Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more

Today’s thought

“keep on doing all the things which are ordered in the book of the law ”

(May 10)

In 2Kings 8:4-6 we can find a direct example of how God works the circumstances for those that love Him. It is a direct example of the truth of the words in Proverbs 16:7, which should offer a lot of comfort and encouragement to all of us.

“⁷When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7 BRG Bible)

Today like in ancient times we do have lots of people who could be under the guidance and help of God, but prefer to look around in the world hoping to find there better ways to live than in the world of God. As such they do not manage to live according to the law of God and have to face lots of difficulties in this life.

“but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at [that] law.” (Romans 9:31 ASV)

Though living in this world, being part of it we can choose to be of this world enjoying all its features or being of the world of God. When we choose for this world instead of God’s world we should know we have to bear the consequences of our own choice.

Moses and the elders of Israel made a special effort to make all the tribes who were about to enter the promised land to see how important it is to follow the regulations of God. They asked the citizens to follow the commandments they were offered by the Most High.

“And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.” (Deuteronomy 27:1 ASV)

“1 And now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which Jehovah, the God of your fathers, giveth you. 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what Jehovah did because of Baal-peor; for all the men that followed Baal-peor, Jehovah thy God hath destroyed them from the midst of thee.” (Deuteronomy 4:1-3 ASV)

“And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you this day.” (Deuteronomy 11:32 ASV)

“This day Jehovah thy God commandeth thee to do these statutes and ordinances: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 26:16 ASV)

Today it is not different than in ancient times. Lots of Christians do think they do not have to bother any more about those commandments because they think Jesus made an end to them. But he did not abolish them, but came to fulfil them.

“Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17 ASV)

“For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:2 ASV)

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one [point], he is become guilty of all.” (James 2:10 ASV)

We too should take that saying in the letter of James seriously. In the knowledge that we all go wrong in a number of things (James 3:2) we should try to work hard to avoid such wrong going and help others to stay on the right path too. Each day again we must come to do our works of faith, trying to keep on the right track, making sure we do not slip in our talk and trying to keep our fleshly lusts or body in control.
For this reason brothers and sisters we should take all the more care to make our selection and approval certain, making sure we follow the Law of God and keep to the biblical teachings and not prefer human dogmas and worldly pleasures which would be against the Will of God. This for making sure that we shall do such things that will never make us to fall (2 Peter 1:10; Jude 1:24)

We do agree it is very tempting when we listen to the atheists and adversaries of God. Lots of people even may find us naive and old fashioned, but we should take courage in God and know that our sacrifice would be for good, and take comfort in the fact that so many have trodden this path before us, as demonstrated in Lamentation 4:20.

“The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.” (Lamentations 4:20 ASV)

Moses tried to “stamp it in their nose” (according a Flemish expression). He hoped that it would be deeply ‘engraved’ on their minds how and why we should bear obedience to God.

A large stone inscribed with the law code of Hammurabi

In today’s reading (Deuteronomy 27) the great stones from out of the river to be used for the altar, had to be unhewn (as Jehovah God had made them) and had to have the law written on. Lots of water had rolled over it, washing it clean and taking all the sharp corners away. Probably they would have been so smooth, and unusual, that the people would think of them as being like the two blocks of stone God had carved upon, and which were kept hidden in the golden ark.

¹⁷He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17 BRG Bible)

²⁶Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. (Deuteronomy 27:26 BRG Bible)

Not agreeing with or to confirm the words of these teachings (laws and/or instructions) which are handed over to us, is denouncing God. And pillory against God can never be a proof of faithfulness to God, but is exposing Him for shame to the world.

When we became a Christian we did agree to become under Christ and willing to follow his and his heavenly father’s commandments. By becoming a Christian we did agree to become part of the Body of Christ meaning also that we would be willing to be of the works of the law.

Those who think they do not have to keep to the Law any more are very much mistaken, because it is said in the Writings that a curse is on everyone who does not keep on doing all the things which are ordered in the book of the law.

¹⁰For 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. (Galatians 3:10 BRG Bible)

It is a truth that we as sinful people in a way cannot earn salvation or are not worthy of such salvation which is given by the ransom offering of the sent one from God, Christ Jesus. We also cannot contribute to our salvation, but that does not mean that because we are saved know we may ignore all the guidance Jesus and other prophets wrote down in the Name of God.

Mankind has received “Justification” and the “opportunity of eternal life” for free. But when they do nothing with that precious Gift of God, they will be nothing with it.

Too many people do forget that such Grace can only be received by faith alone in Christ alone, which demands already one work of coming to believe in Christ, the son of God, and to have faith in him, trusting that he as the sent one from God is the saviour for us.

4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

²For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

³For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

⁴Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

⁵But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

⁶Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

⁷Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

⁸Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

(Romans 4:1-8BRG Bible)

Sin may not be brought into account, but too many do forget to remember when it will not be taken into account nor reckoned against us.

With the knowledge that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but only through faith and absolute reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Kristos of Christ Messiah, the Anointed One by God) we should remember all the parables Christ told, which show clearly how there shall still be many who miss the entrance to the Kingdom of God because they did not do the right works or where not ready in time of the coming Kingdom of God.

We cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses, because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God).

¹⁵We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

¹⁶Knowing 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.

(Galatians 2:15-16 BRG Bible)

When we do not believe in Christ and his heavenly Father, the good we do can’t make us right or help make us right with God because he demands entire perfection. If we not strife to such perfection, not regretting the faults we made, showing no pity at all for our transgressions we may be sure we shall not become justified, whatever so many Catholic and protestant preachers may tell you.

God requires us to flee from any form of sin and to keep his commandments.

¹⁸Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18 BRG Bible)

³For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (1 Thessalonians 4:3BRG Bible)

Those who want you to believe it does not matter any more and that whatever you do you are saved, are blinding you and even bringing death over you, because Scriptures tell us

²³And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23BRG Bible)

²⁶For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

²⁷But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27 BRG Bible)

¹⁵Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:15 BRG Bible)

¹²Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12 BRG Bible)

²⁶For as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26 BRG Bible)

Yes, you read well: when you sin after you are baptised, and do not regret of it, there shall be no salvation for you. Without the work of showing regret and trying to do better, you shall be nothing with the free “gift of salvation“.

We may be comforted by the truth that God works all things – even adversity – into His Plan for our salvation. We should know that it is Jehovah God Who provides, but we are commanded to do works of faith, like keeping to the commandments and by praying for our daily bread and for others as well as to labour in our callings.

Preceding

Salvation, Baptism and Re-baptism

When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith

Condemnation of the World and Illustration of Justification