Discussing the Scofield Bible, The Old Covenant and the New Covenant, and Israel

I have been conversing with a Christian friend of mine, one who does not support Israel, who believes that the current state should not exist. He also adheres to "replacement theology," which suggests that God has abandoned the Jews and now only works with Christians.

Here was the first question that I posed to him:

Hey -----!

The Scofield Bible is getting some massive excoriation at this time [on social media].

I have never read that version, since I am not interested in any version of the Bible which has someone else's comments or ideas embedded into it.

Your reasons for being vocally opposed to the Scofield, and what are the errors which it teaches? -- Please share when you have time.

Here are the responses that I received:

It altered who all Christians believed - for nearly 2,000 years - that NT Israel was. His Bible was bankrolled by the biggest Zionists in America....to swing millions of Christians into their political camp. Palestinian Christians and non-violent Muslims have paid a huge price. World peace has been altered. And due to this poor theology we treat Israel different then all other nations, in desperate need of the Gospel of the Messiah. Send me your personal email address again Arthur. I will send you a two-page short Bible study and a theological reading list that has impacted a lot of other dispensationalists.

Here is the second message I received:

Arthur:

 I fear your hermeneutical view of Scripture starts with your support of a political entity lost, apart from Jesus Christ.  The Zionist Jews of Israel are not being threatened from others.  Their hatred of the Triune God makes themselves their greatest enemy.  They have the highest tax-payer funded abortion rate in the world.  Tel Aviv is the homosexual capital of the world.  (Ask the Jewish psychologist who used to practice in San Francisco until they ran him out….and who called to thank me for burning those transgender library books.)  And they just vaccinated 61% of their population with the deadly mNRA full of spike proteins.  And they are brutally cruel to their neighbors, whom the Zionists in charge see as goyim or cattle.  God is dealing with Israel for rejecting the Messiah.  May we one day see them return to Christ, via Romans 11.  But not through more nuclear bombs and American aid.

 See my attached piece I use to ‘lit-drop’ dispensational churches in the region and my reading list.  Those who adhere to the erroneous ‘end times’ doctrine have done such harm to take Christians off the battle field.  Such harm!

And see the Meme, I produced.  The best Reformed Covenantal (we never use the word ‘Replacement’….that was made up by dispensationalists) theologians came from former pro-Israel dispensational backgrounds.  They stopped reading the Scofield margin notes and started reading the Bible.  Some of the best people sounding the warning against Zionists are Karaite Jewish Rabbis.  I appreciate them and think they could be good neighbors.

 BTW, does ‘Schaper’ have any Jewish roots to it?

Here is my first response, and extensive set of remarks to contrast with what he had shared with me:

Hey P-----!

You've made a number of great responses to me regarding this issue.

I want to make it very clear that I recognize that there is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ. I do not suggest that people can be saved apart from believing in his perfect sacrifice of the cross. Amen!

The notion however that God has cut off Jews from his loving power is just not true. He wants them to believe, and he continues to reach out to them just as he reaches out to us. He does have a special covenant with them, as he established not just in Genesis chapter 12, but has been affirmed in other passages as well throughout the old and new testaments.

Consider these passages:

"19And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, 20Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; 21Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. 22As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me." (Jeremiah 33:19-22)

And

"Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God." Hosea 1:10

 I did not accept this replacement theology. The fact is that we are blessed with believing Abraham, every person who believes in Jesus Christ. This is available to everyone, including the Jewish people. God has not cut off his covenant with them. However, because they insist on staying under the old covenant, they endure the old covenant curses. That is why, for example, they were dispersed throughout the world in AD 70.

Consider these passages, too:

"Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."( John 12:11)

 During Jesus earthly ministry, many Jews ended up believing in him! If he had cut them off, they would have never believed in him.

