Fall from Grace: The Dangers of Ignoring Jesus’ Teachings
Don’t risk being cut off from Christ. Discover the life-changing teachings of Jesus about the Law and the Gospel to gain a deeper understanding of your salvation.
Ready to discover the life-changing power of the True Gospel of Jesus Christ? Join our transformative Bible study and unlock a deeper understanding of God’s love for you. Through this study, you’ll find hope, peace, and purpose, and experience the unconditional love of God.
Open your heart to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and put aside preconceived notions. By doing so, you can deepen your connection with Jesus and gain a clearer understanding of the gospel.
The stakes are high. The consequences of not knowing the true gospel and following a false one are eternal. But through this study, you’ll gain the wisdom and knowledge to recognize the difference between truth and falsehood and make informed decisions about your faith.
While our study may appear lengthy, every verse plays a vital role in providing a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the topics we’ll be exploring. Even when verses repeat, they do so for a reason, and help to reinforce the key messages that we need to understand to fully appreciate the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Mark 4:14 NLT
The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.
1 Timothy 1:5 CSB
Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Acts 17:11 CSB
The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Colossians 2:2-4,8 CSB
I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. [3] In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. [8] Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.
Error’s Origin & Unwritten Laws
Galatians 2:4-5 CSB
This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. [5] But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.
What were they enslaving us to? Same chapter and in perfect context.
Galatians 2:16-21 CSB
and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. [17] But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! [18] If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. [19] For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [21] I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Galatians 5:1,7-10 CSB
For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. [7] You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth? [8] This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. [10] I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.
Jesus says…
Matthew 13:25 CSB
But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left.
Let me introduce a crucial concept for understanding the relationship between the Law and a Believer. It’s important to note that the “Law written on our hearts” is not a set of written laws. Keep this in mind as you dive into this important study.
2 Corinthians 3:6,15-18 CSB
He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [15] Yet still today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, [16] but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The New Covenant, established by Jesus, offers the one true path into the Kingdom of God..
This New Covenant is not a set of written laws, but rather a relationship with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit writes the New Covenant of LOVE on our hearts, leading us into a transformative relationship with God. This relationship is crucial for our journey as believers, as it helps us to reflect the glory of the Lord and be transformed into his image.
The enemy may try to deceive us and sow weeds among the wheat, but it is important to hold fast to the truth of the gospel message. Trusting in the Spirit to lead us to true freedom and understanding is the key. Under the New Covenant, we are no longer bound by the Old Covenant laws, but are free to live in the grace and love of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Giving of the Law After the Exodus
The Book of the Law of Moses which includes the Ten Commandments did NOT exist before Moses. The Ten Commandments were NOT in the Garden of Eden. And, neither was the Sabbath commanded there.
Genesis 26:4-5 CSB
I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky, I will give your offspring all these lands, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, [5] because Abraham listened to me and kept my mandate, my commands, my statutes, and my instructions.
The Covenant made with Abraham
Genesis 12:1-3 CSB
The LORD said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Clear verses showing the Ten Commandments are the Old Sinaic/Moses Covenant.
Deuteronomy 4:13 CSB
He declared his covenant to you. He commanded you to follow the Ten Commandments, which he wrote on two stone tablets.
Deuteronomy 9:10-11 CSB
On the day of the assembly the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, inscribed by God’s finger. The exact words were on them, which the LORD spoke to you from the fire on the mountain. [11] The LORD gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant, at the end of the forty days and forty nights.
Clear verses showing the LAW was given after the Exodus out of Egypt to Moses.
Deuteronomy 5:3 CSB
He did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive here today.
Deuteronomy 29:25 CSB
Then people will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, which he had made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
Jeremiah 31:32 CSB
This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”—the LORD’s declaration.
Jeremiah 34:13 CSB
“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, saying,
Hebrews 8:9 CSB
not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I showed no concern for them, says the Lord, because they did not continue in my covenant.
Galatians 3:16-17 CSB
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ. [17] My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise.
Romans 5:13-14 CSB
In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. [14] Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.
John 1:17 CSB
for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Here is WHEN the Sabbath was revealed.
Nehemiah 9:13-14 CSB
You came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them impartial ordinances, reliable instructions, and good statutes and commands. [14] You revealed your holy Sabbath to them, and gave them commands, statutes, and instruction through your servant Moses.
New Testament reiterating what Abraham actually obeyed. Not the Ten Commandments.
Hebrews 11:6,8-10 CSB
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [8] By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. [9] By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
The actual commands given to Abraham
- Get out of your country (Gen_12:1; Act_7:2).
- Leave your kindred (Gen_12:1).
- Leave your father’s house (Gen_12:1).
- Go to a land I will show you (Gen_12:1).
- Arise, walk through the land (Gen_13:17).
- Make a sacrifice to Me (Gen_15:9-12).
- Walk before Me and be perfect (Gen_17:1).
- Keep My covenant (Gen_17:9-14).
- Circumcise all your males (Gen_17:10-14).
- Circumcise on the eighth day (Gen_17:12).
- Call your son’s name Isaac (Gen_17:19).
- Obey your wife in this matter (Gen_21:12).
- Offer Isaac as a sacrifice (Gen_22:2).
- Lay not your hand upon Isaac (Gen_22:12).
The law, including the Ten Commandments and the Sabbath, was not in effect during the time of Adam and Eve. The Law of Moses, as recorded in the Book of the Law, was given to Moses after the Exodus from Egypt, and the Sabbath was revealed to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. The promises made to Abraham were not the Ten Commandments, but rather, Abraham’s obedience to God’s call. The New Testament confirms that Abraham obeyed God by faith and that the law was given through Moses, but that God’s love and grace are revealed through Jesus Christ.
