The Law and the Gospel December 1, 2010
Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral. The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same. The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity. If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. “I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died” (Romans 7:9). The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— “. . . sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!
We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone. Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
________________________________________________________
December 1, 2010
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
I am often confused by the differences in obedience and grace, my willpower, and God’s will. If I fail to obey is it my lack of discipline or courage? Is my obedience required or is just trying enough? Or should I stop trying altogether and let God do the work inside of me? What if I fail in my attempts to be obedient? Am I then cut off from God’s blessings? What part is mine and what part is His? Or do I have a part at all except surrender?
And God says…”Look to Jesus. When you focus on the way, the truth and the light, you will be led by the Holy Spirit into all truth. You will not be led into all knowledge. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord, in faithful and hopeful obedience, and observe as your questions fall away. You will notice that while your questions and concerns are not all answered, you are at peace in knowing that I have the answers and I have only my very best planned for you.
Romans 8:32-39 (The Message)
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
Click Image for John White's Original Vision For CO2's
