From Gary... Bible Reading March 15

Bible Reading   

March 15

The World English Bible

Mar. 15

Exodus 25

Exo 25:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 25:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering.

Exo 25:3 This is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, brass,

Exo 25:4 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats' hair,

Exo 25:5 rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood,

Exo 25:6 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,

Exo 25:7 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

Exo 25:8 Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

Exo 25:9 According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all of its furniture, even so you shall make it.

Exo 25:10 "They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Its length shall be two and a half cubits, its breadth a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.

Exo 25:11 You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and outside, and you shall make a gold molding around it.

Exo 25:12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four feet. Two rings shall be on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.

Exo 25:13 You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.

Exo 25:14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark.

Exo 25:15 The poles shall be in the rings of the ark. They shall not be taken from it.

Exo 25:16 You shall put the testimony which I shall give you into the ark.

Exo 25:17 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two and a half cubits shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth.

Exo 25:18 You shall make two cherubim of hammered gold. You shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.

Exo 25:19 Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. You shall make the cherubim on its two ends of one piece with the mercy seat.

Exo 25:20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.

Exo 25:21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I will give you.

Exo 25:22 There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony, all that I command you for the children of Israel.

Exo 25:23 "You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth, and one and a half cubits its height.

Exo 25:24 You shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

Exo 25:25 You shall make a rim of a handbreadth around it. You shall make a golden molding on its rim around it.

Exo 25:26 You shall make four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that are on its four feet.

Exo 25:27 the rings shall be close to the rim, for places for the poles to carry the table.

Exo 25:28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them.

Exo 25:29 You shall make its dishes, its spoons, its ladles, and its bowls to pour out offerings with. You shall make them of pure gold.

Exo 25:30 You shall set bread of the presence on the table before me always.

Exo 25:31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. Of hammered work shall the lampstand be made, even its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it.

Exo 25:32 There shall be six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of its one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of its other side;

Exo 25:33 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower; and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lampstand;

Exo 25:34 and in the lampstand four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;

Exo 25:35 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the lampstand.

Exo 25:36 Their buds and their branches shall be of one piece with it, all of it one beaten work of pure gold.

Exo 25:37 You shall make its lamps seven, and they shall light its lamps to give light to the space in front of it.

Exo 25:38 Its snuffers and its snuff dishes shall be of pure gold.

Exo 25:39 It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these accessories.

Exo 25:40 See that you make them after their pattern, which has been shown to you on the mountain.

 

Mar. 15, 16

Mark 10

Mar 10:1 He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them.

Mar 10:2 Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

Mar 10:3 He answered, "What did Moses command you?"

Mar 10:4 They said, "Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her."

Mar 10:5 But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.

Mar 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

Mar 10:7 For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,

Mar 10:8 and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Mar 10:9 What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

Mar 10:10 In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.

Mar 10:11 He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her.

Mar 10:12 If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery."

Mar 10:13 They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.

Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, "Allow the little children to come to me! Don't forbid them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mar 10:15 Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."

Mar 10:16 He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mar 10:17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

Mar 10:18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one-God.

Mar 10:19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not give false testimony,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and mother.' "

Mar 10:20 He said to him, "Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth."

Mar 10:21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross."

Mar 10:22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.

Mar 10:23 Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!"

Mar 10:24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, "Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!

Mar 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."

Mar 10:26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, "Then who can be saved?"

Mar 10:27 Jesus, looking at them, said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God."

Mar 10:28 Peter began to tell him, "Behold, we have left all, and have followed you."

Mar 10:29 Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,

Mar 10:30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

Mar 10:31 But many who are first will be last; and the last first."

Mar 10:32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.

Mar 10:33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.

Mar 10:34 They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."

Mar 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask."

Mar 10:36 He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Mar 10:37 They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory."

Mar 10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

Mar 10:39 They said to him, "We are able." Jesus said to them, "You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;

Mar 10:40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared."

Mar 10:41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John.

Mar 10:42 Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Mar 10:43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.

Mar 10:44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.

Mar 10:45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mar 10:46 They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

Mar 10:47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mar 10:48 Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mar 10:49 Jesus stood still, and said, "Call him." They called the blind man, saying to him, "Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!"