Ask for today, or in our current times, Many Jews don't even believe in God, right now, because of a great blindness due to seeing Moses and not Jesus:

"13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." (2  Corinthians 3, versus 13 through 16)

 Regarding the rebirth of Israel as a nation:

"Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." (Isaiah 66:8)

And

"But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land." (Jeremiah 23:8)

And

"Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither." (Jeremiah 31:8)

 I wish to affirm that everything that I've shared with you is from The Bible, specifically the King James version. I have not drawn any inspiration or insight from the so-called Scofield bible. In fact I've never even read that version. I agree that nobody should settle for a version of The Bible that is replete with passages, messages and notes from someone else. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us in the scriptures. We don't need to keep running to Other people to do that for us.

 My starting point is not a nation state. My starting point is Jesus Christ! My starting point is that Jesus will fufill the old covenant, and enacted a new covenant.

My last name is not a Jewish last name. I find it interesting that you're bringing up ethnic backgrounds. That's very strange. Truth has nothing to do with one's ethnic status or ancestry.

My second response:

Believe me, I am well aware of the hostility that rabbis and secular Jews have towards Christianity. That hostility is quite rampant among Muslims and other secular groups as well, so it doesn't make a lot of sense just to target Jews regarding this issue.

As we speak, especially in spite of covid 19, an incredible Christian messianic Jewish ministry has been sharing the gospel with Jews throughout Israel, and more of them are believing in Jesus!

https://www.oneforisrael.org/

I then followed up with this question:

Another question, P---:

Do you believe that christians today are still bound to try to keep the 10 commandments?

Here were the final responses that I wrote to him:

Hey P---:

I am responding now to your points about Under Law vs. Under Grace.

That is two different things.

Being under law (as to justification) where the answer is No; 

AGREED!

 opposed to we are expected to keep them (as to sanctification), where the answer is Yes.

If that is the case, then how do you respond to Paul's own words in these Epistles (these are not comments from Paul Scofield)?

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4)

And

"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:6)

And also:

13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The passage about "handwriting of ordinances" is the Law, and it has been rendered inoperative against us because Jesus fulfilled the Law.

I agree that the WORLD needs to the Ten Commandments. We need to post the Ten Commandments in every courthouse. But for us who are believers in Christ, who have received the adoption of children. We are taught by His GRACE!

"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

Again, Jesus fulfilled the Law. He declared as much in the Sermon on the Mount:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Matthew 5:17)

Since He fulfilled the law, why would we try to keep it?

How do you respond to these statements from Paul, after receiving incredible revelation from The Lord?

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." (Romans 3:19)

and

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5:20)

and

"23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3:23-25)

Based on the revelation which Paul shares in the Epistle to the Romans, for example, the law is not a standard to live by, but rather a standard which condemns us and shows us our need for a Savior. Do you agree with what Paul writes, or do you read this differently?

Your point about holiness, sanctification is well noted. How do we become holy?

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1:30)

and

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Christ is our sanctification, not the Law, as Paul declares to the Corinthian Church. The more that we see Him in the Word, the more that His Holy Spirit transforms us from glory to glory. AMEN.

I wanted to share these remarks with you, as well, following your statement about Old Covenant v. New Covenant. You have helped me to understand why there is such a harsh opposition to Israel and Jews. If Christians do not enter fully in the Grace of God, but attempt to go with mixture (grace and law), then inevitably they will persecute those who recognize that we no longer keep the law (Christians like me) or Jews, who do not (yet) believe in Jesus.

Thanks for your time, P---.

Take care!

No Need to Respond to Noise in Our Minds

Yesterday, I received even greater revelations due to God's grace and growing wonder about the New Covenant.

Yesterday morning, I woke up, and I started getting angry, bitter about the negative experiences that I have endured on social media. I got angry about how I was treated in a very contentious debate. Then I read an article, in which I got immediately upset and insisted on fighting back, arguing with that person or the people who supported that person all over again.

For the longest time, I had gone through this roller-coaster of self-argument. I want to go back and have that argument all over again.

Instead of getting into the argument cyclone again, I started asking God questions: "Lord, why do I get wound about this issue? Why do I feel compelled to make these arguments again and again?"

