Scripture james 4:10-17
4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
4:14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
4:15 For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.
It has come to my knowledge that legalism is taking over our church; and by legalism I mean that, just like the Pharisees did to Judaism of old, a sect of Adventists are burdening the Christian walk with a long cold list of rules/ethics/morals.
This is not just a local problem however as there is abundant evidence to suggest that this has become a problem that plagues the worldwide church. New rigid conservationist doctrines are popping up everywhere; and each one seems to be more rigid and restrictive than the last. The one underlying theme/thought however that ties them all together is “if this new found doctrine is not adhered to with unwavering regard, the knowledgeable Christian is in peril of losing his Salvation”, which Christ so dearly paid for.
The Christian walk become frustrating because you are put under bondage, by rule making and fault finding. (by lawkeepers vs secularists---jew vs gentile) Instead of feeling free you have been made to feel a prisoner. It is extremely important that we know how to identify sin (recognizing) that deeds are only an indication of your submission to the will of Christ
Is there any degree of truth to this? While guiding standards are a necessity; the wake of these New, Liberty Revoking Doctrines (conservative) bring nothing but frustration to the Christian walk for even the most sincere and truth loving brothers and sisters.
Living by the letter of the Law
So that we too are not swept away in this swelling tide, there arises the necessity to have a clear understanding of where Sin starts and where it ends. Surely right doing, or the neglect of wrong doing cannot declare me righteousness because I know
Rom 3:20 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.
3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
If we are not justified/made clean by right doing then how are we made clean?
What is Justification?
Rom 1:17-23 justification occurs when by faith we swap places with Jesus and live. If you are to be just you live by faith in the promise of God that he is able wash away your sins.
1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed [it] unto them.
1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things
However once knowledge has come that you in wrong doing you are held accountable for that knowledge.
What role does justification play in our salvation?
Only the righteousness of Jesus is good enough for heaven. And we can only obtan this through faith. Heb 11:1
What role then does the law play in or lives?
The knowledge of sin…
if we confess our sin 1 jon 1:9
(without the knowledge we cannot confess.)
Pharisees
After coming out of Babylon the Pharisees, The Pharisees were extra careful about keeping the letter of the law, wanting to never go back into slavery, hence they introduced/added more laws to Gods laws. Well this might have been done with good intentions, however the end result was to make Judaism burdensome for the Jews; and the law itself became the new idol, and the Jews esp. the Pharisee prided themselves on how well they were able to keep the law. No wonder Christ gives a rebuke in
Math 5:20
5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Except our righteousness shall exceed theirs we cannot inherit the kingdom. Wow! Is Jesus really saying that except our right doing/righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisee we shall have no part in His Kingdom? That’s not possible!!!! Who were better equipped to keep the law than the Pharisee? Who made the law a part of their entire society? It is not possible for us in the 21 century to live a more law centered life than the Pharisee; unless, law keeping has nothing to do with our salvation. What am I saying!? Let’s turn another text found in
Eph 2;8-9
2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The righteousness of Christ is the only acceptable ticket into heaven which we claim through faith in God’s word. His sacrifice is sufficient for all our sin.
As our scripture reading says we need to give heed to God in anything we do.
1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.
This brings us to the definition of Sin. Sin is the only thing that can keep us out of heaven. More specifically unconfessed sin. If we are to confess sin we must first be able to identify it. According to the Strong’s Hebrew lexicon
1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit
a) (Qal)
1) to miss
2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty
3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit
c) (Hiphil)
1) to miss the mark
2) to induce to sin, cause to sin
3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment
d) (Hithpael)-)hithpiel) piel being the verb that makes the word opposite
1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way
What is this mark we have fallen short of?
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Some of you might be thinking isn’t sin the transgression of the Law, and it is but it goes deeper than that and unless we go beyond mere law keeping we have become legalists.
Which law?
While am here let me clear something up. The laws which we are to keep are not limited to the Decalogue. It is also a sin to disobey the law of the Land, especially if they do not conflict with the law of God. Rom 13:1-4
What is law?
1) anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command
a) of any law whatsoever
1) a law or rule producing a state approved of God
a) by the observance of which is approved of God
2) a precept or injunction
3) the rule of action prescribed by reason
b) of the Mosaic law, and referring, acc. to the context. either to the volume of the law or to its contents
c) the Christian religion: the law demanding faith, the moral instruction given by Christ, esp. the precept concerning love
d) the name of the more important part (the Pentateuch), is put for the entire collection of the sacred books of the OT
What is Sin?
After knowledge has come if you continue in wrong doing that is a sin. Sin is the fulfillment of the challenge to God’s will/authority. Sin is wrong thinking/motives before it is fulfilled in wrong acting.
In this way we can see that sin is a violation of the relationship between God and sinner. (rom 14:23)
But what should be our guide should we then practice license because. God forbid rom 3:31
Sin in its broadest sense falls into three categories
The transgression of the law (body-physical)
Wrong acting as defined by the law
Wherever there is a commandment and we transgress then we have sinned
What is not of faith is sin (soul-feelings)
To the honor and glory of god
Challenge to any doctrine of Christ -
Sin is wrong thinking/motives before it is fulfilled in wrong acting. (the heart)
To him that koweth to do good and doeth it not (spirit-in the mind)
Neglect to do good (prov 3:27)
Willful ignorance is sin
Imputed sin
When we willfully yield our memebers to go against the precepts that we know to be true
Application of our understanding - appeal
With a clean and pure heart render therefore the things that you know to be God’s to Him. He will make intercession for the rest, if you should fall short.
is it a sin to celebrate Christmas?
Is it a sin to wear ties?
Who are idolators/pagans?
1cor 8
Who are pagans
To wear ties or not
To celebrate Christmas or not
Who are hethen (lev 26:38)
Who are infidels (2 corinth 6:15; 1 tim 5:8)
What is sin
To the honor and glory of god
Challenge to any doctinre of Christ
Is this matter salvific
Appeal
Having therefore having clear understanding n this matter let us take the yoke of Jesus upon us, for his load is easy and his burden is light.
It is through Christ and Christ alone that we have access, not of deeds lest any should boast.
Every man has a measure of faith let us not judge but speak the truth in love
What is the fundamental reason for us to be here?
Matth 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
If you focus is on keeping the words or obeying the rules, your focus is in the wrong place.
Love love love the gospel in one word is love, Love God and your neighbor as your self
What does love do, what
John 3:16
John 3:17
Instead of saying what does the word say, another question we could ask is what does the love teach?
When we have mastered love we would have fulfilled the law because love fulfills the law.
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