The Full Law: No Additions or Subtractions
The Law cannot be added to or subtracted from because it includes everything in the first five books. Including the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 CSB
Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. [2] You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you.
Deuteronomy 12:32 CSB
Be careful to do everything I command you; do not add anything to it or take anything away from it.
All the Laws from the Book of Moses were read aloud including the 10 Commandments.
Joshua 8:30-35 CSB
At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, [31] just as Moses the LORD’s servant had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the book of the law of Moses: an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used. Then they offered burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings on it. [32] There on the stones, Joshua copied the law of Moses, which he had written in the presence of the Israelites. [33] All Israel—resident alien and citizen alike—with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on either side of the ark of the LORD’s covenant facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the LORD’s servant had commanded earlier concerning blessing the people of Israel. [34] Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings as well as the curses—according to all that is written in the book of the law. [35] There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read before the entire assembly of Israel, including the women, the dependents, and the resident aliens who lived among them.
Every single Command Moses ever gave were read aloud. One of the Commands being do NOT add or subtract from the Law.
The Covenant is EVERYTHING commanded in the Book of Instructions the Book of the Law of Moses.
Exodus 24:3-11 CSB
Moses came and told the people all the commands of the LORD and all the ordinances. Then all the people responded with a single voice, “We will do everything that the LORD has commanded.” [4] And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He rose early the next morning and set up an altar and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel at the base of the mountain. [5] Then he sent out young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. [6] Moses took half the blood and set it in basins; the other half of the blood he splattered on the altar. [7] He then took the covenant scroll and read it aloud to the people. They responded, “We will do and obey all that the LORD has commanded.” [8] Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.” [9] Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders, [10] and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. [11] God did not harm the Israelite nobles; they saw him, and they ate and drank.
Book of the Law of Moses is directly associated with the Ten Commandments and pointing out to do EVERYTHING written in the first five books of the Bible.
Joshua 23:6-8 CSB
Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you do not turn from it to the right or left [7] and so that you do not associate with these nations remaining among you. Do not call on the names of their gods or make an oath to them; do not serve them or bow in worship to them. [8] Instead, be loyal to the LORD your God, as you have been to this day.
Ezekiel 20:10-12 NLT
So I brought them out of Egypt and led them into the wilderness. [11] There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them. [12] And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the LORD, who had set them apart to be holy.
The Book of the Law is interchangeable between God giving it and through Moses giving it. They reference the SAME thing… the ENTIRE Book of the Law of Moses
Nehemiah 8:1,8 CSB
all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the LORD had given Israel. [8] They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.
God gives the Law of Moses…
Ezra 7:6 CSB
—came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
Now, Moses gives the Book of the Law or the Law of God.
Nehemiah 10:28-29 CSB
The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to obey the law of God— [29] join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the law of God given through God’s servant Moses and to obey carefully all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.
2 Chronicles 34:14 CSB
When they brought out the silver that had been deposited in the LORD’s temple, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law of the LORD written by the hand of Moses.
Even Jesus referenced the Law of Moses (Book of Instructions) the first five books of the Bible as a unique combined set of writings.
Luke 24:44 CSB
He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Jesus’ own statements provide the clearest evidence that the Ten Commandments were delivered by Moses, and that the Law encompasses the entirety of the Book of the Law of Moses.
John 7:19 CSB
Didn’t Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?
Mark 7:10 CSB
For Moses said: Honor your father and your mother; and Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.
The Ten Commandments are clearly included in the scroll or also known as the Book of the Law of Moses.
Let’s read that the COMMANDS of God are in the Law of Moses.
1 Kings 2:3 CSB
and keep your obligation to the LORD your God to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees. This is written in the law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do and wherever you turn,
This is directly related to…
Deuteronomy 29:9 CSB
Therefore, observe the words of this covenant and follow them, so that you will succeed in everything you do.
What were the words of the Covenant?
Deuteronomy 4:13 CSB
He declared his covenant to you. He commanded you to follow the Ten Commandments, which he wrote on two stone tablets.
Truly be honest with your self. How can you reconcile these clear verses?
Proverbs 30:5-6 CSB
Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. [6] Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
Are Law & Ten Commandments the Same?
The Law mentioned in Galatians is directly related to the Ten Commandments.
Are the following two verses referring to the Ten Commandments?
1 John 3:4 CSB
Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
Romans 3:20 CSB
For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
Many believe that the verses in Galatians and other parts of the New Testament refer to ceremonial laws, which are not specifically outlined in the Bible anywhere as being separated from the Law. However, Galatians 3:19 is clearly referring to the Ten Commandments with the phrase “show people their sins”.
Galatians 3:19 CSB
Why, then, was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
The phrase “τῶν παραβάσεων χάριν” (ton parabaseon charin) in this verse can be translated as “for the sake of transgressions” or “because of transgressions.” The word “παραβάσεων” (parabaseon) refers to a violation or breach of a standard, rule, or law, and it implies a sense of wrongdoing or sinfulness.
So in this context of Galatians 3:19, the law was given for the purpose of revealing or making known the transgressions or sins of the people, so that they would recognize their need for a savior and look to Christ for salvation.
Can you be honest with yourself when you examine your faith? Does Galatians 3:19 refer to the Ten Commandments? Answer yes or no. If the answer is yes, then relying on the law for salvation has serious consequences. If not, then as a serious student of the Bible, you should be able to find clear verses that support your beliefs on this important topic.
