,

that certain which went out from us

have troubled you with words,

subverting your souls, saying,

Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law:

to whom we gave no such commandment:

~ Acts 15:24

————-

Brothers and sisters,

if I am still preaching circumcision,

why am I still being persecuted?

In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

~ Galatians 5:11

————-

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh,

they constrain you to be circumcised;

only lest they should suffer persecution

for the cross of Christ.

~ Galatians 6:12

The Jews had not yet begun to be persecuted. They remained privileged in the Roman empire. The Christians on the other hand were being persecuted severely (mostly by the Jews) and some were beginning to follow Jewish ways in order to avoid persecution.

We Christians are called to be persecuted.  This should be expected and received with joy.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12

————-

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian,

let him not be ashamed;

but let him glorify God on this behalf.

~ 1 Peter 4:16

If we are not to compromise our faith by accepting traditions or practices of the Jews, is it okay to practice them?

I suppose if a Gentile wanted to practice Jewish ways, they could but I don’t think it is profitable or wise to try to associate oneself with Judaism in the context of a proselyte.

That being said, the law and Jewish practices are invaluable in their intended purpose to point us to Christ but fail completely when used as a part of saving faith.

But before faith came,

we were kept under the law,

shut up unto the faith

which should afterwards be revealed. 

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster

to bring us unto Christ,

that we might be justified by faith. 

But after that faith is come,

we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ

have put on Christ. 

There is neither Jew nor Greek,

there is neither bond nor free,

there is neither male nor female:

for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 

And if ye be Christ’s,

then are ye Abraham’s seed,

and heirs according to the promise.

~ Galatians 3:23-29

What does scripture say about the Law here? That it was a tutor, a school master leading us to Christ. The whole O.T. did this. That is why it is so important to study and know its significance.

I personally think Christians could benefit greatly by learning about and experiencing all of the Jewish feast holidays.

They teach of Christ, and are derived from biblical truths rather than the mixing of pagan elements found in Christian holidays.

There are some O.T. commandments that we are commanded to follow. And if we love Jesus, that is exactly what we will do.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost,

and to us,

to lay upon you no greater burden

than these necessary things; 

that ye abstain from meats offered to idols,

and from blood, and from things strangled,

and from fornication:

from which if ye keep yourselves,

ye shall do well.

Fare ye well.

~ Acts 15:28-30

if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.

Acts 15:28 indicates that the Apostles were in agreement and obeying the Holy Spirit. These were the original leaders of the Church. Paul and the Gentile leadership submitted to their authority.

We would be wise to do the same. 

if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.

These O.T. commands are layering upon the words of Jesus found in John 14:15.

Consider this:

If we do not keep ourselves, we shall not do well, we will be disobedient to the Holy Spirit’s instructions and choosing to sin against God. We are commanded to abstain from the things listed above in the N.T.

That is why Christianity should separate its practices from those of the world. For the world cannot keep from disobeying God. It is built upon the foundation of sin.

abstain from meats offered to idols

At the surface, this seems pretty clear but Paul add some clarity to the subject.

But meat commendeth us not to God:

for neither, if we eat, are we the better;

neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 

But take heed lest by any means

this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock

to them that are weak. 

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge

sit at meat in the idol’s temple,

shall not the conscience of him which is weak

be emboldened to eat those things

which are offered to idols; 

and through thy knowledge

shall the weak brother perish,

for whom Christ died? 

But when ye sin so against the brethren,

and wound their weak conscience,

ye sin against Christ. 

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend,

I will eat no flesh while the world standeth,

lest I make my brother to offend.

~ 1 Corinthians 8:8-13

Here Paul explains the ordinance of abstaining from meat offered to idols. He gives five criteria. Mind you, there is no contradiction between the to sets of instructions from Acts and Corinthians.

  1. Outside its effect on others, the type of food we eat plays no role in our relation to God; to abstain does no harm, to partake gives no advantage.
  2. Even though we have liberty to eat anything, we should not eat or do anything that would cause a weaker brethren to sin.

  3. If through our knowledge we eat, and cause a weaker brother’s conscience to be emboldened to sin, and he goes to hell as a result, his blood is on our hands.

  4. When we do this, we sin against our brethren, wound them, and are sinning against Christ.

  5. If food offered to idols make a brother sin, we should abstain from ever eating it again if it makes a brother to sin.

I would add that this principle should be considered whenever we think, say, or do anything. We do not want to cause another to be emboldened in their conscience to sin against God.

These scriptures use the word brethren indicating a fellow Christian. Think about this, a non-believer today could be a believer tomorrow. So, we really need to be careful with everyone if we are to love our neighbor as our self.

Jesus gives us an even stronger warning against the principle of sinning against God by causing others to fall into stumble because of our actions.

But whoso shall offend

one of these little ones which believe in me,

it were better for him that a millstone

were hanged about his neck,

and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of offences! f

or it must needs be that offences come;

but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

~ Matthew 18:6-7

and from blood, and from things strangled,

From blood and things strangled are both related to the consuming of blood and predate the Mosaic law. This prohibition comes from the covenant God made with Noah after the flood.

