"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the Law, neither understanding what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (I Timothy 1:4-7)
This is not to suggest that the Law can not be good or profitable for our lives, but as the scriptures add -- "if a man use it lawfully." (I Timothy 1:8)
Unfortunately, there are those entangled in the religious culture of this day who in their desire to become teachers still demand that believers on this side of the cross adhere to the Law in all aspects, including tithing. But note what the scriptures state. "Neither understanding what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (I Timothy 1:7)
Why is this important? Because the Word teaches us that "now" -- in this current dispensation of grace -- the Law is not made for a righteous man ... "but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons." (I Timothy 1:9-10)
As such, we are to recognize that the Law served as a schoolmaster in order to bring us to the author and finisher of our salvation -- so that we would recognize that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We failed miserably, because even when we desired to do that which was right, we could never measure up to the holy precepts of our Lord God Almighty that existed under the old covenant.
But the good news is that even before the world was shaped, the Lord God -- our Creator -- devised a plan that we might experience His salvation through faith in Jesus.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith ... but after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3:24-25)
This is not to suggest that we ignore the contents of what is written within the Law. Even Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-19)
But Jesus also said, "That except your righteousness shall EXCEED the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
That means if traditional teaching recognizes that in order to become a Pharisee, one had to memorize the first five books of the Old Testament and recite the verses from heart, then we even more so should diligently seek His instruction and guidance for our life through His Word.
Only then will we begin to understand that when we believe on Jesus and seek His righteousness, our hearts and inner desires are renewed. We become transformed knowing that there is "now" -- in this current dispensation of grace -- "no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
This is why we as believers in Jesus no longer desire instruction which is "contrary to sound doctrine." (I Timothy 1:10) Not because the old covenant Law can't help to keep us on the straight and narrow - what some might call right living -- but because we have personally discovered the author and finisher of our faith who dwells within us who leads us in spirit and truth every day.
In other words, we have discovered Jesus -- His love, His mercy, His joy and peace, His grace which surpasses all human understanding. This is why we stand on His Word and not necessarily the teachings of those who desire that we remain under a man-made ministry, "neither understanding what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (I Timothy 1:7)
Therefore, align your understanding "according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God" because even as we were yet sinners, He who knew no sin loved us enough to shed His precious blood on a cross for us. (I Timothy 1:10; II Corinthians 5:21; I John 4:19; John 1:1-18)
And as you embark on this faith journey, rejoice always and be thankful that we serve a Lord God and Saviour who hears our cry. Search His Word today, seeking His wisdom and knowledge for your life. Stand in the offering plate.
This is not to suggest that the Law can not be good or profitable for our lives, but as the scriptures add -- "if a man use it lawfully." (I Timothy 1:8)
Unfortunately, there are those entangled in the religious culture of this day who in their desire to become teachers still demand that believers on this side of the cross adhere to the Law in all aspects, including tithing. But note what the scriptures state. "Neither understanding what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (I Timothy 1:7)
Why is this important? Because the Word teaches us that "now" -- in this current dispensation of grace -- the Law is not made for a righteous man ... "but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons." (I Timothy 1:9-10)
As such, we are to recognize that the Law served as a schoolmaster in order to bring us to the author and finisher of our salvation -- so that we would recognize that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We failed miserably, because even when we desired to do that which was right, we could never measure up to the holy precepts of our Lord God Almighty that existed under the old covenant.
But the good news is that even before the world was shaped, the Lord God -- our Creator -- devised a plan that we might experience His salvation through faith in Jesus.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith ... but after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3:24-25)
This is not to suggest that we ignore the contents of what is written within the Law. Even Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-19)
But Jesus also said, "That except your righteousness shall EXCEED the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
That means if traditional teaching recognizes that in order to become a Pharisee, one had to memorize the first five books of the Old Testament and recite the verses from heart, then we even more so should diligently seek His instruction and guidance for our life through His Word.
Only then will we begin to understand that when we believe on Jesus and seek His righteousness, our hearts and inner desires are renewed. We become transformed knowing that there is "now" -- in this current dispensation of grace -- "no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made [us] free from the Law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own begotten Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-5)
This is why we as believers in Jesus no longer desire instruction which is "contrary to sound doctrine." (I Timothy 1:10) Not because the old covenant Law can't help to keep us on the straight and narrow - what some might call right living -- but because we have personally discovered the author and finisher of our faith who dwells within us who leads us in spirit and truth every day.
In other words, we have discovered Jesus -- His love, His mercy, His joy and peace, His grace which surpasses all human understanding. This is why we stand on His Word and not necessarily the teachings of those who desire that we remain under a man-made ministry, "neither understanding what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (I Timothy 1:7)
Rather, we have seen the power of our God and Saviour working miraculously in our life -- beyond what we could ever have imagined, and therefore, are willing to search the scriptures daily for His truth.
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (I Timothy 1:16-17)
Therefore, align your understanding "according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God" because even as we were yet sinners, He who knew no sin loved us enough to shed His precious blood on a cross for us. (I Timothy 1:10; II Corinthians 5:21; I John 4:19; John 1:1-18)
And as you embark on this faith journey, rejoice always and be thankful that we serve a Lord God and Saviour who hears our cry. Search His Word today, seeking His wisdom and knowledge for your life. Stand in the offering plate.
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