A trap to avoid

This week there was another expose on television about a cult that does not report or punish law-breakers within their membership in relation to child abuse. I’m familiar with this cult and their attitude toward rules, which does not jibe with the expose. Everyone is supposed to do what they say, but not themselves?

“For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:13–16)

In New Testament times, a group of religious people determined that a person had to keep the laws of God to be a Christian. They focused on one ‘rule’ that in their minds was a definite must.

Rule-keeping is contrary to the Gospel but didn’t stop them from confusing seekers and believers, including the church in Galatia. Paul wrote to them about this matter, strongly warning them of ‘falling from grace’ and denying the power of God and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The passage above strikes at their motives. They wanted people to follow their “rules” so they could boast about them. As for the cult mentioned, they also boast about their numbers, about all the people who do their best to be good ‘witnesses’ for their organization. However, no one can keep all their rules. As the expose showed, that is not reported, even some of the most gross misconduct.

At the same time, this cult wants no drop in their numbers. They want to appear successful so use ‘shunning’ to keep people tied to them. While some have gone to court over the losses due to shunning, the supreme court in Canada has just passed a new law that allows them to shun whoever they wish without being sued.

The biblical answer to this complicated issue strikes at the root of the problem. Faith in Jesus Christ means new life, a new way of thinking, a change in motivation. Those who love and follow Jesus are not bound to the laws of God, but we are bound to love one another.

We are also to not base our relationship with God on rule-keeping. We are saved by grace. Not only that, there are grave results for those who get tangled in law-keeping.

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Galatians 3:10–11)

Paul is quoting the Old Testament to show that salvation has always been by faith. He goes on to explain the purpose of the law (to reveal sin and to show people they need grace). For these reasons, being circumcised or having any sort of focus on OT “rules” will take them away from grace:

“Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision count for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:2–6)

So why do cults and various other isms become so focused on rules? They obviously do not realize that by refusing God’s gracious gift of salvation by faith, they are also missing out on the gift of the Holy Spirit who changes lives and gives them a deep love for one another.

If I choose to walk in the flesh rather than obey God, I put myself in bondage, not to a cult but to the tyranny of always wanting my own way. This is always against the way of the Lord and produces no peace and joy in this life and no eternal results. How sad.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16–18)

^^^^^^^^^^

Oh Lord Jesus, I’m not sure why cult members or anyone else rejects the Gospel and says, ‘No thanks, I will do it my way’ other than our sin runs deep. Truly all need You to get us out of our unyielding pride.

Loving others is not about me

The Christians in Galatia had entangled themselves in a pattern of trying to establish their righteousness by keeping the Law of God. They didn’t say ‘We are saved by our own works’ because Satan knows how to put a lie into our hearts without being so easily detected. Only when Paul wrote to them was that lie exposed.

At least two major denominations teach that we are saved by grace, but only if we keep the law. Others put variations on this such as, ‘We are justified by grace alone, but sanctification comes by keeping the commandments.’ However it is phrased, both are trying to mix law and grace. In doing so, they deny the Gospel of salvation by grace alone.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)  

As I think about this, Satan can be even more subtle. He tells me that I am saved and being sanctified, but constantly is at me with stuff like “you are not good enough” or “try harder” pressuring me with the idea that pleasing God is about my performance.

Many people grow up with that idea. We want to please our parents and are praised when we behave. We want to please our peers and are accepted by them as long as we fit in. For me, it was pleasing my teachers by good grades and pleasing myself by accomplishments.

While obedience to God is the way to go, I need to be aware of my motivations. Who am I really trying to please? Who will get the glory in the end? Am I doing this for me because ‘me’ always likes to pat myself on the back?

Jesus came in perfect humanity not only to die for sin, but to show sinners what God intended when He created us. For Jesus, it was all about others. He fulfilled every law, every commandment, every ideal that God describes. This is how we express love to God by loving one another.

One of the ways to love others is this: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) This verse speaks of the law of Christ, but that law and that love is never about me or my performance. In other words, the love of Christ is not measured in how many pies I bake for the neighbors or how many orphans I support. It is measured by releasing all my I-wants to God and letting Him live out His live through me. It is living in the power of the Holy Spirit and doing what He says. It isn’t about what I want or my needs, but about caring for the needs of others because Christ takes care of me . . .

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus . . . .” (Philippians 2:1–5)

Just as the traits of others rub off on me when I hang around them, the mind of Christ becomes more and more evident as I hang around Him. I learn how to love by observing His lack of selfish ambition and conceit. He considers others more important than Himself. He listens to their hearts and meets all their needs. He loves and serves people, an expression of His perfection, not a way to gain it or prove it.

Bearing the burdens of others is not about worrying, or removing their responsibilities. It is sharing their load in whatever ways God has gifted me and blessed me with the resources to do so. By looking at Christ as the example, I see that love expressed in burden-bearing is also sacrificial. If I am in this for Jesus, it will cost me something rather than building up me or gratifying my pride. Just as He gives the description, the glory of love also always goes to its source — the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Jesus, Your Word is plain; we are to love one another. Because I have been born of God, You live in my heart and make possible that kind of burden-bearing love. This is how the world knows that God sent You. This also gives me confidence as I walk with You because this kind of love casts out all fear. This seems an odd prescription but I am thankful that Your remedies always bless Your people and glorify Your name!

