Even Grace Has Limits

Even Grace Has Limits 

In Numbers 21, the people of Israel murmured against God, and God sent serpents to bite them. 

 Num21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Num21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Num21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Num21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Num21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

God had given the people manna, a gift to them from heaven.  This gift they did not appreciate but despised it.  So the Lord allowed serpents to come in the camp and bite the people.  Of course, the people were dying of the serpent bites.  Somehow they made a connection between the serpents and their Sin.  So, they asked Moses to pray to God for delivery.  So, God tells Moses to build a brazen serpent and put it on a pole, those who looked at the serpent on the pole would not die.  

God did not get rid of the serpents or even stopped the serpents from biting.  God wanted the people to exercise faith.  The issue was: would they believe that by looking at the brazen serpent the poison would not be effective?   If they looked, they would live.  (There is no mention of what would happen with the bite marks.  It is possible that the bite marks would remain.) 

The brazen serpent was for all the people in the camp.  But, only those who looked when bitten were delivered.  Did they deserve it?  No, not one person in the camp deserved to be delivered (Romans 3: 10 – 12).  God did this because He loved the people.  This gesture toward them displayed God's grace.  He gave all of them this gift of life, even when they did not deserve it.  But, just because God gave this gift to all, it did not mean that all would be spared of the effects of the poison in their bodies.  Those who chose not to believe would not look therefore they would die.  In this case, God's grace could not deliver those bitten from dying.   There was no remedy for rejecting the remedy.  Suddenly Grace has limits.  Those who reject the grace that can save them will find that there is no grace for rejecting the grace.  

We may get the impression from Romans 5:20 to 6:2 that grace covers all sin.  But that is not the case.  Let us read it the passage,

 Rom5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Rom5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Rom6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Those who are of the belief that the more they sin, the more grace abounds - if they continue in that path - forget that at some point they will commit the unpardonable Sin.  Jesus talks about this Matthew 12: 31 -32,

 Matthew 12:31-32 (King James Version)

 31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

This verse refers to the point where you have gone beyond repentance.  You no longer will respond the Holy Spirit's invitation for you to open the door to Him.   Christ did not die for that Sin.  And, while the law may expose that Sin, grace will not abound as far.  This Sin is rejecting the grace that can save you.  Put in different words: there is no remedy for rejecting the remedy.

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

Discipleship and Prayer

The following commentary was published originally to link discipleship with prayer.  It explains prayer in a clear way, I believe.  

Discipleship and Prayer

John 17:20-21

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

In the last lesson, we defined disciples in the light of scripture.   We read in Luke 14,

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The implication here is that to be Christ disciples you bear your cross and forsake all and follow Him.  In John 15 discipleship is explained in the context of farming.   We read in John 15,

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

These two descriptions of discipleship are complementary.   If I remain in A, I cannot remain in B; thus I forsake B.  The bearing of fruit reveals that we are good soil in which the good seed sown and eventually germinated (Luke 8: 4 – 18).  The root found living nutrient and water.   Ellen White sums it up beautifully,

As a flower of the field has its root in the soil; as it must receive air, dew, showers, and sunshine, so must we receive from God that which ministers to the life of the soul.

The presence of God is guaranteed to the Christian … "As long as the members of the church shall through faith draw sap and nourishment from Jesus Christ, and not from man's opinions and devisings, and methods; if having a conviction of the nearness of God in Christ, they put their entire trust in Him, they will have a vital connection with Christ as the branch has connection with the parent stock" (Our Father Cares; 21 – 22).

How, then does prayer relate to this?  No one will deny the need for prayer.  In the words of Ellen White,

"Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him."—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 93.

"Pray much. Much prayer is necessary to successful effort. Prayer brings strength. Prayer has "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, turned to flight the armies of aliens."  {SW, February 23, 1904 par. 6} 

Notice how she ties faith (Hebrews 11: 33 - 34) with prayer.   Now, since we describe discipleship in the context of farming, can we explain prayer in the same way – or at least using biological imagery?  Ellen White does just this.  Let us read a passage where she does this,

"Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved.  Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor" (Messages to Young People, 249, 250.)