But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood

~ Genesis 9:4

With this command, we see that the life of the animal is in the blood. According to God, consuming blood is akin to eating an animal alive. The sanctity of life is why this is prohibited.

We are not to consume any type of blood. This command is repeated in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and 3 times in Acts. It is commanded through all three dispensations, Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian.

Therefore I said to the children of Israel,

You shall not eat the blood of any flesh,

for the life of all flesh is its blood.

Whoever eats it shall be cut off.

Leviticus 17:14

————-

Only you shall not eat the blood;

you shall pour it on the earth like water.

~ Deuteronomy 12:16

Eating Habits

 From a practical viewpoint, there are clearly some foods that are forbidden: blood sausage, blood pudding, drinking of blood, or dishes containing significant quantities of blood.

In 1 Corinthians 10:25, Paul says, 

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles,

that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

~ 1 Corinthians 10:25

Paul does not mean to purchase blood stained products such as strangled meat. Meat not drained of blood has a distinct and recognizable color and texture.

I know this because I have slaughtered many types of animals and have found parts containing blood that did not drain. This meat also has a distinct taste and cooks differently when saturated with blood.

It is also safe to assume that Paul did not mean to eat rotten meat, or organs containing fecal matter or stomach contents either. His instruction are reasonable and in accordance with the whole counsel of scripture on this subject.

The context appears to apply to purchasing food or eating food provided by others.

According to the FDA, meats sold in America are all drained of blood.

and from fornication:

This instruction is to abstain from sexual immorality. The New Testament provides so much instruction on this subject. Here are three samples. This command also predates mosaic law.

Rampant sexual immorality of Sodom and Gomorrah was one of the reasons they were destroyed in Genesis. God also spoke of it before the flood when the Sons of God took wived of daughters of men.

 I wrote unto you in an epistle

not to company with fornicators: 

yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world,

or with the covetous, or extortioners,

or with idolaters;

for then must ye needs go out of the world. 

But now I have written unto you

not to keep company,

if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator,

or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer,

or a drunkard, or an extortioner;

with such an one no not to eat.

~ 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

————-

 Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

~ Hebrews 13:4

————

But the fearful, and unbelieving,

and the abominable, and murderers,

and whoremongers, and sorcerers,

and idolaters, and all liars,

shall have their part in the lake

which burneth with fire and brimstone:

which is the second death.

~ Revelation 21:8

There has never been a time when sexual immorality was not considered an exclusionary sin (a sin that causes one to perish). Sexual immorality has always been a part of Gentile or heathen cultures.

We are not to tolerate fornication in in this life. God will not tolerate those who practice it in the next. We are not to have close friends or spend time socializing who fornicators who claim to be Christians.

At the same time we are to love those lost in sin and be light to a dark and dying world.

I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 

but shewed first unto them of Damascus,

and at Jerusalem,

and throughout all the coasts of Judæa,

and then to the Gentiles,

that they should repent and turn to God,

and do works meet for repentance.

~ Acts 26:19-20

We too must not be disobedient to our heavenly calling in Christ and obey His commandments in love. We now understand what carries over from the O.T. and why they are important.

We will discuss further what it means to love Jesus and keep His commandments in the next post.

And the Lord God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.

And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden;

and there he put the man whom he had formed.

~ Genesis 2:7-8

 

If you love me (part 1)

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If ye love me, keep my commandments.

~ John 14:15

I have found this subject to be so deep, so comprehensive, and so serious that I have been questioning myself whether or not I should write about it.

So much more has come to mind since clicking and saving the first draft. When a scripture moves me as much as this one does, there is no other choice than to explore it.

It is quite possible that this brief but concise statement given by Jesus encapsulates the entire Bible message of God to His children.

Please forgive me if I fall short in my attempt to describe this powerful and important message. Here is the introduction and my understanding why this brief and often overlooked phrase needs much deeper consideration.

Below is one of the many passages that shows why John 14:15 is one of the most critical verses in the Bible. Jesus is telling the Jewish authorities and those willing to listen indirectly why.

Biblical Times

The authorities of Jesus’ day were priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc. Like our churches today, they did not agree on application of biblical content.

There are 613 commandments in the Old Testament divided into civil, ceremonial, and moral law. Some overlap but we are speaking generally here. The commandments were also divided into greater and lesser laws.

The authorities were generally in agreement with the divisions of the greater and lesser laws but were divided about what was most important. 

One Pharisee, conversant in the law maliciously attempted to ensnare Jesus in order to discredit Him. He asked:

Master,

which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments

hang all the law and the prophets.

~ Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus did not answer the question by telling the crowd which one of the 613 laws was the most important. He answered by giving them two new commandments that encapsulate whole law and all the writings of the prophets.

This addition of two commandments as a clarification of the old laws are given to all who hear. This should speak volumes to us. Jesus was beginning to tell us how to live today. He was beginning to give us His new law the Law of Christ.

