In yet another example of “no one ever taught me this in my 40+ years in Christianity”, the biblical record is clear - Yahweh repeatedly spelled out who His Law applied to. It was never a “for the Jews alone” issue and when we have eyes to see this fact, all of our dispensational theology foundations begin to reveal their abundant cracks.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes resolved, “The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear Elohim and keep His commandments, because this applies to every human being.” Do we really believe this? Are “Gentile Christians” somehow mysteriously exempt from “every human being?” That's what I was always told.
The Most High, in His endless compassion and mercy, extended a way for all men to come to Him and be enveloped into His set apart People. We see this with the Ethiopian Eunuch, Cornelius and others. People who join themselves with Father’s covenantal ways are welcomed into His Family. He is a surely a good Father!
I don’t know what could be more clear. Let those of us who set our agreement with Abraham, Noah, David, John, Titus, Paul, (must I list all of them?) and yield our wills to Father’s wonderful Way to live rejoice that we're invited too!
Invited to what? Walk within the wonderful confines of the perfect Law that our Messiah willingly obeyed, from His heart of submission and servanthood. Here, freedom and liberty are found! I simply want to be like Him. He said to walk as He walked… and this is how. Have you humbled yourself as an outsider/stranger and received Father's invitation? As I always say, biblically, there’s only two types of people: Those in covenant and those not in covenant. Selah.
I’m still working my way through the old Psalm commentary book that I dug out a couple of weeks ago. A few days back, another great quote emerged.
“It is a happy reminder that God’s Law is a good gift and is only the antithesis of grace when It is used to earn salvation.” (Derek Kidner: Tyndale OT Commentary)
Yes! I don’t know what world you live in, but in mine, people who say that they love God and the Bible are becoming borderline hostile towards the suggestion that Father’s Law is good and right. Just this week, someone told me that they’ve been “set free from the doctrine of demons that says you must have law and grace. I’m free in Jesus!” (They then continued to get quite ugly towards my biblical suggestions to reconsider this stance.)
In a video that I watched recently, a man gave a message explaining how James obviously didn’t understand the Gospel yet, when he wrote the Book of James. When James penned that “faith without works is dead”, this YouTuber “taught” that James did not yet understand the finished work of Messiah. He was still “under the law and confused. But we today know better!”, he said with a big smile. Sadly, this video had thousands of views and comments gushing over how “free they are in Jesus” now. Many comments spoke about how they used to "feel guilty for stuff" until they got "free in Jesus" and now they're just happy all of the time.
I’ve been speaking towards this for many years now, yet even I’m a bit taken back at how quickly it is spreading. Let those who have been raised to “choose Jesus and grace or Law and bondage” be found willing to shake of the bad doctrine that demands we choose.
What does the Word say? Find out and abandon everything else! The message that is rewriting the Bible isn’t coming friend, it’s here. The endless biblical prophecies of an age of lawlessness is fully engaged. Study. Practice discernment. The broad arm of deception is sweeping in and many will be led astray. Let it not be us.
Perhaps this verse is not the most exciting one that we could discuss today, right? But the reason I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about it is because it is the perfect example of context.
In this lead-in of sorts, we’re told of this man Isaiah. He has a vision. We’re told Who the vision is in regards to. We’re then told when he saw the vision and who was ruling at that time. We could then, of course, read other biblical texts and gain even more insight into this age (such as the days of Hezekiah’s rule.)
I always enjoy making sure that I understand what is going on and why when I read the Word these days. I would suggest that it’s of utmost importance or else we’ll grab random verses or paragraphs in order to create a doctrinal position on a matter, but are ignorant of the entirety of what is being presented.
Am I saying that one cannot read their Bible unless they have three hours a day to dedicate to deeply study? No. But, let us rightly handle this Book and not merely casually read It here and there, ignorant of the goings on of whatever we might see within Its pages. Praise Father for the intriguing reality it is to have His Word in our hearts and hands. Selah.
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Although people who only look upon us from afar errantly assume that we’re simply laboring all of the time to “earn God’s favor,” our hearts are continuously filled with gratitude for Father’s incredible mercy. As the Scriptures teach us, His mercy and patience are immeasurable. We surely understand that well.
Once one begins to understand covenant and the greater purposes of Messiah’s accomplishments on our behalf, this fact grows even greater. This is actually an integral part of what fuels a covenant man to obey. Obedience is merely a response to the incredible love and mercy of our Father. As I daily acknowledge my weaknesses, failures and sin, I’m looking to the example of the Son and striving to walk in His likeness.
Thereby, I have hope. I’m empowered to obey and my Father said that is how I love Him. If I love Him, I will obey. He said it, not me. My heart is full. I’m often overwhelmed by His patience with me. Patience that is fast approaching to be intact in my life for 52 years now. Yahweh is good. His mercy endures forever. Selah.
Some things to think towards the next time someone tries to tell you that Father's instructions are "weak and beggarly elements of bondage." (Mishandling Galatians chapter 4)