When we breathe, our body inhales oxygenated air and exhales air with Carbon Dioxide.  Our blood carries the oxygen throughout the body.  The blood returns to the lungs depleted of oxygen to fill itself with oxygen again; this is an automatic process.  Unless there are problems, no one chooses to breathe; you just do.  What happens if we choose not to breathe?  Most folk cannot hold their breath for more than three to five minutes without fainting.

We read in Luke 18:1:  "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."  If we stop breathing we faint; likewise, if we cease to pray, it will not be long before we find ourselves fainting before the trials that inevitably come our way.  It is through prayer that we are braced for difficulties and trials that require strength far beyond our natural human capacity.

Through the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Christ has urged that His people pray without ceasing. This does not mean that we should always be upon our knees, but that prayer is to be as the breath of the soul. Our silent requests, wherever we may be, are to be ascending unto God, and Jesus our Advocate pleads in our behalf, bearing up with the incense of His righteousness our requests to the Father"  (TMK 78.3). 

This is how Jesus lived, "… Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds: then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the life-work marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by a continual communion: and his service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering.  {SW, February 23, 1904 par. 7} 

Just like our whole body benefits from breathing, the body of Christ is to benefit from prayer.  Real prayer is by definition intercessory.  Prayer – in its real sense - links us to God and others.  Ellen White says,

"What does intercession comprehend? It is the golden chain which binds finite man to the throne of the infinite God. The human agent whom Christ has died to save importunes the throne of God, and his petition is taken up by Jesus who has purchased him with His own blood. Our great High Priest places His righteousness on the side of the sincere suppliant, and the prayer of Christ blends with that of the human petitioner"  (TMK 78)

When we pray for others, we become as vessel, conduits, or channels to distribute God's blessings to others.  We become as fountains springing God's living water so others can quench their thirst for righteousness (John 7: 38).  

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

Baptism In Light Of The Gospel

Baptism In Light Of The Gospel

(Originally published on Thursday, March 20, 2008)

Recently, researchers made a study about how well churches were doing and why.  Researchers asked Pastors this question, and they said that their church was doing well. When asked how they knew their church was doing well, they replied that offerings were up, church assistance was up, and program participation was up, also. When researchers asked the members the same questions, a majority said that they did not feel well spiritually. Yes, they went to all services, contributed by tithing and offerings and even participated in programs, but on a personal level, they did not feel close to God. The study revealed that, sadly, they did not have devotional time with God. They neither read their Bible nor prayed. The studies conclusion showed that there is a difference in how both sides understand spirituality and a lack of belief on both sides. Some may be ignorant, while others are just rebellious.

Many see the amount of baptisms as a sign of how well a Pastor is doing. Why are baptisms so imperative to some? Because, baptisms, in the church management's estimation, are a quantitative measurement that is easy to see as opposed to spiritual growth which is very subjective. It is sad because while a pastor may be baptizing many people, it does not mean him or the church are doing well spiritually.

Were baptisms important in the Bible? In the book of Mark 16:15-16, Christ is quoted saying,

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Notice that in the text the baptism comes after the belief. Baptism can only come after you believe; if you are baptized without you believing you merely got wet. Those who do not believe typically will not get baptized, and of course, this will lead to eternal damnation. 

Getting baptized should be a symbol that you have believed the gospel. What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news of salvation. What does this mean? When Christ died on the cross, He saved the whole world from the eternal damnation or death - that is the wages of Sin (Romans 6:23). Because of this we now know, that God is not against us (Romans 5:8). In fact, He is the one that sent His Son to pay the wages of Sin – "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  God loves us so much, that He wanted to save us from this second death, which is good-bye to life forever. As the Apostle John wrote, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1John 4:10). And, He did this while we were yet His enemies or sinners (Romans 5:8). In other words, it is not because we loved Him – we naturally hate God - but because He loved us. Anyone that loves God does so because He loves us first (1John 4:19). But that is only part of the good news. God not only wanted to save us from eternal death, but He also wants us to live eternally with Him.