He basically told them, ‘the whole Bible is about what I am telling you right now’.  The Jews only had the Old Testament. Today, we have the whole the Bible. This truth of His law should be more clear than ever.

I am afraid that even with the benefits of technology and our ability to decipher scripture and how it all relates: Old Testament to New, in precise detail, we still are falling short.

We are without excuse if we choose to or remain ignorant of what Jesus meant by keeping His commandments. The apostles explained how the church is to function corporately, individually, what the law of Christ is.

Before anyone thinks that, “We are not under the law.” I realize this. I am trying to understand how Jesus, the prophets, and Apostles relate this. Please bare with me as I seek to understand His law and its whole application to our life.

The O.T. supports and provides invaluable details and historical structure to N.T. doctrine. This is why understanding John 14:15 is so important.

It not only speaks of the entire schema* of love as revealed in scripture but specifies what of Jesus’ commandments must be followed in order to demonstrate that love.

The Church Today

We have the same thing happening today that occurred back then. Bishops, pastors, and teachers feed us what they believe is relevant based upon theological frameworks and discredit those who disagree. 

Because of this, some Biblical truths or commands may be glossed over or completely disregarded by many sincere followers of Jesus (examples: Ephesians 4:8).

The Bible says that, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ~ 2 Timothy 3:16

So we cannot neglect one word. Our biblical goal is unity in love of Jesus and His truth, the entire truth.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

for brethren to dwell together in unity!

~ Psalm 133:1

We are not instructed to live in unity with the world but we are instructed to live in unity with the church. This is not an ecumenical bring all denominations together type of unity but a biblical loving our neighbor in Christ type of unity. (more on this later)

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you that ye walk worthy

of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

with all lowliness and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another in love;

endeavouring to keep

the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit,

even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

~ Ephesians 4:1-4

The church is called to walk worthy of its calling through the biblical definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. There is only only church or body of Christ. It consists of those who love Jesus and keep His commandments.

Unfortunately, I hear it or see daily the disregard of scriptural purity and truth from professing Christians. This was the same thing Jesus dealt with from the heart of a people not perfected in love.

I was guilty of for the longest time (28 years) and am just coming out of it. I passed over this and other passages not deemed valuable or important while looking after the things I was taught or argued with others about.

Jesus taught us that everything in the law and prophets was filtered through His words. Later this included all the Holy Spirit’s teaching through the Apostles.

Nothing is to by left unturned.

Nothing is to be ignored.

Nothing is to be disobeyed.

There are serious warnings when we do this and even greater dangers when we teach others to do the same (more on this later).

For I testify unto every man

that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,

If any man shall add unto these things,

God shall add unto him the plagues

that are written in this book:

and if any man shall take away

from the words of the book of this prophecy,

God shall take away his part out of the book of life,

and out of the holy city,

and from the things which are written in this book.

~ Revelation 18-19

This is why it is so important to understand exactly what Jesus meant in John 14:15. Every time a pastor enters the pulpit, stage, etc. whether he knows it or not, this is the subject he is preaching about. 

This little phrase should be in the forefront of his mind when he speaks. It should be on his thoughts as he sleeps. He should arise, seeking its fulfillment.

A pastor should also ensure that every member or participant in his church clearly knows what the message means and that they are exhorted to follow his lead.

And he gave some, apostles;

and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers;

for the perfecting of the saints,

for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man, unto the measure

of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

~ Ephesians 4:11-13

We are to be built up unto a perfect man in the measure and stature of Christ. Once again unity in the church is stressed, not unity of a denomination, only unity of faith and knowledge of Christ

The goal of leadership in church is to bring the flock to faithful perfection in the knowledge of Christ. Our shepherds and sheep need to submit completely to the Spirit’s divine power in order to obey the calling of glory and virtue.

When we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, God makes sure that everything else is taken care. We must be single-minded obedience lest the lusts of the world steal us away.

according as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.

And beside this, giving all diligence,

add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

and to knowledge temperance;

and to temperance patience;

and to patience godliness;

 and to godliness brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness charity. 

For if these things be in you, and abound,

they make you that ye shall neither be barren

nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3-7

Herein is our love made perfect,

that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:

because as he is, so are we in this world.

 1 John 4:17

We already learned that everything in the Bible substantiates Jesus’ words. One of those events happened in the wilderness over 3,600 years ago; soon after God delivered his people from the sinful oppression of Egypt (the significance of Egypt will be elaborated later).

Before they entered the promised land of Canaan, God gave them a most beautiful commandment that applies to us in the same measure today.

And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

And thou shalt write them upon

the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

~ Deuteronomy 6:6-9

This was the second writing of God’s commands to the Israelites and was written after 40 years of wandering aimlessly in the Sinai wilderness.

When the Israelites lost faith and rebelled after following the false reports of the 12 spies who entered Canaan, they were punished and perished in the wilderness.

Only the children under 20 plus faithful Joshua and Caleb (at the time of Kadesh rebellion) were allowed to enter the promised land. They were just east of the River Jordan when God gave them Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

Read the story in Numbers 13:30-14:39 if you like.

