Blessing in personal sacrifice for the Lord

Isaiah 65:8,9. How many blessings do we throw away just because of inconvenience? How many more peanut butter sandwiches could we have gotten out of that jar? How many more hot dogs could we have covered with that almost empty ketchup bottle? How many more times could we have washed our hands with that little sliver of soap? How many more times could we have brushed our teeth by squeezing that almost empty tube? We don’t want to become misers, but we need to understand the importance of stewardship and the blessings that can flow from our faith especially when we think something is all used up. We think the blessing is having the money to buy more. But when we’re down to our last, there’s a blessing in it if we turn it over to God. This is true because we’re not depending on our ability to get more. We’re relying on our faith in God and faith activates blessings.

Everybody throws things away at different times. I throw watermelon away when it starts to taste more like water than it does melon. But I had a friend that would eat watermelon until his teeth were green. He still saw a blessing in it. Likewise, after the wine has been squeezed out of the cluster of grapes I may be ready to throw it away, but you might say, “Wait, we can get some more out of that. There’s a blessing still in it!”

 

Isaiah 65:8 is a message of encouragement because God is not through with us. Maybe we feel depressed thinking the best years of our lives are already gone. Maybe we think we’ve squeezed everything we could out of a situation and now we feel spent and useless. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t dispose of us when we think we’re done? Sometimes the pain we feel is God squeezing us because he knows there’s more inside of us. God says, “You’re my child and I still see a blessing in you. I can still do something with your life.” Saint’s, if you’re willing to keep trying, God is too. But He’s not going to force you. Nobody throws the toothpaste tube away until they first buy a new one. We just keep on squeezing and working it. Have you ever thrown the tube away, forgot to go to the store, and the next morning you’re digging through the trash looking for that old empty tube?

 

Sometimes that’s how it is spiritually. We’ll say, “I’m not squeezing that tube any more!” But if we don’t get a new tube, we just stop brushing. Now, if we stop brushing our teeth somebody is going to let us know. But if we stop brushing spiritually, stop reading our Bibles, stop praying, stop trusting God, stop giving, and stop going to church who really is going to know or care? But then we get life decay and our life becomes full of cavities. Then life becomes a series of never-ending painful root canals. God doesn’t want that for us. He’s telling us no matter how bad it seems, no matter how little we think we have left in ourselves, keep squeezing, don’t throw your life away because there’s a blessing in it if we have faith to believe.

 

In verse 9, notice that even when all the juice is gone God talks about bringing forth a seed. Your seed may be your children. Or it may be an idea or something else that you’ve started that someone else will finish. Either way, God is telling us that He can use us no matter how small, insignificant, or depleted we think we are. This is why giving up on yourself is not good because in reality it’s not just about you. You may never have major accomplishments, but God could be using you to plant major seeds that will greatly impact the kingdom.

 

The blessing is in being a good steward, walking by faith, and not wasting or despising what we have. Whether it’s food, money, time, or whatever, God blesses us with more when we’re good stewards over what we have. God is calling on us to work our blessings. But getting the most out of any blessing, squeezing it for all it’s worth, is often hard work. It’s so much easier to spend money than it is to plan to use it properly. But when we change that mentality one day we’ll have more money than we do needs.

 

I Kings 17:9-16. God tells Elijah that He has commanded a widow to take care of him. Despite God’s command the woman says I only have a little bit left and it’s only enough for me and my son. When we’re down to our last, obeying God becomes very hard because we become afraid. Elijah tells her in verse 13, however, fear not. Elijah then tells her to make him a little cake first and then fix one for her and her son. This sounds very selfish doesn’t it? What about women and children first? But then Elijah explains to her that there’s a blessing in it for her if she does things God’s way. On the surface, God’s way often looks like less for us, but we need to understand and believe that when we squeeze that there’s a blessing in it.

                                

We often look at God and the church as if they’re just another bill collector with their hand out. However, all God is trying to do is show us how to make a long-term investment. He’s trying to teach us that when we’re willing to make adjustments and honor God first, even when things are tight there’s a blessing in it that will be greater than what you had.

                              

The key to this message is when you’re down to your last whether it be spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally or financially, if you want to get through, that’s not the time to listen to your flesh or your emotions. That’s the time to make a change from how you’ve been doing things and listen to what God is telling you to do. God says, “OK, you’re a Christian, but from the first day you got saved you’ve been doing things your way. Now that you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel, would you please try to do things my way? Trust me, there’s a blessing in it!”

 

In verse 15 this woman had to decide to either preserve herself and her son or preserve the kingdom of God? She soon found out that by choosing to preserve the kingdom she was preserving herself. This woman was down to her last meal but after she obeyed, the scripture says that there was plenty of food in her house for many days. The simple lesson that we can learn from this story is if all we think about is ourselves we will run out. It doesn’t matter what it is, friends, money, happiness, if we only think about self we will run out and be miserable. Whether your barrel is full or empty, the blessing is in how you take from the barrel for someone other than yourself.

John 2:1-10. Jesus was at a wedding and they ran out of wine. The message here is two-fold. When you run out or are about to run out, call on Jesus. But when you call on Jesus please understand that He may ask you to do something that doesn’t make sense to you. When He calls, don’t hesitate to do whatever He tells you to do. The servants could have said, “Look Jesus, the Governor is out of wine. He wants more wine. So why are we filling these pots with water?” But there was a blessing in their obedience. They trusted God to provide and He did. What miracle are you waiting for God to perform in your life? What he may be asking of you might not make sense, but there’s a blessing in your obedience.

 

The governor had no idea just how profound his words were in verse 10. What we learn from his comments is that when God blesses you, what comes on the latter end is often better than what you had in the first place. It’s a shame that sometimes we have to come to the end of ourselves, sometimes things have to hit rock bottom before we really understand that God has something better for us and if we just obey Him, there’s a blessing in it

 

Mark 12:41-44. This poor woman was financially scraping the bottom of the barrel, but she gave. She was trusting God for her provision. Sometimes we can be intimidated by how much we’re giving in church in comparison to others. God is not counting the amount, He’s counting the faith. God is  impressed with our faith and obedience when we tithe and God is impressed by our faith and sacrifice when we give our last $2. But once again, why are we talking about giving God our last when the Bible instructs us to bless God with our first fruits? When we first get paid we should give God our first and our best and not our leftovers. And when things are tight and we sacrifice for the kingdom no matter how little it may seem to us, Jesus sees it, acknowledges it, and honors it. When we give by faith of our first fruits, there’s a blessing in our obedience. When we give by faith out of our lack and our last, there’s a blessing in our sacrifice.

