Abraham's Sacrifice

     I would like to share some thoughts today from the biblical account of Abraham and Isaac found in Genesis 22:1-19. In this account God tests Abraham's faith and obedience by asking him to offer up his son Isaac, the heir promised him by God.

     The first point is found in God's command, Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you (Gen 22:2 NASB). Compare this verse with John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 

     Abraham was asked to sacrifice the one thing he held most dear, the son whom he had longed and waited for. This was the son of promise, and now he was asked to offer him up to God. Likewise, God offered up His one and only Son Jesus for us. Because of His great love for a sinful, lost world, He was willing for Jesus to die as a sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be reconciled to Him. 

     Next I see that Abraham took a three day journey and then he saw the mountain in the distance. He asked the men travelling with him to wait while he and the boy went to worship, then they would return (Gen 22:4-5). This is faith. On day one Isaac was as good as dead in Abraham's eyes. He had already determined in his heart to obey God as they set out. Now three days later he says we will worship then return. We read in Hebrews 11:17-19 that Abraham offered up Isaac in faith, believing that God is able to raise the dead. Therefore he received him back as a foreshadowing of the resurrection. Jesus was crucified on our behalf, was buried, then on the third day He arose from the dead and lives forever more. 

     I see God's provision of the perfect sacrifice in the substitution of the ram (Gen 22:13-14). At the last moment the angel of the LORD stops Abraham. He then sees a ram caught in a thicket and offered that up instead, naming that place "The LORD will provide". As for us, there is no one to make sacrifice for our sins. There is absolutely nothing you or I can do to become right with God, except for the atoning sacrifice of the lamb of God, the sinless Savior Jesus Christ. He died to make atonement for our sins against a holy God, and was risen to prove to the world that He is God in the flesh and His sacrifice was perfect, acceptable to the Father. We deserve the death that Jesus died, but He was the substitute for us. Truly the LORD will provide! 

     It is up to us to believe this; to surrender our lives to Jesus by faith, and from here on live only for HIM! He will cleanse us from our sin, change our hearts, and reconcile us to God. 

     

Knowing the Way

Jesus said unto him, "I am the way, and the truth,

and the life; no one comes to the father 

but through Me.

John 14:6 NASB

People everywhere are looking for peace. Eternity looms in the minds of the masses of humanity who will one day stand before God and be judged for their deeds (2 Cor 5:10, Rev 20:12, 22:12). 

Multitudes are counting on their good deeds somehow outweighing their bad deeds on the scales of God's justice. People are going through religious rituals, hoping that God will be pleased by this and allow them entrance into paradise.  In spite of all this effort however, their is no peace, no assurance, no certainty of heaven, in the hearts of countless numbers of searching souls. 

The various religions of the world offer very little in the way of assurance. The Hindu hopes that through cycles of reincarnation he can finally achieve a better life. The Muslim religion teaches that Allah will judge them according to their deeds, so hopefully the good outweighs the bad. Yet there is no concrete assurance of heaven. The Qur'an states in surah 46:9, "I am nothing new among the prophets; what will happen to me and my followers, I do not know; I am only a plain warner."

Mohammed did not have assurance for his own salvation, and that of his followers as well. He does not hold the answer either.

It is Jesus Christ who knows the way to the Father. It is through his atoning sacrifice that we can be made right and have peace with God (Rom 5:1). His death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead vindicated His claim of deity (Rom 1:3-4), and satisfied God's justice (Isaiah 53:5-6). In a world of many false religions He is the absolute truth and way to eternal life!

He will forgive you, cancel your debt of sin, and give you a new life of victory over your sinful past. Won't you surrender to Him today? He whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)!

                                                          

Gospel Tension.

We see throughout the New Testament a tension between faith and works. There are numerous passages dealing with the subject of salvation through faith, and there are also those passages that pertain to the necessity of works in the life of a believer if he ever hopes to safely reach heaven. On the one hand we must beware of legalism, the futile attempt to be saved through works, and on the other, we must steer clear of antinomianism, the idea that salvation frees us from obedience to God; that it doesn't matter how we live once we are saved.

