Try to obey the law in order to be godly or get right with God and sin will strengthen its grip.
Believer, believe right. The more one tries to keep the law in order to get right with God, the more sin will strengthen its grip over that one. God's word says so. Sin has dominion over those who are trying to obey the law in order to be godly,:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace." Romans 6:14.
But this verse is taught in reverse in many places of worship today. The flock are being told to depend on their own obedience to the law and "doing good things" in order to be righteous/godly or else they will experience God's wrath and so, sin has dominion. Romans 5:9 says:
"And there is still much more to say of His unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in My sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God."
Believer, we have right-standing with God and escape His wrath ONLY through the blood of Jesus and not because we obeyed the law or paid tithe religiously. Good works are EVIDENCES of our salvation, not CONDITIONS. Grace is undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour. This why a true believer can never boast that: "God has been blessing me financially because I obeyed the law and paid my tithe...." By grace, we see that God gives us ALL things FREELY with Christ: Romans 8:32-
"He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
All of our righteous acts done to score points of righteousness with God amount to "a menstrual rag" in God's sight according to Isaiah 64:6- "We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in Your sight."
Romans 5:19 says- "By one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Only that gift righteousness that proceeds from the obedience of Christ will suffice for God the Righteous."
God's righteousness is a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ, no matter who we are. No amount of law-keeping or good works can earn it; no amount of sins can undo it. In fact, sin has dominion over the one who is trying to obey the law in a bid to be righteous before God (Romans 6:14.) Only when we receive God's abundance of Grace and His gift of righteousness to us in Christ do we get to live in triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ-
"For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17.
Also see what Romans 3 says of our heavenly Father: "26...for He himself is fair and just, and He makes sinners right in His sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law."
This is the wisdom of the message of Christ. Proud, religious people think they have the power to "at least try" to obey the law and so find it illogical. But those who, by grace, see themselves as having no strength to obey even a tiny bit of the law and depend on God's Grace alone are being saved, even saved from sins, by the message:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Beware of places where righteousness is being taught as something that one earns by obeying the law and not God's gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The teaching of this false doctrine is why the proliferation of churches in Nigeria has not translated into right living, especially among churchgoers. Sin has dominion over those who are trying to obey the law and do its works in order to be godly.
Those who think they can obey the law or overcome sin by human effort have no idea that the reason why we are not committing particular sins is because we have not been tempted beyond what we can bear in those areas. No matter how hard a weightlifter trains, he cannot carry a weight that is designed to crush him 10 times over, and life does not consider weight, resources or level of preparedness before throwing weights at anybody. Don't forget that we are not all of the same 'size' so a weight that is crushing for one might be nothing to another.
Because many have not encountered dire situations that will make them do the unthinkable, many boast that "I can never do that." Peter too boasted that He would never deny Jesus.
As he did with Peter, Satan is lying in wait to test those who boast in the flesh (human effort at obeying the law and not sinning.) Peter knew 100% that he would not, just as many of us today "know 100%" that there are some sins that we just cannot commit:) This is confidence in the flesh (human effort.) But Christ told him after his boasting: Luke 22-
31"And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”"
We all know how the story ended. Telling ourselves or others that some sins are beneath us because we are "better than that" or relying on our ability to obey the law just a tiny bit is the way to invite Satan to test that willpower and determination to not sin that many boast in.
Recall what Christ said to Peter in Luke 22:32 above "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Notice that Christ did not say: I have prayed for you, so that you should not sin. He prayed that Peter's FAITH should not fail in the face of his trial and denial. The law is not of faith. Believer, when you sin, don't run around trying to do restitution or make promises to obey the law better thus repeating the cycle of boasting and causing sin to have dominion. At those times when you sin, in your weakness, hope on to what you believe: that in Christ, you are righteous by faith. I believe that God allows us to go through some tests and fail at them to make us realise the futility of putting any confidence in human effort. This way, we get to depend on Him for salvation from even those sins that we "know 100%" that we can never commit.
Proverbs 16:18 counsels us:
"Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure.
The higher you lift up yourself in pride,
the harder you’ll fall in disgrace."
The potential to commit heinous crimes is everybody. God sees this potential and how favourable circumstances can make some people think that some sins are beneath them, that they can obey the law and even boast that: "I can never do that kind of thing." Peter thought so too...until his circumstances became unfavourable....
Be sure that the one whose confidence is in the arm of flesh (human effort at obeying the law and stifling sin) will fail, even though it looks like he might be making some progress at first. Remember Peter too seemed to be making good progress on his resolve to die with Jesus when he slashed off the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, ready to fight for Christ. See this in John 18:10-
"Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus."
