Salvation Study
A. The Law (what is it / purpose / law insufficient)
On first looking at the Old Testament, one might think that the law was set up as a measuring stick for God so He might bless or punish “His people” accordingly, but why would God need a measuring stick? God knows everything; therefore, the Law was not for God but for man. It served as a measuring stick for man to see how was doing in his relation to God. But, as we are aware, because of sin man could not follow the law.
There are many different types of Law:
- Civil: Governing authority of father, husband/wife, slaves, jubilee
- Land
- Property
- Debt
- Taxation
- Criminal
- Offenses against God
- Offenses against man
- Judicial – appointment of judges, kings, and so on.
- Ceremonial – sacrifices
- Law of holiness – dedication of first born, offering of first fruit, grain offerings, feast, clean and unclean
To the Israelites, any disobedience to these laws was sin to God. To the Gentiles, Laws 2 through 6 above do not apply except allegorically in defining our relationship with the Father. Parts of the Law were temporary until the fulfillment of God’s chosen – which was Christ, because this did not apply to the whole world. Jesus did not rewrite the Law, but fulfilled it. The Law itself is perfect and impartial.
A1) Purpose of the Law
The purpose of the Law was to make us aware of sin and to make trespasses increase (Rom 3:20, Rom 5:20). It was also there so we may know that we sin (Rom 7:7). But it was also put there so we might be led to Christ (Gal 3:24).
A2. The Use of the Iaw
The Law is to be kept (Dt. 17:19). The King was to read it daily and keep it wherever he went. It is to be obeyed being careful not to turn to the right or the left (Jos 23:6). The Lord gives description to those who keep it, and he who keeps the law is a discerning man (1CH 22:12; PR 28:7).
Devotionally, it gives freedom when it’s precepts are sought (Ps 119:45). It gives comfort and those who seek it are blessed (Ps 119:50). For it is tied with His promise (Ps 119:1 -2).
The Law is to be used in the heart of the righteous man and those who desire God’s will put the Law in their hearts (Ps 37:31; Ps 40:8; Jer 31:33). The Law is put in our minds and written on our hearts (in Christ) (Jer 32:40; 2 Cor 3:1-3). For we are inspired from within to fear God so we will never turn away (Rom 2:15). The Law is written on the hearts of gentiles through Christ to do good. So as a result, the Christian, despite the flesh, wants to do good in his inner being which make us a letter from Christ that is read by all (Rom 7:22; 1 Cor 3:3).
What is Sin? Why do we have it?
Sin means “missing the mark”, “going astray”, or “falling short morally”. James says our sin derives from desire and is related to our will (James 1). It is disobedience to the Law that exposes sin; in fact, the law makes us aware of sin of which is its purpose (Rom 3:20). Sin can be either doing what is wrong or not doing what is right but both become an issue of obedience to the Word (Isa 1:16; Matt. 25:45; Jos 23:6).
If it was not for the Law, sin would not have been known to God’s people (Rom 7:7; DT 17:19). No matter what the cause though, sin is forbidden (Jn 5:14; Jn 8:11; Rom 6:12) and the Law is commanded to be kept by Kings all the way down to lay persons (Pr 28:7).
Sin is defined by the Word in several Ways:
- Sin is vain talk (Pr 10:19)
- Sin is despising your neighbor (Pr 14:21)
- The schemes of folly is sin (Pr 24:9)
- Sin is everything that does not come from Faith Rom (14:23)
- Sin is knowing the good you ought to do but don’t James (4:17)
- Sin is lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4)
- All wrong doing is sin (1 Jn 5:17)
Definition:
Sin is a free choice, derived from desire, made in an individual or a group, in ignorance or knowledge, to go against what God has said to obey that results in damage, bondage, death, deception, disappointment, guilt, or shame.
(Pr 6:33; Pr 23:29; Jn 8:34; Ro 6:16; Ez 18:14; Rom 6:23; Rom 7:11; 1 Tim 2:14; Isa 44:20; Dt 28:39; Ge 42:21; Nu 21:7; Gen 3:10; Jer 23:40)
The consequences of sin come from 2 areas:
1. Sin itself causes consequences:
Prisoner of Sin (Jn 8:34; Rom 7:23; 2 Pe 2:19; Rom 6:16)
It also deceives (Titus 3:3; heb 3:13; 2 Tim 3:13)
Causes multiple kinds of damages (Pr 6:33; Pr 23:29; Isa 1:6; Jer
30:12)
Stains your appearance (Ps 73:6; Ps 109:18; Zee 3:3; 1 Pe 2:16; Jude
23)
Causes guilt (Ps 40:12; Jn 8:9; Ez 9:6)
2. Separation, or punishment from God:
Inexcusable Sin (Jn 15:22 – guilty by knowledge; Rom 1:20)
Punishment for not doing (Lk 12:47; matt 25:45; 23:23)
Punishment for the wicked (Job 27:13-23)
Wages of sin are death Ro 6:23
Paid back 2 Pe 2:13
Being held for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment
(2Pe2:9)
Separates from God (ex 33:3; jos 7:12; Ps 66:18; Isa 59:2; Hos 5:6; isa
64:7; Ps 51)
Sin keeps us dead in and of itself and ends with the total death of us both physically and spiritually Pr 11:19; Rom 5:12; Ez 18:14
A3 The law is insufficient
The law has served it’s purpose well in that it exposes sin and the destructiveness of it but the Law became powerless in it’s ability to redeem man from it (Rom 3:20; rom 7:7; Rom 3:20). Although, it has become a leader to Christ (Gal 3:24)
Although the law is Perfect, the Law has been weakened by the sinful nature in that it kills and condemns the man that is found unrighteous (Ps 19:7; Rom 8:3; Gal 2:19). In fact, those who do not obey it are under a curse (gal 3:10). The law is holy, righteous, and good, yet it as made nothing perfect (Rom 7:12; Heb 7:18-19)
Why Did God Save Us?