The Whole Story is for you and me

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made. In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

~ John 1:1-4

God is still giving us this message today. If we are to enter into the promised land, we too must have the Word of God, written in our hearts.

We should teach Him to our children and as we walk in the way. This is the message that must be preached and taught. The message that should be bored deep into our hearts.

Keeping the commandments of the Lord is a preservative against false teachings as we will see in the next post. His word should be a light to our feet and guide each step along His strait and narrow path.

Through thy precepts I get understanding:

therefore I hate every false way.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

I have sworn, and I will perform it,

that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

~ Psalm 119:104-106

During most of my years professing Christianity, I did not learn what it meant to love Jesus and keep His commandments. This was my fault. Mostly because I did not see the need to attend faithfully and chose churches that tolerated my sins.

I heard about Jesus’ love for us but the message was incomplete. I was not taught that we were to be holy as He was holy and that all our behaviors and thoughts were to be so. Now that Jesus has poured His love in my heart, this truth is becoming a reality.

There is so much material in the Bible covering this subject that a post of this nature can miss important details. I have caught myself missing the point in some of my posts.

Nevertheless, we are commanded by God not to teach others to break the least of Jesus’ commandments. So we must stay on track and correct any errors we may find.

Whosoever therefore shall break

one of these least commandments,

and shall teach men so,

he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:

but whosoever shall do and teach them,

the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

~ Matthew 5:19

I don’t think a post considering the gradations from least to greatest commandments is necessary since we are called unto complete submission to the word of God. This can also lead to the false belief of being under the old law.

But because of the nature of this subject, it will be broken into parts. The first part here being the introduction.

I don’t claim to have a corner on the truth; only to seek Him with all my heart, mind, strength, and soul. Unfortunately, I have heard very little of what John 14:15 means.

Now its time to begin the learning process. So far, it has shown to be very complex and detailed. Breaking this subject into digestible pieces and putting has already shown to help focus my thoughts.

Hebrew and Greek, and Bible (college) study is not feasible right now. Since this subject is so strongly on my heart, this will be a personal study.

May its realization in my heart be true to God’s scriptural counsel. Please feel to correct or clarify any of deficits you may find.

In Christ

~ D

Lay up in your hearts God’s love and preserve it by careful keeping and watching after His holy commandments.

Thereby hoping in eternal, glorious fellowship with the Holy One of Israel.

Next, underlying Greek/Hebrew structure . . .

*Schema: The underlying organizational pattern and conceptual framework which God expresses through the Bible and in our experiences and interactions with Him and the world.

The First Recorded Prayer of Paul

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I have had the pleasure of knowing some wonderful men who were/are spiritual fathers to me in Christ: Bill Grace from my years at Stater Bros., Rev. Daniel Clyde, a long-standing source of peace, wisdom, and guiding truth.

And most recently, I was reacquainted with a man who inspired my love and knowledge of God to an even deeper level, Rev. Paul Kaufman. I am sure you can name some great founts of inspiration yourself.

We as Christians do share a common spiritual father in our walk with the gracious Savior; the Apostle, preacher, and teacher of the Gentiles, Paul of Tarsus (1 Timothy 2:6-8).

Nearly two-thirds of the epistles were written by Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They reveal Paul’s early life’s innocence (Romans 7:9), his utter awareness of personal and original sin; the condemnation the law brings as an observant Jew prior to salvation (Romans 7:10-25), his justification in Christ (1 Tim. 1:13), the witness of the Spirit to his son-ship in the Father (Romans 8:15), and the sacrificial offering of his earthen vessel to the service of the gospel of peace (Gal. 1:16, 2:20, 1 Thess. 2:10).

His whole life is laid before us to examine: his disposition, character, struggles, temptations, and the  workings of the Spirit on his heart.

This and a few other posts will be examining Paul’s prayers. Jesus taught us how to pray and Paul showed us further revelation how the Comforter intends to shape the church into a pure and blameless bride prepared for her bridegroom.

These prayers reveal the church’s deepest needs and concerns.

Looking into Paul’s prayer life is an invaluable source of wisdom and guidance. We can see the development of bride of Christ through Paul’s long-suffering and trials.

I am sure they were written with tears and blood as Paul continued to oversee, teach, rebuke, and exhort the new born church. All the while, being relentlessly persecuted and attacked by those bound by sin unto destruction.

He was a bond-servant and disciple of Christ. And we are called to follow after him (and the other apostles) even as he followed after Jesus Christ.

The following scriptures are exhortations that Paul and Peter gave to the church. These instructions apply dearly to all who through faith obey, not in his presence only, but now much more in his absence, by working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me,

and mark them which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.

———–

 1 Thessalonians 1:6

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord,

having received the word in much affliction,

with joy of the Holy Ghost:

————

 1 Thessalonians 2:14

For ye, brethren, became followers

of the churches of God . . .

————

Hebrews 6:12

That ye be not slothful,

but followers of them who

through faith and patience inherit the promises . . .