Those who are grateful for what He has done believe Christ accomplished this for them. We read in John 3:16 that those who believe not only will not perish but have eternal life. God wants to take us home with Him to be with Him forever. But, as a friend of mine says, "you can't take someone home if they don't know how to act." While God wants to take with Him the whole world, only those who believe – constantly and continually - that Christ has saved them from eternal death will learn how to act. They will overcome their sinful tendencies and will be transformed into a new being by the renewal of their hearts and mind. By the Lord's indwelling Spirit God's law and statutes are written in our hearts and mind.  To this group baptism is special.

To this group, baptism represents the new birth experience. They have repented, left the old behind, died to self, been converted, given a new heart of flesh, and their mind has been renewed. Symbolically, when we go down in the baptismal waters we die, and when we come up, we are resurrected. Baptism is not necessary for salvation. If it were, salvation would not be by grace through faith, but by baptism. The thief on the cross will be resurrected unto eternal life. He believed Christ. By faith, this man accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Those who believe will have no problem becoming baptized.

Now, you will notice that Jesus never baptized anyone (John 4:2). Paul baptized only a few, he understood his mission as preaching and teaching the gospel, not baptizing (1 Corinthians. 1:17). Twice in Acts Paul's calling is mentioned, on neither occasions was the verb to baptize used. It is not to say that baptism is not important. Going against the Holy Spirit's conviction that you should be baptized is Sin. Not baptizing is not an unpardonable Sin, but it may be a step toward it.

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts 

 The word rendered as gift in the Greek is charisma

1) a favor with which one receives without any merit of his own

2) the gift of divine grace

3) the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue

4) the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith

5) grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit

 This word charisma, like many other words, has evolved into an entirely different meaning: a personal quality of leadership arousing popular loyalty or enthusiasm.  So, when we talk about a charismatic movement which definition are we using?  I believe it should be the biblical meaning.  Of course, it is a misuse of the word, since those that use the term charismatic use it to refer to the use of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) and a more enthusiastic type of worship service.  In their mind, this style of worship style is from the Holy Spirit.  However, as we can see charisma is more than just external displays of the presence of the Holy Spirit; it refers to the quality of the plan of salvation, which is a gift from God to man.  Jesus is a gift to man (John 3:16); so is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).  The word is also used to refer to grace, faith, knowledge, virtue, pardon, etc.  All of these are gifts given to man.  It is a favor with which one receives without any merit of his own.  Somehow when we refer to 1 Peter 4:10, we tend to focus on the definition number 5.  

 For the context of our study, the word gift means something given; this has implications. One is that a gift by definition is something from someone has to someone that does not have;  this applies to the Spiritual context.  Before experiencing Christ in us, we had nothing of what God gives to us.  Just read Romans 5 to get an idea.  Death is our reward.  After Christ comes into our lives eternal life is the outcome if we receive Him.  

 Now the one giving the gift gives because He wants to, the one receiving most choose to accept it.  Whether they accept it or not they were given a gift.  If they did not receive the gift; it is still a gift.  Lastly, the gift is given not because the recipient deserves it or not.  Again, the gift is given because the giver wants to give it.

Our lesson's emphasis is what we call spiritual gifts.  What they are referring to is these special endowments or skills that the Holy Sprit gives to those in whom He dwells; in other words to those who are converted.  (The disciples did not receive their gift until after their actual conversion in the Upper Chamber.)  These endowments are listed in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.   The purpose for them is given in Ephesians 4: 12 – 13, 

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 These gifts are not just for witnessing and evangelism.  They are to help us become more like Christ and help others become more like Christ.  They are to be used to serve others.  How do we know we have them?  Well, if you are converted it will be revealed to you.  It is the Holy Spirit who brings about conversion in us, it is He who gives us a ministry, and it is He who gives us the gifts.  They are called spiritual for a reason.  Only those who are spiritual and not carnal have them.  

 Can you choose your gift? No, the Holy Spirit gives as He wills (1 Corinthians 12: 11).  How can you use them?  That is God's prerogative also.  Paul says in Ephesians 2:10,

 Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  

 It is His work.  He is the boss.  So, whatever the church does, it must do under the authority and direction of the Holy Spirit. It is our privilege to seek the will of God and to work in harmony with that which the Spirit reveals. We must not fall into the trap of making plans and then seeking divine approval. Often we ask, "What can our church do for God?" We would do better to pray and let the Holy Spirit reveal to us what we shall do. 