The next minute, I went for a long walk in my neighborhood. It was great. I heard His answer clear as day: "You keep thinking that you have to correct the record, to settle the score, to prove people wrong for believing something that is not true. I am more than able to vindicate you."

In fact, before I went out for a walk, as I was putting on my shoes, I started to realize what I was really trying to do: correct the record, prove to people that I was not wrong, stupid, ignorant, etc; i.e. I was concerned about what people would think of me.

But really, who does, who should care what people think of me? I certainly should not care.

Then I realized another wonderful aspect of the New Covenant:

"I will be a God to you" also means that He is committed to vindicating my cause. YES! Amen!

"Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide." (Psalm 26:1)

and

"7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." (Luke 18:7-8)

Then a larger revelation ensued for me. For the longest time, I have felt compelled to argue and think out loud on so many issues, and it would just waste so much time for me. I could not relent from wanting to engage in vain disputes with myself, in my home, or even when I went out walking.

Yesterday, I finally received the wisdom I had long sought on this matter. It was wonderful!

Then, last night, as I was lying down for the greater part of the evening, an intense revelation overcame me. I can ignore every invitation to argue and stir up strife because He is a God to me! And God is not going to go away or break off fellowship with me just because I lose my temper, have a bad thought, or engage in a negative feeling. Wow!

For the last few days, I have found myself thinking out loud less and less. I get into fewer mental tangents. There is less and less need to argue about matters that, well, do not matter. There is no longer this compulsion to keep pushing for my arguments, my responses to win the day. This sense of calm is really incredible.

For the longest time, I treated all the noise and nattering as something that mattered, something that I had to respond to. Now, I realize that all of that is hollow and empty. I do not have to be swept aside or going with the critical tide of thinking and feeling that overwhelms my emotions every other day.

This is just wonderful!

I have never felt so care for, so protected. This New Covenant is so wonderful, and God's promises for me, to me, and through me are not affected by the thoughts, feelings, or actions that are going for me, in me, through me, or to me. Amen!

It all makes sense now.

This is truly amazing. I have never felt so free, so at peace. I have never felt so cared for, so protected. There is no longer any doubt in my mind that God is on my side, regardless of what any demon, deacon, or dictator might do to me.

He is a God to me, and I am one of His people, because He is propitious to my unrighteousness, and my sins and iniquities He members no more!

Andy Stanley is Right – Christians Are No Longer Under Law

Andy Stanley, the son of well-established megachurch pastor Charles Stanley, and an influential pastor in his own right, has ignited a major controversy within the Body of Christ. Check out the headline from his head-turning (or head-spinning) article:

Why Do Christians Want to Post the 10 Commandments and Not the Sermon on the Mount?

The reactions to this article Relevant Magazine have gone from measured:

Theologians react to Andy Stanley saying Ten Commandments don’t apply to Christians

To exhortational and somewhat combative:

Yes, Pastor Stanley, Let’s Preach the Sermon on the Mount

To controversial and a little snarky:

Popular Megachurch Pastor Says the Ten Commandments Don’t Apply to Christians

When any pastor tells Christians that they are not obligated to keep the Ten Commandments, it’s understandable that there is going to be some alarm. After all, we need laws to ensure that society is stable and secure. Moral guidelines are imperative to ensure that our communities do not devolve into a war of all against all.

Of course, we should remember that human life did not begin in the Hobbesian mythology of wandering peoples scraping over scarce resources. Life began with God speaking the worlds into existence, breathing life into man, then granting His creation the great commission to replenish the earth.

So, what was the young Pastor Stanley talking about?

First, Stanley addresses the political controversies about the public displays of the Ten 

Commandments, especially in government buildings like courthouses and schools.

Then he pivots to the one commandment which Jesus gave His disciples the night He was betrayed:

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one 

another.” —John 13:34

Stanley continues:

The one commandment!

Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? But if we’re going to create a monument to stand as a testament to our faith, shouldn’t it at least be a monument of something that actually applies to us?

You mean that the Ten Commandments do not apply to Christians, Pastor?