But confidence in human effort at obeying the law, overcoming temptation/sins and living right only leads to failure; this is the doctrine that is being taught in many places of worship today. Believers, let's not be found here. For we who are in Christ, this is how we overcome trials and temptations: 1 Corinthians 10:13-
"We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously."
Christ could have helped Peter follow through with his resolve to go to prison and die with Him. He could have ensured that Peter did not deny Him; even made sure that nobody asked Peter if he was His disciple. But Peter would imagine that he overcame the temptation all by himself and so not see his need for salvation from his pride in human effort at obedience and doing right.
Someone needs to bring you out of every trial, test and temptation. His name is Jesus Christ. In Him, God screens and filters every test or trial that comes our way.... and provides the way of escape. This is how we stand. In Christ. But many of us think we did good all by ourselves. No friend. Suppressing sinful urges by human effort at obeying the law can only take one so far. The arm of flesh (human effort) will fail and when it does, when a person gets tempted beyond what he can bear, the suppressed sinful urges will explode in a volcanic eruption of sinful deeds that lead to death. See Romans 7:5.
The only reason why we are not committing vile sins is because God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. When our eyes are opened to His revelation of how we overcome trials and temptations, it becomes difficult for us to condemn those who are still held captive by their sins, many of whom are tryng hard to overcome but are failing because they are being told to double their effort at obeying the law in order to be godly. This has the opposite of the desired effect, "For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace." Romans 6:14. Try to obey the law in order to be righteous and sin strengthens its grip.
Instead of pointing these beloved of God and ourselves to more laws to keep and things to do in order to be free from sins and their consequences, we point them and ourselves to the One of whom it is said in Matthew 1:21-
She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
And Titus 2:14- "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."
Notice "every kind of sin"? No sin is too big for Him to save the sinner who believes from. Even the vilest offender who believes receives perfect forgiveness and everlasting righteousness; and in Him, we never remain the same. All who receive God's abundance of Grace and His gift of righteousness to us in Christ GET TO live in triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ:
""For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ."
There is no condemnation for us in Christ Jesus. And it is His "Neither do I condemn you" that makes us "go and sin no more." Let's take our blessed brains to church: the gift of no condemnation can only be received by those who have sins that they should be condemned for!
Believe Right and you will Live Right!
"For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace." Romans 6:14.
But this verse is taught in reverse in many places of worship today. The flock are being told to depend on their own obedience to the law and "doing good things" in order to be righteous/godly or else they will experience God's wrath and so, sin has dominion. Romans 5:9 says:
"And there is still much more to say of His unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in My sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God."
Believer, we have right-standing with God and escape His wrath ONLY through the blood of Jesus and not because we obeyed the law or paid tithe religiously. Good works are EVIDENCES of our salvation, not CONDITIONS. Grace is undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour. This why a true believer can never boast that: "God has been blessing me financially because I obeyed the law and paid my tithe...." By grace, we see that God gives us ALL things FREELY with Christ: Romans 8:32-
"He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
All of our righteous acts done to score points of righteousness with God amount to "a menstrual rag" in God's sight according to Isaiah 64:6- "We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in Your sight."
Romans 5:19 says- "By one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Only that gift righteousness that proceeds from the obedience of Christ will suffice for God the Righteous."
God's righteousness is a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ, no matter who we are. No amount of law-keeping or good works can earn it; no amount of sins can undo it. In fact, sin has dominion over the one who is trying to obey the law in a bid to be righteous before God (Romans 6:14.) Only when we receive God's abundance of Grace and His gift of righteousness to us in Christ do we get to live in triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ-
"For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17.
Also see what Romans 3 says of our heavenly Father: "26...for He himself is fair and just, and He makes sinners right in His sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law."
This is the wisdom of the message of Christ. Proud, religious people think they have the power to "at least try" to obey the law and so find it illogical. But those who, by grace, see themselves as having no strength to obey even a tiny bit of the law and depend on God's Grace alone are being saved, even saved from sins, by the message:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Beware of places where righteousness is being taught as something that one earns by obeying the law and not God's gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The teaching of this false doctrine is why the proliferation of churches in Nigeria has not translated into right living, especially among churchgoers. Sin has dominion over those who are trying to obey the law and do its works in order to be godly.
Those who think they can obey the law or overcome sin by human effort have no idea that the reason why we are not committing particular sins is because we have not been tempted beyond what we can bear in those areas. No matter how hard a weightlifter trains, he cannot carry a weight that is designed to crush him 10 times over, and life does not consider weight, resources or level of preparedness before throwing weights at anybody. Don't forget that we are not all of the same 'size' so a weight that is crushing for one might be nothing to another.