Let's look at several of these passages, starting with some statements that Jesus made concerning salvation.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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 3:14-16 KJV

This is a well known portion of scripture that teaches us the concept of salvation by faith. Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about the need to be born again if one is to enter the kingdom of heaven. In this passage we are the emphasis placed upon our belief in Him as the requirement to find eternal life. There are similar statements Jesus made in other occasions as well.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is past from death into life. John 5:24 KJV

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40 KJV 

Again, we see the emphasis Jesus placed upon faith in Him. But Jesus placed as much emphasis on obedience to His commands as well, as we see in passages such as these,

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 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. Matt 5:17-20 KJV

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 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? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt 7:21-23 KJV

And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and so not do the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock: but he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:46-49 KJV

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever. John 14:15-16 KJV

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that livery me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. John 14:21-24 KJV

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taken away: and every branch that beseech fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:1-6 K KJV

These are just a few of the passages of scripture in which Jesus emphasizes obedience to Him. There are others in which he lays out in no uncertain terms what is required of one who would be a disciple of His.

We find the disciples fulfilling the great commission in the book of Acts. In it we see emphasis placed on belief, as well as on obedience.

And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:21, 38 KJV

This is from Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. In it he makes it as simple as calling on the name of the Lord, but he also exhorts his listeners to turn from their sins in repentance. Repentance was also a theme of John the Baptist's preaching, as well as that of Jesus Christ's. Simply put, repentance is giving up sin, and embracing obedience to Christ.

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. Acts 5:32 KJV

Peter makes these statements to the household of Cornelius, a Roman centurion  desiring to know the way of salvation,

But in every nation he that heareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:35, 43 KJV 

We read of the ministry of Philip in Samaria,

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12 KJV

When asked by the Ethiopian eunuch what hindered him from being baptized, he answered him, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." Acts 8:37

Paul makes this statement in Acts 13:38-39,

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness is sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39 KJV

A careful search throughout the book of Acts would reveal many more instances where people were urged to believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation. So we see that the first Christians placed an emphasis upon faith, yet they also understood that their can be no salvation apart from obedience to Christ as well.

We find the apostle Paul placing great importance upon grace and faith in his writings. Some of the most loved and encouraging verses found in his letters are ones like these,

For what sayeth the scripture? 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 KJV

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man boast. Eph 2:8-9 KJV

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by 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 2:3-7KJV

We could find others as well in Paul's epistles, but these will suffice to show that Paul, as well as Jesus, preached a gospel of grace. But again, we see that there is no hope of salvation apart from an obedient  walk with the Lord.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16 KJV

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:13-14 KJV

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

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Eph 5:1-7 KJV

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess 1:8 KJV

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Heb 5:8-9 KJV

Salvation is a radical life change. We tend to focus on God's forgiveness of our sin, which is a vital part of our salvation, but often fail to understand the power of the gospel to set us free from the dominion of sin in our lives. An individual claiming the grace of God, while living in disobedience to God, is in rebellion, still lost in sin. John states,

If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7 KJV

If we really believe in Jesus, we will follow Jesus. How can we say we are sorry for our sin, desire Christ to forgive us, and yet refuse to give it up? James tells us that real saving faith will express itself in obedience to Christ. If it does not, it is a dead faith.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26 KJV

This is how we reconcile these two contradicting concepts. They are really two sides of the same coin. Faith in Christ will always obey Christ. Faith without obedience to Jesus is no faith at all. It is merely a license to sin. One who holds to this idea has no real salvation. To have obedience without faith is just as grave an error, leading one into a legalistic, works based Christianity that also cannot save. What really counts is faith working by love (Gal 5:6).

Romans 6.

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

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

3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7. For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

Today is no different than the time Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans. There are those who believe that because of grace, it does not matter if we continue in sin. Paul's answer to this is no different today either. He portrays the Christian as one who is dead and buried concerning sin.