Plus there are many more verses in the New Testament that show the Bible does not make a distinction between ceremonial and moral laws in the Book of the Law of Moses. Such as, Romans 7:4, Hebrews 8:13, and 2 Corinthians 3:7, which all explicitly reference the Ten Commandments, establishing that these laws are not just ceremonial as some, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, may suggest.
Romans 7:3 CSB
So then, if she is married to another man while her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law. Then, if she is married to another man, she is not an adulteress.
Hebrews 8:13 CSB
By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.
2 Corinthians 3:7 CSB
Now if the ministry that brought death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to gaze steadily at Moses’s face because of its glory, which was set aside,
Do the Ten Commandments reveal our sin? If the answer is yes, then Galatians makes it clear that we are under a curse and that our fall from grace is due to the law.
The Law mentioned in Galatians refers to the Ten Commandments and is essential to understand our sin and our need for salvation through grace. Not recognizing this truth has eternal consequences. The Ten Commandments reveal our sin and the Bible makes no distinction between ceremonial and moral laws. It is crucial to be honest with oneself and have a clear understanding of the Bible on this matter.
The Curse of Breaking Even One Law
Galatians 3:10-12 CSB
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. [11] Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. [12] But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.
This is a direct reference to ALL the Commandments from the Book of the Law of Moses which includes the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy 27:26 CSB
‘Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
And, another direct reference to ALL the commandments of the Book of the Law of Moses. Galatians 3:12 directly quotes this verse.
Leviticus 18:4-5 CSB
You are to practice my ordinances and you are to keep my statutes by following them; I am the LORD your God. [5] Keep my statutes and ordinances; a person will live if he does them. I am the LORD.
You can’t just DO some of the laws. You must do ALL of them to have eternal life.
Plus, everything written in the Book of the Law of Moses cannot be added to or subtracted from. Again, Galatians 3:19 referring to Deuteronomy 4:1
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 CSB
Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. [2] You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you.
Deuteronomy 12:32 CSB
Be careful to do everything I command you; do not add anything to it or take anything away from it.
There are serious consequences for putting yourself back under the Old Covenant Law system.
Galatians 5:2-4 NLT
Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. [3] I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. [4] For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.
James 2:10 NLT
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
The Old Law Fades Away
The Bible says the LAW ended or is fading away.
Starting in the Old Testament. The LAW is NOT forever.
Jeremiah 3:15-16 CSB
I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill. [16] When you multiply and increase in the land, in those days—this is the LORD’s declaration—no one will say again, “The ark of the LORD’s covenant.” It will never come to mind, and no one will remember or miss it. Another one will not be made.
Hebrews 7:11-12,15-16,18-19,22 CSB
Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? [12] For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. [15] And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, [16] who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. [18] So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable [19] (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. [22] Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
And…
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 CSB
Now if the ministry that brought death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to gaze steadily at Moses’s face because of its glory, which was set aside, [8] how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? [9] For if the ministry that brought condemnation had glory, the ministry that brings righteousness overflows with even more glory. [10] In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison because of the glory that surpasses it. [11] For if what was set aside was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious.
The Laws purpose UNTIL Jesus.
Galatians 3:19-26 CSB
Why, then, was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator. [20] Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one. [21] Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. [22] But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe. [23] Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. [24] The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. [25] But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.
And worded plainly it ends for those who believe.
Romans 10:2-4 CSB
I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. [3] Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,
Hebrews 10:1,9-10 CSB
Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. [9] he then says, See, I have come to do your will. He takes away the first to establish the second. [10] By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.
Hebrews 8:13 CSB
By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.
Jesus Himself is the end of all the Old Covenant Laws and rituals.
Ephesians 2:14-15 CSB
For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, [15] he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.
Galatians 5:18 CSB
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Luke 16:16 CSB
The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urgently invited to enter it.
And, everything above summed up in two verses.
Romans 3:21-24 CSB
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. [22] The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. [23] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; [24] they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The Bible does not make a distinction between ceremonial and moral laws in the Book of the Law of Moses. However, Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 8:13, and 2 Corinthians 3:7 all explicitly reference the Ten Commandments, establishing that these laws are not just ceremonial as some, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, may suggest.
The Bible references a new covenant that supersedes the outdated laws and regulations. The former method of living by laws written on stone has been replaced by a new way of life through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the termination of the old covenant’s laws and rituals. The law was given to reveal people’s sins, but it served a temporary purpose until the arrival of the prophesied child from God. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive God’s promise of liberation and no longer require the law as our guardian. Ultimately, for believers, Christ is the conclusion of the law for righteousness. This is a magnificent transformation, where the Holy Spirit provides life and the new way, which lasts eternally, brings even greater glory than the old way.
Law’s Purpose: Pointing to Your Savior
Romans 3:27-31 CSB
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. [28] For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. [29] Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, [30] since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. [31] Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Some may interpret this to mean that all people, including believers, must observe the law, including the Sabbath. However, it is important to consider the broader context of the Bible and the teaching of the New Testament on the relationship between believers and the law.
The law was given to the Israelites as a tutor or guide to show them their sins and point them to the need for a savior. The law was not intended to be a means of justification or of achieving a right relationship with God, but rather was intended to reveal our sinful nature and the need for grace. When we accept and believe in Jesus as our savior, we are no longer under the law as a tutor, but are instead under grace.
Romans 3:20 CSB
For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
Galatians 3:19 NLT
Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.
Romans 7:7 CSB
What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! But I would not have known sin if it were not for the law. For example, I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, Do not covet.
Galatians 3:24-25 NKJV
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Romans 6:14 CSB
For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.
Romans 5:19-21 CSB
For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. [20] The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more [21] so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As believers, we can use the law to fulfill its original purpose of pointing people to their need for a savior.