                              

The more we think about our financial situation, the harder it is to do what is right before God. We know tithing is the right thing to do and it is so much easier when we do it without thinking about it. We all seem to run out of money. But when we don’t give the first fruit we’ll find that we get down to our last fruit a whole lot quicker. When we’re down to our last we say, yes there’s a blessing in it and it’s all for me. We don’t mean to disrespect God, but if we don’t give Him that first bite, before we know it, we’re down to the last bite and it’s hard to give that up. This woman gave all that she had. She may have given God the first bite, but she knew that there was also a blessing in giving God that last bite.

 

Genesis 18:23-33. Abraham kept on squeezing and squeezing. And God didn’t seem to be annoyed because Abraham was squeezing for a good cause. He was not squeezing for himself. He saw a blessing in others even though they were living in a city filled with sin. Abraham was trying to get everybody saved that he could. How often when we ask God for something are we trying to squeeze something for someone else’s benefit? Or are we always trying to squeeze God for something for ourselves? There’s a blessing in it when we learn to be concerned with the welfare of others. Abraham thought God would get mad at him, but he didn’t understand that it’s God’s will that none should perish. God understood that there were some good people left in Sodom and if Abraham wasn’t ready to give up then God wasn’t either.

 

It would be so easy to view this message solely from an economic standpoint, but God is more interested in you than your money. God is after your heart and if your heart is in the right place your money will follow. God is most interested in the gift and the potential that He has placed inside of you. He wants to see it squeezed out of you so that you reach your greatest potential. He doesn’t want to see you throw the rest of your life away. But you have to have faith to believe that there is still a blessing inside of you. There’s still something of value inside of you that the world has not yet seen.

 

Sometimes all we see is ruin and destruction. We give up on our hopes, our dreams, and on people. God however, is not ready to quit. God’s philosophy is that as long as there is breath, there is hope. God needs some people that are not quitters; people that will squeeze for others and squeeze for the kingdom; people who, despite how terrible a situation may be, will always find the positive in it; people who are willing to trust him when the barrel is full as well as when the barrel is almost empty. God is looking for people who are ready to obey, give of themselves, and sacrifice for the good of the kingdom. God is looking for people who understand and walk in proper stewardship whether it be in small things or large things. His message to all who would hear and obey us, a blessing is in it. AMEN.

Help with decerning the correct church to attend

Bible Question:I am currently attending a church that has undergone a split in the congregation. The split occurred before I started attending so I do not know the actual reason(s) for such a division. The question I ask is this: If those that left did so because they felt there were sinful situations present in the church (i.e... divorced people remarrying in the church, elders not meeting the biblical requirements), are they sinning by leaving or am I sinning by staying in such a situation? I have been saved approximately seven months and vaguely remember reading in the Bible that if you allow yourself to be in the company of sinful people or sinful circumstances, you are also partaking in such sin. I really would like to know if this is true or not so I can take appropriate measures.

Bible Answer: Yes, God does tell us that we are influenced by those around us. That is a truth that applies to every close relationship, and a church setting is a close situation. The spiritual quality of the leadership determines the effectiveness of the church. Immoral leaders will result in either the church not growing or in deformed growth.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (NASB) 1 Corinthians 15:33

When to Leave a Church. Leaving a church is a difficult decision. There are good reasons to leave and there are bad reasons to leave. Unfortunately, many church leaders rarely think there is a good reason to leave their churches since they are responsible for the conditions of the church - good or bad. Here are some issues to consider when thinking about leaving a church.

	Reason To Leave A Church	Passage
	Truth is not being taught	Acts 20:29-31 Rev. 2:12-16
	Leadership is overly controlling and unloving	3 John 9-11
	Leadership is biblically unqualified	1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9
	Pastor and/or leaders are living in sin	1 Tim. 5:19-21
	Leadership does not deal with sin	Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-13

It is important to evaluate a church not just by what is taught, but also by what is not being taught. We need to ask, "Does the pastor teach about hell, the Holy Spirit, prophecy, sin, Satan, Jesus as the God-man, and salvation?" What are his views on homosexuality, the role of women in the church, the authority of scripture? Does he believe the Bible is completely and totally without error? Or does he believe it contains mistakes in the areas of faith, prophecy, history, and science? Some pastors will teach only those portions of the Bible that are currently "safe" or popular with today's culture. A faithful pastor does not hesitate to teach all of the Bible and to explain it in depth. The teaching of the Word of God should be the major portion of the service.

Another reason to leave a church is a leadership team that is not lovingly caring for the congregation. When the focus of the church becomes the organizational structural, "getting things done," and building the size of the church more than in the teaching of scripture and loving people, it is an indication that the leaders care more about the organization and their position than Jesus. The Apostle Peter encouraged elders to be more concerned about the flock of God when he said,

. . nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (NASB) 1 Peter 5:3

Closely connected to unloving leadership is an overly controlling leadership team. While it is necessary for a leadership team to be in control of it's ministries and operation, excessive control is wrong. How does one determine what is excessive? This is very difficult since leadership must prevent error from being taught, control its ministries and must deal with sin. But 3 John 9-11 provides an incredible example. This passage reveals a church where either the pastor or some layman unilaterally prevented people from coming to the church and unilaterally removed people from the church. 

Another major reason to leave a church is the existence of biblically unqualified men in the leadership team. The biblical qualifications for leaders, including the pastor, are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7-9. The health of a church is determined by the spiritual condition of the leadership. A church will never rise above its leadership. If a church is characterized by being spiritually immature, biblically illiterate, or as a congregation that does not love others, then most likely the men in the leadership are not spiritually qualified. It also implies that their relationship with Jesus is not growing. If the leaders are truly seeking more of Jesus then it should show in the lives of the congregation. A congregation should be characterized as one which is seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus.

