1Sa 3:1 “ … And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; …”
INTRODUCTION:
Because of our fallen natures, and the guilt we feel due to the performance of sin, each and every one of us has a tendency towards justifying and, even, denying the sins that we have committed. In our minds, we think that if we excuse and ignore our acts of disobedience to God, they will simply go away, never to come back to harm us again.
As fallen man, left to their own thoughts, will pervert sin to the point of invalidating its very existence by changing its definition. That is why the prophet Isaiah described the people of his day in this way… “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
The only possible remedy for this situation is the presentation of a clear, concise definition of sin. This definition of sin, in conjunction with an explanation of its results would be given for the good of mankind. These would be given to fallen man from a heart of love as a warning to fallen mankind of its need to find forgiveness for sin or face the punishment of eternal suffering separated from the presence of Almighty God.
Where can we look to find such a well-defined standard by which we can compare our lives? Where can we search to find the loving teachings that are given to us to warn and prepare us for the eternity to come? Let’s search the precious Word of God to see if our gracious Lord has given us a standard that will reveal our condition before Him.
SCRIPTURES:
Isa 6:1-4
(KJV) 1) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2) Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory. 4) And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
(ESV) 1) In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2) Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3) And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4) And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
Deut 9:10
(KJV)10) And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them [was written] according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.
(ESV) 10) And the LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words that the LORD had spoken with you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
Rom 7:12
(KJV) 12) Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
(ESV) 12) So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Gal 3:21-26
(KJV) 21) [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(ESV) 21) Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22) But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23) Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24) So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25) But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26) for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Lev 20:7-8
(KJV) 7) Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the LORD your God. 8) And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you.
(ESV) 7) Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. 8) Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
Matt 22:34-40
(KJV) 34) But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35) Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying, 36) Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(ESV) 34) But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35) And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36) “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37) And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38) This is the great and first commandment. 39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
THE STUDY:
Who must be the Author of a universal moral standard for mankind?
As we begin our search for a perfect moral standard let’s look at Isa 6:1-4…
1) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2) Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory. 4) And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
To begin looking for any moral standard we must begin by finding:
1. a PERFECT author unable to mistakenly identify the standards by which we are to live.
2. The author of these standards must also HOLD AUTHORITY over mankind to hand down binding standards by which to live.
The only One who is perfect and unable to err, holding authority over all creation is our Lord Jehovah… here we are told… “Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory”. The LORD, in all three persons of the trinity is a God that does not commit sin (1 John 1:5); also as Creator and Authority holder over all creation is seen and glorified in it. (Isa 64:6-8)
What is the moral standard Jehovah has given to mankind?
In Deut 9:10 we find that the law was directly given from God to Moses…
10) And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them [was written] according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.
Undeniably, the law of God (tables of the 10 commandments) was given to Moses directly from the very hand of God. This helps us to understand that the commandments of God are without error and a binding authority of the actions of mankind.
In Romans 7:12 we find that, because the law comes from a sinless Lord, the commands themselves are perfect…
(KJV) 12) Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Here, the law is described as:
1. Holy – Pure, separated for Godly uses
2. Just - Fair, separated from sin
3. Good - Beneficial, pleasing to God and man
Because it proceeds from God it is pure, fair and beneficial to all mankind. The law is a fair indicator of mankind’s spiritual condition as well as a sinless standard by which mankind must be compared.
Since the law is beneficial to mankind, how are we to use the law and benefit from it?
1. By using it as a schoolmaster showing us our need of salvation:
In Galatians 3:19-26 we read…
(KJV) 21) [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Here, we find that the law was never intended to be the gateway to salvation (through the good works of mankind) vs 21. It was given to show us our sinful condition before our Holy God. (vs 22). It was given to lead us to the perfect Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ (vs 22-24). Christ is the One who came to earth and perfectly kept the law. This allowed Him to be the perfect sacrifice that was able to bear the sins of all mankind (1 Ptr 2:21-24).
- By using it to give a visual presentation of our Lord to our acquaintances.
Leviticus 20:7-8 tells us that by keeping God’s laws, we can be a testimony to those around us…..
7) Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the LORD your God. 8) And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you.
Our holy Lord gives us the responsibility to tell others about Him. One of the greatest ways we can show our Holy Lord to world is by living according to His law. He is a Holy God and we can proclaim His holiness by striving to keep His commands. (1 Pet 1:13-23)
(Please note: Although forgiven, because we still possess a fallen, sinful nature, we cannot keep the laws of God perfectly. Although we are to desire to fulfill His law to be a good testimony, at times, we will fail (Rom 7:12-25). In this case, we are to repent of the committed sin and continue on in service to Him (1 John 1:5-10).
3. By using it to improve life for all mankind on earth
In Matt 22:34-40, we find that by keeping the law, we will heighten the quality of life for all mankind…
34) But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35) Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying, 36) Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Our Lord boils down the law into 2 basic commissions… He gives us the primary responsibility of loving our Lord, the second most important responsibility is to love our neighbors as ourselves. These summarize the entire table of God’s laws, which are basically divided into two sections… (Exodus 20:1-17)
Man’s Responsibilities To God
When we love the Lord as we should we will then, naturally do all we can to honor and glorify Him:
1. Have no other Gods before us.
2. Make no graven images
3. Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.
4. Give the Lord for worship and rest (Sunday – New Day – John 20:19, Col 2:16-17)
Man’s Responsibilities To Man
When we love our neighbors as we should we will then, naturally, do all we can to do no harm to them but only help them:
1. Honour our father and our mother
2. Will not commit murder
3. Will not commit adultery
4. Will not steal
5. Will not bear false witness
6. Will not covet
By doing these, we not only show others the attributes of Christ but we also make this world a better place to live for everyone.
THE APPLICATION:
The natural result of turning away from the principles of God’s Word is the replacement black and white standards of morality with those of varying shades of gray. This is the condition of our world today. As the generation after generation have passed away so, too, have the clear set of morals that the Bible gives to us.
Let us all be thankful, and value God’s Word because found within its pages are the set of moral values necessary to bring us to Christ, reveal Christ to those around us, and make this world a far better place in which to live.
If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area. They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.
Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.
Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”. On this page, you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.
Please visit the “Settled In Heaven Ministries” homepage – http://www.settledinheaven.org
No comments:
Post a Comment