Stanley explains the dichotomy of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

Jesus issued his new commandment as a replacement for everything in the existing list. Including the big ten. Just as his new covenant replaced the old covenant, Jesus’ new 

commandment replaced all the old commandments.

Participants in the new covenant (that’s Christians) are not required to obey any of the commandments found in the first part of their Bibles. Participants in the new covenant are expected to obey the single command Jesus issued as part of his new covenant: as I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Guess what? Pastor Stanley is correct!

Throughout the New Testament, Paul the Apostle explains that we are no longer under Law, i.e. the Law of Moses, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

In fact, because of Jesus’ death, we are dead to the law:

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” (Romans 7:4)

Not good enough? Paul writes the same to the Ephesians:

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:13-15)

Paul writes “having abolished the law of commandments …”

Their demands on us have been removed because of the Cross

Paul also writes to the Colossians:

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (Colossians 2:13-14)

In fact, the law does not make anyone holy, nor does it serve to enable godly behavior!

By the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). The law merely brings out our sin and shows our need for a Savior (Romans 3:19-20; Romans 7:7-25).

The Law given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai was not God’s main agenda:

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20)

Literally, the Law came in on the side, but was not God’s focus. Removing the spiritual gloss of traditional laerning, that verse seems heretical. “You mean the law was designed so that there would be more sin?”

Yes, but not because God wants us to sin. He wants us to be free from sin, to recognize that in Adam we are dead in our trespasses. In Christ, we receive grace, righteousness, and His life!

The law was a harsh taskmaster that showed our need for a Savior. When we believe in Jesus, we no longer need this schoolmaster (Galatians 2:24-26). We are not under law, but under grace.

Pastor Andy Stanley is right: Christians do not live by the law, but by grace!

Paul explained the power grace young pastoral charge Titus:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).

Grace teaches us to reject sin, to live godly lives in this fallen world, not the law, which is not for righteous people anyway (1 Timothy 1:9)

In the next article, I will explore how—and why—other pastors and writers challenge, reject, or raise the alarm over the New Covenant, the revelation that Christians are no longer under law, why the Ten Commandments is no longer for those in Christ.

Andy Stanley is Right – Christians Are No Longer Under Law

Andy Stanley, the son of well-established megachurch pastor Charles Stanley, and an influential pastor in his own right, has ignited a major controversy within the Body of Christ. Check out the headline from his head-turning (or head-spinning) article:

Why Do Christians Want to Post the 10 Commandments and Not the Sermon on the Mount?

The reactions to this article Relevant Magazine have gone from measured:

Theologians react to Andy Stanley saying Ten Commandments don’t apply to Christians

To exhortational and somewhat combative:

Yes, Pastor Stanley, Let’s Preach the Sermon on the Mount

To controversial and a little snarky:

Popular Megachurch Pastor Says the Ten Commandments Don’t Apply to Christians

When any pastor tells Christians that they are not obligated to keep the Ten Commandments, it’s understandable that there is going to be some alarm. After all, we need laws to ensure that society is stable and secure. Moral guidelines are imperative to ensure that our communities do not devolve into a war of all against all.

Of course, we should remember that human life did not begin in the Hobbesian mythology of wandering peoples scraping over scarce resources. Life began with God speaking the worlds into existence, breathing life into man, then granting His creation the great commission to replenish the earth.

So, what was the young Pastor Stanley talking about?

First, Stanley addresses the political controversies about the public displays of the Ten 

Commandments, especially in government buildings like courthouses and schools.

Then he pivots to the one commandment which Jesus gave His disciples the night He was betrayed:

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one 

another.” —John 13:34

Stanley continues:

The one commandment!

Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? But if we’re going to create a monument to stand as a testament to our faith, shouldn’t it at least be a monument of something that actually applies to us?

You mean that the Ten Commandments do not apply to Christians, Pastor?

Stanley explains the dichotomy of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

Jesus issued his new commandment as a replacement for everything in the existing list. Including the big ten. Just as his new covenant replaced the old covenant, Jesus’ new 

commandment replaced all the old commandments.