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

Bearing Fruit, Growing Like Vegetables

Bearing Fruit, Growing Like Vegetables

Why did Jesus tell us to bear fruit and not vegetables? (See John 15:8; Gal 5:22, 23). He could just as easily have told us to bear vegetables, after all, they are just as nutritious as fruit, and every bit as delicious. So why did He say that we should bear fruit? Is it, perhaps, that fruits are sweeter than vegetables? No, that can't be, because although many fruits are sweet, citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, and lemons aren't sweet. (Compare them to apples or mangoes if you don't believe me). And besides, sweet potatoes are vegetables, and they are, well, sweet. So whatever the reason, it can't be that fruits are sweeter than vegetables. It must be something else. What else could the reason be? Let's see if we can find out together. First, the facts, vegetables do not have seeds, are annual plants, grow low to the ground, have shallow roots, and need replanting yearly. In contrast, fruits grow on vines or trees which characteristically have deep roots and do not require annual replanting, as they are perennials. 

So why did Jesus say what He said? Why did He say that we should bear fruit? Well, it seems as if Jesus was using fruit as analogous to His character in this way. Fruit trees don't try to grow, and from what He says, neither should we. Just as fruit trees are fed through their roots from the nutrients deep in the soil, so we should be deeply rooted and grounded, receiving nourishment from the Word. The fruit trees receive chlorophyll from the sunlight, which, converted into energy, helps them grow to maturity. We human beings love the sunshine too, but shouldn't we also desire the power from dwelling in the Sonlight? It too is essential for our maturation just like the fruit plants. There is also the rain.  We need the rain to cool off.  The rain sweetens the fruit and quenches our thirst. Fruit trees depend on all of these elements to grow, and so do we. Without total dependence on Christ, we will stagnate (or as you'll see later, grow vegetables believing they're fruit). Let's look at John 15 and see what it says regarding fruit:

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples.

In these texts, Christ is telling us that without reciprocity, we won't bear fruit, even though Christ compares us to fruit trees. Furthermore, He is telling us that He wants to bring forth large amounts of fruit in us.  Ellen White says that Christ, "... is waiting with longing desire for the perfect reproduction of Himself (character) in His people (church) then will the end come." (parenthetical comments are the authors). For this to happen, He must dwell in us, and we must dwell in Him. Then the fruit will grow, and be delicious too! It is that simple. A list of the character fruit Christ wants to grow in the soil of our minds is found in  Galatians 3: 22 - 23,

Galatians 3:22 For the fruit of the Spirit is Agape love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 3:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

To which Spirit is this scripture referring? The Holy Spirit of course. So, is it possible to bear vegetables to the Spirit? Not to the Holy Spirit, no, but to some spirit, sure it is. Trying to bear fruit by ourselves, we are likely to bear the vegetables of liking, happiness, calm, tolerance, niceness, pleasantness, shallow belief, false pride, moderation, and against such is the law. What law is this against, and why? It is against the law of love-- to love God supremely, and love our fellowmen as Jesus loved us-- that law. Why, because that law is the fulfilling of Agape, whose only source is God and we can only receive it from Him.  Whatever we generate, we'll have to keep regenerating because it doesn't last.  Why? Because we have no life in ourselves, that's why.

So far, Christ has specified the type of character He wants us to grow, through the analogy of fruit. But in describing how he wants us to grow, and what it'll look like, He uses the analogy of vegetables.  He says that we grow "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28). Very simple. How is it that so many of us try to grow up overnight? It is a process that takes time.  Many try (in the beginning), and then some of us fake it. Then, worst than that, having failed, we somehow expect others to try and grow up by themselves too.  The only way to grow into Christlikeness is to abide in Christ and He in us through the Holy Spirit.  

In John 15, where Jesus talks about bearing fruit, He mentions abiding in Himself ten times within five verses. There is an emphasis on repetition.  It must be important, because He never repeats Himself needlessly. To me, it conjures up the idea that to be fruitful we must totally depend on Him.  But, are we?  "By the fruit, you will know."

