I Still Love The Counsel of God!
I wrote the following post awhile back but thought it was appropriate to revisit it at this time. Just because I feel no need to support the false teachings of organized religion does not mean God’s counsel is included in that. I constantly feel God’s presense in my life now more then ever.
You might find it difficult to accept that I love the counsel of God found in the bible and also believe it can be of great benefit to all of mankind. I have been accused of not believing in anything because of my stand on the Grace of God but unfortunately when people (conservative Christians) disagree with me they often attack without really trying to understand what I do teach.
You see, I still teach that following the laws of God can and will be of great benefit IF a person is doing it for the right reasons. If one is following the laws of God to be righteous before him, that person will be left with nothing but guilt, condemnation, and fear. As a matter of fact, if you are following ANY set of moral standards thinking that it will make you right with God you will be left wanting.
But when you understand the beauty of what Christ did at the cross it will absolutely change your whole passion toward God. He accomplished for us (all of us) what we could never do and that was to fulfill all the laws of God for us. He did it by HIS faith and he did it to set us free from a burden that we could never carry. Let’s listen to Paul who says it much better then I can.
Rom 3:20-31
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Let me say that one of the biggest mistakes the organized church makes today is trying to somehow capture the glory themselves by pointing to their own faith as required for redemption. Verse 22 does mention the faith that makes our righteousness possible but it’s not our faith, it’s the FAITH OF JESUS that is responsible for every good gift we have received.
But let’s get back to this whole thing about following the counsel of God. You will notice in verse 31 after Paul has clearly shown that every one is guilty before God and not even one person will be justified in his sight by following the deeds of the law that the next point he makes is showing us how the law was not made void because of the faith of Christ, but instead it was established.
Now think about that for a minute. If I can’t keep the law to be right with God, then why should I even try to follow it now? Because I’m FREE to!!!!! Now I’m free to explore all of God’s counsel without any fear whatsoever of being condemned. I no longer want or need to prove anything with God. He’s not keeping score. He wants each of us to have the very best life possible on this earth and he’s given us each the freedom to choose our way. I am free to choose, but I like Paul will not choose foolishly. Listen to what he said about his free choices.
1 Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Every choice we make can have a positive impact or a negative one and since I want my life and all those around me to have the most positive experience possible then I want to make the very best choices. That’s why I am so grateful for Jesus Christ who has established the law in my heart that is no longer based on fear but instead it is established solely on HIS LOVE.
Yes, I truly believe I can shun God’s counsel and He will still love me, but why would I not want to listen to my very loving Father who has no agenda but my best interest at heart? I don’t stay faithful to my wife because I am in fear of God, I stay faithful to her because I love her and I know that being otherwise would hurt her as well as me. I, like Paul understand all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.