1 Timothy 1:8-11 CSB
But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. [9] We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, [10] for the sexually immoral and males who have sex with males, for slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching [11] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.
In this passage, Paul affirms that the law is good, but is not intended for those who are righteous or justified through faith in Jesus. Instead, the law is for those who are lawless and unrighteous, and serves to reveal their need for salvation. As believers, we can use the law to help non-believers see their own sinfulness and need for a savior, just as it was intended to do.
This does not mean that the principle of upholding the law is no longer important, but rather that our relationship with God is now based on faith in Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, rather than on our own efforts to keep the law. As we seek to share the gospel with others and help them understand their need for a savior, we can use the law as a tool to point them to Jesus and the grace that he offers.
The law demands “perfect” obedience, and there is only one who is capable of fulfilling it. This is where our faith lies – in Him, Jesus our Savior. So, yes we uphold the law as our most effective tool to point people to their Savior, Jesus Christ through the power of the Gospel.
Jesus: The Messenger of God’s Commands
Under the New Covenant the “Commandments of God” are given through Jesus. The Bible tells us this plainly.
If you do not believe what Jesus is saying, you will not have His word in your heart. As a result, Moses becomes your accuser if you fail to listen to and obey Jesus’ commands. This holds particular significance for those who do not follow Jesus’ teachings.
John 5:38-47 CSB
You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. [39] You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. [40] But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. [41] “I do not accept glory from people, [42] but I know you— that you have no love for God within you. [43] I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. [44] How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? [45] Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. [46] For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. [47] But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words?
Here is what Moses says. Making it clear we are to follow His Son’s Commands and interestingly calling out false prophets.
Deuteronomy 18:15-22 CSB
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. [16] This is what you requested from the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, ‘Let us not continue to hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire any longer, so that we will not die!’ [17] Then the LORD said to me, ‘They have spoken well. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. [19] I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name. [20] But the prophet who presumes to speak a message in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.’ [21] You may say to yourself, ‘How can we recognize a message the LORD has not spoken?’ [22] When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
Paul reiterates Moses to the Early Church.
Acts 3:22-23 CSB
Moses said: The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to everything he tells you. [23] And everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be completely cut off from the people.
Now look how the writer of Hebrews breaks this down. Read this carefully.
Hebrews 12:18-25 CSB
For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, [19] to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, [20] for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. [21] The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. [22] Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, [23] to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, [24] and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel. [25] See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.
Hebrews 5:9 CSB
After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
Jesus tells you point blank to believe in him and listen to His COMMANDS which are from God… the Commandments of God.
Matthew 28:18-20 CSB
Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
John 12:36-50 CSB
While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them. [37] Even though he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. [38] This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? [39] This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: [40] He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them. [41] Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke about him. [42] Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. [43] For they loved human praise more than praise from God. [44] Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. [45] And the one who sees me sees him who sent me. [46] I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness. [47] If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. [48] The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said. [50] I know that his command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”
Clearly from these verses we FOLLOW Jesus’ Commands… Period. So, what did Jesus Command? Plus, super importantly His Command (God’s Command) is ETERNAL Life. Right out of the Bible.
In the next chapter, which takes place in the same context and setting as Passover, Jesus tells us precisely which command leads to eternal life.
John 13:34-35 CSB
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is a really big deal!
John 3:36 CSB
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
It should now be clear that the commandments of God come through Jesus and not the Book of the Law of Moses. Furthermore, it is His command that leads to eternal life.
Two Greatest Commands Not in the Ten
What are the most important laws in the Old Covenant according to the Bible?
Surprisingly, both are mentioned outside of the Ten Commandments in the Book of the Law of Moses (first five books of the Bible).
*note: the Book of the Law of Moses includes the Ten Commandments.
First most important Law. Love God with all your heart.
Deuteronomy 6:5 CSB
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 7:9 CSB
Know that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps his gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commands.
*notice the above verse is referencing ALL the commands Moses wrote. Not a select few.
Deuteronomy 10:12 CSB
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul?
Deuteronomy 11:13 CSB
“If you carefully obey my commands I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and worship him with all your heart and all your soul,
*again, the above verse references ALL the commands, ordinances, and decrees Moses wrote.
Second most important Law… love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19:18 CSB
Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
Matthew 5:43-45 CSB
You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Jesus point blank sums up the TWO most important commandments and both are outside the Ten Commandments. These Commandments summarize the ENTIRE Book of the Law of Moses and the Prophets not the Ten Commandments.
Matthew 22:35-40 CSB
And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test him: [36] “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” [37] He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. [38] This is the greatest and most important command. [39] The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. [40] All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Question: How can the most important laws from the Book of the Law of Moses be separated from the Ten Commandments? Were they not included with the Ark of the Covenant?
Summary: If you are keeping ONE Law (including the Sabbath)for salvation then you MUST keep ALL 613 Commands written in the Book of the Law of Moses.
You choose to obey Jesus (the Law of Christ) or the Mosaic Law. The Bible makes this choice CLEAR.
The Great Sin of Unbelief
Nothing in your life will be more important than putting ALL your trust and faith into Jesus and what he accomplished through His life, death, burial, and resurrection.
Hebrews 11:6 CSB
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Acts 16:30-31 CSB
He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [31] They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
John 1:12-13 CSB
But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, [13] who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
John 12:44,46 CSB
Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. [46] I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.”
The ONLY Work God requires of you is BELIEF (deep reverent trust).
John 6:28-29,35,45,47,63 CSB
“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. [29] Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.” [35] “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. [45] It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me— [47] “Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. [63] The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
The purpose of John’s writings is so we will BELIEVE.