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

What is required to be Holy?

"The Holy Spirit and Living a Holy Life" February 11, 2017   What is required to be Holy?   As a college student was perusing the course catalog for his school, he noticed that beside the description for certain classes the word prerequisite was written. Curious, he looked more closely and noted that beside a particular class, a list of lower level classes was marked with an asterisk. Puzzled, the student figured perhaps it meant that he should take the required classes (the classes marked with asterisks) before he took that particular class. His conclusion, however, wasn't quite correct as that is not the definition of the word prerequisite. Of course, the prefix "pre" means before, and "requisite" does mean requirement. Thus, a requirement is something which is needed in regards to a condition or quality. What the catalog was saying was this: a student taking this class would need the knowledge and or skill set taught in the pre-required classes. Yet, requirements are not always about something that can be personally achieved or acquired.   Typically we speak of requirements in terms of fulfilling, not doing. To fulfill means to satisfy; to satisfy is to meet the requirements. Twenty pilots were selected to fly Vostok 1 (the first spaceship to orbit the earth). The final choices for the first launch were made based on the pilots' performance in training, as well as their physical characteristics. Since space was at a premium in the small Vostok cockpit, the pilots chosen needed to be of small stature. Advantageous to the Soviets was Yuri Gagarin because he was 1.57 meters (5 ft 2 in). So, they chose him, as he met the size requirement, and would fit the small cockpit. While Gagarin's height was his advantage, it was not something he could acquire or achieve, it was his by genetic inheritance.   The Lord has told us to be holy, but it is not something we can acquire or achieve on our own, nor is it ours by genetic inheritance. We read from the Apostle Peter in I Peter 1:14-16, As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.   What is holy or holiness, and how do we meet this requirement? According to Romans 7:12, the law is holy. Therefore we could make the case that holiness has something to do with the law. And of course we can note throughout scripture that various writers have emphasized keeping the law as a requirement. But, what does keeping the law mean? Is it something we do? Or is it a requirement that can be fulfilled, and then we move on to something else? Contrary to our focus on doing, both Paul, and Christ speak time and again of the commandments as something to be fulfilled. Here are some examples from the books of Romans, Galatians, and lastly from Matthew.   "That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:4).   "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). (The love referred to is Agape-- the self-denying, putting others first, gift from God found in I Cor. 13. So here's a thought, if the Law is Holy, and love is the fulfilling of it, then conversely, Love is the fulfilling of holiness.)   Continuing on, we are to, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Galatians 5:14).   And lastly, Jesus Christ Himself has said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17).   According to Paul, whom Christ Himself taught through His Spirit, there is a difference between the doing of the law and the fulfilling of the law. Paul intentionally used each phrase to make an important distinction between two different ways of defining Christian behavior in relation to the law. So, when Paul refers positively to Christian observance of the law he never describes it as "doing the law." He reserves that phrase to refer solely to the misguided behavior of those who are living under the law and are trying to earn God's approval by "doing" what the law commands.   Paul is not implying that those who have received salvation in Christ do not obey. Nothing could be further from the truth. Paul is saying they "fulfill" the law. He means that true Christian behavior is much more than the outward obedience of just "doing" the law; it is the fulfillment of the law of Love. Paul uses the word fulfill because it goes far beyond just "doing." This type of obedience is rooted in Jesus' positive fulfillment of His Father's requirements (see Matt. 5:17) through the power of the Spirit (John 5:19, 30). This is not an abandonment of the law, nor is it a reduction of the law to sentimental human love based on feelings. Instead, Agape-love is 'the way' through which the believer experiences the real intent and meaning of the whole law!   Ellen White also sees the Law as a requirement. And, she is clear on how we can fulfill that requirement. She says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:3-5). Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner's account. Christ's righteousness is accepted in place of man's failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness; and the pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace, from light to a greater light. He can say with rejoicing, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5-7). {1SM 367.1}   Only those who live by faith, attain the righteousness required to be holy as God is Holy. This holiness is not something the believer can achieve or acquire. It is not something genetic inheritance gives us. It can however be blocked by seeking after our own way/things (I Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:21, Isaiah 53:6). Holiness is the result of the grace (power) of God working in the believer's heart through the Lord's indwelling Holy Spirit. It is of grace, that it might be through faith, being activated by agape-love which purifies the soul. And thus filled with God's Spirit, we fulfill God's will toward others from the heart. ~Raul Diaz  RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

Growth and Change

When the Holy Spirit fills us the change in us will be positive.  We will reflect increasingly the character of Christ.  

