The Destiny of Adam
Part 1 / Section 4
GRACE, GRACE
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, unless heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 5:17-20
Truly, truly, the word of Jesus could never be so plain. "I come not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill." The precepts or commandments of God, given so as to achieve a relationship with Him, as established under the covenant at Mt. Horeb, with Moses, have not changed. The new arrangement or new covenant provides a new basis or standard that does not take away from, but adds to and enhances. The people, on their own, were not worthy or capable to establish that relationship with the Lord, no mater how much they desired it to happen. And the same would be true today if it weren't for the fact that God gave us His Son, who bore our inadequacies once and for all, enabling all to achieve the desired relationship with the Lord, if we truly desire it to happen. Under the old arrangement, the people desired a relationship with God based upon their knowledge of God's power and what He could do for them, yet, it was up to them alone to adhere to the Law. Under the new arrangement, if the people truly desire a relationship with God, they are no longer on their own. They have available to themselves the help of God's Son. "For God so loved the world , that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. John 3:16-17
At the time God appeared to Moses on Mt. Sinai to deliver the Ten Commandments, God said, "Behold, I shall come to you in a thick cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may believe in you forever." So, God gave the people a sign that they might know. Likewise, when Jesus was given to the people, God gave the people a sign; Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. And after being baptized , Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17
When Moses was approaching God's mountain, from the wilderness, for the first time, God warned him to proceed cautiously; you are approaching my mountain which is Holy, take precautions, be aware, even from the distance from which you are at you must take off your sandals, for even that place for which you are standing is Holy ground. And again, when the people which came out of Egypt were camped in the wilderness at the foot of the mountain, God told Moses to prepare them. Prepare them for what? Prepare them because God will be coming near to them. So whether it is God coming near to the people or the people drawing near to God, it is required that they be prepared; consecrated, with washed garments. And unless this be so, they were not allowed to pass by "set boundaries" lest they might die. On the third day, God warned Moses again, be sure that no one comes forward to soon, even the priests. Be sure that all that desire to come near to me have consecrated themselves. The relationship that God wants with the people is one of likeness. "Be Ye Holy for I AM Holy". Under the old covenant God desired to fellowship with His people, yet the people continued to fall short of the preparedness. But, glory to God, under the new covenant ---- Grace, Grace --- God gave the people a way to fulfill the preparedness. God gave the people a way to get prepared, guaranteed. Yet again, even with God's grace, even with His love, the people still look to themselves and refuse to give to God the fellowship that He so desires with His people. Just as God warned Moses several times, so Jesus warned the people. "I am the way , and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me". John 14:6 "Do not think that I come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished". Matthew 5:17-18.
It is plain that the transition from the old to the new covenant did not render the Law void. The Law was given so as to recognize sin, for without the Law, there would be no sin." Whoever then annuls one of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 5:19-20.
The standard, by which sin is recognized, and the Law, by which righteousness can be viewed, have been forgotten, have been annulled, and are being so taught. Our modern society has established, recognized and is maintaining a standard of intellectual awareness. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. We only pass through this world one time, so go for it. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you might die. If it feels good, do it, it must be O.K. If what one is doing does not appear to be hurting anyone, then it's O.K. Where did the symbols O.K. come from, anyway. O.K. appears to mean that it is all right...All Right... What is O.K., just might be All Wrong... This modern society, that is bent on establishing intellectual self-accomplishments first, for self-gratification, is abounding as the law of the land. As a result, this atmosphere, this spiritual quickening, has not only crept into the church, but have developed the church into well established modern churches patronizing the spiritual quickening of modern society.
Jesus said, "Whoever then annuls one of these commandments, and so teaches other, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven". "That unless your Righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven". And Jesus, in condemning the Pharisees at a given time said, "He who is not with me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters'. Matthew 12:34
For there are many people filling the modern churches today calling themselves Christians who are not gathering, but scattering. And God warned Moses, be extra sure that the priests are prepared, so should the leaders of today’s churches take notice of this warning and check again if they have indeed counted the cost. The Bride that Jesus is coming back to receive, is not the church as we know it today.