Bible Discussion Thread

On verse 16, It breaks my heart when I hear people repeat like “broken records”, texts or ideas from the Bible without making the slightest effort to understand what the author is saying. The myopic approach to certain issues of the Holy Writ is dangerous and can lead to destruction. Now, I realize that most of them are sincere and they mean well; however they are still mislead. Here is the case in point: In the letter (all six chapters = one letter) to the churches in Galatia, Apostle Paul is dealing with the controversial issue of circumcision. Methodically, he is explaining to the new believers why they don’t need to be circumcised in order to be saved. In verse 16 he declares: “KNOWING THAT A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT BY THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, EVEN WE HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE FAITH OF CHRIST, AND NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW: FOR BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED.” This is a true and very important statement: Salvation is God’s gift to anyone who accepts it. It is free and based on Christ’s sacrifice and merits only. So, what does that statement mean? First, it means that no matter how strict or faithful toward keeping any law, IT WILL NOT get you into the Kingdom of God. Secondly, within the context of Paul’s letter, it means that circumcision (in the flesh), which was part of the “Ceremonial Law” (fulfilled by Christ, and no longer required to be observed), is not a prerequisite to be saved, nor to become part of “the chosen people” or spiritual Israel. Galatians 3, states: “26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 AND IF YE BE CHRIST'S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.” Thirdly, and just as important, that statement does not give us a free pass to sin, just because Christ died, and we are under GRACE. In other words: We have no right to trample the Moral Law or “the Ten Commandments” under our feet, under the pretext that we don’t want to be “under the curse of the Law”. Most Christians have no problem admitting that keeping at least nine of the Ten, it is OK… So they say: “not stealing from me it’s desirable, you should keep that commandment; and no, I wouldn’t want you to fool-around with my wife: that seventh commandment it’s very important!” Or, “Do you want to kill me? Oh no, that’s breaking the sixth one: don’t even think of that!” And so on, with commandment number 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. So far you are safe: if you keep just those nine you are not under “the curse of the Law”! But the moment you mention the fourth commandment they cry: “LEGALISM”, down with that Jewish Sabbath! You are under the curse… So they take away the only commandment that says “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy” and tell everyone to “Forget it!” or they say: “Oh no, we keep Sunday (the Day of the Sun) instead!” So, why do we need to keep the Ten Commandments? No, we don’t keep them in order to be saved, but rather, because we are saved. We do it out of respect for God, not to score “salvation points”. And every time we break one of them, we repent and ask God’s forgiveness, and, as Jesus bids us, we “go and sin no more”. But even if we do, as often as it happens, we go again through the same exercise: repent and ask God’s forgiveness “until seventy times seven” if needed ( Matthew 18:22), and “…He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9, until we are victorious over that sin. THIS IS GRACE: No condemnation (as the Law requires) but unmerited forgiveness! The Law is not abolished, but it facilitates GRACE. And so, we grow and mature as followers of Christ. But, if there is no Law, then there is no need for forgiveness, no need for repentance, no need for grace, and ultimately no need of Christ… Suppose now, just suppose that Apostle Paul is teaching here that we don’t need to keep The Commandments, any of them: Would you listen to him or to Jesus?! Here is what Jesus, our Savior is asking you and me: “IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS”, John 14:15. But no, Apostle Paul would not dare to contradict his Savior and Master… as he had in the past. Not convinced yet? Here is another message from Jesus: “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” Matthew 5:19. Yes, they’ll be called “the least” but they won’t be found within. Choose eternal life today: and be called GREAT in the kingdom of heaven!