To be baptized into Christ is to be baptized into His death. It is an outward sign of being dead and buried, just as Christ died and was buried. What does this signify? It is the outward sign of the inner reality that we are dead to sin, that sin no longer has dominion or control over our lives. And just as Christ arose from the grave, we also are raised up to walk in newness of life. (See Col 3:1-3).

It a crucified life. The old man with all of his sinful passions and lusts has been crucified with Christ, thus breaking the power of sin in the believers life (Gal 5:24). Paul also wrote, "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, who lived me, and gave himself for me." ( Gal 2:20 KJV) 

There is power in the gospel of Christ. Through the new birth we can be cleansed and set free from the power of sin in our daily lives. We read in Romans 7 of the dominion of sin in one's life. It is a cycle of defeat, desiring the good, but giving in to the evil. Apart from the deliverance of the cross of Christ, we find that we are quite controlled by our sinful desires. Through Christ we find victory, but we must walk in it by faith, submitting ourselves to the will of God.

8. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 

9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10. For in that he died, he died into sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 

11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive into God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

We must consider ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to serve God. It is a line drawn in the sand that we have determined not to cross. It is a reality for us, but does us no good if we remain passive in our faith, and fail to walk it out in our lives. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is working out His will in our lives (Phil 2:12-13).

12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness into sin: but yield yourselves into God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

It is up to us to decide. Do we choose to live a life filled with sinful choices, or to yield ourselves up to God? God, in His grace, has made it possible to do what the law could not. By His grace, we can do what is right, serving Him in righteousness. The law shows us the just requirements of God, but cannot enable us to live them out. This is what grace does for us. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12 KJV)

 15. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 

16. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17.  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

18. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

There are many who believe that somehow God's grace has set aside the law, and as a result we are no longer required to obey it. This cannot be farther from the truth. Jesus taught that he did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17-18). His fulfillment of the law was to show us through His teaching, and by His example how to live to please God. Throughout the new testament you read that God does have requirements for His people, and they can be found in the law. Ultimately the law is summed up in two commands, supreme love towards God, and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt 22:37-40).

It is ludicrous to think that somehow because we are covered by grace that it is okay to sin, that God does not expect us to be honest, to be faithful in our marriages, that it does not bother Him if we steal, or kill. Yet those who hold that the moral commandments found in the law are no longer binding upon the believer, are in effect saying this. The truth is that under the new covenant the law is now written upon our hearts, and yes, we will obey it if we truly love Jesus (Heb 10:16, John 14:15).

We are the servants of what we yield to, either sin, or righteousness. We cannot claim grace, while living in sin. Jesus stated that the one who commits sin is the slave of sin, but He came to set the slave free (John 8:34-36).

19. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

20. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 

21. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 

22. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Who are you going to serve? To live for one's self leads to spiritual death. It does not matter if you consider yourself a Christian, if you are not living in obedient submission to Jesus Christ, you are in a path headed to death. God's gift of eternal life is for those who will yield to Him. We not only need the grace of God to cover our past, but we also need His grace to live day by day in service to Him.

Scripture quoted from the King James Version.

Upholding the Biblical Standard of Salvation.

It has become a common place practice to graciously place a person in heaven at their death. This is especially true whenever a celebrity passes. It does not seem to matter what the lifestyle of the individual was like during their time on earth, well meaning evangelicals will almost invariably claim that the individual was a Christian, and is now in heaven. In fairness, I believe that many Christians do not wish to appear judgmental or uncharitable. Yet, by doing so, we run the risk of lowering the biblical standard of salvation, and what it truly means according to God, to be a Christian, a follower of Christ.

What does the Bible have to say about salvation, and the Christian life? Let's look at a few scriptures to find out.

