Friday, 13th February 2009
"Before Abraham was, I AM" (Jn 8:58)
Jesus said these words to the Jews who revered Abraham more than Him.
The title of today's post is derived from this verse.
Many people have labelled NewCre as being antinominian, ie against the Law. But consider the following passages found in the Holy Scriptures
Heb 8:7-8
7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
8For finding fault with them, He says,
“BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,
WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT
WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
2 Cor 3:7
"...the ministry of death written and engraved on stones"
1 Cor 15:56
"...the strength of sin is the law"
Gal 4:24; 30
24These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.
30But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."
Looks like the detractors should not be giving Ps Joseph Prince too much credit, because by their definition of what antinomian is, looks like the apostle Paul was the original one!
Yup, before Joseph Prince was, Paul was :-D
10 comments:
Instead of dividing or contrasting law and grace they try to balance it and get all muddle up.Jn 1:17,2 Tim 2:15
It wasn't Pastor Prince nor Paul. It is Lord in them. Human is just delivery boy for Lord. When ever praise should go, it should be Lord Jesus, He is the one that deserve the praise and worship. Glory to Lord Jesus. Amen & Amen!
hahah! before Joseph Prince was Paul was! haha nice comparison to before Abraham was, I AM.
Paul is not an antinomian.
Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, so that they may not be unfruitful.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
He didn't neglect the works. But he was the one who really experienced how unconditional is God's grace.
Hey bro, must we have or attend more bible studies, go to church every week to look at Jesus to be righteousor to feel righteous?
Feeling righteous seems to be one of the last feelings I have. The only time I do is when i do something right (like believing God's word or promise in the bible when doing bible study or listening to sermons) but something tells me its not enough or I go into a 'i am holy now' mode and when I do something unchristian (like not resting in Christ's finished work and worrying and looking to my strength for the moment) I feel rather down and don't really expect anything good.
Any advice? (or maybe blog a little bout it)
Thanks in advance.
M.T
Righteousness is a gift apart from works.And good works are works of faith not works of the law.Gal 2:19-21,Phil 3:9
We do good works not to be righteous or earn righteousness.We do good works because we are already the righteousness of God in Christ.
This antinomian thing is resurfacing again because people don't understand the pure Gospel.
Gal 3:12 says that the law is not of faith but the man who does them shall live by them.
Are you living by faith or by observing the law? Unless you are not of the faith but an unregenerated sinner from the first Adam.
1 Tim 1:9 says the law is not made for the righteous but for the ungodly and for sinners.2 Cor 5:21
Is the law for you? If you say yes,then you are not the righteousness of God in Christ but you are an ungodly sinner.
Now don't get mad at me.That's what the bible says.
Hi M.T
You don't need to work for your righteousness nor is it a feeling. You are righteous because God has declared you righteous the moment you receive Christ. Righteousness cannot be earned and that is why it is a gift. If it can be earned, it has become a reward and self-effort. We need to learn to recognise that being a Christian is not dependent on our efforts but Christ's finished work on the Cross. What we need to do is to believe and receive from God and allow God to transform us from the inside out. I'm sure a lot of the brothers & sisters in Christ like myself have one way or another been unchristian in our behaviour and in our thoughts, but you should not feel discourage but rejoice that in spite of your weakness that God's Grace super abounds. His Grace can cover all your weaknesses. So do not worry bro, and let God's Grace embrace you and enjoy His unending love for you.
Hey Jeffrey
Thanks for the advice I'm certainly not offended but can you explain more on observing the law? How can you say that trying to be righteous by doing christian things is being under law?
Law and doing godly things are different but I think that we need to do godly things (like getting revelations and enjoying intamcy with God). to be righteous. I want to enjoy this priveleges but how does one do that?
The bible says believe in Jesus. So its down to my faith again right?
M.T
Hi M.T,
I think Malcolm and Stanley can give a better answer.
Anyway,what I meant was observing the law TO BE righteous.
Jm 2:10 says that if we stumble in just one point we have broken all.
That's how perfect God's standard is.The fact is that none of us can fully obey or keep all the laws. Even if you heard sermons on absolute obedience by preachers that's just hypocrisy and self righteousness.
You don't need to do godly things to be righteous.Righteousness is a GIFT.Rom 5:17, 2Cor 5:21
Yes,you just have to believe that you are the righteousness of God in Christ.That's your identity and WHO YOU ARE.
We are the righteousness of God in Christ and we are His beloved sons and daughters.
We do righteous acts bcoz WE ARE righteous NOT TO BE righteous.
Sanctification is a progressive revelation of our identity (righteousness)in Christ not a progressive improvement of our behavior.1 Cor 1:30,1 Cor 6:11
Right behaviour then is a result of right believing.Right behaviour is the fruit like the fruit of the Spirit.
Rom 3:31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith?May it never be! On the contrary,we uphold the law.
We uphold the law not by focusing on the law.We uphold the law through the righteousness of faith.We focus on JESUS.We behold Him who is our righteousness and we are being transformed.2 Cor 3:18
Enjoy the grace journey M.T.
Your walk and life will never be the same again!You will really get to enjoy BEING a Christian,instead of JUST DOING !
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