The Two Temples
(A Christian Workbook)
Section 1: Chapter 4 – Polishing The Stone: The Balance
t the end
of one of his doctrinal expositions, Paul writes to the Roman Christians,
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of
the law.” (Romans 3:28) On the other hand, James explains at the end of one of his
discourses, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only.” (James 2:24)
Some
have been perplexed by the apparent disunity between these ideas, and many
others have been confused by Paul’s position on the Law of Yah. In some places,
he appears to be throwing out the importance of the Law altogether (e.g. Romans
10:4) and some have used these passages to do just that. In other places, he
speaks very highly of the Law, explaining that by Yah’s instructions we know
what sin is (Romans 7:7) and that there is a lawful use of the commandments of
the Almighty (1 Timothy 1:8) though it is perverted by many.
Romans
2:13 gives the answer. The inspired author writes, “For not the hearers of the
law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” We need
to understand what this means. Paul is not here saying that the doers of the
law shall be justified because they are doers of the law. No. Rather,
the doing of the law is a characteristic of those who shall be justified, both
of the Jews and the Gentiles (Romans 2:11, 14). In other words, those who are
justified by faith (Romans 5:1) become doers of the Law, (1 John 5:3,
James 2:8) which has moved from the tables of stone to the tables of the heart
at the point of conversion. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
In the
last chapter, we touched on the decision to be made between Christ and Satan.
We saw that it is only by an understanding that we are guilty, and made worthy
of death, by the Law that we see the need for Christ the Savior. Now we are
going to go into more details on what this means, and what becomes of us after
we have made the right decision. If men were created in the image of Yah, and
if we acknowledge that the Almighty is a perfect Creator, why was there need
for a Law in the first place?
Paul
asks the same question: “Wherefore then [serveth] the Law? It was added because
of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and
it was ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator.” (Galatians 3:19) The
words “serveth,” as indicated by the brackets, was added in an attempt to make
the passage more clear. Without it, however, the original wording of the
question becomes even more striking – not only need we ask why we should serve
the Law, but the bigger question also has relevance: “Wherefore then the Law?”
Paul
tells us the Law was added because of transgressions. In Galatians 3, Paul is discussing
the covenant of faith made between the Almighty and Abraham, the “father of
faith.” The question arises in Paul’s discourse because of what is often asked
to this day: “Isn’t faith enough?” The answer is both Yes and No, and therein
lies The Balance.
Faith,
on its own, is enough if it is a true faith. But the mere profession of faith,
the mere confession of the lips, is not enough if the heart is not in
agreement. We are told that “the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James
2:28) The word “believe” there, pisteuo, is the same word used
throughout the New Testament for “have faith.” Demons believe in Yah, but they
“tremble” because their faith does not lead them to repentance and
righteousness. For humans, however, we are told this: “… with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.” (Romans 10:9, 10) As we saw in a previous chapter, a man who has
made confession “unto salvation” believes “unto righteousness,” or righteous
acts. This is the difference between men under grace and demons (and
blasphemous men) under condemnation. Righteousness is not merely a state of
mind, it is a state of mind that manifests itself in proper conduct. “Little
children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous,
even as He [Christ] is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)
We may
know what proper conduct is only by looking to the Law, for it is the Law alone
that the Bible – Old Testament and New – uses to define both sin and
righteousness. “I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust,
except the Law had said, ‘Thou shalt not covet.’” (Romans 7:7) “Therefore if
the Uncircumcision [Gentiles] keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his
uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?” (Romans 2:26) Righteousness does
not come by the Law, not by knowledge or by obedience, (Romans 3:21, Galatians
2:21) but the Law exists to tell us what righteousness is. Christ’s mission was
to magnify that Law and make it honorable, for with the example of His life and
death He proved it to the universe as both righteous and unchangeable. (Isaiah
42:21, Psalm 119:42)
The Law
was given, in its complete form, to the nation of Israel. However, it was not
given to them for their secret possession. The Hebrews were to spread the
knowledge of the Law, and thus the knowledge of Yahweh Himself, to all the
world. (Micah 4:2, Psalm 22:27) The purpose of providing the Law to a chosen
people was so that through them every nation might be absorbed into the
religion of the Almighty, (Esther 8:17) to await the Sacrifice to come so that
no people, or country, or group would be ignorant of eternal life. He is “not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2
Peter 3:9) In a sense it was the failure of the Jewish system that led to the
Church, the “Ekklesia” or “called-out” people. (Matthew 21:43) We know that
Yahshua would have died for a single lost sinner, therefore had the Hebrews
been faithful in general, those heathen who refused to acknowledge Yahweh would
have nevertheless been allowed by the Father to overcome Jerusalem and the
Messiah – for a time – so that the Sacrifice could be provided. (Zechariah
12-14) Had this taken place, however, the original keepers of the vineyard
would have continued to be the “nation of priests” providing the Gospel to the
world; this would have been their great privilege.