Mar 10:50 He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

Mar 10:51 Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "Rhabboni, that I may see again."

Mar 10:52 Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

From Gary... Fear

It is unpopular to speak of the "Fear of the LORD". This is foolishness!!!  Why shouldn't one fear God? Consider that HE has the power to create everything and sustain it for eons beyond eons. HE has the power to consign people to hell (Gehenna) or grant them access to heaven. I found a couple of references on the net that explain the concept plainly;the links are listed below and are worth taking the time to read...

What does it mean to fear God?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spirituallife/what-does-it-mean-to-fear-god.html

Fear; some questions answered 

http://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/131/how-can-we-understand-fear

Frankly, the world can be a scary place and many very bad things can happen to you, but whatever can happen to you here is nothing compared to eternal punishment.  Jesus said it well: 

Matthew, Chapter 10

 24  “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.   25  It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!   26 Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known.   27  What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.   28  Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

I know this can be a difficult topic for some, but my take on all this is that for the Christian, fear is putting God on the throne of your life and following HIM with respect and awe in every aspect of your life. At the judgment, Christ will continue to intercede for us, so the dread aspect of fear will not come into play.  Without Christ- only terror awaits, so, BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!!!

From Mark Copeland... The Superior Sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-28)

                 "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                    The Superior Sanctuary (9:11-28)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the current section of "The Epistle To The Hebrews", the focus 
   is on the superiority of the New Covenant which provides...
   a. Better promises - He 8:7-13
   b. A better sanctuary - He 9:1-28
   c. A better sacrifice - He 10:1-18

2. Our previous study considered "The Earthly Sanctuary" of the Old 
   Covenant, that tabernacle which...
   a. Served as copy and shadow of the heavenly things - He 9:9; 8:5
   b. Involved fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation
      - He 9:10
   ...and was therefore limited in its ability to provide what man 
      truly needed! - He 9:9b
 
3. In the second half of the ninth chapter, we are now introduced to 
   "The Heavenly Sanctuary" of the New Covenant...
   a. The true tabernacle in which Christ is a minister - He 8:2
   b. The true tabernacle "which the Lord erected, and not man" - He 8:2

[As such it is "The Superior Sanctuary", which becomes apparent as we
make our way through the rest of the ninth chapter...]

I. IT IS HEAVENLY (11,24)

   A. A GREATER AND MORE PERFECT TABERNACLE...
      1. A tabernacle "not made with hands"
      2. A tabernacle "not of this creation"
      -- Where then is this tabernacle?  Look ahead to verse 24...

   B. IN HEAVEN ITSELF...
      1. Christ has not entered the earthly tabernacle "made with 
         hands"
      2. It is "into heaven itself" that Christ has entered!
      3. He now appears "in the presence of God"
      -- Therefore "The Superior Sanctuary" is none other than heaven,
         where God dwells!

[In this heavenly sanctuary Christ serves as "High Priest of the good
things to come". The "good things" likely includes the promises of
Jer 31:31-34, especially the one pertaining to forgiveness of sin, for
the author explains how with "The Superior Sanctuary"...]

II. ITS MINISTRY EFFECTIVELY DEALS WITH SIN (12-15)

   A. ETERNAL REDEMPTION IS PROVIDED (12)
      1. Christ entered the "Most Holy Place" (heaven)
         a. Just as the high priest entered the Most Holy Place in the
            earthly sanctuary
         b. With these two major differences:
            1) Jesus took not the blood of goats and calves, but His
               own blood
            2) Jesus entered "once for all", not once a year
      2. With His blood, He "obtained eternal redemption"
         a. This is why He does not need to offer His blood every year 
            - cf. He 10:10-12
         b. But His redemption is "eternal" in another sense, as seen
            later in verse 15

   B. THE CONSCIENCE IS PURGED OF SIN (13-14)
      1. The blood of animals was able to purify the flesh of an 
         unclean person
      2. But the blood of Christ is able to purge the conscience from
         dead works (i.e., sin) to serve the living God
         a. The animal sacrifices could not do this - He 9:9-10; 10:1-2
         b. For the daily and annual sacrifices constantly reminded 
            them of sin - He 10:3
         c. Therefore Christ not only removes the "legal" guilt of sin,
            but also the "inward" (or emotional) guilt of sin!

