upgraded on August 7, 2008
Ephesians 1:17-19 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Angels were created by God. Because of God’s omniscience, God knew before God ever created Lucifer, that after he was created, Lucifer would commit sin. Angels were either created with the knowledge of good, or gained that knowledge thereafter, because angels lived in God’s presence, and God is good. Some angels are covered with eyes in order that they may see more of God, so we know that God does not shield Himself from them. The angels that were living in the presence of God had no tempter, and they had knowledge of what is good. In spite of this, some angels chose evil.
When man was created, he did not possess the knowledge of good and evil. Man was created spiritually ignorant, as man did not realize that he was naked until man ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Shortly after man's creation, he was exposed to a tempter who desired to entice man to sin. Man sinned. When man sinned, he gained some knowledge of good and evil. After man sinned, God cast man from God’s presence; because if man had gained great knowledge of God and sinned after that time, man could not have been redeemed. This concept closely parallels Hebrews 6:4-6:
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV) It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
In Jesus' intercession for man, His defensive point was that man was ignorant.
Luke 23:33-34 (NIV) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The more knowledge that man gains of spiritual truths, the higher standard that he will be held to at the Judgment.
James 3:1 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
To avoid a strict judgment is not a motivation to remain ignorant; God is not mocked, you will be held accountable for the knowledge of God that you could have gained, and chose not to.
In the garden of Eden, prior to eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; man's knowledge of spiritual things was restricted to the "Intuitive Law". The "Intuitive Law" is what is apparent to man without any specific instruction from God.
Romans 1:18-23 (NIV) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
When Cain killed Abel, Cain knew that his action was in violation of this "Intuitive Law." That is why he lied to God about the murder.
Genesis 4:9-10 (NIV) Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" 10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.
The first law given by God to man is referenced in Genesis 2:16-17:
Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV) And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17 is the "Adamic Law." One law given to Adam and Eve. God's will is pitted against man's will. Man sinned.
After eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man was still an infant in his spiritual knowledge. Historic man was spiritually ignorant, with limited understanding about God. Man has experienced a progression of spiritual knowledge, starting in Genesis and continuing and expanding into eternity. The progression and unfolding of spiritual knowledge is referenced by Jesus and the Spirit of God:
Luke 10:24 (NIV) For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
Acts 17:30 (NIV) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Colossians 1:25-27 (NIV) I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Ephesians 3:4-5 (NIV) In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Romans 16:25-26 (NIV) Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him--
1 Peter 1:10-12 (NIV) Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Following the flood, God began to give more definition to the law. The law God gave to Noah is referred to as the "Noahatic Law."
Genesis 9:4-6 (NIV) "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
The "Noahatic laws" were very simple. Jewish tradition says that the people were tearing the limbs off of animals and eating them raw. This was not far removed from the modern practice in some countries of bringing a confined live monkey to the dinner table, cracking his skull with a wooden mallet and eating his brain. God in His infinite love dictated against this cruel treatment. God also articulated the law against murder.
Genesis 6:9 (NIV) This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.
righteous 1 Acting in accord with divine or moral law : Free from guilt or sin - Webster’s Dictionary
Righteousness relates only to compliance with the law. The word Righteous comes from the root word right. It strictly and exclusively references compliance with the law. Good and bad have degrees, as in good, better, best - bad, worse, worst. Right and wrong have no degrees. Like the law, Righteousness is black or white, compliant or non-compliant, right or wrong.
Genesis 9:20-21 (NIV) Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.
Noah's actions in view of our light would be in question, but he was "blameless among the people of his time" because he did not know any better. "Noah was a righteous man," he was in full compliance with the "Intuitive and Noahatic Laws." Another example of a Righteous man was Lot.
Genesis 19:30-38 (NIV) Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father." 33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and lay with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, "Last night I lay with my father. Let's get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and lie with him so we can preserve our family line through our father." 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went and lay with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. 36 So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab ; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi ; he is the father of the Ammonites of today.
2 Peter 2:7 (NIV) and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men
How could Lot be considered "a righteous man"? This same Lot who selfishly chose the well watered plains of Jordan with no concern for the welfare of his uncle Abraham; Lot who moved his family into Sodom; Lot who ultimately lost his estate, his wife and his family; Lot, "a righteous man," was Righteous, because he was in full compliance with the "Intuitive and Noahatic Law". He never had the light and the understanding that we have. Lot had no law concerning alcoholic beverages or getting drunk, and was not held responsible for the incestuous relationships that occurred without his knowledge while he was in a drunken condition.
As God continued to enlighten man, He gave him more guidelines to live by, or law. On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, or the Decalogue, as well as the Levitical Laws contained in the Pentateuch. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Exodus 20:1-17 (NIV) And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
The law was a skeleton of things to come. It was a guideline, a set of rules to help man in his living and in understanding God.
Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial laws. The health laws that were pertinent to a nomadic people without refrigeration are not pertinent to us. We are however, obligated to obey all health laws that are pertinent today.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Jesus gave the brightest light and the completion of the Law in Matthew 22:37-40.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
God had been working to get man to understand this law since Adam. It is the same law referenced in Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18.
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV) "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
The ceremonial law was nailed to the cross. The essence that it was teaching is still in effect-Love God, Love your fellowman, Love yourself. There is an implied love of self, if you must love your fellowman as much as you love yourself.