“Therefore
it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure
to all the seed; not to that only which is of the Law, but to that also
which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16)
All who accept Christ by faith become the spiritual heirs of Abraham, and
partakers of the promise once given to Israel after the flesh. (Romans 4:12, Galatians
3:7, Ephesians 2:10-13) They become, by faith, justified in the sight of a holy
God, and reconciled to the Law which we have all violated, and through which we
have all become worthy of death; “but now being made free from sin, and become
servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting
life.” (Romans 6:22, 23)
David
writes of the Law to which Christ atones us: “The Law of Yahweh is perfect,
converting the soul: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.”
(Psalm 19:7) It may seem strange for the Bible to say that “the Law […] is
perfect, converting the soul.” Christians know that it is the Holy Spirit of
Yahshua that converts. Yet this statement is also correct, and here again we
see The Balance. Without the Law, there would be no knowledge of sin, no
conviction of sin, and no motivation to cling to the Savior and be converted.
The teaching that the Law is perfect, and that the Law converts the soul is not
one of those temporary ordinances that was “against us,” and made of no effect
by the Cross. (Colossians 2:14) The perfection of the Law was never truly
against us, but always for us, for our eternal benefit. So is its ability to
convert. (Deuteronomy 5:29) It is because the Law cannot be changed that blood
was required to release the descendants of Adam from their inheritance, a
cursed earth and a cursed nature. The wages of sin is death, and death there
was… but now, after Christ has died and we have died in Christ, there need be
death no more. There is sin no more.
The
Balance is simply this: Those who have been converted obey the Law. It is faith
that Justifies, but it is the Law that has convinced them of guilt and led them
to the Savior, (Galatians 3:24) and it is the Law that provides the very “code
of conduct” for the godly man. Men, even converted men, do not, and cannot,
obey in their own strength, or by their own power, but it is Christ in them
that truly obeys. (Galatians 2:20) Their obedience is accomplished by uniting
their will with Christ, and allowing Him to live where the “sinner” has died.
Obedience to the Divine Law is the work of Divinity.
Christ
came to “magnify the Law, and make it honorable,”(Isaiah 42:21) as we have
already said. But does this mean we are released from it, as if the Law itself
(and not merely the guilt of its violation) was a burdensome weight? We are
told that for those who love the character and nature of the Almighty, and have
a clear view of Him, the commandments He gives us “are not grievous.” (1 John
5:3) We are also told of a class of people in the early Church described by
Paul as those who, “profess that they know God; but in works they deny
Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
(Titus 1:16) Let that never be said of any who hear these words.