John 20:31 CSB
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
1 John 5:1,5,9-13 CSB
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of him. [5] Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? [9] If we accept human testimony, God’s testimony is greater, because it is God’s testimony that he has given about his Son. [10] The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. The one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son. [11] And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life. [13] I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
God’s Rest was in the Garden. What was the disobedience of Adam? Was it not UNBELIEF?
Genesis 2:16-17 CSB
And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, [17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”
Here’s an example: Let’s say you tell your child, “Don’t stick your hand in the fire, because if you do, you’ll get burned!” However, your child doesn’t believe that they will get burned if they stick their hand in the fire, so they do it anyway and end up getting burned. Did they intentionally disobey you and get hurt, or did they simply not believe what you told them? The answer is obvious: they didn’t believe what you said, and as a result, they disobeyed. If they had believed you, they would not have disobeyed and therefore wouldn’t have gotten burned.
The reason you cannot enter God’s eternal Rest is UNBELIEF.
Hebrews 3:18-19 CSB
And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? [19] So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4:3 NLT
For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.
1 John 3:23 CSB
Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us.
Unbelief in Jesus Christ is what will convict us of sin?
John 16:9 NLT
The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
Salvation is the result of Belief.
1 Peter 1:3-9 CSB
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead [4] and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. [5] You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials [7] so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The REASON Paul’s ministry was so you could be sanctified by FAITH in Jesus.
Acts 26:15-18 CSB
“I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. [16] But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. [17] I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them [18] to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Are you trusting Jesus or trusting in yourselves (self-righteous) which comes from the Law?
Philippians 3:8-9 CSB
I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.
Paul sums this up.
Romans 9:30-33 CSB
What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith. [31] But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. [32] Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. [33] As it is written, Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and the one who believes on him will not be put to shame.
Romans 10:9-10 CSB
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
Romans 1:16-17 CSB
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
If righteousness comes through faith, where does unrighteousness come from? Is it not unbelief?
Jesus’ Eternal Command: Love
Starting in Passover Jesus tells us that everything he says is Commanded by God. And, that the command *(singular) he gives will lead to eternal life.
John 12:48-50 CSB
The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said. [50] I know that his command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.
Still in Passover Jesus tells us EXACTLY what the command that leads to eternal life is and how we identify each other.
John 13:34-35 CSB
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 15:12-14,17 CSB
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. [13] No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command you. [17] “This is what I command you: Love one another.”
1 John 4:7-21 CSB
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. [10] Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. [13] This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. [14] And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. [15] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. [16] And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. [17] In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. [19] We love because he first loved us. [20] If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. [21] And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.
Matthew 5:43-48 CSB
“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
2 Peter 1:5-11 CSB
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, [6] knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, [7] godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. [10] Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. [11] For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.
1 Peter 1:22 CSB
Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly,
Here is the Commandment that has always existed since the very Beginning.
1 John 2:7-10 CSB
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the word you have heard. [8] Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. [9] The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. [10] The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 John 3:11-15,18-19,23-24 CSB
For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another, [12] unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. [13] Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. [15] Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. [18] Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth. [19] This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him [23] Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. [24] The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.
2 John 1:1-6,9-11 CSB
The elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not only I, but also all who know the truth— [2] because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. [3] Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. [4] I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. [5] So now I ask you, dear lady—not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. [6] This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love. [9] Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and do not greet him; [11] for the one who greets him shares in his evil works.
Let’s examine the biblical definition of love, which is a reflection of God’s character. It’s important to remember that we are placing our trust in these qualities of God’s character for our eternal salvation.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 CSB
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, [5] is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. [6] Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. [7] It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends.
1 Peter 4:8 CSB
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Jesus Fulfills God’s Plan of Love
Discover the Eternal Fulfillment of God’s Law Through His Indwelling Character
Matthew 5:17 CSB
“Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
Romans 8:1-4 CSB
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, [2] because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, [4] in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Jesus confirms that he is here to fulfill everything written about him in the Entire Law and the prophets.
Luke 18:31 CSB
Then he took the Twelve aside and told them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.”
Luke 24:24-27,44-45 CSB
Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.” [25] He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” [27] Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. [44] He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Jesus is the full character of God revealed to us.
Colossians 2:9 CSB
For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,
Hebrews 1:1-3 CSB
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. [2] In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. [3] The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Before we learn what the “fulfillment of the Law” is, what is the very character of God? Is it not love? And, What is “his powerful word (Hebrews 1:3) that he sustains everything by? Is it not love? What specifically did Jesus command?
The phrase “powerful word” from the Greek “τό ῤῆμα τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ” in Hebrews 1:3 translates to “the power of his eternal command” or “the omnipotent decree of his power”. In John 12:50, John 13:34, and John 15:17, the emphasis is placed on the commandment of love, which is the ultimate expression of God’s power, and this command leads to eternal life. This love is demonstrated through the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus, and is commanded for all believers to embody in their own lives. Thus, the “eternal command” in Hebrews 1:3 encompasses the power of love, as demonstrated through Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice.
This love is the ultimate expression of God’s power and it is what sustains everything in Creation through Jesus.
Love is the fulfillment of the Law.
Romans 13:8-10 CSB
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. [10] Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.
Jesus performs the greatest act of love thus fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law that no human is capable of.
John 15:13 CSB
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
John 19:30 CSB
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
The definition of love according to the Bible.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 CSB
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, [5] is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. [6] Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. [7] It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. [13] Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.
God is love and His Holy Spirit now lives in us.
