"Wherein ye greatly rejoice ... that the trial of your faith being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [Him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:8-9)
Continuing from a previous post, we understand then that the law is the schoolmaster intended to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
"The scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 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 this schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ!" (Galatians 3:22-27; Acts 13:39; Acts 2:36-47; John 1:12; Romans 6:2-3; Romans 10:12)
In another place, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Romans 10:4) "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)
Indeed, most of Paul's writings to believing saints focuses on the love of our Lord God and Saviour, and how, after His kindness and love for His people, willingly paid the ultimate price for our transgressions -- His precious holy blood being shed on a cross for you and I. (Titus 3:4-7) As the perfect Lamb, He blotted out our sins once and for all, and as a consequence of a subsequent clear conscience, we desire to be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; I Peter 3:21-22)
Our robes forever washed clean, our minds renewed, and our hearts turned to the Lord of glory, so that we can receive in our hearts the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. (Revelation 7:14) And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgression that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15-18)
But there had to first be a changing of the guard, because the law could not suffice. There had to be a new covenant wherein the dayspring from on high would visit His people. And thus, the Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8)
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ... He through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purging your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
He is our hope, the joy wherein our cup runneth, "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. ... For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live: yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:16-20)
In other words, we can't work for one employer and expect to be paid from another down the block. This is why we give all of ourselves -- our heart, soul, mind, and strength to our Lord God and Saviour and let Him lead and guide us in His wisdom and knowledge, because He is our all in all.
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:16-17; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; ) for He is faithful that promised. (Hebrews 10:18-23)
Stand in the offering plate.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
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