Some
contend that Yahshua, by fulfilling the Law, allowed it to be set aside. The
Savior Himself declared, “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17) If fulfill
does not mean “to destroy,” then His job to “magnify” it must mean something
else. Let us look at how He handled the Law in His teachings:
“Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say unto you,
That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of
the judgment.” (Matthew 5:21, 22a)
“Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not commit
adultery.’ But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after
her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27, 28)
“It
hath been said, ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing
of divorcement.’ But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife,
saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery.” (Matthew
5:31, 32a) “And He saith unto them, ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife, and
marry another, committeth adultery against her.’” (Mark 10:11)
“Again,
ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not
forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths.’ But I say unto
you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the
earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the
great King.” (Matthew 5:33-35)
“Ye
have heard that it hath been said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth.’ But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38, 39)
“Ye
have heard that it hath been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate
thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in
heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth
rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45)
In everything, Yahshua
expanded, but did not diminish, what was accomplished through Moses.
Even the “eye for an eye” Scripture was not invalidated, but made better, for
the original teaching ensured that a life could not be required for an eye or a
tooth. Similarly, in the reference He makes to the teaching that “hath been
said,” apparently commanding the Hebrews to “hate thine enemy,” this is not
actually a quotation from anywhere in the Old Testament. Some of the Psalms do
come close, as when King David expresses his feelings in poetic language
regarding those who oppose Yahweh’s plans (e.g. Psalm 139:21, 22). However as
with the teaching on divorce, the traditionalistic guardians of the Law had
corrupted the intents and purposes of the Scriptures to elevate man and lower
the Almighty – and the Messiah came to set these things right. It had indeed
been said to “hate thine enemies” … but not by Yahweh the Almighty One. This is
an extremely important thing to understand, as we are Temples of the very Spirit
that gave those commandments. The principles of Moses, in every least case,
were upheld by the Redeemer. (John 8:28-30)
“Then
Yahshua said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not
that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.’”
(John 6:23) Through Moses, a complete record of the Divine law was given to
humanity, (2 Kings 21:8, Nehemiah 10:29) however it was not given with a full
spiritual understanding, but an earthly. It was like the bread of the earth;
(Luke 4:4) and when the Savior came He gave us the more pure understanding of
that same Law – and it was like “the true bread from heaven.” This is the
reason Paul says, “before faith came, we were kept under the Law, shut up unto
the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23) It was not
because there was no faith before Christ, obviously, (Hebrews 11:4-38) but
because a full understanding of the Balance between faith and Law had not yet
been provided, and would not be provided until the life of Christ and the
Cross. Before the Cross, “these all [mentioned in verses 4-38], having obtained
a good report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some
better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews
11:39-40)
Now
that faith, by which even the Old Testament believers were saved, has been
“made perfect” in Christ, and the Promise has been made manifest to the world.
No longer do we look forward to the end of the Controversy between righteousness
and sin, but backward to the victory already won.
Yet, in
seeing how the Messiah handled the Law, we come to understand that perfect
faith. We come to understand how it is that a perfect faith, the “faith of
Yahshua,” (Revelation 14:12) leads to perfect words, “the testimony of
Yahshua,” (Revelation 12:17) and a blameless life, “the righteousness of
Yahshua.” (2 Peter 1:1) This righteousness is not of us, not of our obedience
to the Law, (Philippians 3:9) for “the letter killeth,” (2 Corinthians 3:6) yet
all of it, every least point of that Law, leads to faith in the Savior and His
sinless life, given to us as a free gift of grace.
Some
will say that those who subscribe to this aspect of the Gospel only keep
“parts” of the Law, since the Law also says to circumcise, (Genesis 17:11) to
sacrifice animals, (Leviticus 5:1-10) to subscribe to a religious system
mediated by priests and Levites, (Exodus 28:1) to wear distinctive clothing and
symbols of our religion, (Numbers 15:38) and to put those who violate this
covenant to death. (Exodus 21:12-17) This last point of accusation is
particularly common.
It
is not true, however, that New Testament believers only keep parts of the Law.
They do in fact keep all of it! The Messiah’s death did modify the way in which
certain specific rituals were to be upheld, not doing away with the least part
of any of them. Paul tells us specifically that the parts of the Law that dealt
with the priestly, sacrificial system, that which was established solely to
point to the coming Messiah, was changed – but not destroyed or made invalid.