Growth and Change

Typically we look at the word growth as positive.  But, there are is a time when growth is negative.  Consider our current economic status.  Many people say that the national debt is growing and also the deficit.  That is typically not good news.  Regarding health, cancer tumors grow in the body.  That is not healthy growth.  So, when we apply this to the church setting, does it correspond?  Church growth is not always good, especially if the new members are not willing to abide by the doctrinal views of the organization.  That could have adverse consequences. 

Another word that is many people see as positive is change.  But, change can be harmful, too. 

Our lesson says that a church that resists change will not grow and therefore die.  Anything that grows changes, but so does anything that dies.  Consider a plant that is dying.  It may be resisting growth, regarding expanding the space it occupies and increasing its strength.  The moment this happens changes occur that will reveal that it is dying. The color of the leaves changes, they shrivel up and fall.  The stem will most likely bend.  The plant grows when it has water, nutrients, and sunlight; when one of these is missing the plant dies.  All three of these ingredients have a spiritual equivalent in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Without them, we die.  Hence, it is important to connect to where we can receive the resources continually. 

The question is can a church seem to be alive- it is expanding in numbers and strength - but still dying?  Many churches are like gangrenes and cancers.  They grow, but it is nothing more than death taking over the body.  Surgeons often extirpate tumors and cut away gangrened body parts.  The same will happen with those churches. 

In Matthew 7: 21 Jesus said that "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven…"  They will beg to get in the Kingdom.  Let us read verses 22 and 23,

Matthew 7:22-23

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

They will say to Christ, but we did many things in your name.  Christ will probably answer, "You used my name in vain.  Your works were not mine."  The people may reply, "But, we went to church together, we sat in the same pews, we sang from the same hymnals, and read from the same Bible."  So, Christ will probably say, "Are you sure it was me?"  They will answer, "Yes, it was."  Then they will claim the fact that they gave tithes and offerings, served in the Church in different capacities.  Christ will answer, "That money never came to me. And, I do not recall you ever serving.  As I said, I do not know you."  The Lord will sever them from the body.

So, whatever these people did was not pleasing to Christ.  Since without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), these church members had no faith, so all they did was Sin; since, whatever is not of faith is Sin (Romans 14: 23). There will be church administrators, pastors, evangelists, and laity that were hard working and successful in this group.  You can imagine how it will feel to these people to find out that all they did amounted to nothing.  What they thought was a sign of God's favor, was a sign of their rebellion. 

So, those who resist change and those who embrace it can be wrong.  Resisting the right change and embracing the wrong one will have the same dire consequences: eternal death.  I can just imagine the complaints.  "I can see why this one is out.  He was a sinner/legalist.  But, why me? This is not fair!" 

So, who will enter the kingdom?  Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "… he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."  We could say that those that did His will pleased Him; this means they lived by faith (Hebrews 11: 6).  They are just (righteous); since the just shall live by faith (Romans 1: 17).  A righteous person is one that performs the law (Romans 2: 13).  But, notice that Abraham believed and he was accounted righteous (Genesis 15: 6).  So, this kind of righteousness – performing the law - comes through believing the word of God.  To believe we must first hear what is said.  And, faith comes through hearing and hearing through the word of God (Romans 10: 17). 

This is more than giving assent to God's existence.  This kind of faith is dependence on God's word.  "Man shall live out of every word that comes out God's mouth" (Matthew 4: 4).  Paul says in Galatians 5: 6 that in Jesus, works avail nothing, but faith which works by love does.  Works of love – self-sacrificing other-centered love – show true faith.  This is what God wants to produce in us.  This is what would please Him.  Will we allow Him to do this in us?

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz