A Letter To My Friend Brian

A LETTER TO MY FRIEND BRIAN. I am always thrilled when folk write in, to either question, query or believe it or not, even criticise my work. They are exercising their right and displaying their enthusiasm to ensure that any interpretation of scripture is correct. This is the very reason that Luke in his historical letter we have abbreviated and call “Acts” commended the Christians in Berea “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and daily, searched the Scriptures to see whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11 Unfortunately the subject under discussion is so broad it requires a comprehensive reply. This is why we chose to answer you directly rather than through the local Christian Newspaper. The Reason: AS in all Newspapers, there is limited space. Where does one begin? I guess a good place to start is, with our Lord Himself. After all He is the centre of the entire Bible. Around Him pivots all the Laws, Grace and Mercy. Jesus said: “Don't suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning.” Mat 5:17 The Law of course had been so corrupted by those who were entrusted to interpret it, that it became a burden. Witness the interpretation of the Laws of God as written in the Mishnah. It actually becomes quite ridiculous and it was this form of religion that caused the several confrontations between Jesus and the hardened Pharisees. Brian, even if the Law had never been corrupted, will you name me one Old or New Testament Saint that has been saved through the keeping of the law? If you say you can, then I strongly recommend that you read Hebrews chapter 13 in its entirety. It is impossible for any man to be saved by keeping the Law. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 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.” Rom 3:19-20 Note what the verse is saying! Allow me another question. To whom was the Law given?” certainly not to the surrounding heathen or gentile nations. We are told “the Gentiles, which have not the law” Rom 2:14, also in Gal 3:8 “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith.“ No! The Law was given explicitly to the Children of Israel. As time went on the Gentile world started to adopt these laws as their own and have, as Paul says in Rom 3:19-20: “ become guilty before God. 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. What

does this all mean? Simply, when a non Christian, through the prompting of the Holy Spirit looks at the law of God, it is like a mirror. All it does for him or her is to reflect their sins. They then come, or should come to realise that they are the most miserable and wretched of sinners, incapable of keeping the law at anytime, whether it be then or anytime in the future. Think about this for a moment. If I could perfectly attain to the keeping of the law, then for me, Christ would have died in vain. “But no flesh” says Paul, “by the deeds of the law is justified in God’s sight. We see then that: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Gal 3:13 If I have been redeemed (Saved) from that which only curses me, why should I ever think of going back in an attempt to keep any part of something I am totally incapable of keeping? Remember too, Paul does not differentiate which of the laws he is writing about. He refers simply to the Law. If Paul was not referring to the Law as given in the Old Testament, surely he would have been quick to point this out. But he does not. Paul without any doubt was referring to the Law given to Moses, Namely the ten commandments. We then the gentiles, the heathen nations if you like, are to walk in the same faith that God promised to Abraham. Remember, Abraham never had the law. The Law only came with Moses and was given only to Israel So then they which be of faith *(not works) are blessed with faithful Abraham. *(Salvation through faith)* For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Gal 3:9-10 *(My emphasis.)* Leviticus is known by every scholar as the book of the law. I understand this to means all the laws written in Leviticus and not only the Ten Commandments. Now comes the crunch Brian. Note carefully God’s words through the apostle Paul when he says: “ cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” Should I read Leviticus (The book of God’s laws) and wish to show God what a wonderful Christian I am, by adopting a few laws that I might think are important, then should I do this, I have to adopt all these laws and continue practicing them perfectly to the letter. Brian you and I know that neither of us are capable of this. Neither is there any verse that says I may adopt some laws, but leave out others. You invited me to read Leviticus chapter 23. I invite you to do the same, but while doing this, ask yourself: “Where is my lamb without blemish that I am instructed to sacrifice? Where are the first fruits of my harvest, which I must wave before the Lord? Where is my Tabernacle, I am to build? When last have I blown a trumpet before the people and the Lord?” If you have failed in any one of these things Brian, you have failed in them all. Besides all of the above, we have not even looked at the dietary laws. I have not stopped eating bacon, have you? Note the threat in the above verse. All those who place themselves under the

curse of the law are cursed should they not continue to do all the things that are written in the book of the law. WHY? Because as we have seen in this study, it is impossible to keep the law. (I could not help myself at this point, but to verbally and loudly, Thank God for Jesus Christ, who has redeemed me from the curse of the law.) We see too that not one of the Old Testament Saints was saved because they kept the Law. Chapter 13 in the book to the Hebrews tells us, that they were saved by faith. The following verse must not be overlooked I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God. Gal 2:20. What are the amazing and wonderful spiritual things that Paul is telling us? Firstly: he is saying that we have been crucified with Christ. We are dead to this world. “Ye are not of this world even as I am not of this world.” Secondly: Despite being crucified – figuratively – He is still alive, but with a difference,. Paul makes this amazing claim: “I have Christ Living in me.” By this Paul means the Holy Spirit has taken up residence within him. To the Unbeliever – The politically correct – This may sound ridiculous. The question to ask is: “How is it possible for the lives of men and women to change so radically for the better, when they repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour?” Yes! I am aware that there may be hypocrites amongst truly “Born Again Believers” but do not throw the bath water out with the baby. Every true Believer who having experienced this change will also tell you that after the experience of the New Birth, they continually undergo a metamorphosis of change and experience deep conviction when they fall into sin. This personal fight against sin towards sanctification will only end and become a reality, once they stand face to face with their Lord. This continual metamorphosis is allowed by God to enable the Believer to grow in strength, even through times of sin. Each sin Believers overcome, their lives and their faith grows stronger. Whereas, if they were protected by God against sin, they would simply remain “Babes in Christ”, rather than strong mature Christians, sound in their knowledge of the Word of God.