• It is a narrow road (Matt 7:13-14; Luke 13:24). Jesus tells us to strive to enter the narrow gate, for many will seek to enter, and not be able. The way of salvation is a narrow road of surrender and humility, brokenness and obedience, walking against the current of this world. The scriptures plainly teach that the multitudes are on the broad path to destruction, while few are found travelling the narrow road to life.
• It involves repentance (Luke 13:3; 2 Cor 7:10). Repentance is a turning around, a change of the course of our lives resulting from the knowledge that we have sinned against the holy God who created us, and loved us enough to send His Son Jesus, to take our sin upon Himself. A truly repentant individual loathes not only his sin, but his very self, for what he has done to God by his rebellious actions. Without repentance, there can be no salvation.
• Jesus tells us that we must be born again (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:4-5). As spiritually dead individuals, it is not enough to become "religious", or to decide we are going to be a Christian now. We are in need of the inner transformation that takes place when one is born again. Just as a baby is conceived and then born, so also we need to be created and born again through the power of the Holy Spirit within our inner man. A new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
• A new creation (2 Cor 5:17). To expand upon the last point, as those who are born again, our lives are no longer the same. The old habits of sin are gone, and we now live a new life of righteousness, serving God. John tells us that the one born of God does not practice sin, because His seed abides in him, and as a result of the new birth, he cannot sin (1 John 3:9). This is a total change of life. It is radical, a complete transformation from what we were in the past as sinful people in rebellion toward God, to those who now lovingly obey Him. 
• Jesus calls us to a radical discipleship (Luke 14:26-27). Following Christ is what we are called to do if we are Christians. To follow Jesus means that we give up all to follow Him. We will go and do What He bids us to do, no matter the cost. Jesus is not interested in becoming a "part" of your life. He will either be all or nothing. It is that simple (Mark 8:34-35).
• Jesus calls us to a life of obedience (Matt 7:21-23; Luke 6:46-49). Again, we were once living for ourselves in disobedience to the will of God. Upon our repentance and conversion, we gave up sin, and embraced the will of God as the rule and practice of our lives. The one who truly loves Jesus will obey Him. The one who lives in disobedience is not a true Christian, no matter what they may say about it (John 14:21-24; 1 John 2:3-5). 
• What is true saving Faith? We like to quote John 3:16 where it mentions believing in Jesus for eternal life, but it is of vital importance that we come to realize what true faith is. To believe in Jesus in the biblical sense of the term is to take on the cause of Christ. It is to follow Him, to do what He says, to submit to Him, to love and cherish Him. This goes way beyond mere head knowledge, a mental assent to some historic truths about the Savior. Real faith is lived out in our day to day lives, in all of the choices we make, in all of the events we experience, in all of our actions. Faith in Christ will find fulfillment in doing the works of Christ, or it is a dead faith (James 2:14-26)

A Christian is led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). Those who belong to Christ will be driven by the Spirit. As a result, their lives will reflect this. their attitudes  and actions will be the opposite of those who live to gratify their fleshly desires (Gal 5:16-25). Paul tells us in this passage that those who belong to Christ have crucified, that is put to death, the flesh with its passions and desires. Is that your testimony? Again, many claim to be Christians, but the proof of it is in the life they live. These points have not been exhaustive by any means, but they should serve to show us that we must be careful to uphold the biblical standard of Christianity. Our very souls depend upon this, as do the souls of those who view our lives as respecting our testimonies (1 Tim 4:16).

Is the Law Written in Your Heart?

Many people profess to be Christians while disregarding God's law. They believe that under the New Covenant the Law has been done away with; that Christ has abolished the Law, and it is irrelevant to our lives. To these people obedience is an optional thing, it is up to us if we obey or not.

The Apostle Paul however, states that instead of making the law void through faith, we establish it (Romans 3:31). The problem with us is our sinful rebellious nature. Apart from Christ, we do not want to submit to God's law in obedience to Him. The answer to this is found in the New Covenant.

