No Presentation of the Law, No Understanding
A
Case of True Injustice........
How would you feel if you were given a traffic ticket by an officer of the law in which you were fined $500 but you
were not given the reason for the fine? No one explained why. Wouldn't you feel and believe that was an injustice? Wouldn't you protest or ask for an explanation?
If the same policeman gave you a ticket and told you that you had a large fine to pay because you were doing 55
in a 25, at least then you would see the severity of your transgression
and understand the justice.
Asking people if they believe they have kept the 10 Commandments is vital. It is not being judgmental, it is simply asking and placing them in a position where they can
judge their actions for themselves (exactly how it should be). You
are not the one judging them- they are, and besides, God's judgment is already upon them (see Romans 2:5-6). The bible says so. They need to be shown in a loving
manner of God's wrath upon those who have not truly repented, which can be easily done.
The law is definitely a gift to us by God. It leads us to
Christ. (See Galatians 3:24) It shows us the error of our way. The law is the mirror of truth in which we can actually see
ourselves. After they hear the 10 Commandments, then they can more effectively evaluate their actions and thoughts.
It is the perfect way for them to see how they measure up to God's standard. It is not just someone else's
opinion of how they measure up (of course, we all fall short). In fact, not just a good idea, but
a God idea.
Telling someone they are bound for hell without an explanation
of why or how someone is going to hell is not only harsh but it is actually an injustice. Isn't it only
fair to know the reason why the rules were broken before punishment is
served? Our courts systems even do
that! In an American court of law, a man is innocent before proven
guilty. But modern evangelism wants to tell the sinner he is already bound for hell where God will lock him up and throw away
the key. It leaves the sinner wondering the reason why Christians tell others
that they are bound for hell. It makes no sense to them, and rightly so.
The Law Can Produce More Sheep Instead
of Goats
There is a school of thought which says that the Old Testament is irrelevant to us today. Nothing
could be further from the truth. Our God is a God who does not change.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 We all need to be shown the law and we need to evaluate our own actions by God's standard. We
are all like sheep, who have gone astray. Reminding us of the law will also help produce sheep in the church instead
of goats. If we don't hear the law which is the word, then how can we have faith like Abraham who believed
and obeyed? Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God. And if we don't love God's laws, then
we are defying His law. Defying God's law is no different than defying the law of gravity as far as
consequences are concerned. If I transgress, I will pay. Do not be
deceived, God can not be mocked. A man will reap what he sows. Galatians 6:7
Those who do hear the law can actually have the opportunity to
see where they sinned against God. The word of God is living and active,
and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and
marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 We all need to be reminded of the law to remind us of where God brought us
out of. It will not only lead the sinner to Christ but also remind those who have already accepted
Jesus to stay on the right path.
Sinners who are sitting in
the church can hear the law presented in a point of fact manner and it can grab their attention. I know because I was one of them. My word that goes out from
my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Who's word? Our word or God's word? So what do we need to be afraid of? Or of whom should we be afraid?
God's word can do so much better than our own words could ever do. No one will hear (or believe,
for that matter) that they will be judged without seeing or hearing
the evidence (the law) against them. God's words has the power to convict
them! Some may believe the 10
Commandments are outdated, but God doesn't. Why
would He have spent so many years establishing the law before He sent Christ? They must have some
value. And it is extensive but we need to stay on this subject for now. So let's
be fair to those who need to hear the gospel and present the law first, then when he shudders from seeing his sin, and then
he will readily receive the gospel with relief and that is why it is called the good news.
The good news will in fact, be good news! Then
we will see true converts, not goats but sheep.
Profession Instead of Possession
Have you heard a minister say that if you don't confess Jesus as Lord, you will go to Hell? It takes
more than confession, it takes a changed heart. Who would not run to the altar from hearing that? But
just by merely confessing Jesus as Lord and asking Him to forgive all their sins with no remorse or any knowledge
of how they broke God's law will not gain entrance to Heaven. There is no conviction of sin, the very ingredient needed to bring repentance. They are merely words, only a confession
simply to escape the wrath of God and no change of heart. Sinners who go to an altar and say a prayer to "confess"
Jesus but have no remorse for their sin are coming to the altar in error. There must be a contrite spirit, a broken
spirit - that is the kind of man or woman the Lord is seeking. If it were that easy - a simple confession
was all it took, then there would be no reason to obey the 10 Commandments and all of God's efforts of laying the ground work were in vain.
But we know God has a purpose and He had a plan from the beginning of time. And if we did not have to obey the 10 Commandments,
the highest law, then we surely wouldn't have to obey civil and criminal laws, either. But we know that's not true. We need boundaries on this earth just as God has boundaries
in Heaven. He will not allow those who flippantly hurt his children continue to do so. Life hear on earth is a
series of tests and events. Are we going to continue to deny Him and His ways, which also includes His mercy towards
us when we acknowledge that He is Lord? He leaves it in our hands, we have a choice. We can love justice and what
is right not only for others but ourselves as well. When we see that we don't measure up by God's standard, then God
is dealing with us, and that is just what He wants, communication. It is the first step towards communication
with Him when we are saddened by our sin and ask for His help. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. He is communicating with us and we with Him, exactly
what He planned. Because communicating with Him is more valuable to Him than what we did wrong.
When we can actually be saddened enough by our sin and what we did wrong against Him and want to change and know we
can not change by ourselves and cry out for mercy and have the faith that when we cry out for Jesus to save us, it is at that
moment when we will be saved.
Confessions mean absolutely nothing if we don't change. That is not repentance. And repentance (stop doing
what you know is wrong) is one part of the process. It is one of the vital keys. And people
who do that are still trusting in themselves and what they can do instead of what God can do. It
is by faith you have been saved and not of yourselves, not by works lest any man boast. Eph 2:8-9 So what
if someone believed Jesus died on the cross and they made a confession of faith but did not stop sinning? What good
is that? The bible clearly tells us that you believe that there is
one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. James 2:19 Belief alone will not
save. If it did, there would be a license available for more lawlessness, even more so than before. Most
people would be running to the altar so that they could have a license to behave any way they would like. We can't abuse
the gift of grace that the Lord Jesus gave to us. If we do, we are hanging Him on the cross once again. How does
the Lord say we love him? Whoever has
my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me. John 14:21