Because many have not encountered dire situations that will make them do the unthinkable, many boast that "I can never do that." Peter too boasted that He would never deny Jesus.
As he did with Peter, Satan is lying in wait to test those who boast in the flesh (human effort at obeying the law and not sinning.) Peter knew 100% that he would not, just as many of us today "know 100%" that there are some sins that we just cannot commit:) This is confidence in the flesh (human effort.) But Christ told him after his boasting: Luke 22-
31"And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”"
We all know how the story ended. Telling ourselves or others that some sins are beneath us because we are "better than that" or relying on our ability to obey the law just a tiny bit is the way to invite Satan to test that willpower and determination to not sin that many boast in.
Recall what Christ said to Peter in Luke 22:32 above "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Notice that Christ did not say: I have prayed for you, so that you should not sin. He prayed that Peter's FAITH should not fail in the face of his trial and denial. The law is not of faith. Believer, when you sin, don't run around trying to do restitution or make promises to obey the law better thus repeating the cycle of boasting and causing sin to have dominion. At those times when you sin, in your weakness, hope on to what you believe: that in Christ, you are righteous by faith. I believe that God allows us to go through some tests and fail at them to make us realise the futility of putting any confidence in human effort. This way, we get to depend on Him for salvation from even those sins that we "know 100%" that we can never commit.
Proverbs 16:18 counsels us:
"Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure.
The higher you lift up yourself in pride,
the harder you’ll fall in disgrace."
The potential to commit heinous crimes is everybody. God sees this potential and how favourable circumstances can make some people think that some sins are beneath them, that they can obey the law and even boast that: "I can never do that kind of thing." Peter thought so too...until his circumstances became unfavourable....
Be sure that the one whose confidence is in the arm of flesh (human effort at obeying the law and stifling sin) will fail, even though it looks like he might be making some progress at first. Remember Peter too seemed to be making good progress on his resolve to die with Jesus when he slashed off the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, ready to fight for Christ. See this in John 18:10-
"Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus."
But confidence in human effort at obeying the law, overcoming temptation/sins and living right only leads to failure; this is the doctrine that is being taught in many places of worship today. Believers, let's not be found here. For we who are in Christ, this is how we overcome trials and temptations: 1 Corinthians 10:13-
"We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously."
Christ could have helped Peter follow through with his resolve to go to prison and die with Him. He could have ensured that Peter did not deny Him; even made sure that nobody asked Peter if he was His disciple. But Peter would imagine that he overcame the temptation all by himself and so not see his need for salvation from his pride in human effort at obedience and doing right.
Someone needs to bring you out of every trial, test and temptation. His name is Jesus Christ. In Him, God screens and filters every test or trial that comes our way.... and provides the way of escape. This is how we stand. In Christ. But many of us think we did good all by ourselves. No friend. Suppressing sinful urges by human effort at obeying the law can only take one so far. The arm of flesh (human effort) will fail and when it does, when a person gets tempted beyond what he can bear, the suppressed sinful urges will explode in a volcanic eruption of sinful deeds that lead to death. See Romans 7:5.
The only reason why we are not committing vile sins is because God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. When our eyes are opened to His revelation of how we overcome trials and temptations, it becomes difficult for us to condemn those who are still held captive by their sins, many of whom are tryng hard to overcome but are failing because they are being told to double their effort at obeying the law in order to be godly. This has the opposite of the desired effect, "For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace." Romans 6:14. Try to obey the law in order to be righteous and sin strengthens its grip.
Instead of pointing these beloved of God and ourselves to more laws to keep and things to do in order to be free from sins and their consequences, we point them and ourselves to the One of whom it is said in Matthew 1:21-
She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
And Titus 2:14- "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."
Notice "every kind of sin"? No sin is too big for Him to save the sinner who believes from. Even the vilest offender who believes receives perfect forgiveness and everlasting righteousness; and in Him, we never remain the same. All who receive God's abundance of Grace and His gift of righteousness to us in Christ GET TO live in triumph over sin and death through Jesus Christ:
""For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ."
There is no condemnation for us in Christ Jesus. And it is His "Neither do I condemn you" that makes us "go and sin no more." Let's take our blessed brains to church: the gift of no condemnation can only be received by those who have sins that they should be condemned for!
Believe Right and you will Live Right!
Please, are there churches in Nigeria that teach grace and right believing instead of obedience of the law?
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm sure there are some but I don't know of any yet:( Stopped attending a while ago because of the "mixture" that I was hearing. The assembly of the brethren that we are to not forsake is that of the gospel of Christ: Grace. In the meantime, I watch Joseph Prince sermons on TV and the Internet.
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