We have been released from the Law!

The key to understanding is found in two Words of the Lord: "fulfill" and "accomplish." " I have not come to abolish them but to f ulfill them." "Disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. "

The Lord Jesus did not come to do away with Moses and the Prophets, but to give life to them by revealing their meaning in Himself.

There is confusion today because our man-made covenant of the "four steps of salvation" does not emphasize that when we come to Christ we are to count ourselves dead with Christ on the cross, thereby becoming free from the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses governs only the living.

As far as "fulfill" is concerned, the Law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ. The righteousness Christ gained by His observance of the Law is then given to those who place their trust in Him. It is as though they had fulfilled the Law perfectly.

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3,4)

As far as "everything is accomplished" is concerned, such accomplishment took place on the cross of Calvary. When Jesus said, "It is finished," He meant the entire adamic creation was finished. All that the Law of Moses governed was finished. From now on, only that which is part of the resurrected Christ is deemed righteous by the Father in Heaven.

I do not mean by this that the kindliness and compassion often manifested by both Christians and non-Christians are not acceptable to God as righteousness.

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34,35)

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (I John 2:2)

Every person who comes to Christ receives forgiveness. In order for this forgiveness to be continued, the individual must continue to obey the Spirit of God, for it is the Spirit of God who is the equivalent of the Law of Moses, under the new covenant.

Every aspect of the Law of Moses is fulfilled under the new covenant. The Sabbath day is fulfilled when we live in the rest of God, which is the eternal Sabbath in which Jesus lives.

In the rest of God we learn to live by the Life of the Lord Jesus, to think as Jesus is thinking; to speak as Jesus is speaking; to act as Jesus is acting. This is how Jesus is related to the Father, and this is how we are to be related to the Lord Jesus.

Until we count ourselves dead with Christ on the cross, we are under the authority of the entire Law of Moses.

When we count ourselves dead with Christ, we are no longer under the authority of the Law of Moses. We now are free, not to continue in sin and self-will but to live in the rest of God, following the Lord Jesus and obeying Him at all times.

Thus all has been fulfilled and accomplished, and the Apostle has been found not to have contradicted the Lord Jesus.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

We might be tempted to think that because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us, our righteousness is greater than that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.

However, I do not believe this is what Jesus meant. He was not speaking to the attentive multitudes about imputed righteousness but about righteousness of behavior, as we see in His statements that follow.

I believe we can say safely that the Kingdom Law that is proclaimed from Zion to the peoples in Heaven and the peoples on the earth is not a law of imputed righteousness but of actual righteousness and holiness of personality and behavior.

Just think! If the Kingdom Law proclaimed from Zion to the nations of the earth were that of imputed righteousness, the earth would continue to be, as is true today, the valley of the shadow of death. There would be no peaceable kingdom, no eternal righteousness of behavior.

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

"Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21,22)

"Raca" is an expression of contempt.

One thing I have noticed as I have lived with Christ. The behavior that appears to distress God the most is enmity toward another person. I suppose if we were to list the sins most grievous to God, being angry with a brother or having hatred toward him or saying "you fool," would not head the list. But it heads God's list!

When we find ourselves becoming angry with someone, we need to pause and remember that God is displeased with this. If we look up to Jesus, He will give us peace.

What a world it will be when anger and hatred no longer exist!

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23,24)

In the Christian churches of our day there often are several examples of hatred, backbiting, unforgiveness, and division. We may not realize it, but God is not accepting our worship while we have such attitudes in our heart.

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:25,26)

Now, why should this be? Suppose we are in the right? According to the Law that comes from Zion, it does not matter whether we are in the right or in the wrong. If God's hand is on us, if we are one of His sheep, we need to "settle matters quickly." This is a good thing to remember, isn't it?

God does love peacemakers. They shall be called the sons of God.

You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27,28)

This level of righteousness is far above any behavior possible to the adamic nature, at least at the present time. Only the Lord Jesus possesses such a degree of righteousness and holiness. Therefore we have to abide in Christ, day and night, if we hope to meet Christ's standard.

It is no wonder that some men choose to be monks and hide away somewhere in a monastery or cave!