————

1 Peter 3:13

And who is he that will harm you,

if ye be followers of that which is good?

This exhortation grows from from following the Paul’s life and instructions; to following all the Apostles, disciples, and the Lord; then on to following the newly developed churches of God.

Paul then tells us to following those who have or are inheriting the promises of God. The final exhortation comes from Peter telling us in harmony with his brothers in Christ to follow “that which is good.”  This can be none other than the perfected doctrine as revealed in the lives of the Apostles, sanctified believers, and epistles.

This Pentecostal dispensation of the Holy Spirit continues today. As sincere believers, it becomes patently clear that we are to follow all that Jesus, Paul, Peter, and the other Apostles taught. Lest we utterly fail “the principles of the doctrine of Christ” and  “go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1).

Therefore, let us leave the imperfections of following after those who have strayed from the foundational principles of the early church; return and follow all we are instructed to.

Paul’s First Recorded Prayer

On the road to Damascus when struck by the blinding presences of Jesus, Paul asks Him face-to-face, “What shall I do Lord?”

It reveals the directness by which which the prayers of the truly pentinent and righteous are heard.

Jesus was in the very presence of Paul during this request and His answer was swift, sure, and true.

“And the Lord said unto me,

Arise, and go into Damascus;

and there it shall be told thee of all things

which are appointed for thee to do. 

And when I could not see for the glory of that light,

being led by the hand of them that were with me,

I came into Damascus.

~ Acts 22:10

Paul’s first prayer was a prayer of action. It served as a funnel in which all the desires and purpose our Lord began to filter deeply into his heart.

Oh, may our prayers open up our heart to the wonderful workings of our Lord!

If we are to be imitators of Paul, we also need to ask the Lord what should we do for Him.

This is not an easy proposition. It requires sacrifice of our own interests, desires, goals, even our lives. God replaces our self-willed purpose with His voice, guidance, and power of the His Holy purpose.

This can only be accomplished through complete submission to the work of the Holy Spirit.

There is much to be done.

Are you in a place where He can hear you?

Source: Half Hours with Saint Paul by Daniel Steele, D.D.

God’s Covenants, Part 2

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The Abrahamic Covenant

When Abram was 75 years old, well established in his community, God called him to leave his extended family, the comfort of his home, his country, and journey toward the land of Canaan living in tents as a sojourner.

It was to Abram that God made this covenant.

 

Now the Lord had said unto Abram,

Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred,

and from thy father’s house,

unto a land that I will shew thee: 

and I will make of thee a great nation,

and I will bless thee, and make thy name great;

and thou shalt be a blessing: 

and I will bless them that bless thee,

and curse him that curseth thee:

and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

 (Genesis 12:1-3).

This act of Abram to leave all the comforts of home and journey to a land unknown took incredible faith. Faith is not just believing in something.

It is acting in a way that makes that belief a reality. Every day we choose to live out faith or ignore it. Faith is what we must be obedient to because the object of our faith is God, who provides for us every step of the way.

The covenant began when Abram chose to listen to God and follow God’s leading. This covenant has no end. Because in it God promises to bless all the families of the world. This blessing is eternal.

The initial condition was that Abram had to leave his land. If he did, God had many promises waiting.

  • If he did, a great nation would come from his seed: in Deuteronomy 1:10, the fulfillment began: “The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.”
  • God would bless him and make his name great. The three major religions of the world Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all hail the name of Abraham. He will be remembered forever.
  • in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed: Jesus Christ came from the seed of Abraham. Now all the families of the Earth can be blessed.
  • “Unto thy seed will I give this land” Genesis 12:7: Abraham was shown to be living in the  promised land in Genesis 13:12. God’s people would later be removed from the land due to disobedience. But because of God’s promise to Abraham, they would return to the land according to the promise. One fine day in the future, all the families in the world will share this more perfect land together.

He also had to have the sign of circumcision to remain in the covenant. This sign of the covenant was to last forever.

 And God said unto Abraham,

Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou,

and thy seed after thee in their generations. 

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep,

between me and you and thy seed after thee;

Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 

And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin;

and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Genesis 17:9-11

To this day, the Jews are circumcised and are demonstrating the sign of this covenant. They have suffered greatly and have been blessed beyond measure – the ultimate blessing is still to come.

Many non-Jews also choose to get circumcised not to follow the law but out of respect for the covenant God made with Abraham.

I am not sure how this sign will continue forever. Under the Mosaic covenant, Jews practice this. But the Mosaic covenant has ended and so, its practices.

This is in need of further study since circumcision is no longer a requirement to partake in God’s promise of blessing. I have never read anything specifying the eternal aspect of this sign.

There are differing opinions regarding the application of this sign of circumcision. Some messianic Jews believe Gentiles should continue this practice.

But Paul had something to say about this. But first, this consideration, which helps to describe the gospel of the Law of Christ.

Paul had Timothy circumcised in order to witness to the Jews.