A fourth reason to leave the church is when a church does not discipline those leaders who have sinned. For example, a pastor who has had a sexual affair with anyone other than his wife does not belong in ministry. 1 Tim. 3:2 disqualifies him. Consequently, he should not be in ministry until he can demonstrate to the leadership team that he is again qualified. This will take many years before he should be considered ready to assume some form of ministry. How else can he demonstrate a pattern of life? One month or one year is not enough. Some other sins to be concerned about are gluttony, desire for money, luxurious living, arrogance, or significant financial debt.

The final reason to leave a church is when its leadership will not deal with sin in the congregation - not just the leadership. Matthew 18:15-18 outlines the process commonly called church discipline. In this passage, Jesus teaches that both the congregation and the leadership must be willing to deal with sin. In 1 Corinthians 5 the apostle Paul rebuked an entire congregation for not dealing with sexual sin between a man and his step-mother. It is important to note that he rebuked both the leadership and the entire congregation. If a congregation and its leadership is unwilling to deal with sin, then run.

What To Look For In A Church. On the positive side, here are some guidelines for choosing or staying in a church.

	Leadership
	- are qualified 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9 - are godly examples Hebrews 13:7; 1 Peter 5:3 - are self-sacrificing John 21:15-19; Acts 20:31
	Pastor
	- teaches the Bible in depth Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Tim. 4:13; - has passion to teach truth 2 Timothy 2:2; James 3:1 - has a passionate love for Jesus John 21:15-17 Phil. 3:8
	Congregation
	- people are loving Hebrews 10:24-25 - ministers together Acts 2:42; Hebrews 6:10 - supports the leadership Hebrews 13:7, 13; Hebrews 6:10

The church needs to be on fire for the Lord Jesus. Some churches are looking back over their shoulders at the years when their church was dynamic and growing. Now their church may not be growing and may even be decreasing in size. They may have a wonderful church building, successful leaders from the world, and a radio or a television ministry. But these are not the marks of God's ideal church.

Ultimately, God is looking for biblically qualified leaders who are eagerly seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus, and as a result are shepherding the men and women in the church. One of the most significant functions of the leadership team is that they are good Bible teachers and they are teaching. The leadership team is training men and women to be the future leaders in the church. They are seeking to train others who will eventually take over their ministries. That is true discipleship. Otherwise, the training is merely book study and empty activity without any fulfillment.

Conclusion: If you decide that the men and women who left the church did so for good reasons and if the conditions are the same today, then I would encourage you to start looking for a good church using the guidelines above. Every church is different, even within denominations since the pastor and the leadership team are different. The quality of the leadership and what is taught or not taught are key indicators whether the Holy Spirit is actively working in the church. When error is taught and the leadership is unqualified, the Holy Spirit will not be very effective in the life of the people. But when men and women desire to live godly lives, submit to the Holy Spirit, faithfully teach and obey the Word of God, and seek an intimate relationship with Jesus, great things will happen

Previous Questions and Answers

Criticism of answer to "Should a woman wear pants?"

From Liberty Gospel Tracts

    Why are you so caught up in only pants for men and only dresses for women when no one wore pants at the time Deuteronomy was written? Duet 22:5 (I see no reference to pants or skirts in this verse).  Do you have tassels on the four corners of your garment? Deut 22:12.  Have you ever planted your field or garden with more than one kind of seed? (I think this should include lawns where this is a common practice to have more than one type of grass planted) Duet 22:9.  Do you wear wool-blended clothing? (Some translations would make it any two kinds of fabric) Deut 22:11.  I think all of these should be taken into account to answer this question wisely. Either we must obey all of Deuteronomy to a tee or we must realize that it was written for the Israelites in order for them to be separate. There are plenty of verses about proper sexual conduct, modesty, and appropriate living outside of Deuteronomy. Remember Galatians chapter 5.

 

  Deuteronomy 22:1-3 says, "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself." If you find something which someone has lost, do you not think the Biblical thing to do is return it? Are these verses not valid because they are in the Old Testament?

Deuteronomy 22:4 says, "Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again." If you saw a person trying to lift a heavy load, but could not do it alone, would you stop and help him? Do you not think that it is the Biblical thing to do? Are these verses not valid, because they are in the Old Testament?

Deuteronomy 22:5 says, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Why would the first four verses be valid today, but suddenly the fifth one would not? Why would people be against the fifth verse? Because it is one which calls the believer to be different from the world, and carnal Christians do not like to be told that, because it brings persecution. John 15:19,20 says, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” I John 2:15-17 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Psalm 119:96 says, “I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.” The Bible is exceeding broad; that is, it can be applied to a broad range of things in life, and to any culture during any generation. In our culture, pants do not pertain to a woman -- even the world knows that (look at the door of the next public restroom you see). In our culture, a dress does not pertain to a man (look at the restroom door again). The Bible clearly says here, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." That commandment is exceeding broad, and applies to our culture and to our generation. Therefore, it is wrong for a woman to wear pants and for a man to wear a dress in our culture.

In any culture, it must be determined what pertains to what gender; and then, if it is indeed modest. In some cultures, traditional dress is not modest (many tribes of the world fall into this category). That is why missionaries have to be sent to many nations of the world, because they do not have the true gospel, and their long-standing culture reflects their long-standing separation from the true and the living God — it is shown in their immodest dress.

We are living in a distressing day of political correctness, even amongst churches and missionaries. When I was a boy, I sat in church and watched missionary slides of their new converts on the field. They showed the new female converts in dresses, and the new male converts in pants and shirts (compared to distant shots of half naked, unsaved people). Back in those days, I never heard one statement criticizing those missionaries for teaching those new converts to dress that way (which was modest).

