The fourth application of the law of liberty

4.      Know that the Lord sustains us

The fourth basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know, understand and believe that, the Lord sustains us; for according to the apostle Paul; “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4).

 “For none of us lives to himself and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's: For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:7-9).

Therefore, there is absolutely nothing one can do that has any kind of effect on one’s salvation or eternal life which is by the grace of God and as a gift from God. In fact we have been duly instructed saying; “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

There is however one act of righteousness that we are to practice and that will make us as righteous even as Jesus Christ Himself is righteous and of course we have also been duly instructed saying; “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness (1 John 3:7; Romans 6:18-19).

Therefore, regardless of the fact that there is absolutely nothing one can do with regards to salvation and eternal life one must however take into consideration the state of holiness, everlasting life and glorification of the body. Holiness for example is attained only by practicing the act of righteousness which produces holiness as we have been duly instructed saying; “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (Romans 6:19).

With reference to receiving everlasting life this is what we have been duly admonished saying; “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

And with respect to the glorification of the body we are told that; “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:41-44).

Therefore, as one can clearly see holiness, everlasting life and glorification of the body comes as the result of practicing the act of righteousness that when practice makes one righteous just as Jesus Christ Himself is righteous for it is written; “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” And with respect to the glorification of the body we are admonished saying; “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (Romans 6:22; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

And with the glorification of the body there will be differences in glory just as there are differences between the glory of the sun, the moon and just as every star differs in glory so will be the glorification of the spiritual body and these are not free gifts like salvation and eternal life they have to be attained by sowing to the Spirit.

It is also an important thing to note that, this act of righteousness that produces holiness and ends in everlasting life has a specific ordained time to be offered, for this is what the Lord commanded saying; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:1).

This offering which we are to offer to the Lord at their appointed time is the medium by which one becomes holy as it was in the Old Testament which was a shadow and copy of the reality and states as follows; “They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:33).

The reality of this offering today in our New Testament dispensation is the body and blood of Jesus Christ which by the way is the medium by which one has access and fellowship with the Father who has absolutely no fellowship with darkness and the main reason for having a holy convocation and fellowship with one another.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

The third application of the law of liberty

3, .      Know that the Lord receives us

The third basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to know, understand and believe that, the Lord has received us. So whether one eats or don’t eat, or whether one observes or do not observe days the Lord has received them both, and so we have been duly admonished saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3).

This sentiment is also applicable in the observation of days as clearly stated; “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”

‘For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's” (Romans 14:5-8).

What is imperative to note and understand by everyone is that; “For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Therefore, whether one eats or not, or observing or not observing days these have absolutely no effect on one’s salvation because, according to the apostle Paul; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them” (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)

.Nevertheless, what we all need to take into consideration is the fact that, despite the fact that it is by grace that we have all been saved through faith and it is not of ourselves but it’s God’s gift to man; “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:9).

Now, before getting into the good works which God ordained beforehand that we should walk in them we should also consider the apostle Paul’s admonition which states; “What then? Shall we sin (transgress the law of God) because we are not under law but under grace? The response is, “Certainly not! (Romans 6:15)

Why, because having been set free from sin (free from transgressing the law of God) one became slaves of righteousness and being slaves of righteousness means that the individual is living within the confines of the law because according to the apostle Paul; “knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1Timothy 1:9-10).

Now the good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in is categorized in two (2) basic categories as stated by Jesus Christ saying; “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

Now love towards God is expressed through true spiritual worship which has specific protocols and guidelines and although one has the prerogative to observe or not to observe, if one chooses to worship the Lord it must not be done under compulsion, coercion, according to the imagination of one’s own heart or according to the customs and traditions of men, because there are specific protocols and guidelines as to how we ought to worship God.

The second aspect of the good works which were ordained beforehand that we should walk in is to love our neighbor as ourselves which in short means that we are to do unto others just as we would like them do unto us.

As believers therefore, we are to be very mindful and watchful that we do not allow ourselves to be caught up in the rough turbulent waters of legalism or in the calm, placid but deadly toxic waters of liberalism because they are both equally detrimental to our spiritual growth.

To be continued

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Lucius Joseph 

 

How applicable is the law of liberty (part 2)

2.      Receiving one another with understanding

The second basic principle in the application of the law of liberty is to receive one another with understanding for we have been duly instructed saying; “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14: 1-3).

The crux of the matter is, “Food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But instead, we have been duly admonished saying; “Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”  In addition to this, we should not let our good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3: 8-9; Romans 14:16-17).

The logical advice therefore given to all believers is, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

This perception applies not only to eating and drinking but also when it comes to worship For this is what we have been duly admonished saying: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:5-7).

But the question is, does this liberty give one the freedom to worship God when and how one desires? Absolutely not because there are specific guidelines and protocol on how God ought to be worshiped for we have been duly admonished saying; “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

We have also been admonished saying; “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name."

And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" (Romans 15: 7-11).

But the crux of the matter according to Jesus Christ is, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:22-24).

And so the logical question for every believer is, the rationale, the objective, the purpose, the manner and the day that we set aside to worship God is it in spirit and in truth! Is it in accordance to the word of God because Jesus Christ said quite explicitly; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63)?

Yes we do have the liberty to observe or not to observe but if we choose to observe are we observing the days which honors and glorifies the Lord as the Lord or are we giving honor and glory to another so called god? For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Therefore, although the law of liberty gives one the freedom to live with one another with understanding, nevertheless, if we are to worship the One and only true God in spirit and truth we are to appear before Him and worship Him on the days He has ordained and not according to the customs and traditions of men.

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

How applicable is the law of liberty?

How applicable is the law of liberty?

The law of liberty like every other law is applicable and has huge benefits when obeyed and huge consequences when disobeyed. Like all other laws there is a literal and practical way by which it is applicable and there are six (6) basic principles on how to apply it.

1        Building one another without offending them

In applying this first principle the first thing one should take into consideration is the fact that it is by grace we all have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Furthermore, and if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 11:6).

In the same token we also have to consider the fact that, we are all His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, despite our liberty and freedom there are certain guidelines that regulates our daily living especially when it comes to the worship of the One and only true God and even though we may not be breaking these guidelines ourselves but will be guilty if we approve of those who practice them.

Therefore, we must learn how to build one another in the faith without offending one another for example we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.”

The apostle Paul continued admonishing us by saying; “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is un-clean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:14-22).

This principle applies not only to what one eats and drinks but also applies to the day (not a day) of worship as emphasized by the apostle Paul who wrote saying; “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's: For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:4-9).

This freedom however does not give one the license to appear before God on a day/s that He has not ordained for thus it is written: “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense (prayer) is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).

Please note carefully that, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies and the sacred meetings which the Lord says that His soul hates and cannot endure iniquity and are a trouble to Him and He is weary of bearing them are not the Lord’s appointed festivals: But rather the times when one comes to appear before Him on a day or occasion which the Lord has not appointed or ordained to come and appear before Him. 

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph