To know Him is to understand what an awesome friend He is and how His mercies endure forever.

I often get opportunity to discuss my faith with others and am always thankful to meet other Christians that are excited to call Jesus their friend.  But in deeper conversation, there are questions.  Some things need better understanding and therefore some live with a bit of unease.  How do I know that Jesus IS my friend?  How do I know that I know Him the way I should.

There is evidence that Jesus is present throughout the old testament, from creation onward.  John 1, talks about the Word that was from the beginning and had become flesh.  This refers back to creation in Genesis 1.  In a previous study entitled Jesus, we explore Him throughout the Bible more in depth.

Today, some Christians believe they can claim Jesus as their savior and have no other responsibility except attend church weekly.  Where does this idea come from?  Is there no Law?  Are we free from the obligation to keep the Law of God contained in the Commandments?  I have heard it said that the Law is done away with and that we are no longer under the law but under grace.  Many Christians believe this.  This study aims to excite you to read and explore the Bible for yourself to discover the important truths about the Law of God.  And this exploration is not without cause.  The Bible it self contains chilling warnings for mankind.

Matthew 24:3-4, “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

How can we make sure we are not deceived.  This is the first thing Jesus said in response to the disciples questions.  The end result of the deception that Jesus spoke and the reason for the warning is found in Revelation 13:3-4, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”

Jesus points out that before He returns, people will not give worship to Him, but to the beast power.   And when you look at Matthew 7:22-23, it seems that they thought they were giving worship to God but were deceived.  We must therefore study God’s word to make sure that we are not deceived.

Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:22-23 is alarming because people who believe they are Christians will be rejected in that day.  They do good works and prophesy.  These are not atheists.   Jesus will say depart, ye workers of iniquity.  What is iniquity?

Iniquity is sin.  But if there is no law, how can Jesus at the Judgement turn people who prophecy and do good works away because of iniquity or sin?

Consider this:  Lucifer was cast out of heaven because he sinned.  Ezekiel 28:13-15, “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.  Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

To cast Satan out of heaven for transgressing Gods Law, just to send Jesus to die to abolish Gods Law makes no sense.  Without Gods Law there are no wicked people and thus there can be no judgement.  Judgement requires a Law to be judged against.

Read More on the Commandments of God

But didn’t Jesus come to fulfill the law?  The definition of “fulfill” is to complete or achieve.  Jesus lived a perfect life and achieved a perfect life.  This is the only way he could atone for our sins.   But does this mean He nullified the law through His life, death and resurrection?  What does Jesus say about this.

Matthew 5:27-28, “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.”

This doesn’t sound like Jesus is doing away with the Law of God at all.  This sounds like He is explaining the fullness of the Law to a people that lost its meaning.  Jesus did not lessen the potency of the Law of God, he removed every loophole that people were comfortable exploiting to their detriment.

Let’s look at another.  Matthew 5:21-24, “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: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

Jesus here doesn’t even want you to give your gifts at the alter until you reconcile with your brother.  How could this all be included in a command about murder?  Again, Jesus does not diminish the law of God, He breathes life into it making it full.  Take a look at Exodus 20. Reading the ten commandments of God, how can you understand them better seeing the template that Jesus established in Matthew 5?

But what about grace?  Are we not under grace?  “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” Romans 6:15.

Two Sides

Revelation 22:11, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

There seems to be two sides that exist.  The unjust and the filthy and the righteous and the holy.

James 4:4, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Romans 3:20, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

The Law of God makes us conscious of our sins and our goal is to not sin.  This is why the Law cannot be done away with because without the Law, how can we know what we do that is unpleasing to God?

Revelation 14 speaks about the mark of the beast and warns us to avoid getting this mark.  In fact, when you read Revelation 14, you understand that there are only two types of folks at the end when Jesus returns.  Those that have the mark of the beast and those that don’t. Those that don’t have the mark of the beast receive the seal of God.  Or rather, there are those that receive the seal of God and all others receive the mark of the beast.  Then Jesus reveals the identifier that determines Gods people.   These are those that have not been deceived.

Revelation 14:12, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Come.  Hear.  Do.

2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

There is a beautiful relationship that takes shape when we live for God and not ourselves.  God loves us and wants the very best for us in every way.  Jeremiah 29:11,  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Obedience to God is the only way to please Him.  It is hard for our selfish nature to feel comfortable with the word “obey”.  We are rebellious by nature.  But Jesus is clear and unambiguous. John 15:14, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”   or John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

If you love Jesus, if you choose to serve the God of the Bible, what keeps you from being obedient to His will?   We do not keep the commandments because we are saved by the Law of God.  We keep the commandments because we are saved and are called according to His purpose.  And He calls us to be holy.

1 Peter 1:16, “Be ye holy, because I am holy.”

Holiness is possible through the grace of God.  John 1:12-13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

1 John 5:1-2, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.”

What is more, God through the Spirit makes it possible to live according to His purpose.   All we must do is surrender to His will.  We must decrease and He must increase in our lives.  Our plans must conform to His will.  In whatever we do, it must be to Gods glory and not our own.

Philippians 2:12-15, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

God does the work if you let Him.

Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.”

Gods people are peculiar people that live according to Gods will.  Gods people are blessed of God, but will suffer persecution.  Not deceived, relying on Gods word contained in the Bible, we are to be a light to the world.  Knowing that the majority of the religious world will get it wrong and wonder after the beast, we we not to compromise; not to mix Gods truth with mans error.  Even though false worship is all around us and is popular, this is the patience of the saints, those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

70-ish years will be spent here in this sinful world.  But where do you want to spend eternity?  When God makes it so easy to do His will and in the end, eternity without sin where you can live with Jesus and see Him face to face.   Or you can have it all end here and cease to exist for eternity.  Study and seek God daily.   Seek God through prayer and His word for yourself.  The time is now to choose.

The post Dare To Be Christian – Jesus Calling first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

Will there be a judgement day?  Notice Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”  God has “appointed a day,” now that’s significant!  In our next chapter, we will discover how close we are to that “day”.  To stir your imagination  a bit though, let’s read a fascinating scripture.  Revelation 14:6-7, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”  In other words, the everlasting gospel which is to be preached to all the world will say God’s judgement is come (present tense) before Jesus comes.

God’s Word has a court summons for all of us as we face this judgement, more serious than any summons we might receive here on earth.  2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  We all must appear before the judgement seat.  No one can escape it.

In the book of Daniel you will find a brief description of the judgement taking place.  Daniel 7:9-10, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”  Revelation gives a similar picture of what will take place.  Revelation 20:12-13, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”

At this point there may be a sincere question in your mind.  In the last few verses in the Bible states we will be judged according to what we have done, good or bad, and judged according to our “works”.  Yet in the last chapter we read that we are saved by grace and it’s not works.  How do we reconcile that?

In the Bible there is a simple balance between faith and works.  It’s like  two oars on a row boat.  If you use the left oar of faith only you go in circles.  Or if you use the right oar or works you do the same.  But use them both and you go in a straight line.

We are not saved by works.  We’re saved alone by God’s grace.  But if we truly have been saved by grace through faith then God is in control of our life.  As we “watch and pray” the Spirit controls us and therefore our works are of God.  Our works give evidence that our faith is genuine.   So we’re not saved by works, but we are judged by our works.  Keep that balance and you are safe.  James 2:14,17, 18, 24, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

These two verses seem to contradict each other.  Faith, the first verse says, without works is dead.  And the other says that we are justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

How does  Romans 6:14-18 help to shed light on this question?  ” For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

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In every trial there are three phases.  1. The investigation of the evidence.  2. The decision or verdict of the court.  3.  The punishment or reward.  We already discovered that the first part, the “investigation, ” would take place before Jesus comes, because it will be preached “the hour of judgement is come” prior to His coming.  Revelation 14:7, “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Revelation 11:18, “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”

Now how is this part of the judgement to be done?  We just read in Revelation 20 that “the books” were opened.  There are several books used in the judgement.  The first one is called the Book of Life.  It has the names of all the saved, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

There is another book called the Book of Remembrance where the saints record.  Malachi 3:16-17, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”   From these and other books, God begins the judgement.  And, the Bible declares that God Himself will judge.  Psalm 50:4-6, “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.  Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.  And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.”

This is serious business.

When the investigating part of the judgement ends in heaven, the second phase of the judgement begins which is the verdict.  Christ declares it in Revelation 22:11-12,  “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”  In other words, when Jesus comes, every case is already decided. All whose names are in the Book of Life have been reviewed.  And because their lives have been covered by Jesus’s blood and righteousness, they are worthy of eternal life.  This is just before the second coming of Christ.  Now that brings us to the obvious question.  The saints have been judged, they are saved.  Jesus comes at His second coming to take them to heaven.   So, when will the wicked who are not in the book of life be judged?

Revelation 20:4, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

The wicked will be judged during the 1,000 years which follows.  Therefore, you and I, if we claim the blood of Jesus and are saved, will be the ones who actually judge the wicked to see if God was fair.

Is that surprising?  Notice 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

We will judge the fallen angels.  Second Peter 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”  God has a reason for doing it this way.  Satan has accused God of not being fair, and God is going to say, “Okay, I wont judge, I will let my people judge.  Those men and women on the earth, under Satan’s program of sin and rebellion.  Those people that went through the temptation and trials of life.  Let them check and see if I was just and fair.”

The last part of the judgement will be the reward or punishment.  The punishment is found in Revelation 20:15.  “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  The wicked are cast into a lake of fire.

In Canada, we are ideally judge by certain standard. The law.  If I break it and go to court, they will read from the book of the law. By my obedience or disobedience to that law I am guilty or not guilty.  In heaven it’s the same, God’s law will also be the standard by which we are judged. James 2:10-12, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”  This is God’s ten-commandment law.

Why does it seem to surprise people today that God’s Ten Commandment Law is still binding?  Review each Commandment quickly to see that every command of God is reasonable and is based upon love.  Love for God, and love for your neighbor.

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Let’s read another text to establish this thought. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man, For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” God will bring all into judgment.

This brings me to an important subject.   It seems the Law of God, or the Ten Commandments are in question.

It is argued that Jesus gave us different or NEW commandments.  Some say that God’s Law was against us and Jesus came to lift the burden of the law.

Could this be possible?  Did Jesus change God’s Law of Liberty to something else?  Discuss?

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Does this distinction make sense in the context of the many other Bible verses covered?  Discuss:

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Jeremiah 31:3, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”

First John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The moment He does that you are justified and your name is written in the Book Of Life.  And as your name comes up in the judgment, God the Father looks at you and standing before you is His Son Jesus. Jesus says, “My blood covers his sin. I present him faultless before your throne!” First John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not, And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Revelation 12:10, “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”

Jesus is our “advocate” our lawyer! Christ longs to represent you! When we look at ourselves we can’t see how we could ever be saved, but when we look at Jesus we can’t see how we could ever be lost!

When the judgment is over, and God comes for you and me, the text of Philippians 2:10-11 will be fulfilled. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Every knee will bow, and all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Today the door of mercy, swinging on the hinges of grace is still open. Jesus lovingly invites us to let Him cover our life of sin, so when our name comes up in judgment, He can confess us before the Father.

The post Prophecy 7 – Judgement Day – Faith and Works first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.