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him,

and he took him and circumcised him

because of the Jews who were in those places,

for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:3

Yet Paul said,

It was for freedom that Christ set us free;

therefore keep standing firm

and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision,

Christ will be of no benefit to you.

And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision,

that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

Galatians 5:1-3

Paul wanted to be all things to all men. Here is understanding,

For though I am free from all men,

I have made myself a slave to all,

so that I may win more.

To the Jews I became as a Jew,

so that I might win Jews;

to those who are under the Law, as under the Law

though not being myself under

the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;

to those who are without law, as without law,

though not being without the law of God

but under the law of Christ,

so that I might win those who are without law.

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak;

I have become all things to all men,

so that I may by all means save some.

I do all things for the sake of the gospel,

so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Paul did all things for the sake of the gospel. The gospel is about reaching out while not compromising the holy things of God, which are now becoming us.

We are His temple on Earth and His temple should not be defiled. Paul did all these things in accordance to gospel obedience and the gospel is obedient to the Law of Christ.

This is what Paul demonstrated for us all. We should strive to emulate him as he emulated Christ.

We should realize that serving God surpasses our cultural biases, our personal interests, and our sinful nature.

This is what being a disciple (Christian) means. Denying all these things, picking up our cross, and following Him.

Israel, who, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” still holds to the old (dead) law.

They cannot even attempt to keep it because there is no temple.

I believe the building of a new Jewish temple will quickly bring the Antichrist into view, part of the final judgment of this world because of disbelief and rejection of Christ.

When the fullness of the Gentiles comes, their blindness will end and usher in the coming of our Lord. This will not be without tumultuous tribulations.

One part of the promise, . . . and curse him that curseth thee: is a warning for the whole world.

I fear that perhaps more than any other people, Abraham’s first son’s seed, Ishmael, composed mostly of Arabic Muslims will suffer greatly under God’s curse. They are not a part of the promise of Abraham.

I believe this curse is eternal just like the covenant is. Oh, what awaits in hell for those who curse God’s people.

We are to live in a way that shows everyone, Jews an Gentiles alike, the truth of Christ’s Law. Obeying the Law of Christ is the gospel.

Jesus commanded us to go to all the world and make disciples, which includes the Jews.

Paul was compelled to provoke them to Christ for the sake of the gospel.

 For I speak to you Gentiles,

inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles,

I magnify mine office: if by any means I may provoke

to emulation them which are my flesh,

and might save some of them. 

For if the casting away of them

be the reconciling of the world,

what shall the receiving of them be,

but life from the dead?

Romans 11:13-15

Obeying the promise of Abraham has eternal consequences for those within and without:

But when the Son of Man comes in His glory,

and all the angels with Him,

then He will sit on His glorious throne.

All the nations will be gathered before Him;

and He will separate them from one another,

as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

and He will put the sheep on His right,

and the goats on the left.

“Then the King will say to those on His right,

‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father,

inherit the kingdom prepared for you

from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;

I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink;

I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

naked, and you clothed Me;

I was sick, and you visited Me;

I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him,

‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You,

or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

And when did we see You a stranger,

and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

When did we see You sick,

or in prison, and come to You?’

The King will answer and say to them,

‘Truly I say to you,

to the extent that you did it to one of these

brothers of Mine, even the least of them,

you did it to Me.’

Are you doing this according to God’s word? If you are not, it doesn’t matter if you have said a prayer of forgiveness or accepted Jesus into your heart.

It is what you did for Him that counts. Faith without works is dead. The following will happen to non-believers and professing Christians who do not obey the gospel and forfeit the promise given to Abraham.

Living for Christ means just that, living for Christ.

 “Then He will also say to those on His left,

‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire

which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat;

I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;

I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in;

naked, and you did not clothe Me;

sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’

Then they themselves also will answer,

‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty,

or a stranger, or naked, or sick,

or in prison, and did not take care of You?’

Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you,

to the extent that you did not do it

to one of the least of these,

you did not do it to Me.’

These will go away into eternal punishment,

but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

God has promised us much through the blessings of Abraham. In order to receive the promise, we must repent, sin no more, and journey into an unknown land in the service of our Lord. He has blessings awaiting you.

Remember Jesus’ commandments to us?

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

These we must keep.

There is no other way.

God’s Covenants, Part 3

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The Mosaic Covenant

 This is the only covenant that is called the old covenant. This is significant because it implies something new has replaced it.

And so it has. Part 5 will discuss the replacement of the Mosaic covenant with the Messianic covenant.

But first, we need to understand the Mosaic covenant and its relevance in our lives.

 And it came to pass in process of time,

that the king of Egypt died:and the children of Israel sighed

by reason of the bondage, and they cried,

and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

And God heard their groaning,

and God remembered his covenant

with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

And God looked upon the children of Israel,

and God had respect unto them.

This covenant came out of the Abrahamic covenant and was a initiated 430 years later at Mount Sinai.

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians,

and how I bare you on eagles’ wings,

and brought you unto myself. 

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed,

and keep my covenant,

then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me

above all people: for all the earth is mine:

  and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests,

and an holy nation.