   C. THERE IS REDEMPTION FOR SINS UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT (15)
      1. His role as Mediator of the New Covenant is not limited to 
         those who lived after it became of force
      2. His death covers not only sinners since His death, but also 
         those who lived under the first covenant, who were called to
         receive the promise of eternal inheritance!
      -- In providing atonement for those before and after His death, 
         Jesus has truly "obtained eternal redemption"

[The service rendered by its High Priest certainly makes the "heavenly
sanctuary" a superior one!

As one contemplates the meaning of Christ's death in its relation to 
the heavenly sanctuary, there is much to consider, and the author 
proceeds to explain further why...]

III. ITS MINISTRY NECESSITATED A COSTLY SACRIFICE (16-22)

   A. TO INITIATE A NEW TESTAMENT (16-17)
      1. A testament, or will, requires the death of the one who makes
         it
      2. It does not become of force until the testator dies
      -- The New Covenant with its heavenly sanctuary is like a 
         testament, requiring Jesus' death for it to become of force

   B. TO DEDICATE A NEW COVENANT (18-23)
      1. Consider what was done with the first covenant...
         a. It was dedicated with the blood of calves and goats
         b. Its tabernacle and furniture were purified with the 
            sprinkling of such blood
      2. Should the new covenant require any less?
         a. The first covenant contained only "copies of the things in
            the heavens"
         b. Therefore the heavenly things required purification by 
            "better sacrifices" (i.e., Jesus' own blood)
         c. Exactly what is meant by "heavenly things" is unclear
            1) Some point to passages like Col 1:20, where even "things
               in heaven" are reconciled to God by Jesus' blood
            2) Some believe it has reference to the church, of which 
               the Holy Place in the earthly tabernacle was typical
            3) B. W. Johnson comments:  "By the heavenly things are 
               meant all of which the tabernacle was typical. The holy
               place was a type of the church, which is cleansed with
               the blood of Christ. Perhaps, too, there is a reference
               to the redeemed church above, in the heavens, which 
               eternally praises him who cleansed it with his blood."
               (The People's New Testament)

[It was the "better sacrifices" (i.e., Jesus' blood) that initiated the
new covenant and made the heavenly sanctuary superior to the earthly 
one.  More will be said about Christ's sacrifice in chapter ten, but we
finally note concerning "The Superior Sanctuary" that...]

IV. ITS MINISTRY IS FINAL AND COMPLETE (24-28)

   A. CHRIST IS NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US...
      1. No longer is a high priest serving in a tabernacle "made with
         hands"
      2. No longer is one serving in what was only a "copy"
      -- In God's presence, Jesus is ministering as High Priest in that
         which is the "true" holy place!

   B. HE ONLY NEEDED TO OFFER HIMSELF ONCE...
      1. The all-sufficiency of His sacrifice is seen that He only
         needed to offer Himself once
         a. Otherwise, He would have needed to "suffer often from the
            foundation of the world"
         b. Like the high priests of old, who entered the Most Holy 
            Place each year
      2. Therefore, at the "end of the ages", He came to put away sin
         once for all!
         a. The phrase "end of the ages" is equivalent to the "last
            days" - He 1:2
         b. I.e., the final period of the world's history - 1Co 10:11;
            1Pe 1:20
      3. Just as man dies only once, so Jesus needed to be offered for
         sin only once

   C. WHEN HE COMES AGAIN, IT WILL BE FOR SALVATION, NOT SIN...
      1. With His first coming, He was primarily the "sin-bearer"
         a. He came "to bear the sins of many"
         b. Which He did by dying on the cross for our sins - 1Pe 2:24
      2. His second coming will be "apart from sin"
         a. To bring salvation (from the wrath of God to come - Ro 5:9)
         b. To those who eagerly await for Him - cf. 1Th 1:9-10

CONCLUSION

1. How is the sanctuary of the New Covenant superior?
   a. By virtue of its nature:  heavenly, not physical
   b. By virtue of its ministry:
      1) Dealing effectively with sin
      2) Providing complete and final deliverance

2. Why should we be interested in the ministry of "The Superior 
   Sanctuary"?
   a. Because death is our appointed lot (unless Christ comes first) 
      - He 9:27
   b. And then comes the judgment - cf. 2Co 5:10
   -- The ministry of Christ prepares us for that coming judgment!

3. Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?  
   a. Preparation involves obedience, for Jesus is "the author of 
      eternal salvation to all who obey Him" - He 5:9
   b. Preparation involves allowing the blood of Christ to "purge your
      conscience from dead works to serve the living God" - He 9:14

Through obedience to the precious gospel of Christ, we can "eagerly 
wait for Him", knowing that for us He is coming to bring salvation 
and not condemnation! - cf. 1Th 1:10

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan... CORRECT VIEWS AND WARM RIGHTEOUSNESS (3)

CORRECT VIEWS AND WARM RIGHTEOUSNESS (3)

I have a single point I wish to make with this piece and it’s this: God’s elect are called to live righteously in holy generosity but they are also called to bear witness to truth about God as he has revealed himself in human history.

Israel experienced something with God that no other nation experienced. Amos 3:2 makes that very clear (NRSV): “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” The NIV and NAS goes with “chosen,” the NJB goes with “intimately known” and the JPS offers “have I singled out”. It hardly needs saying that a special relationship with Israel is implied.

That special relationship was created and publicly signified by God’s gracious choosing of Abraham, his self-disclosure, his redemptive acts and his covenants. God chose to exclude all other nations from these experiences and if the nations got to know anything about them it was from “the outside” (compare Joshua 2:9-11 and 5:1). It was to Israel alone God gave the Sinai covenant, with its promises, feasts, laws, insights, wisdom and all that they involved.

In Romans 3:1 Paul’s imaginary dialogue partner says, [If all you say is true] “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew?” Paul’s response is, “Much in every way!” Jews had a multi-faceted advantage over all the other nations and that is precisely why Amos 3:2 goes on to say, “therefore I will punish you for all yours sins.”

Israel was not only blessed with advantages and promises, it was entrusted with them (Romans 3:1-2 and compare Isaiah 49:6 with Acts 13:46-47). Their chosen state was blessing and responsibility. Their mission was to proclaim the name of God in holy lives of warm righteousness that imaged the character of God which is profiled in the Torah (Leviticus 11:44; 19:2: 20:7 and elsewhere). Click here. They were to declare the truth about him as over against the gods of the world and they were to do this by rehearsing his redemptive deeds in teaching and in their ordinances as well as in righteous living.

Others nations did not because they could not know what Israel knew; they did not because they could not experience what Israel experienced. Israel knew better than other nations because God gifted them with knowledge of himself. Israel knew more than other nations because God gifted them with more knowledge of himself.

Other nations walked in sin and darkness precisely because they were sinners and because God was prepared to leave them in ignorance (see Acts 17:30). Israel was just as sinful as the other nations (see Deuteronomy 9:4-27 and note Joshua 24:14, 23) but God in holy generosity revealed himself to them. [It can’t be said too often that he chose Abraham and Israel so that he might bless the world—Genesis 12:2-3 and elsewhere—and not to make Abraham and Israel his “pets”.] Israel’s grasp of truth, Israel’s adherence to that truth, Israel’s proclamation of that truth was an essential part of their national identity and their mission to the world.

God related to Abraham and Israel in covenants that were nothing like anything he had going with the nations (see and note with care Ephesians 2:11-12).

To hold the nations responsible for not believing and practicing all that Israel believed and practiced is to hold them responsible for not being Israel and that would make no sense. It wouldn’t matter that a Parthian had no interest in the Feast of Tabernacles or Passover because he knew nothing about them but it would have mattered a great deal if the Jewish people had simply dismissed them as of no consequence. If Israel put out of their minds the events under Moses and Joshua and lived in that ignorance God construed it as betrayal—see Judges 2:10-13 and elsewhere. The worship of many gods by the nations was sinful ignorance but when redeemed Israel did it, it was construed as treachery and treason.