The law of God reveals God's standard of righteousness to us. It shows us how God expects us to live, but it does not enable us to live according to its standards. We read that, 

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
(Romans 8:3-4 NASB)

The problem is not the Law of God, but as I stated above, it lies within us. We read in Hebrews, that this is why the New Covenant was necessary.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. For finding fault with them, He says, "Behold, days are coming, says the LORD, when I will effect a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant, and I did not care for them, says the LORD.
(Heb 8:8-9 NASB)

The fault was found in the people. They were the ones who disregarded the Law of God, and failed to continue in the covenant God had made with them. We see a perfect picture of what God desires in the Psalms. He desires us to delight in His statutes (Psalm 119:16), to long after His commands (Psalm 119:20), and to willingly walk in obedience (Psalm 119: 34-35). We read in this last verse that the Psalmist desired God to make him walk in the way of His commandments. He understood his weakness and failures, and saw the need for a heart change.

God, seeing this need as well, foretells of a coming day when this would be accomplished in His people,

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
(Ezekiel 36:25-27 NASB)

"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel in those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
(Jeremiah 31:33)

This last verse is repeated in Hebrews 8:10, and Hebrews 10:15-17. This is the New Covenant. God's standard was not changed. He still desires us to live in obedience to His commands. Holiness of heart and life is not an option, for we read that without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14). A vital characteristic found in those redeemed under the New Covenant is that of the law of God written upon the heart. These individuals have a love for God's law. Instead of disregarding it as unimportant, or as a non essential, they will go to great lengths to obey Jesus Christ at any and all cost. The difference is found in the change of heart that took place when they experienced the new birth. 

Are you like so many who call themselves Christians, but have no real desire to follow Christ in the the daily choices they make? Does the law of God seem unimportant to you, is it something that seems like a good idea, but does not matter if it is obeyed or not? If so, I would question the validity of your profession by the above quoted verses dealing with the New Covenant. Either God has performed a work in your heart, or He has not. The New Covenant provides what the law could not; the willingness and power to obey God, and live in a manner that pleases Him. God is not only willing to forgive our sin, but He also provides us the means to escape its grip, and live in victory over its power, if we are willing to give it up for Him.

Where Is Your Heart?

     Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Matt 6:19-21 KJV)

     Fear not little flock; for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Luke 12:32-34 KJV)

     Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(Col 3:2-4 KJV)

     There are many today who would profess to be Christians. They have "made a decision" for Christ, they go to Church, they even hold to a higher moral standard than that which is around them. For all practical purposes, it would appear that they are indeed followers of Jesus; real Christians. 
     There is a danger however, a subtle one at that, that has caught and deceived many. It is known as covetousness; selfishly living for oneself. So many professing believers today lust after the same material things, pursue the same worldly goals, and work for the same earthly possessions and attainments that the unsaved around them work towards. 
     Jesus warns us that what we treasure (that is, the things we live and work for, that consume our time, money, and efforts), are the things that own our hearts. If we are living and working for the kingdom and principles of God, giving of our time, money, talents, and effort for the spreading of the gospel, and the care of the needy around us, our hearts are in the right place. If we truly love Jesus, if He owns our hearts and affections, our lives will reflect this in selfless pursuits. However, if we are living for our own needs only, if our time and money is spent in providing for ourselves, going after the things that give us pleasure, if we are never satisfied with what we already possess, but desire more and more, we have a problem. We may call ourselves Christian, but it is obvious by the way we are living for the temporal things of this life, that our hearts are very far from God.
     The Apostle Paul gives us a sobering warning about covetousness,

     For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, not covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
(Ephesians 5:5-6 KJV)

     Many people today have been deceived by empty words. They believe that they are Christians, yet their lives are being lived out in the pursuit of material things. Never satisfied with what they have, they clamor for bigger and better houses, vehicles, motor homes. They seek better jobs so they can afford a more lavish lifestyle. Some get caught up in the fashions of the day, and yet others are caught in the day to day struggle of food and clothing, the basic needs of life. Yet, if this is what consumes their lives, it has their hearts! Yes, they may tithe, they may give an offering of their income from time to time, but their very lives show the proof of who owns their hearts. The above verse calls this idolatry! This is not true Christianity as presented by Jesus and the Apostles, but a fraud.
     Where are you laying up your treasures? Who, or what has your heart?