1 John 4:16 CSB
And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
Galatians 5:22-23 CSB
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
We are called to understand the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead. That power is love the very nature of God our Creator. Plus, we stand firm in this truth.
Ephesians 1:18-23 CSB
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. [20] He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— [21] far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
Colossians 1:15-23,26-27 CSB
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. [18] He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. [21] Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. [22] But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— [23] if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it. [26] the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. [27] God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Law of Sin & Death vs Law of Christ
There are different Laws governing the Old and New Covenants.
The Law of Sin and Death (death, bondage, flesh).
And, the Law of Christ (love, freedom, liberty, and Spirit).
Romans 8:1-2 CSB
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, [2] because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
1 Corinthians 9:21 CSB
To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law.
Galatians 6:2 CSB
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 4:21-31 CSB
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? [22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. [23] But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. [24] These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written, Rejoice, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman will be many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. [28] Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. [30] But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” [31] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.
James 1:25 CSB
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works-this person will be blessed in what he does.
The Two Laws contrasted against each other.
James 2:8-13 CSB
Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. [9] If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. [10] For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. [11] For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker. [12] Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. [13] For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Which Law (standard) YOU use and by how much (measure) you use it will be applied at your judgment.
Matthew 7:1-2 CSB
Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. [2] For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.
Luke 6:37-38 CSB
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [38] Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
So, what Law are you judging others by? The Law of Sin and Death, Or the Law of Christ (love)?
So you can be under the WRATH of God…
Romans 4:14-15 CSB
If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, [15] because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
Galatians 3:10-13 CSB
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. [11] Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. [12] But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.
Or you can be forgiven by his LOVE…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 CSB
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, [5] is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. [6] Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. [7] It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. [13] Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.
The Old and New Covenants have different laws governing them. The Law of Sin and Death governs the Old Covenant and leads to death, bondage, and flesh, while the Law of Christ governs the New Covenant and leads to love, freedom, liberty, and Spirit. If you are in Christ Jesus then you are no longer under condemnation because the law of the Spirit has set you free. The law of Christ should be obeyed and if you follow it you will be blessed. Judging others by the Law of Sin and Death brings wrath, while judging others by the law of Christ brings love. The standard and measure you use to judge others will also be applied at your own judgment.
Love in Action: A Result of Faith
Let’s see what the Bible says regarding faith apart from works.
James 2:17 CSB
In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.
This is not referring to the Ten Commandments, but rather to the actions of love and compassion towards widows and orphans and one’s brothers and sisters in Christ. This can be demonstrated by the context of the surrounding verses in James, such as:
James 1:27 CSB
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
And…
James 2:14-16 CSB
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?
These verses clearly demonstrate that James is focusing on the actions of love and compassion, not the adherence to the Ten Commandments.
Romans 3:28 CSB
For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Galatians 2:16 CSB
and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.
Ephesians 2:8-9 CSB
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— [9] not from works, so that no one can boast.
Hebrews 11:6 CSB
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
1 John 5:4-5 CSB
because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. [5] Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Titus 3:4-9 CSB
But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, [5] he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy— through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. [6] He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. [8] This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. [9] But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.
In Philippians 3:8-9, Paul clearly states that he considers everything he once held as valuable, including his adherence to the Law, to be nothing but “dung” in comparison to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord. Paul recognizes that his righteousness can no longer come from following the Law, but instead must come from faith in Christ, which is the righteousness from God based on faith. This strong language used by Paul shows that he sees the Law as inferior and of no consequence when compared to the magnitude of knowing and having a relationship with Jesus.
Philippians 3:8-9 CSB
More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.
John 6:28-29,39-40 CSB
“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. [29] Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.” [39] This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Faith is not about keeping the Ten Commandments, but rather about demonstrating our love for others through the working of the Holy Spirit. Getting this wrong can have serious consequences, as Jesus clearly warns us.
Matthew 25:32-46 CSB
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] “‘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 took me in; [36] I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ [37] “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ [40] “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ [41] “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! [42] For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; [43] I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’ [44] “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’ [45] “Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ [46] “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The interconnection of all the verses is truly remarkable, and Matthew 7:12 from the Sermon on the Mount is particularly relevant to the theme that James is teaching, as it represents the Royal Command.
Matthew 7:12 CSB
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Eternal Sabbath Awaits: Believe the Gospel
By HEARING and BELIEVING the Gospel, you gain entry into Jesus’ eternal Sabbath REST, as clearly stated in the Bible.
Hebrews 3:6-19 CSB
But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast. [7] Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, [9] where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works [10] for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” [11] So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.” [12] Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. [13] But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. [14] For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. [15] As it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. [16] For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses? [17] With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? [18] And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? [19] So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4:1-11 CSB
Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short. [2] For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. [3] For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. [4] For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works. [5] Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest. [6] Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, [7] he again specifies a certain day—today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. [8] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. [9] Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. [10] For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. [11] Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.
Colossians 2:16-17 CSB
Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. [17] These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.
Matthew 11:28-30 CSB
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus is the Sabbath Rest… not a day. Today if you Hear His Voice you may enter His Rest.
Plus, the Bible says ALL of these festivals and Sabbaths which point to Christ would end. *the word Sabbath is the EXACT same word used in Exodus 20 and Colossians 2:16.
Hosea 2:11 CSB
I will put an end to all her celebrations: her feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths— all her festivals.
Lamentations 2:6 CSB
He has wrecked his temple as if it were merely a shack in a field, destroying his place of meeting. The LORD has abolished appointed festivals and Sabbaths in Zion. He has despised king and priest in his fierce anger.
Isaiah 1:13-14 CSB
Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies— I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. [14] I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them.