No one can keep God’s Law . . .

A young woman said she did not want to be a Christian because she was aware that Christians live according to the will of God and she didn’t want to do that because “it would not be fun.” Her understanding, however incomplete, did reveal one thing: she knew that living by God’s ‘rules’ would make her feel bad. She just didn’t know why.

Unfortunately, this perception about keeping the ‘rules’ has kept even Christians from realizing the purpose of God’s Law. Keeping it cannot make anyone holy or righteous because no one can keep it! Instead, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20)

Trying to keep those rules is not fun because taking that route only makes people feel guilty. They realize they fall short and as a consequence must either stop trying and be left in their guilt, or seek mercy from the God they are trying to appease or please.

The second option is a good one because the God who demands righteousness also provides it . . .

“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3–5)

Those who put their faith in Jesus Christ are forgiven and the righteousness of Christ is imputed on them by a merciful God. That makes them His people, Christians who can live to please God. Yet everyone knows that Christians still break God’s laws and shock others, even themselves by their sin. How can that be explained? They have the righteousness of Christ, even the mind of Christ. What is the meaning of sin in the life of someone so blessed by the mercy of God?

In the above passage, there is an explanation, a qualifier for fulfilling the Law of God. It talks of those, “who live according to the flesh” and those “who live according to the Spirit.”

We know about people who suffer from double-mindedness, or mental illness like schizophrenia, which is not a good illustration, but enough to explain what is going on. Those who walk by the flesh are doing their own thing, seeking their own comfort and benefit, even using religious activities to do it. Those who live by the Spirit are listening to God and carefully following His direction. Their lives are governed by Him, not by their own desires. When that happens, through the Spirit of God a Christian is fulfilling His Law. It may seem weird at times, and not understood by others, but this is how I can live the way God wants me to live.

Paul rebuked the Galatians for trying to live righteously apart from this. He said, “Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  . . . . Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’?  . . . . For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ But the law is not of faith . . . .” (Galatians 3:1–13)

Rule-keeping is evidence that I am trusting me. The law of God is holy, just and good, but only pride makes me think I can keep it. But that is not true . . . . “by the deeds of the law no flesh can be justified.” Instead, I need to walk in the Spirit. This is always a challenge (my flesh and my pride resists it), however humility and faith make it possible. Becoming consistent in both is a life-time challenge.

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Jesus, I know that by faith in You, I fulfill the law’s requirement of perfect righteousness. I have no righteousness of my own. Faith in You does not ignore or defile or lessen the law, or make it void. Instead, because of Your grand salvation plan, by faith and grace, walking in Your Spirit is the only way I can honor Your Law.

Covenant, grace, and works

“I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth . . . . I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:13,15)

A covenant is a solemn agreement between God and man. The covenant made after the flood is unconditional and unilateral. God unconditionally obligated Himself to bring to pass definite blessings and conditions for His people. This covenant is characterized by the formula: I will which declares God’s determination to do as He promises. There may be conditions in the covenant by which God requests the covenanted one to fulfill out of gratitude, but they are not themselves the basis of God’s fulfilling His promises. He does it by grace, and the people involved believe Him by faith.

God also made a covenant with Abraham. This happened long before God’s Law was given to Moses.

“Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” (Galatians 3:15–18)

This is the difference between salvation by grace and so-called salvation by works. Believing in the promise of God results in salvation; keeping the law does not. The law was given because of sin and defines sin, but no one can keep it 100%.

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise." (Galatians 3:23–29)

This description was given to those early Christians in Galatia who mistakenly thought that once they were saved by faith they had to keep the law or they would lose their salvation. This error is believed by people today and is written in the doctrinal or faith statements of several denominations. It confuses those who attend their churches and confuses those who are interested in Christianity.

The Bible says we are not saved by doing works of righteousness, yet says we are supposed to do this and that as we live as Christians. Is keeping those commands equivalent to doing good works to be saved? Not at all. Instead, they are the result of being saved, or at least they should be.

I find it difficult to discern if someone is doing good things out of a heart filled with love for God, or out of a fearful heart that assumes they will lose any ground gained if they don’t measure up. The only way that I can figure this out is by examining my own motives for what I do, and by carefully listening to those who talk more about their good works than they do about the saving power of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament also needs to be read carefully and with the understanding that genuine Christians do good things because the Holy Spirit lives in them and Christ is directing their lives. Without Jesus, I cannot do anything without it being selfishly motivated. With Jesus, my increasing desire is to glorify God.

The book of Galatians is a strong warning to avoid slipping into the mindset that “I must do . . .  or I cannot please God.” Grace does not work like that. Grace puts me in good stead with God because of what Jesus Christ has done. As humbling as that is, grace is all I have. Everything I do apart from the Lord Jesus motivating and empowering me is useless. Any mere human goodness falls short of the glory of God. 

As Chambers says, “When I have really transacted business with God on His covenant and have let go entirely, there is no sense of merit, no human ingredient in it at all, but a complete overwhelming sense of being brought into union with God, and the whole thing is transfigured with peace and joy.”