Manifestly God never approved of the worship of gods which infected later generations with ignorance and an idolatrous culture (Romans 1:19-23). The prophets denounced and mocked polytheism and idolatry, of course, but it was always in the hearing of Israel who were prone to forsake God and turn to idols. The prophetic condemnation of idolatry while it certainly had a message for the nations was more for Israel who had been fully enlightened and had committed to be witnesses for the one true God. The nations were stupid but Israel was treacherous. When they committed to other gods it was in the face of the one true God who had redeemed and commissioned them so that the worship of the gods was not the same thing for the nations and Israel! Israel’s forefathers worshipped gods beyond the Euphrates (see Joshua 24 again) but once the one true God had graciously made himself known to Israel in all the ways outlined above, the worship of the gods by Israel took on a new and more sinister dimension (note carefully John 15:22-24).

To worship other gods meant Israel had to deny its beginnings, its history and its place in the world. Where did they come from, where were they going, how did it come that they were in the wilderness, how did they get out of Egypt and how did it come that Canaan was their home? For Israel in particular the truthful answer to these questions had to centre in the God who revealed himself to Abraham and Moses. For Israel to worship Baal and offer thanks and praise to him as the Canaanites had done was to create a different “Israel”. Canaanites who worshiped the nature god Baal remained Canaanites but for Israel to worship Baal was to obliterate her history and create another “Israel”.

Israel was called to more than moral uprightness; they were called to be witnesses to the truth about the one true God in the midst of a world steeped in darkness and ignorance that rose out of sin. They were called to declare his praise of him who had called them from darkness into his wonderful light (compare 1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 43:10 and 44:8).

The nations were responsible and God held them accountable for much (see the sections against the nations in the prophets—Jeremiah 46—51, Amos 1 and Ezekiel 25—32 for example). But he did not hold them responsible for not being Israel. He did not hold them responsible for knowledge he did not give them. God took a nation of sinners from among many nations of sinners and made a special covenant with them; a covenant he chose to exclude the nations from.

God did not condemn the foreign nations for not keeping the Mosaic covenant with all that it contained or for not embracing the mission to which God called Israel.

So what did he condemn them for? He held them guilty for cherishing and practicing wickedness apart from the Mosaic Covenant (see Romans 2:6-12). There was truth from and about God before Moses came along and the Holy Father poured out judgment on nations when they flagrantly and impenitently suppressed that truth in unrighteousness (Noah’s flood and Sodom illustrates).

But God’s self-disclosure in word and deed to Abraham and then to Moses in the Sinai covenant was unlike anything that had occurred before. A specific nation was now elect and profound truths were taught them and demonstrated before them. It was required of them that the live righteously but a sweet spirit and an honest life were no substitute for the truths that undergirded such a life for an Israelite. The truth of Israel’s faith was not to be denied or corrupted or forsaken for Israel was a bearer of truth about God before the world and that truth created a world that stood opposed to “the world” of the nations.

An enlightened and God-loving Israelite would never have dreamed of saying, “Teaching doesn’t matter—the only thing that really counts is character and virtuous living.” Others could be ignorant of the truth God invested in Israel and still live virtuous lives (note Ruth, the Moabite in Ruth 1:16) but an Israelite could not despise the truth he had been given.

The elect of God has a mission that embraces more than virtuous living—it includes the truth of God that has been committed to them and in the case of the NT elect it is the truth of God that has come to its zenith in Jesus Christ. To suggest that the truth about Jesus should be dismissed and that only virtuous living should be our concern is not true to the NT nor is it true to the mission of the NT elect.

The elect have been blessed to have their hearts and eyes opened (compare Acts 16:14; Philippians 1:29). Vision is a gift and not a merit! Others are yet blind and it is the responsibility of those who can see to be a gracious blessing to those who are blind. The elect are to do more than call people to be virtuous though that is certainly no crime; their business is to bear witness to the truth of God in Jesus Christ.

Doctrine is to be made attractive by lovely lives (Titus 2:10) but doctrine is not to be dismissed.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.