Jesus is the eternal Sabbath Rest that we enter upon hearing and believing the Gospel. So, let us make every effort to enter this rest by putting our faith in Jesus and finding rest for our souls.
Cut Off from Christ
There are SEVERE Eternal consequences for relying on the Law for salvation and/or keeping ANY of the commands listed in the Book of the Law of Moses which includes the Ten Commandments.
Galatians 3:8-14 CSB
Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. [9] Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith. [10] For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. [11] Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. [12] But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. [14] The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Can you answer these questions? What causes you to fall from grace? And, what is important? The Bible tells us plainly…
Galatians 5:1-6 CSB
For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. [2] Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. [3] Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. [5] For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
Galatians 2:14-21 CSB
But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?” [15] We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” [16] and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. [17] But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! [18] If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. [19] For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [21] I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Galatians 1:6-9 CSB
I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! [9] As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
Hebrews 10:28-30 CSB
Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know the one who has said, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people.
As demonstrated earlier in this study, these verses cannot refer exclusively to the ceremonial laws. Galatians 4, 2 Corinthians 3, significant sections of Hebrews, and Romans 7:1-4 all explicitly reference the Ten Commandments.
Are you obeying the Gospel and what the apostles taught about Him; or are you obeying the Old Covenant Law?
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 CSB
It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, [6] since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you [7] and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, [8] when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength [10] on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
Why You Won’t Listen to the Truth
The Bible explains why you do not believe the truth or listen, and it also tells us that the message of God’s power is simple to understand.
1 Corinthians 2:1-2,4-5 CSB
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. [2] I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [4] My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, [5] so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4,9-12 CSB
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, [2] not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has come. [3] Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. [4] He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. [9] The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, [10] and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. [11] For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, [12] so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.
1 John 4:3-6 CSB
but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. [4] You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. [5] They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
Jesus tell us plainly.
John 8:43,45-47 CSB
Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. [45] Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. [46] Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? [47] The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.
And, Jesus tells us again.
Matthew 13:11-17,23 CSB
He answered, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them. [12] For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. [13] That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand. [14] Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, but never understand; you will look and look, but never perceive. [15] For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn back— and I would heal them. [16] “Blessed are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear. [17] For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see but didn’t see them, to hear the things you hear but didn’t hear them. [23] But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 CSB
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent. [20] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? [21] For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. [22] For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, [23] but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. [24] Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, [25] because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
The Bible is clear…
Proverbs 8:1,6-9,32-35 CSB
Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard? [6] Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right. [7] For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. [8] All the words from my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. [9] All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. [32] “And now, sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy. [33] Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it. [34] Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway. [35] For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD,
Are you genuinely open to hearing and understanding God’s Word, or do you believe that you have complete knowledge of it? Have you dismissed certain verses without even giving them proper consideration?
The Danger of Teaching False Doctrines
The Bible contains a clear warning against teaching false doctrines, Old Covenant Laws, or anything that goes against the words of Jesus.
2 John 1:9-11 CSB
Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and do not greet him; [11] for the one who greets him shares in his evil works.
1 Timothy 6:3-4 CSB
If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, [4] he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions,
A Warning about Turning from GRACE to a false Gospel.
Galatians 1:6-9 CSB
I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! [9] As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
The Early Church discussed the matter of requiring anything other than GRACE as a requirement for Salvation.
Acts 15:1-2,5-11 CSB
Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” [2] After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. [5] But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” [6] The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. [7] After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. [8] And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. [9] He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. [10] Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? [11] On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
The early church wrote letters clearly instructing the churches not to teach the Law.
Acts 15:24 NKJV
Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”— to whom we gave no such commandment—
Paul issues a strict warning to the Teachers of the Law.
Titus 1:9-11,13,15-16 CSB
holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. [10] For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. [11] It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. [13] This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith [15] To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. [16] They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
The Bible says the goal of instruction is LOVE and the “teachers of the law” don’t know what they are talking about.
1 Timothy 1:3-7 CSB
As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach false doctrine [4] or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. [5] Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. [6] Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. [7] They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.
Legalism Blasphemes God with Hypocrisy
Is only one half of the following Bible verse true? Or, is it because JESUS is the substance of the Sabbath, and He is ready to SAVE lives? Pay close attention to one example of legalism’s hypocrisy.
John 5:18 CSB
This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.
Just one example: The SDA church thinks a day is more important than a life. For over 50 years the SDA church and their hospitals have murdered innocent and defenseless babies.
Matthew 12:12 CSB
A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.
Luke 6:9 CSB
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
Mark 3:4 CSB
Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.
Who saves lives? Jesus does, providing us with eternal rest! And who destroys lives? Some believe it is the SDA church and their hospitals performing abortions and thus committing blasphemy.
Romans 2:17-24,28-29 CSB
Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God, [18] and know his will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed from the law, [19] and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, [20] an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth in the law— [21] you then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? [22] You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? [23] You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? [24] For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. [28] For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. [29] On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.
By breaking the 6th Commandment, which prohibits murder, the SDA Church is committing blasphemy against God. However, it is important to note that we are all guilty of breaking God’s laws at some point in our lives. Whether it be through hate, lust, coveting, or lying, we have all failed to meet the standard set by God. When we demand adherence to the Law, we are actually undermining God’s grace and mercy, thereby committing blasphemy.
Jesus Alone Keeps Us From False Teachers
Jesus is our only teacher, and it’s crucial to your learning. Please ask Jesus to guide you!
Matthew 23:8-12 CSB
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. [9] Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. [10] You are not to be called instructors either, because you have one Instructor, the Messiah. [11] The greatest among you will be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
1 John 2:24-27 CSB
What you have heard from the beginning is to remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. [25] And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life. [26] I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. [27] As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in him.