But now, what a change has taken place! Now, missionary candidates are grilled in Candidate School, “Do not go over there and Americanize those people!” I sat in on such a candidate class in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the late 70’s, and heard that very thing. And what did he mean by Americanizing those people? Teaching the women to wear modest dresses, and the men to wear pants and shirts. I was heartbroken then, and see the terrible fruit of that influence upon the missionaries that are being sent to the field today (they go out in their shorts and slit skirts, so how can they teach anyone else modesty?) Those young candidates were being intimidated to NOT preach the whole counsel of God. What is the Great Commission? Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” We are not to just preach the gospel, but also the all things of the Scriptures — which happen to include modest clothing, and distinctive clothing (a distinctive difference between the way that men and women dress, so that there is absolutely no confusion as to whether the person is male or female, and no reason to look over people’s bodies). What has changed? American Christians have changed. To get Americans into church now, many churches advertise “Come as you are!” “Casual dress!” I would encourage you to carefully and prayerfully study the Bible Course on the Christian’s Appearance “http://www.libertygospeltracts.com/biblecrs/cappear/cappear1.htm”.

Deuteronomy 22:6,7 says, "If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days." What is this? It is very simply, wise, wildlife management, which is in effect in every state. If you make it a practice of killing the young and the parents as well, then soon you will have no wildlife for food to eat. Are these verses not valid because they are found in the Old Testament?

Deuteronomy 22:8 says, "When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence." What is this? It is called liability. If you lived in some countries where they still have patios on the rooftops, then you would be expected to make a railing of some sort along the edge, so that people did not accidentally fall off and get hurt. The same principle is in effect in our area. If you build a deck on your home, you must make a railing along it, with the spindles no father apart than 4 inches. If you have steps up to your home, more than two steps high, the same applies for a railing along the steps. These were not always building codes in our area, but they are now, because people have gotten hurt. Are these verses not valid because they are found in the Old Testament?

If that is your feeling, then not even Christian lawyers agree with you. I just received the May 2004 newsletter, “The Legal Alert,” from the Christian Law Association. On page 6, they stated the following, “The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 22:8 that God is concerned about reasonable building safety. For instance, the Lord instructs the Israelites to ‘make a battlement for thy roof’ so that innocent people will not accidentally fall and be killed or injured.” Are those Christian lawyers wrong for using that verse and applying it to New Testament churches?

You have a great misunderstanding as to the place of the Old Testament in the life of the believer. Long before there were building codes, a Christian who believed the Bible would protect himself from liabilities like as is mentioned above, because he knew that God expected him to do so. How? From reading this passage in the Old Testament. God's Laws and principles have placed His people way ahead of those who do not read them. Deuteronomy 4:1-6 says, "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. KEEP THEREFORE AND DO THEM; FOR THIS IS YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN THE SIGHT OF THE NATIONS, WHICH SHALL HEAR ALL THESE STATUES, AND SAY, SURELY THIS GREAT NATION IS A WISE AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE."

Deuteronomy 22:9 says, "Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled." Once again, you are in error, because you evidently do not understand the extreme importance of this principle.

If you were a farmer, you would believe this verse is still important today, and would not casually say, "Oh, that is just Old Testament -- just forget about that! We no longer have to pay attention to that!" The reason that people pay no attention to this verse and principle involved, is because they BUY their SEEDS from someone else when they get ready to plant their garden or fields each year (someone who does practice the principle in this verse). But if WE had to SAVE OUR OWN SEEDS each year to plant the NEXT YEAR, then we would soon find out how important this verse is, and we would wish that we had OBEYED this verse. Call any SEED COMPANY, and see if they obey this principle when they are growing crops for the seed to sell the following year, and you will learn something. They make sure that only ONE SPECIFIC CROP is grown in a certain field, and when it is something like corn, and it tassels out, they hire people to come in and CUT OFF the TASSELS by hand to make sure that it IN NO WAY MIXES with ANY OTHER CORN that may be in the vicinity. If you have ever planted different kinds of squash close together in the garden, or different kinds of melons close together, you would know how easily they cross breed. This verse is extremely important today, and our government takes great care to warehouse pure strains of seeds in case of a blight that corrupts certain strains of seed. Do you say that this verse is not valid because it is in the Old Testament? Then the world is wiser than you are.

Deuteronomy 22:10 says, “Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.” That is cruel to put two different types of animals together in a yoke to pull, when they have two different gaits (a manner of walking or moving on foot; a sequence of foot movements, as a walk, trot, pace, or canter; a manner or rate of movement or progress—Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). God has never been in favor of unnecessary cruelty to animals, and that would be an example. Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Sometimes professing Christians have been put to shame by lost people, for the way that they treat their animals. Numbers 22:21-33 says, “And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.” Do these verses not apply to us, because they are found in the Old Testament?

Deuteronomy 22:11 says, “Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.” I have no expertise in materials that work well together in clothing, but if God said this, then there is a good reason for it. I do know that some types of fabric shrink more than others, and if you made a garment using two types of thread, it may look terrible after being washed (most wives could tell you of clothes that they bought for the family, that came out of the wash looking terrible and required much time just trying to make them look presentable to wear). Is this verse not a worthy principle to observe, because it is in the Old Testament?

Deuteronomy 22:12 says, “Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.” Numbers 15:38-40 gives more information on the fringe, “SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, and bid them THAT THEY MAKE THEM FRINGES IN THE BORDERS OF THEIR GARMENTS throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.” Notice to whom this was spoken. This command was GIVEN SPECIFICALLY to the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL — not to all people.

The SABBATH DAY was also given specifically to the children of Israel. Exodus 31:16,17 says, “Wherefore THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL KEEP THE SABBATH, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. IT IS A SIGN BETWEEN ME AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FOR EVER: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” That is why to the church was written in Colossians 2:14-17, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Although there is no command for us to make such fringes today upon our garments, if it would help us to remember the Word of God; and help others looking at us to remember the Word of God — it might be a good idea!  The fact of the matter is that when people see women and girls wearing modest, long, loose-fitting dresses, they often do think of religious matters. I can recall a time when our church families were out playing softball. We ask our ladies to wear modest dresses, skirts, or culottes to all church times of fellowship. Some young men stopped to watch us for a while, and one of them finally asked, “Are you Amish?” Even though the Amish (at least many of them), are not correct in their doctrine, the world looks at them as a very religious group. Those young men looked at us, and knew that we were some kind of a religious group.