(Hebrews 7:12) This verse is the only one in all Scripture that speaks
of a “change” in the Law, except for the modifications attempted by the enemies
of Yah. (Daniel 7:25) Paul also tells us specifically that those practices
which were established solely to indicate a blood descendant of Abraham are now
to be understood in a purely spiritual way, having been merely “a covenant in
[…] flesh.” (Genesis 17:13, Romans 2:29)
Christ’s
death broke down the “the middle wall of partition” between those who are
Abraham’s genetic stock, and those who are his spiritual children. (Ephesians
2:14) Thus, “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the
keeping of the commandments of God.” (1 Corinthians 7:19) The principles of the
Law, such as those contained in the Decalogue, were and are completely eternal,
(Genesis 17:13 again, Psalm 119:44) but certain practices associated with
the Law, given for reasons of foreshadowing, were always known to be temporary
until Christ should end the sacrificial system – although this is little
understood today. (Daniel 9:27, 1 Corinthians 5:7)
By
understanding that it was only the priestly system that was altered when
Yahshua Himself became our High Priest and took those practices to Heaven with
Him, (Hebrews 9:11-14) and that there need be no distinction now between
literal and spiritual Jews, (Romans 10:12) the actions and beliefs of the early
Christians, which continue to be held by the Remnant in these last days, become
crystal clear. The parts of the Law not associated with the sacrificial system
or the Hebrews as a nation, these were not changed in the least. On the
contrary, they were “made honorable” by Him who embodied their every principle.
The Ten
Commandments, the New Moons, the Feasts, the way to eat and drink that will
best glorify the Father and Son, (1 Corinthians 10:1) all of these remain parts
of the measure of righteousness, to be established and affirmed by Christ and
His people, and not by the opinions and traditions of mortal men. “Let no man
therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an Holy day, or of
the New Moon, or of the Sabbath – which are a shadow of things to come – but
the Body of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16, 17 – literal translation, see Appendix
B) All of these continue to be defined as “righteousness” by the Law, and
all of these are held in grateful reverence by the faithful body of Christ.
“Do we
then make void the Law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the Law.”
(Romans 3:31) The Law, established through faith, and deadly without faith:
this is The Balance, and it is one that the Savior understood well, saying of
that which Moses provided, “if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe
my words?” (John 5:47) Remembering what “to believe” means in a Biblical sense,
this is a powerful statement.
Quotations:
Justification is by faith:
“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of
man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for
himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed
with the righteousness of Christ.” [The Faith I Live By, page 111]
“As the
penitent sinner, contrite before God, discerns Christ’s atonement in his behalf
and accepts this atonement as his only hope in this life and the future life,
his sins are pardoned. This is justification by faith. Every believing soul is
to conform his will entirely to God’s will and keep in a state of repentance
and contrition, exercising faith in the atoning merits of the Redeemer and
advancing from strength to strength, from glory to glory.” [Faith and Works,
page 103]
“The
grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his
part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner
accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of
Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God’s forgiving grace.” [The
Faith I Live By, page 107]
“Justification
is the opposite of condemnation. God’s boundless mercy is exercised toward
those who are wholly undeserving. He forgives transgressions and sins for the
sake of Jesus, who has become the propitiation for our sins. Through faith in
Christ, the guilty transgressor is brought into favor with God and into the
strong hope of life eternal.” [Faith and Works, page 104]
A
justified person will live a righteous life:
“But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of
Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ’s righteousness
while practicing known sins or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire
surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for
man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active,
living faith that works by love and purifies the soul.” [Faith and Works,
page 100]
“The
apostle James saw that dangers would arise in presenting the subject of
justification by faith, and he labored to show that genuine faith cannot exist
without corresponding works. The experience of Abraham is presented. ‘Seest
thou,’ he says, ‘how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect?’ James 2:22. Thus genuine faith does a genuine work in the believer.