These are the words which thou shalt speak

unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 19:4-6

Moses, the recipient of the covenant was commanded by God to pronounce the covenant made to his people, the Israelites.

The covenant was primarily concerned with the honor of living in the promised land. This honor was conditional upon Israel’s obedience.

This covenant had 613 laws (including the 10 commandments) attached to it. One can see how the Pharisees and Sadducee could get caught up in legalism over the centuries.

The laws addressed every aspect of their lives including worship, diet, and relationships.

God promised dominion of the land. He also ensured health, prosperity, and fertile soil if the people obeyed the covenant.

Disobedience would bring famine, death, pestilence, invasions, and all sorts or calamities.

Persistent disobedience eventually cost them the banishment from and enemy occupation of promised land.

The laws are a glimpse of the holiness of the Lord. They peal back the coverings of heaven and hell. All the families of the world would learn from the laws of God placed on His holy people.

To this day, God has shown through His people, the blessing and the curse. Currently, they are blinded and unknowingly await the opening of their eyes and the grafting back in to God’s vine.

This covenant was limited strictly to the land of Israel, the Jewish people, and those who chose to willingly submit and adopt their ways.

It provided security and protection with obedience or death and destruction in rebellion. Just like the choice presented to us today through the Messianic covenant.

An example of the depth of the Jewish curse for disobedience is found here:

The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption,

and with a fever, and with an inflammation,

and with an extreme burning, and with the sword,

and with blasting, and with mildew;

and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. 

And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass,

and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust:

from heaven shall it come down upon thee,

until thou be destroyed.

The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies:

thou shalt go out one way against them,

and flee seven ways before them:

and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air,

and unto the beasts of the earth,

and no man shall fray them away.

Deuteronomy 28:22-26

The Jews have suffered this curse many times over the centuries. Currently, they are still in unbelief.

But God is working on them.

He has brought them back to the land after nearly 2,000 years.

It can’t be too much longer before their eyes are reopened and the whole world benefits from their grafting in.

God showed us through His people that we shouldn’t play games with Him.

He means what He says and He says what He means. How can we not fear a God who can destroy both soul and body?

This blessing and curse will happen to all of us.

Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats and give each according to their works.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory,

and all the holy angels with him,

then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

and before him shall be gathered all nations:

and he shall separate them one from another,

as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 

and he shall set the sheep on his right hand,

but the goats on the left.

Matthew 25:31-33

His judgment will be final. Jesus will bless the sheep and curse the goats. Just like in the Mosaic era. But then, it will not be a learning experience.

It will be eternal with weeping and gnashing of teeth. And it will be entering into the Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.

So now, the time is here. He calls us to work out our salvation, obey His commandments, and live a holy life fleeing sin and its power through the teachings of His grace.

If we obey Him, paradise awaits. If we choose to ignore Him or continue in sin, judgment awaits.

But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble. 

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

James 4:6-8

The Mosaic covenant has ended. It ended with Christ. All the laws of Moses and their immediate consequences died with the coming of Christ.

The Mosaic covenant is over, finished, done. 

The Law of Christ reigns now and forever more.

We can and should continue to learn from it rich depth and wisdom for buy-and-large, the Old Testament proclaims its great truths.

Nevetheless, I say:

Halleluiah!

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:2-4

Might I add one more thing . . . continue the good fight, pursue holiness in truth, seek the wisdom of God, and do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies.

Do you not know that the Holy Spirit dwells inside His people?

This covenant more than any other should be a sobering reminder that God is not mocked. Take nothing for granted. He won’t. He judges everyone and everything.

All will be revealed on His glorious day.

Even so Lord Jesus, come.

God’s Covenants, Part 1

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This is a 5-part series. That will be cursorily exploring what a covenant is and which covenants apply to us as followers of Christ.

There are 5 greater covenants that apply to God’s people. One is exclusively for the Israelites and does not apply to non-Jews.

Knowing about God’s covenants help us to better understand our role as followers of Christ. These covenants apply to our behavior and thinking about the world.

I recently saw an article that described how the U.N. has been deceptively inoculating women in Africa with tetanus vaccines that were laced with HCG with the effect of sterilizing over 1 million women.

The U.N plans to continue and expand this vaccination program. I am deeply concerned with any vaccine propagated by a government agency.

But the point of this article is that it is directly opposed to the first covenant God made with us, the Noaic covenant. It is described below.

Some covenants apply to the church. Some to people in general. When these covenants are ignored, God is displeased and can bring judgment.

This is only one of the reasons it is important to have a basic understanding of the covenants and how they apply to us.

First we must clarify between a contract and a covenant and differentiate the types of covenants.

What is a contract? According to Webster’s Dictionary it is a bargain; to make a mutual agreement, as between two or more persons.

We have contracted to buy a car on payments or we have contracted with a builder to construct a barn on our property. Contracts can be broken like some covenants.

The main difference between contracts and covenant is that contracts are between two or more parties that are dependent upon each other.