The light gets no brighter than Matthew 22:37-40. Man's understanding however was still in a darkened state. The first Holiness convention was attended by the apostles and elders; Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament; and Peter and James, also writers of the New Testament. We are given an insight into how little they understood.
Acts 15:5-29 (NIV) Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." 12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' 18 that have been known for ages. 19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath." 22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. 23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul-- 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
After considering whether Judeo-Christians should comply with the law, they agreed that we are not under law but under grace. Then they went right back and established a new law - "The Four Commandments."
Acts 15:29 (NIV) You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
The law that they established was not even good law. This was not law given by God on Mount Sinai, this was law created by man at a church meeting. This is certainly a biblical example of why we must listen to God rather than the teachings of any singular man, or denominational group. Paul, in agreement at that time, later refuted the first portion of "The Four Commandments," as he gained sight of a higher law.
1 Corinthians 8:4-13 (NIV) So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
Paul had become enlightened by the Spirit of God at the time he was writing portions of the New Testament. He concluded that an idol is nothing, but love for his brother is everything. Paul at that point could see the light of Matthew 22:37-40, the law of Love.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Jesus stated that He did not come to abolish the Law:
Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus upgraded the Law on murder to reach Matthew 22:37-40:
Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Jesus upgraded the Law on adultery to reach Matthew 22:37-40:
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus upgraded the Law on divorce to reach Matthew 22:37-40:
Matthew 5:31-32 (NIV) "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
The sacrificial laws were upgraded from the temporary atonement brought about by the blood of bulls and sheep and goats, to the permanent atonement brought about by the sacrifice of the perfect man – Jesus Christ.
The old Law directed ten percent tithing on specific occasions. The Law of Matthew 22:37-40 is that God owns all of us, including all of our assets. A man who completely loves his wife and family will bring all of his wages home to be used for the good of the entire family. He does not even consider that his wages personally belong to him. Because of his love, the total money that he earns belongs to his family. Other men who do not completely love their family, may get their wages and then take a portion of their money to hire a prostitute in order to purchase a poor substitute for "love". The prostitute may say "I love you," but both participants know that she is only there for the money. There are many people who do not love God enough to give Him all of themselves, so they hire a prostitute with their "tithes" to purchase them a poor substitute for God's love. Do not be so ignorant as to be coerced and deceived into believing that a ten percent "tithe" contribution to a godless whore that calls herself a church will satisfy the law of Matthew 22:37-40. This spiritual whore may also say "I love you," but like the sexual whore, she is only there for the money. Give God what the Spirit of God specifically asks of you. Sometimes it may be your entire paycheck, at other times it may be nothing. Always keep yourself where all of your wealth belongs entirely to God.
The old Law directed one Sabbath day weekly to specifically be consumed with the worship, communion with, and study of God. The Law of Matthew 22:37-40 is clarified in Hebrews 3:7-4:11 concerning the Sabbath; and directs that man’s complete self is to worship, commune with, and study God, seven days a week.
The old Law directed against false testimony:
Exodus 20:16 (NIV) "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
False testimony is communicating something that is untrue. How much communication is "hear-say" passed from one non-observing person to another? Communication of an untruth is false testimony even if you believe it to be true, having not seen it for yourself.
“Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.” - Richard Brinsley Sheridan 1751-1816
When you have personal knowledge, what is the intent of your heart in passing testimony about someone else? Does it comply with the Law of Matthew 22:37-40?
"A truth that’s told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent." - William Blake 1757-1827
If the testimony is true, does communicating the testimony comply with the law of Matthew 22:37-40? How many unwise virgins will be sent to hell because of gossip?
Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
It is easy to understand the direction of Jesus when He said:
Matthew 5:37 (NIV) Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:20 (NIV) 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.
The Righteousness of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law was an attempt on their part to comply with the Levitical Law of Moses. The Righteousness required by the law of Matthew 22:37-40 far surpasses the Righteousness required by the Levitical Law.
righteous: Acting in accord with divine or moral law, Free from guilt or sin - Webster's Dictionary
Hebrews 5:13-14 (NIV) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
If a person does not understand about Righteousness, they are, at best, a baby in Christ, and at worst a messenger of Satan, sent to damn your soul. This is not the person that you should want to feed your soul. No "Calvinist" understands about Righteousness. The highest understanding of any "Calvinist" is, at best, milk for babies. The Holy Spirit through Paul clearly states this in Hebrews 5:13-6:3.
Hebrews 5:13-6:3 (NIV) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
A substantial portion of the Body of Christ, and all "Calvinists" are, at best, still feeding on babies milk. The Spirit of God through Paul gives six examples of babies milk:
1. "the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death"
2. "faith in God"
3. "instruction about baptisms"
4. "the laying on of hands"
5. "the resurrection of the dead"
6. "eternal judgment"
These are clearly stated as babies milk. Until you have been well nourished on these good things, and moved on to the deeper truths in the Holy Word of God, you are, at best, a baby in Christ. "Calvinistic theologians" never move beyond any of these, because their theology will not allow them to.
In Galatians 5:2-3 Paul again states that we are not under the written law or the external law, but the law of love.
Galatians 5:2-3 (NIV) Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Mark 2:27 (NIV) Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
John 1:17 (NIV) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.