1) Image of God (Gen 1:27:5:1)
Job 32:8 – Spirit of Man is the breath of God.
Pr 20:27 – Lord searches man’s inmost being. God doesn’t have to search animals because they
arc only instinctive. Only man is in God’s image.
2) God loves us – Jn 3:16; Rev 1:5; Jer 31:3; Rom 5:8; Eph 2:4-5; 1 Jn 3:1
Man is glory of God and Women is the glory of man. We submit to God yet we walk with him. In marriage, women submits to man. But woman walks with him, for they are the same.
We are more apart of God then we think. Man is not complete without Women, neither is God complete without man (both genders of course). (Not to say “we + God” make God, but God needs us and we need God.). There is much that the Image of God constitutes. God could get along without us, but that still doesn’t mean he doesn’t need us. We fill a place in God’s heart.
“I go and prepare a place for you” – Jesus said in His love, in his heart. We are more than a creation; we are the image and the likeness of God. That thought should bring both hope and accountability to our hearts.
3) A promise – Dt 7:8:2 Cor 1:20: Rom 4:21: IKi8:56;2Pet 1:4
Believers are a kingdom of priests. In Ex 19:6 God wished Israelites were. Is 61:6
Promised to Israel. 1 Pel 2:5 -Priesthood. Rev 1:6; 20:6 –
Heb 4:14 Jesus Great High Priest.
Promise to all (Act 2:21; Rom 5:18; 2 Pe 3:9; Rom 10:13)
Promise in general (Ps 91:16; Isa 45:17; Mk 16:16; Lk 19:9; Titus 1:2 (before beginning of time)
4) He desires it – Hos. 6:6, mercy, not sacrifice.
Ps 51:17 – Sacrifices of God are broken spirit and a contrite & broken heart. He will not despise this kind of heart; He will always accept it. It is your heart attitude, not what you did or will do. This is what God basis is relationship with us on, not merit. To obey is better than sacrifice. To obey is salvation, but by resisting with a continual bad heart attitude you may be in a position of sacrifice your salvation. You must work your salvation out with fear and trembling (Ps 1). Rev 5:9 – desires Kingdom of priests, Titus 2:14 – people his own.
- To put an end to sin – Heb 9:26; Titus 8:7
- lie has not completely saved us
H.S. a deposit guaranteeing 2 Cor 1:22
This deposit is what Jesus used to renew us. The washing of rebirth happened then and is still
going on Heb 9:26
Redemption
Redemption is first defined through land ownership in the book of Leviticus 25:24-54. Israelites who were poor or were widows were often forced to sell their property. This land could be redeemed by a relative or given back in the year of Jubilee. House sales had a redemption right of 1 year, and Israelites who became poor and sold themselves as a slave to a gentile had the right to be redeemed by himself or a relative.
In Numbers the first born were redeemed from Aaron (those who were additional to the matching number of Levites) Nu 3:40-51. All Old Testament redemption is also defined as God’s vengeance towards the nations in the end times, but this definition is remote (Isa 63:4). Psalms says that He provided redemption for Israel (“His people”) and that with the Lord is full redemption (Psalm 111:9), implying physical and spiritual wholeness (Psalm 130:7). The scripture makes no indication that one must wait for a messiah for this “full redemption” but merely requires one’s hope in the Lord.
For obvious reasons, in N.T. times the Israelites didn’t have the status and abundance promised to them in land and blessings because of contractual breach (Luke 2:28). Most of them were expecting the messiah to restore all things. So to them redemption meant physical redemption as well as spiritual (Rom 3:24). As far as sin and man’s authority under God has been redeemed through Christ and forgiveness has come (Col 1:14) allowing a free relationship and a redemption that is eternal (Heb 9:12). This redemption is strictly through the Blood of Jesus Christ (Eph 1:7). Full redemption is not yet complete (rom 8:23). Ephesians talks about the “Day of Redemption” which is the day all Christians will receive new glorified bodies (Eph 1:14), thus making redemption full and complete. We have been guaranteed this day by the seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30).
Redemption in an overall view:
Redemption in the Old Testament deals mainly with people and their ownership. The question redemption asks is “Who owns them?” it is either by hardship (Job 19:25), or by people (ex 6:6; 15:13), or by God’s (Ex 13). Someone or something always owns man.
In the New Testament, the same holds true. Paul says that mans is a slave to sin. But the blood of Jesus gave God the right to redeem us. Now redemption remains an individual choice based on acceptance.
A2) The Use of the Law
The Law is to be kept (Dt. 17:19). The king of Israel was to read it daily and keep it wherever he went. It is to be obeyed being careful not to turn to the right or the left (Jos 23:6). The Lord gives discretion to those who keep it, and he who keeps the law is a discerning man ( 1 Chr 22:12; Prov. 28:7).
Devotionally, it gives freedom when it’s precepts are sought (Ps 119:45). It gives comfort and those who seek it are blessed (Ps 119:50). For it is tied with His promise (Ps 119:1-2).
The Law is to be used in the heart of the righteous man and those who desire God’s will put the Law in their hearts (Ps 37:31, Ps 40:8, Jer 31:33). The Law is put in our minds and written on our hearts (in Christ) (Jer 32:40, 2 Cor 3:1-3). For we are inspired from within to fear God so we will never turn away (Rom 2:15). The law is written on the hearts of gentiles through Christ to do good. As a result, the Christian, despite the flesh, wants to do good in his inner being which makes us a letter from Christ that is read by all (Rom 7:22, 1 Cor 3:3).