The law. ( Galatians 3 v 10 - 14 )

It was Andrew Jukes who said.'Satan would have us to prove ourselves holy by the law,which God gave to prove we are sinners''John Stott writing on Romans 7 v 7,'if it had not been for the law,I should not have known sin.'States the fact is the law of God condemns us', Dietrich Bonhoeffer  wrote ,'we want to get to the New Testament too soon,we must never bypass the law' The task of the law is to humble us , it is then the gospel is shown to be the answer ,it is there ,through repentance and faith in Christ, we can be forgiven, from being condemned to being accepted by God.Romans 5 v 1 ,tells  us,'since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ'.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Not the labour of my hands                                                                                                                        Can fulfil Thy law's demands;                                                                                                                  Could my zeal, no respite know,                                                                                                                Could my tears for ever flow;                                                                                                                    All for sin could not atone;                                                                                                                        Thou must save , and Thou alone.                                                                                                                  (Augustus M. Toplady )

No brownie points. ( Romans 7 v 18 - 25 )

The law or commandments were not given by God, in order to make us acceptable to God, simple because as we have pointed out, no one is able to keep the law perfectly,no one.The apostle James points out if at anytime in our life's history we break the law in one point we have broke it all ( James 2 v 10 ). So why the law?, one, we need to realise that there are absolutes, things that are wrong in Gods eyes,if we go down the ten commandments, we are seeing ,that when we transgress the law of God, we are sinning. The word of God tells us in our unsaved state we are under the curse of the law,for we read,'cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in Gods Book of the law.  ( Galatians 3 v 10).We are cursed, and in that state there is no hope for us, the wrath of God will continue to rest upon us,in time and in eternity.We will continue this next time,don't despair,wait and see.

The law. ( Romans 1 v 18 - 20 )

Continuing from yesterday as regards breaking Gods law, both outwardly or inwardly,as regards inwardly  our dear Saviour,made it clear that inward sins are equally as wrong in Gods eyes, as committing the offence.Matthew 15 v 18/ 5 v 27.The fact is, it is impossible for anyone not to break Gods law,that is why we are told we are all sinners,Romans 3 v 23.Let us take this further, the spirit of the law, is love,that is to love God with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our minds,and to love others as ourselves ( Matthew 22 v 37 - 40 ) As regards the law we have all broke it,we stand in dock,and the law says we are guilty,and as in society if you break the law,you are punished,so it is when you break Gods law, one is punished,there will be no plea bargaining,  you have broken it ,God is offended, His justice compels Him to punish you,you will be sent to Hell eternally.No heaven awaits you when you die, you will hear from God only words of condemnation,words of no hope,words that will leave you stunned,words that tell you there will be no end to your sentence,no parole, no escape from your fate as a sinner.. We will consider this further next time.

Jay walking. ( Exodus 20 v 1 - 17 )

In our local paper there is a list of people who were fined because of motoring offences,but what many people don't realise that pedestrians can be fined also ,if they cross or walk in the street or road unlawfully without regard for approaching traffic.Many years ago my dear mother got fined for such an offence,its official term is jaywalking.Many people these days ,especially children ride their cycles on the pavement or sidewalk are also committing an offence in law.We may if we are brought to court for either of these offences claim ignorance,and we will be told ignorance is no defence in law. Many people are aware that it is wrong to steal,to kill,to lie,to commit adultery. ,but commit many offences in their hearts,hate,unforgiveness, covetousnes, and many with their lips blaspheme God. Ignorance is no defence before God all who break Gods law will be judged,whither it it is outwardly or inwardly.We will consider this further next time.

Remember ( Luke 22 v 19 - 20 )

Raymond Brown points out that one of  Deuteronomy's key-words is, remember, Israel were about to enter the promise land ,God would give them land houses filled with goods, hewn cisterns they did not hew out,vineyards they did not plant etc.So they are warned not to forget God. ( 6 v 11 - 12 ) R B, states 'that throughout history, affluence has often led to spiritual  indifference ,and moral carelessness.'It is said by one historian ,that the German people did not challenge what Hitler was doing, because they had jobs,and money to spend.My country and indeed most of Europe have forgotten God,because of affluence. One of the basic reasons for the Lord's table is to remember,what is vital to our spiritual well being,or should we say,who is vital to our spiritual well being,Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Lest I forget Gethsemane,                                                                                                                          Lest I forget Thine agony,                                                                                                                          Lest I forget Thy love for me,                                                                                                                    Lead me to Calvary.                                                                                                                                         ( Jenny E. Mussey)

Something beyond ( 1 Thessalonians 4 v 13 - 18 )

I read recently that in Myanmar ( Burma ) that the authorities have closed 52 churches, arrested 92 pastors,arrested 41 Bible students,sending them to work as military porters, who are sometimes worked literally to death because of heavy loads they are forced to carry.The world, for many more than we appreciate, can be very dark place on one level a place of no hope.But in the darkest of places,be it persecution illness,poverty, loss,the Christian has hope for God is with them,as He was with Joseph. ( Genesis 39 v 2 ).And of course they have a hope burning within them ,it is called a blessed hope( Titus 2 v 13 ) the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour , Jesus Christ. R.L.Stevenson tells  of a byreman ,who said 'that he never wearied of his unattractive work, because he had something beyond, he need never grow weary'  W Barclay wrote,''He who awaits Christ has something beyond''

Ugly. ( Romans 3 v 10 - 18// 23/ 6 v 23 )

Malcolm Muggeridge told of an experience in his life, he was in India ,and one morning he went out for a swim in a local river. When he was swimming, he noticed a woman in the distance bathing,,his lustful thoughts took over,so he decided that he would swim over to her,hoping to take advantage of her. So he swam towards her,when he got near to her she was startled,and covered herself up herself  with her arms. He then realized that she was a leper,the disease had taken its toil on her, no fingers ,no nose, as he looked at her he thought what an ugly woman,but he stopped,and he thought about himself, and he said , ''no what an ugly man I am.''. There is a greater ugliness than our physical being,it is our sinful wicked hearts,the word of God says our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.     ( Jeremiah 17 v 9 ) The only hope  for any of us, is Jesus ,who alone can save us,from our ugliness,and gave us a new heart.