I went to Bible College in the late 70’s at Tennessee Temple University. Back in those days, young ladies in the school were never allowed to wear pants. And when anyone in Chattanooga, Tennessee, saw a young lady in a modest dress, 9 times out of 10 it would be a Tennessee Temple student. And if you saw a clean cut young man with a decent, short haircut, it was most generally a young man from Tennessee Temple. The motto of the school back in those days was “Distinctively Christian.” It was NEVER taught that you go to heaven by dressing or looking a certain way, but it was preached RED HOT that if you are a Christian, your body is not your own, but God’s, and you better remember that. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” What a shame today, that Christians usually look just like the world. If young men stop to watch Christians play softball today, they are probably just stopping to get their lust fulfilled as they watch all the girls and women in their short shorts and immodest tops.

Deuteronomy 22:13-30 says, “If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid: Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her; And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him; And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days. But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.”

Should the above verses be discarded because they are in the Old Testament, too? If they were practiced, there would not be the immorality that we see so rampant today. If these verses were practiced, the practice of dating would have to disappear (you better visit the Marriage Bible Courses on this site). The huge number of young people in churches today do not come to the marriage altar pure. And that, again, takes us back to the way that women and girls are dressing (both in church and out of church). How shameful to see the slit skirts, tight skirts, low cut tops, and other things that people wear to church. Outside of the church, they are as sensual in their appearance as any woman or girl of the world. Why are there so many rapes today, (a problem also discussed in the verses above)? It has a lot to do with the way that women and girls dress.

You said, “Either we must obey all of Deuteronomy to a tee or we must realize that it was written for the Israelites in order for them to be separate.”

That is not good Bible study advice at all. We should not throw out an entire Book of the Bible, if any part of it applies to someone other than us. According to your advice, then must be we should also throw out the Book of 1 Peter. It begins by saying, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” Are you a stranger from any of those cities? Then does that mean that the whole Book of 1 Peter does not apply to you, and should just be discarded?

We must consider every word; every verse; every passage; every context; from every Book of the Bible, and see if it should be applied to our lives. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” If you fail to study the Word of God, and apply it to your life, then you are going to stand before the Lord ashamed one day.  2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says, "ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  Did God only expect Israel to be separate from the world?  2 Corinthians 6:17 says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive

The Doom of Sodom Warning

SODOM was situated in a beautiful and fertile plain, and reveled in an abundance of everything that nature and art could bestow. The inhabitants of Sodom seemed to be strangers to want and to work. A poor man was not permitted to become an inhabitant of the city. He was driven out by abuse, or if not driven out, was the victim of an iniquitous plan that compassed his ruin. The people of this wicked city took no thought for the future life. Idleness and wealth and love of excitement carried them into every excess of pleasure and indulgence. The sensual, animal nature was cultivated, and as, like the world before the flood, the imagination of their hearts was evil, and evil continually, they set their minds to work to find out new, unnatural ways whereby they might gratify their abominable, corrupt passions. Inspiration gives a testimony concerning the corrupt condition of the world before the flood. The Bible says: "As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." Before the flood they employed all their powers for the gratification of base passions, and cast contempt upon the law of God, and as it was in the days of the flood, so it was in the time of Sodom. They would not admit for a moment that their devotion to sensual pleasure brought upon them guilt and danger. They knew not that the cloud of divine wrath, which their sin had for years been loading, was about to break forth in vengeance upon them. Before the time of Sodom's overthrow, two angels visited Abraham and were courteously entertained. As they were passing on their way to Sodom, Abraham accompanied them, and they revealed to the patriarch the errand for which they had come,--to destroy Sodom. They told Abraham that because of the grievous wickedness of the inhabitants, the city was to be destroyed. Abraham knew that Lot was in this place, and although he had been taught of God, he could not believe that the inhabitants of Sodom were so utterly corrupt. He began to plead that the righteous should not perish with the wicked, that if a certain number of the godly were there, the city might be spared. Pleading for the city, he decreased the number of righteous that would be likely to be found in the city, until he reached the number of ten. But although God would have spared the city if ten righteous persons could have been found there, that number could not be made up to redeem the city. As the evening draws on, the men of Sodom see the two messengers approaching, but as they have concealed their heavenly character, they appear as common men coming in from the country to visit Sodom. If the veil could be removed from our eyes we should often see in the form of men, the powerful messengers of mercy or of wrath among us. They warn, they caution, they reprove, they protect from a thousand dangers, and yet we know not that the angel's blessing has come to us. As the angels draw nigh unto Sodom, only one man manifests an interest in the strangers. Lot welcomed them in, invited them to his house. He was ignorant in regard to the character of these men, and knew not the terrible errand upon which they had come; but the courtesy which he manifested was in harmony with his character, and he was saved from the general ruin. Had he appeared indifferent to these strangers, he would not have secured to himself such help as only the angels can give. Many a house has been closed to strangers who were God's messengers of hope, and blessing, and peace. In neglecting the commonest duties of life, withholding kindness and courtesy and hospitality, we miss the richest blessings heaven has to bestow. When the men of Sodom saw that Lot opened his doors to these strangers, that he did not treat them with derision and contempt, they were stirred with passion. As Lot in Eastern fashion bows in deference, and invites them to share his home, they taunt and jeer. Lot was a man of great wealth, but in showing respect to these travelers he did not meet the mind of these ease-loving Sodomites. They crowded about the house of Lot, and as the crowd increased, vile speeches were made which revealed the state of corruption that existed among the people, and the worst suggestions were received and acted upon. The crowd became more clamorous in their cries to have Lot bring forth the strangers to them; for they had become so base through the indulgence of evil passions, that every good thought had been uprooted, and reason was so clouded that they would even do violence to the angels of heaven. The angels had come to see if there were any in the city who were not corrupted, and could be persuaded to flee from the impending doom that threatened Sodom. That night the evil doers added the last drop to their cup of iniquity, and the wrath of God could no longer be delayed. The night of the destruction of Sodom the inhabitants of the city were doing that which they had been doing through all their past life. They were no more base and dissolute and corrupt than on other nights when strangers had entered their city; but there is a point beyond which there is no reprieve, and that night the inhabitants of Sodom passed the mystic boundary that decided their destiny. Lot expostulated with them at his door, and refused to permit them to do violence to the strangers who were in his house. But the evil doers had no idea of being restrained from accomplishing their purpose, but thought to beat Lot to the ground, and get access to the strangers. Before this was done, the angels drew Lot into the house, and smote the men with blindness, so that they wearied themselves to find the door. The angels then told Lot what was their errand, and made known to him that God would bring destruction upon the wicked city. Lot believed the word of the angels, but his family was reluctant to receive their message, for they had so long lived in sight and sound of wickedness that their senses were blunted to the grievous character of sin. Lot had afflicted his soul for the debasing sins that the Sodomites were continually committing, and yet even he had not thought their sin was of the debasing character it was, nor deemed that it was so firmly seated as to yield to no remedy. He begs permission of the angels to go forth and warn his daughters and sons-in-law who live in the city. He made his way through the rabble, who were prevented from injuring him by the power of the angels, and gave his message to his children. With grief and terror he begs them to leave the doomed city, and flee with him ere its destruction shall be accomplished, but they look upon him as upon one who is mad, coming to them with such a message at the midnight hour. They laugh at his fears, and think some horrible nightmare has crazed his brain. They will not trouble themselves about the matter, but treat it as a joke, and these who will not receive the message, sleep on, heedless of the last warning of their lives. Anxious and disappointed, Lot returns to his home through the rabble, and finds the angels still waiting, urging that Lot and his family leave the city before the sun is fully risen. As they go out they see no visible token of God's displeasure. Everything seems to say peace and safety. The sun is illuminating the eastern hills with golden beams, and everything in nature seems to say peace. But the words of the angels ring in the ears of Lot, saying, "The Lord will destroy this city." Unbelief did not prevent the destruction of Sodom. Trifling and gayety did not secure its inhabitants against the doom that overtook the wicked city. They flattered themselves that long days of indulgence in sin were yet to be theirs, but in such an hour as they thought not of, ruin encompassed them. How hard it was for Lot to leave Sodom! Part of his family had to be left behind, and all the wealth he had accumulated had to be sacrificed. He must go out from Sodom a poor man. The labor of years has to be counted in vain. He does not feel the terrible necessity for God's judgment to fall upon the wicked city, and he still lingers. The angels urge his immediate departure; but Lot, stupefied with sorrow for the loss of his children and property, still hesitates. The angels lay hold of his hands, and the hands of his wife and children, and with merciful violence hasten them out of the city. When they reach the city limits, a word of command is given with startling vehemence: "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest ye be consumed." A few moments' delay now, a few moments of hesitancy, a few moments' disregard of the warning, will cost the fugitives their lives. They are not even to turn their eyes back to see if their beautiful home has survived the general ruin, or the storm will burst upon them. God has delayed his retributive judgment only that they may escape. What care, what tenderness, to these four who flee from the doomed city! Lot is confused, terrified, and distracted. He begs to be allowed to rest at a little settlement on this side the mountains. Unbelief sprang up in his heart, and he said: "Oh, not so, my Lord; behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die; behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one; oh, let me escape thither (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar." But why should Lot not have trusted the mercy of the angels in directing him to escape to the mountains, since he ascribed to them the saving of his life? Lot's stay in Sodom had not tended to increase his faith in God, nor had his intercourse with those who knew not God tended to convert them from the error of their way. He had pleaded that the angels permit him to take up his abode in the city of Zoar, saying, "Is it not a little one? and my soul shall live," as though the God who had directed his escape from Sodom did not understand how to preserve the life he had saved. But what mercy and condescension are manifested by the God of heaven! His request is heard, and his plea granted; yet how much better would it have been to heed the angel's voice, and go to the mountains, as far as possible from the wicked city. The angel bids him to hasten, because the fiery storm would be widespread and terrible. One of the four fugitives ventures to cast a lingering look behind, to see the coming storm, and the number is less by one; for she stands as a memento of God's wrath, turned into a pillar of salt. Had Lot earnestly and firmly fled to the mountains, as the angels had directed, without pleading for a new plan, his wife would not have transgressed the commandment of the angels, and would have been at his side. When the first beams of the morning dawn, the inhabitants of Sodom are not aware of the departure of Lot and the angels. They were determined to abuse the strangers, but as they come to the house of Lot, it is found vacant, and the hour of doom comes upon them. And the Lord rains fire and brimstone upon the city, and the beautiful plain that looked like Paradise when the angels passed over it, now looks like a parched and blackened desert. The smoke of the burning goes up like the smoke of a great furnace, and the whole heaven is illuminated with the flames of the great conflagration. Sodom has become a place of desolation and ruin. The sin of the people rose up to heaven, and because of the iniquity of the people, the Lord poured out the vials of his wrath. The fearful doom of Sodom stands forth as a warning for all time, and especially for those who live in the last days. The destruction of Sodom was a symbol of the destruction that will come upon the finally impenitent, when tempests of fire come from above, and fountains of flame break forth from the crust of the earth. The fate of this ancient city should be a warning to all who live for self, and who corrupt their ways before God. The sin of Sodom is the sin of many cities now in existence, that have not been destroyed as was Sodom. Ezekiel says, "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me; therefore I took them away as I saw good." The warning that was given to Lot comes down to us who live in this degenerate age,--"Escape for thy life." The voice of the tempter is crying peace and safety. The evil one would have you feel that you have nothing to fear, and bids you eat, drink, and be merry. Which voice will you heed, the voice of heaven, or the voice that lures you to destruction? The Redeemer of the world, the compassionate Friend of man, discloses to our eyes the fact that there is a sin greater than the sin of Sodom. It is that of sinning against greater light. To those who have heard and have not heeded the gospel invitation to repent and have faith in Christ, the sin is greater than was the sin of Sodom. To those who have professed the name of Jesus, who have professed to know God, and to keep his commandments, and yet who have misrepresented Christ in their daily life and character, who have been warned and entreated, and still dishonor their Redeemer by their unconsecrated lives, the sin is greater than that of Sodom. Jesus said: "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained unto this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." The warning of Christ sounds down along the lines to our day. He would arouse the people for whom he gave his life, and attract their attention to himself, the source of all wisdom, righteousness, strength, and hope, and peace. He would have his people let their light shine forth to the world in good works. The sins of Sodom are repeated in our day, and the earth is destroyed and corrupted under the inhabitants thereof; but the worst feature of the iniquity of this day is a form of godliness without the power thereof. Those who profess to have great light are found among the careless and indifferent, and the cause of Christ is wounded in the house of its professed friends. Let those who would be saved, arouse from their lethargy, and give the trumpet a certain sound; for the end of all things is at hand

Grace, Faith, Works, Obedience.