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:29,30)

To gouge out one's eye or to cut off one's right hand certainly is an extreme measure. You may remember that I said at the outset, if we are to obey a passage of Scripture according to God's will, we must go to the Lord and ask Him how this passage applies to us.

I do not doubt there are believers zealous enough to gouge out their eye or cut off their hand. But to do this apart from the direct leading of Christ would not be pleasing to God. It would be religious fanaticism.

A great deal of harm has been done in the world throughout history by religious fanaticism.

By such extreme examples, Jesus is showing us the importance of righteous, holy behavior.

It is interesting that Jesus speaks of our whole body being cast into Hell because of sinful behavior. We usually do not think of our body being in Hell. Yet it appears that in the case of the rich man and Lazarus, it seems the rich man was in Hell in his body.

So he called to him, "Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." (Luke 16:24)

The rich man was in Hell, not because of rejecting Christ but because he was not kind to Lazarus. This is another passage that tells us the emphasis that God places on how we treat other people.

It has been said, "Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce." But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31,32)

Since I am a pastor, I have on occasion been faced with the problem of someone who wants a divorce, or someone who desires to marry someone who has been divorced.

Again, even though the admonition is clear, one must go to the Lord to find out His wisdom in the matter. The decisions concerning marriage and divorce are, in the sight of God, extremely serious. They are not regarded with sufficient gravity in the United States because of the prevalence of demons of lust, and because of the self-will of people.

When the decision is presented to me, I seek the Lord to see what His opinion is. If it is not clear how the saying of Christ applies, and if there are extenuating circumstances such as children who will be affected, or domestic violence, I may bring the decision before the elders of the church.

If there is no emergency present, such as a husband who is beating his wife, I suggest that we wait six months and look to the Lord during that time to see if He shows us clearly what we as elders should do.

If there is a dangerous situation, a legal separation may be in order.

The situation may resolve itself over time. There may be reconciliation. Or one of the partners may move to a distant location or another country and remarry. In this case, I would say the remaining partner is free to remarry. Why should he or she be penalized because of the actions of an unfaithful partner?

I like to let a passage of Scripture speak for itself and not try to water it down. However, in the case of marriage and divorce in America at this time, one must get the mind of the Lord before acting.

To act "because the Bible says so" without consulting the Lord Jesus may cause us to make a decision that is not of the Lord.

Also, the welfare of the children always must be a primary consideration.

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made." But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37)

I do not know how often swearing by one thing or another occurs in America. Sometimes people will say "By God, I will do this or that." Or "God d... you." Or "Jesus Christ" used as an exclamation. These expressions are profanity and not a formal oath.

But talking too much is a problem among Christians in America. James tells us that we should control our tongue.

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No." Otherwise you will be condemned. (James 5:12)

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:6)

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11)

The only way a Christian person will arrive at the level of maturity where his speaking is in line with the Law from Zion is by looking to the Lord Jesus continually to guide what he or she says. The undisciplined believer may go on and on talking about one thing or another, none of which builds up his listeners in Christ. This is to be avoided.

And, as James says, if we swear we will be condemned.

You have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. (Matthew 5:38-41)

If we are living "in the flesh" rather than in Christ, we will find the above exhortation quite difficult to obey. When someone harms us we may have a strong desire to "get even," that is, to exact revenge of some kind or another.

However, vengeance belongs to God. If we execute revenge, we are robbing God of something that belongs to Him.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

As I stated previously, there is Virtue in the blood of Jesus. If we will call upon Him, He will enable us to forgive.

The idea of not repaying evil with evil is important in the Kingdom of God. If we wish to live in the blessing of God we must not attempt to repay evil with evil. How many times has God forgiven us, bearing with our many faults? In like manner we must call upon the Lord that we might be a partaker of His Divine Nature.

Again let me say, do not try to fulfill the words above in your own wisdom and strength. When an issue arises that would provoke you, before you surrender to the evil, go to the Lord Jesus and ask Him how you should respond.

Do not take anything for granted—pray vigorously and sincerely until you believe you have the mind of the Lord Jesus. Then He will guide and strengthen you in any steps you should take.

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