God does not make contracts because He is not dependent upon us.

God only makes covenants and some sacred things in our lives are reflective of this. One is marriage.

Marriage is a covenant by nature. Man has turned it into a contract distorting its image, meaning, and purpose all while ripping God out of the fabric of one of our most precious personal relationships.

As a result, many have fallen into difficult times because they have misunderstood the covenant of marriage and its reflection of God’s image on our lives.

Marriage is symbolic of God’s covenant will probably be discussed in a later post.

God is always the greater party making the agreement independent of us. He does not need us to fulfill His end of the covenant.

He directs the stipulations determining whether a covenant is conditional or unconditional. There is no point in bargaining with God.

I have done this in the past. Thankfully knowing more about covenants have helped understand the futility of attempting to bargain with God.

Every time you read something that looks like a contract in scripture, you can be sure it is a covenant if it comes from God because God is always the greater party and not dependent upon us.

There are many covenants in the Bible but only five major (or greater) covenants. The people of the world or God’s chosen people. God also made covenants with individuals. One example is Cain.

Of the five major covenants, some are unconditional and others are conditional.  Four of the five covenants apply to us in general. Regardless of the age or type of covenant, if it applies to us, as God’s children are commanded in scripture to honor them.

When studying this, 5 main concepts arose about God’s covenants.

1. Who is the recipient?

2. What is the duration?

3. Is the covenant conditional or unconditional?

4. What is its purpose?

5. Is there a promise or a judgment associated with the covenant?

 

Covenant #1: The Noaic Covenant

The first Covenant was with Noah, his family, and all the peoples of the world thereafter.

It binding until the end of the age. We are still under this covenant. One of the things God’s covenants are showing me is how we as a people often get caught up in the world’s concerns and forget about God’s covenants.

This covenant is unconditional. God will not remove any provisions of this covenant regardless of what we do. There are  some expectations of behavior and these exceptions should guide our thinking today.

We should consider and honor everything the God provides us in this covenant and we need to teach these principles to our children.

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

God repeats this twice implicating its importance). God is promising us life on Earth until the Earth falls under judgment again.

This is implicit in the covenant and revealed later in His word. That means He will make sure that as long as the Earth is not undergoing

God’s judgment, it will have enough provisions for all the worlds’ population: food, shelter, and clothing. There is no shortage of any of this on the planet, only the sin in man that deprives.

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 

The subjection of animals to human in nature. I see every day with the animals I husband on my property. Never in history has an animal asserted control over humans.

Sure, larger animals attack and can kill us but that is out of fear or dread. It is also because of an earlier curse made upon man in the Garden of Eden,

And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (Genesis 3:11).

God cursed all the animals of the Earth as well as us in the curse of sin. God further explains the course of the curse in this covenant regarding animal behavior and their purpose.

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. 

We are free to eat whatever we like animal or plant on the Earth.

But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

We are not suppose to eat live animals or raw flesh like wild animals do. How we do this is by draining the blood of animals during slaughter before we eat them to make sure they are dead.

Now, it is impossible to get every drop out, but we try to follow the principles involved in the responsibility of caring for and killing animals.

And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. 

Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Human life is sanctified, thus the penalty for murder is death. It does not matter if the killer is human or animal. They must die.

This is the moral component of the covenant. Without this, violence, wickedness, and evil will once again become rampant on the Earth.

Now we see people who no longer sanctify life, killing babies through government sanctioned abortions, the abolishment of the death penalty, sterilization, and burgeoning police state here in America.

And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 

and with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

Here is the pronouncement that the covenant is for every living creature on the Earth.

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

There will never be another flood on the Earth again!

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 

and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 

And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth (Genesis 9:1-17).

The rainbow is a symbol of God’s unconditional covenant to everyone and a reminder to Him that He will go on feeding the human race. There is enough food to feed the whole world’s population according to the U.N., unfortunately, in our sinful nature, we as a people do not share the world’s food and many are sick and die daily.

This covenant stipulates 6 things:

  1. We are to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. This means we are to remain in our covenants of marriage, have children, and teach them to do the same.
  2. Animals are subjected to us and we are responsible for them.
  3. We are to free to eat any animal or plant on Earth as long as we do not eat animals like wild beast, raw. Some foods are harmful. We are to use common sense.
  4. The death penalty applies to any animal or man that commits murder. Proof this covenant was not instituted until the flood is demonstrated by how God dealt with Cain after he murdered his brother.
  5. The inhabitant of the Earth will never again be destroyed by a flood.
  6. God will provide a symbol to remind Him and us of His covenant with us with a rainbow. 

God promised that:

 . . . I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done (Genesis 8:21b).

This also is a picture of redemption. God will preserve the Earth for man and all living things even though our heart is evil.

He will provide a remedy, a way of redemption that will deal with our sin permanently. The final covenant will address the fulfillment of God’s wonderful plan for mankind.

This covenant will remain in effect until there is no longer a need to preserve the Earth for us. I think we all know when that time is.

Part 2, The Abrahamic Covenant.