Grace, Faith, Works and Obedience - How Do They All Work Together?

Grace "FOR by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Ephesians 2:8. Now, being saved by grace is a wonderful thing isn't it? It is a gift from God just as Ephesians 2:8 says. If we were to look up the word grace in the dictionary we would find many definitions. One definition that I especially like is, "the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God." There are others also that I like, "mercy; clemency; pardon." So we can see that grace is unmerited favor from God to man. We can not earn grace or mercy or pardon, it is a free gift. Praise God for that! That is why it says in the very next verse, that we would boast if we could work our way to heaven. "Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:9. Works Now that we have looked at grace, lets look into this word, works. What is works? Will anyone ever be saved by works? Can we work our way to heaven by works?  I do not for one minute believe that we will be saved by our works or can work our way to heaven. According to the Bible, we will be judged by our works. Look at this verse:   "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:12. So, we can not work our way to heaven by our good works, but we should have good works, shouldn't we? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. The point is, we cannot work our way to heaven, but because we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we will have good works - not to be saved, but because we are saved. If Jesus Christ is living and dwelling in our hearts, we cannot help but have good works in our lives, doing good for others, helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Letting our light shine before men, so they will glorify our Father which is in heaven. That is true Christianity. If we are doing good for others so that we will bring glory to ourselves, then we have the wrong motive. Also, don't forget that Jesus is going to reward us according to our works. This does not do away with grace, we are still saved by grace. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12. Faith You see, works is very closely associated with faith. If we say we have faith and do not have corresponding works, then do we really have faith? "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" James 2:14. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." James 2:17,18. So, faith without works is dead. If we have faith, we will have corresponding works. But our works will not save us, because we are saved by grace. But our works will be judged and rewarded. So, as you can see, works is not a dirty word as some Christians would have you believe. But we have to look at our motives and decide if we are doing things for the right reasons or not. Obedience Another word that Christians sometimes confuse with works is obedience. If I am doing what God has asked me to do by obeying Him, is that works? Look at this most important verse; "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Hebrews 5:9. So from the looks of this verse, we will only receive salvation, if we obey God. On the other hand, if we do not obey God, we will not receive salvation. If I can only make it to heaven by obeying God, why do Christians sometimes become upset when it comes to obedience? That is a mystery. The only thing they can say is, we are saved by grace, we cannot earn our salvation. But is obeying God, trying to earn salvation? Look at this most solemn verse:  "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. God is going to take vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel, these people will not be going to heaven... I believe we should obey the gospel. We should do everything that God has asked us to do. One way that we can show our obedience to God is by keeping His 10 Commandments. Jesus made this very clear from the following verses: "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew 19:16-19. If thou will enter into life, keep the 10 commandments,  Was Jesus doing away with grace and instituting works? Of course not. He was simply stating that in order to enter heaven, you have to be a commandment keeper. And remember we keep the commandments because we are saved, not to be saved.   From the following verses, you will see that by keeping God's commandments we show our love to Him and if we say we know God and keep not His commandments we are liars and the truth is not in us.  "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:3,4. "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1 John 3:24. "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12. In Conclusion If we do His commandments, we will have right to the tree of life. People can confuse Revelation 22:14 (see below) with works, but it is pure and simple obedience. It doesn't take anything away from being saved by grace. Obedience and faith and works are the fruits of our conversion. It is an outward sign of our inward heart condition. God will accept nothing less, if you believe He will, you are only fooling yourself. Its really not that complicated, its only when we try to get to heaven on our own terms and go contrary to the Bible that we make it complicated. We are saved by grace, not by works of the law. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20. The experience of salvation by grace, however, results in obedience to God's law. Works of faith demonstrate that Christ's grace is operating in the life to bring us into accord with the righteous principles of His law. We are judged by the law, the great standard of righteousness because Christ's grace has been made available as the power to obey it. Our works are judged because grace makes possible works that are acceptable to God. Obedience is a sign of our love for God and our willingness to render Him true worship. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. Obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit is not legalism. "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1 John 3:24. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14.

Not one jot or one tittle shall in any wise pass from the Law

verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Mat 5:18)

“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one pronunciation mark of the law to fail.” (Luk 16:17)

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For the record:

One jot. The word jot, or yod—’—is the name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

One tittle. The Hebrew letters were written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin or Sin, which serve to distinguish one letter from another. To change a small point of one letter, therefore, does vary the meaning of a word, and destroy the sense (a tiny tittle changes a letter into a different letter & thereby changes the meaning). Hence the Jews were exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. The expression, "one jot or tittle," became proverbial, and means that the smallest part of the Law cannot be destroyed.

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Here our Lord Jesus makes a very strong affirmation in saying: “Verily” which means ‘Truly, Certainly’. We are NOT to dismiss what the Lord says next as insignificant or something we can disregard or have a choice over it in our democratic society.

Then follows: “Till heaven and earth pass”. This expression states that the Law will never be destroyed till all is fulfilled. By this the Lord is saying that all things may change, even the earth and heavens (universes) may pass away, but the Law of God will stand till its purpose shall be accomplished.  And has its purpose been accomplished as yet?  NO for Jesus has not yet returned to close the times.

The Law of God is the Bible and thus all that is written in the Bible will not be destroyed till the end of time, i.e. at our Lord’s return. This is the premise of this article and that the principles of the Law of the Bible are applicable to ALL humanity, to the Jews and to the Gentiles till the end of time comes.

 

The laws of the Jews (OT) are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial.

The Moral laws are such as growing out of the nature of things, which cannot, therefore, be changed; such as the duty of loving God and His creatures. These cannot be abolished as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow-men. Of this kind are the Ten Commandments; and these our Lord Saviour has neither abolished nor superseded.

The Ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain rules in the Jewish society, to regulate their religious rites and ceremonies. These included the animal sacrifices and the sprinkling of their blood to atone for the sins of the people. The ceremonial laws associated with animal sacrifices where fulfilled by Christ in His coming and sacrifice on the cross, these laws are ceased and no longer binding for we have a better and permanent sacrifice in Christ who as the Highest Priest in Heaven He never ceases to intercede for us: “Why he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb 7:25)

Jesus is seated on the throne of God as our High Priest ministering in the heavenly Tabernacle which is not made by man hands, but by God’s: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Heb 8:1-2)

 

Thus the principle of offering blood to atone sin has never ceased but it is now done in Heaven with the Holy Blood of Jesus, which has an infinite value, in atoning for our sins. We can then say that the ceremonial law on earth has ceased with Christ but its principles are still carried out in Heaven by Christ, Himself, forever.

 

The OT has 613 Laws and many of these were Judicial laws specifically applicable to the Jewish society, but others are universal and applicable to all, such as the 10 Commandments, that are judicial laws beside being moral laws. Is there anybody that can say that the 10C are not applicable today, even in our heathen society, such as the 6th “thou shall not murder” is not applied?  It would be foolish to deny such a self evident thing, for God gave these judicial Laws to the Hebrew nation to be an example for all nations. These laws may be modified for a given society, but NOT nullified; their principles must be kept intact for all nations, for all times.

Of these 3 categories the moral law was confirmed and unchanged by Jesus (and surely He maintained also the other two). The moral Law requires love and obedience to God, and love to men, it cannot be changed, and Christ did not change It in any possible way. (Mat 19:19; 22:37-39, Luk 10:27, Rom 13:9)

The conclusion is then that the principles of the Law of God cannot be destroyed (and are not), as Jesus states above.

In our days there is controversy on whether or not God can break His Law, methinks this nothing other than idle talk.  People tend to put God at the same level of men in their democratic egalitarian fanciful thinking, BUT God is God and He is above His Law that He instituted and imposed on mankind. God is well higher than His Law which is not applicable to Himself but to humankind. God is Sovereign and can break the Law as often as He wishes.

 

Take this passage for example, a stumbling block to many: “And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the Sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said to him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?” (Mar 2:23-24). Here Jesus allowed His disciples to pluck the ears of the corn on a Sabbath day, this being forbidden by the Law, and, of course the legalistic Pharisees took Him to task.

But what Jesus told them? He declared that as God He was the Lord of the Sabbath and He was entitled to overrule it whenever He wanted to: “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” (Mar 2:28)

 

Moreover he said that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for Sabbath (Mar 2:27)

Sabbath was intended for man to rest from labour, to rest from the cares and anxieties of the world, to give an opportunity to call off his attention from earthly concerns, and to direct it to the eternal matters. It was a provision for man that he might refresh his body by relaxing his toils; that he might have undisturbed time to seek the consolations of religion so that he might render to God that homage which is most justly due to the Creator, Preserver, Benefactor, and Redeemer of the world.

 

Where there is no Sabbath, there is ignorance, vice, disorder, and crime. On that holy day, the poor, and the ignorant, as well as the learned, have undisturbed time to learn the requirements of religion, the nature of morals, the law of God, and the way of salvation. On that day, man should offer his praises to the Great Giver of all good, and in the sanctuary seek the blessing of Him whose favour is life.

 

The Sabbath was, therefore, pre-eminently intended for man’s welfare, and the best interests of mankind demand that it should be sacredly regarded as an appointment of merciful heaven, intended for our best good; and, when applied correctly, will infallibly results in our temporal and eternal peace.

 

Man was made first, and then the Sabbath was appointed for his welfare, (Gen 2:1-3). The Sabbath was not first made and then the man made with reference to that. Since, therefore, the Sabbath was intended for man’s real good, the law respecting it must not be interpreted so as to oppose his real welfare. However, It has to be in accordance with man’s real good on the whole, and with the Law of God and we have no right, because Sabbath was made for man, to do anything contrary to what the Law of God admits. This would not be for our real good, but rather for our eternal injury, to devote the Sabbath to vice, to labour, or to amusement.

This is what Jesus intended, not only that He was Lord of the Sabbath but that the Sabbath was made for the lawful needs of man such as tendering to the necessities of the body, such as nourishment.

In all cases the principles of the Law must be upheld.

 

Further on the same passage Jesus draws attention to David and his men eating of the show bread at the Temple on a Sabbath day. “And he said to them, Have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the show bread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?” (Mar 2:25-26)

 

Here David apparently broke the Law as interpreted by the legalistic Pharisees, but Jesus corrects them. Even though David ate the showbread which was only legal for the priests to eat (once the bread was removed from the table, a thing David did not do), but he gave also to the soldiers which were with him and on a Sabbath day. (This act would have been enough for the Pharisees to stone them to death) However this action was done with the full knowledge of the high priest (1Sa 21:2-6) who gave to David the holy bread (for there was nothing else to eat) on the condition that the men had not been with women. Thus David did not break the Law, nor the Law was done away, for David and his men were in dire need of food and the principle of the Law was kept for the Law is made for the benefit of man, as Jesus explained to the religious authorities.

 

So the question: Is the Law of God applicable to us today?Let us listen to our Master's words: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Mat 5:18)

 

These are Jesus Christ’s word, they are clear and irrefutable. If anyone does not believe them and does not take them as true and applicable to us in the NT, then he may as well not believe a single word of Jesus reported in the Bible, and indeed he might as well throw the Word of God away for he is an unbeliever heathen.

The answer to the question is obviously YES! as such:

The Moral Law is to be accepted and obeyed as pronounced in the Bible,

The Ceremonial law is now performed by Christ in Heaven, but its principle is unvaried,

The Judicial Law, some aspects of It were specifically for the Jews, but some aspect can also be used in civil law through the world.

 

For the believers all of this is under the umbrella of the Grace of God in Christ, for His elect are justified by Faith in Him and not by the Law, but we must have a good understanding of the requirements of the Law for Sin is only known by the Law and without sin there is no need of Grace and by the Law we know what a great Gift Grace is and from what terrible damnation Grace has saved us. Praise God to the highest.

CONCLUSION

The words of Jesus are real, precise and true for not a jot or tittle has been in no wise passed from the Law and the Law is still in force today, for then how shall God judge the world? But we believers are under His Grace through the sacrifice of our marvellous Lord, Christ