Faith and obedience bring a solid, valuable experience.” [The Faith I Live
By, page 115]
“We
show our faith in God by obeying His commands. Faith is always expressed in
words and actions. It produces practical results, for it is a vital element in
the life. The life that is molded by faith develops a determination to advance,
to go forward, following in the footsteps of Christ.” [In Heavenly Places,
page 109]
Violating
the Law of Yah leads to both spiritual and material loss:
“By the laws of God in nature, effect follows cause with unvarying certainty.
The reaping testifies to the sowing. Here no pretense is tolerated. Men may
deceive their fellow men and may receive praise and compensation for service
which they have not rendered. But in nature there can be no deception. On the
unfaithful husbandman the harvest passes sentence of condemnation. And in the
highest sense this is true also in the spiritual realm. It is in appearance,
not in reality, that evil succeeds.” [Education, page 108]
“Thousands
need to be educated patiently, kindly, tenderly, but decidedly, that nine
tenths of their complaints are created by their own course of action.” [Medical
Ministry, page 225]
“In our
work for the fallen the claims of the law of God and the need of loyalty to Him
are to be impressed on mind and heart. Never fail to show that there is a
marked difference between the one who serves God and the one who serves Him
not. God is love, but He cannot excuse willful disregard for His commands. The
enactments of His government are such that men do not escape the consequences
of disloyalty. Only those who honor Him can He honor. Man’s conduct in this
world decides his eternal destiny. As he has sown, so he must reap. Cause will
be followed by effect.” [The Ministry of Healing, page 180]
The
Decalogue and the principles of the rest of the Law continue to be a standard
for Christian life:
“Jehovah engraved His ten commandments on tables of stone, that all the
inhabitants of the earth might understand His eternal, unchangeable character.”
[Lift Him Up, page 141]
“This
is the wisdom Paul exercised. He approached the Gentiles not by exalting the
law, but by exalting Christ, and then showing the binding claims of the law. He
plainly presented before them how the light reflected from the cross of Calvary
gave significance and glory to the whole Jewish economy.” [Testimonies to
Southern Africa, page 16]
“In
setting aside the law of God, men know not what they are doing. God’s law is
the transcript of His character. It embodies the principles of His kingdom. He
who refuses to accept these principles is placing himself outside the channel
where God’s blessings flow.” [Christ’s Object Lessons, page 305]
“The
ten commandments, Thou shalt, and Thou shalt not, are ten promises, assured to
us if we render obedience to the law governing the universe. “If ye love me,
keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Here is the sum and substance of the law of
God. The terms of salvation for every son and daughter of Adam are here outlined.”
[God’s Amazing Grace, page 134, and see Appendix C]
Questions:
1) Do I understand the purposes for which Yahweh provided the Law to mankind?
2) Do I
acknowledge that obtaining justification is rendered necessary by the Law, but
does not result from obedience?
3) Do I
appreciate the intimate connection between the Law and grace?
4) Do I
take note of the fact that the Law is Yah’s method of revealing the difference
between righteous and sinful acts?
5) Have
I made it my practice to judge all things according to Yah’s method?
6) Am I
able to understand the way in which the Savior magnified the Law and made it
honorable?
7) Do I
see the character of the Messiah present in the Old Testament ordinances?
8) Do I
see the mission of the Messiah foreshadowed in the Old Testament rituals?
9) Do I
lay claim to the perfect faith of Yahshua, accepting it as a free and
guaranteed gift of grace?
10) Am
I able to understand Paul’s explanation of the significance of Yahshua’s death
as it relates to the sacrificial system?
11) Am
I able to explain to others why the outward symbols of Judaism no longer have
significance to the believer?
12) Do
I rejoice in the blessings promised to me in the 10 Commandments?
Exercise:
After contemplating and, if possible, discussing with others the above
questions, find a verse or passage of the Bible that gives a promise or an
answer for each.