2 John 1:6,9 CSB
This is love: that we walk according to his commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love. [9] Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.
Above all, following human-made teachings leads to massive negative consequences. Instead of following people, we should follow and trust Jesus.
Luke 6:39-40 CSB
He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? [40] A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Who is your guide: Ellen White or Jesus? Have you humbled yourself and allowed Jesus to lead you, or do you prioritize human teachings? Is the Bible inadequate to train you? Do you put your trust in Jesus alone?
The Gospel Holds The Key To Eternal Life
The power of the Good News is eternal life, which begins with the WORD, who is Jesus and has always existed.
John 1:1,3-4 CSB
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [3] All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Romans 1:16-17 CSB
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
James 1:18 CSB
By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
2 Corinthians 4:2-7 CSB
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth. [3] But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. [4] In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. [6] For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
2 Timothy 1:7,9-10,13 CSB
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. [9] He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. [10] This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. [13] Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:22-25 CSB
Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly, [23] because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. [24] For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, [25] but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.
Jesus’ Blood the Cost of Eternal Life
The grace you receive is a priceless gift, bestowed upon you by the Almighty. It is a divine offering that cost God everything – a sacrifice so great that words cannot do it justice. It is the ultimate demonstration of love, the purest expression of grace, and the most profound example of selflessness. Cherish this gift, for it was given to you with the greatest of care and the deepest of love.
Matthew 26:28 CSB
For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
John 6:53-54 CSB
So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. [54] The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day,
Acts 20:28-31 CSB
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. [31] Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
Romans 3:25-26 CSB
God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. [26] God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7-14 CSB
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace [8] that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. [9] He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ [10] as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. [11] In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, [12] so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. [13] In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. [14] The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
Hebrews 9:22,27-28 CSB
According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. [27] And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— [28] so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
1 Peter 1:8-13,18-19 CSB
Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. [11] They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. [12] It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things. [13] Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [18] For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.
Romans 5:6-10,15-21 CSB
For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. [8] But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. [10] For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. [15] But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. [16] And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. [17] If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. [18] So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. [19] For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. [20] The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more [21] so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Galatians 2:21 CSB
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Revelation 5:9-10 NLT
And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
The price for God’s amazing grace was the highest imaginable. Therefore, it would be a grave mistake to set it aside in favor of your own self-righteousness. Such a choice ultimately amounts to rejecting Christ and the salvation that He offers you.
Your True Calling
Let Jesus set you FREE from the power of sin.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 CSB
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Romans 7:6 CSB
But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.
2 Corinthians 3:6,15-18 CSB
He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [15] Yet still today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, [16] but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Philippians 2:1-2 CSB
If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, [2] make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
What could possibly be that one purpose?
1 Corinthians 13:13 CSB
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.
1 John 4:7-12,16-19 CSB
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. [10] Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. [16] And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. [17] In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. [19] We love because he first loved us.
Imagine a world where every person is willing to give everything they have, even their lives, for the benefit of others, including their enemies. This, my friends, embodies the true essence of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. It is a call to love, a New Commandment for a New Earth. Will you Hear His Voice today?
Romans 10:3-13 CSB
Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes, [5] since Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them. [6] But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, “Who will go up to heaven?” that is, to bring Christ down [7] or, “Who will go down into the abyss?” that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. [8] On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: [9] If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. [11] For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, [12] since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. [13] For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life.
Choose life. Choose to follow Jesus and let him set you free from the power of sin. Believe in him with all your heart and openly declare him as your Lord and Savior. This is the path to eternal life and the true essence of the Gospel. It’s time to experience the freedom, love, and joy that comes with living in the Spirit. So take this opportunity right now to answer the call of Jesus and make the choice for life. May God bless you as you do so.
It really is that simple. What an amazing God.
Are You Being Honest with Yourself
It is natural to feel fear when our beliefs are challenged or when we are confronted with new ideas that may conflict with what we have always believed. However, as believers, we must not let fear prevent us from honestly examining our faith and seeking the truth. In 1 Peter 3:15, the Bible says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” We are to be ready to defend our faith and explain the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” As believers, we are not to be afraid to defend our faith and share the gospel with others. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” We should not be afraid to share our faith with others, even if it may be difficult or unpopular.
As Christians, we have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and are not to be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Do not let fear or cowardice hold you back from boldly proclaiming the truth of the gospel and defending your faith. The consequences of being cowardly in our faith are severe, as Revelation 21:8 warns us that “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
It is crucial that we stand firm in our faith and boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel. As believers, it is essential that we regularly examine our faith and ensure that it is grounded in the truth of God’s Word. Take the time to honestly evaluate your faith and ensure that it is rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Be prepared to defend your beliefs and boldly proclaim the gospel to those around you. Do not let fear or cowardice hold you back from fulfilling your calling as a follower of Jesus Christ.
What specific arguments or evidence from the Bible do you have to support your beliefs, and how do you reconcile any conflicting or contradictory passages that may challenge them?
Proverbs 18:17 says, “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.”.
May you continue to seek the truth with a heart that is receptive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and a mind that is open to the revelation of God’s Word. As you journey on, may you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s character, His will for your life, and His plan of redemption. May you be filled with wisdom and discernment, and may the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. May you experience the joy and peace that come from walking with God, and may your relationship with Him deepen and flourish. May you always be reminded that the pursuit of knowledge and a deeper relationship with God is a lifelong journey that requires humility, faith, and a willingness to learn. May you be strengthened and encouraged in your pursuit of God, and may His grace and love sustain you every step of the way.