Participants in the new covenant (that’s Christians) are not required to obey any of the commandments found in the first part of their Bibles. Participants in the new covenant are expected to obey the single command Jesus issued as part of his new covenant: as I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Guess what? Pastor Stanley is correct!

Throughout the New Testament, Paul the Apostle explains that we are no longer under Law, i.e. the Law of Moses, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

In fact, because of Jesus’ death, we are dead to the law:

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” (Romans 7:4)

Not good enough? Paul writes the same to the Ephesians:

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:13-15)

Paul writes “having abolished the law of commandments …”

Their demands on us have been removed because of the Cross

Paul also writes to the Colossians:

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (Colossians 2:13-14)

In fact, the law does not make anyone holy, nor does it serve to enable godly behavior!

By the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). The law merely brings out our sin and shows our need for a Savior (Romans 3:19-20; Romans 7:7-25).

The Law given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai was not God’s main agenda:

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20)

Literally, the Law came in on the side, but was not God’s focus. Removing the spiritual gloss of traditional laerning, that verse seems heretical. “You mean the law was designed so that there would be more sin?”

Yes, but not because God wants us to sin. He wants us to be free from sin, to recognize that in Adam we are dead in our trespasses. In Christ, we receive grace, righteousness, and His life!

The law was a harsh taskmaster that showed our need for a Savior. When we believe in Jesus, we no longer need this schoolmaster (Galatians 2:24-26). We are not under law, but under grace.

Pastor Andy Stanley is right: Christians do not live by the law, but by grace!

Paul explained the power grace young pastoral charge Titus:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).

Grace teaches us to reject sin, to live godly lives in this fallen world, not the law, which is not for righteous people anyway (1 Timothy 1:9)

In the next article, I will explore how—and why—other pastors and writers challenge, reject, or raise the alarm over the New Covenant, the revelation that Christians are no longer under law, why the Ten Commandments is no longer for those in Christ.

Matt Walsh’s “One Terrible Lie”: A Rebuttal

Matt Walsh is a refreshing voice in the conservative movement. He is not afraid to re-assert the preeminence of Christ in the public square. If we want to Make America Great Again, we need to Make America Godly Again, and Walsh has repeatedly addressed that concern.

But I had to respond in thoughtful criticism to his latest article in The Daily Wire: “One Terrible Lie That Is Destroying Christianity In America And Leading Souls To Hell”.

Great title, definitely eye-catching. There are many lies corrupting churches today. They do not stand for the Biblical (and ultimately biological) definition of marriage. They promote abortion, gun control, and a host of other anti-Biblical, culturally Marxist talking points.

What was the specific lie that Walsh targeted in his latest article?

A Christian ought to always think positive and be optimistic. He shouldn't think about his sin or worry much about repentance.

First of all, Christians are called to be positive, no matter how fallen the world is around us, and we can expect a wonderful future:

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4).

and

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

Paul the Apostle even urged his fellow Christians to think on things lovely (Philippians 4: 8).

But my greater difference with Walsh is on the subject of repentance.

He defined it as a repeated confession of one’s sins:

 “But the first step is to repent. And then to repent again, and again, and again, every time we sin. This is not the easiest or most comfortable road to walk. Indeed, it is the hardest and narrowest road of all. It is also the only road that leads to life.”

In the New Testament, the Greek word rendered by “repentance is “metanoia”, which means “to change one’s mind”. It doesn’t mean to acknowledge one’s sins, especially over and over.

In fact, we need to change our mind about God, to stop seeing Him as out to punish us for all our sins, but to believe that God’s wrath against all sin—including ours—has been paid for.

Paul preached the fullness of the Gospel below:

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13: 38-39)

This idea of repeatedly confessing one’s sins is not just hard: it’s impossible! Martin Luther tried that, and it nearly drove him insane. Same with Pastor Joseph Prince of Singapore. I have been there myself, as I was trained in this “confessionary” approach to keeping short accounts with God.

Sin is so deep in man, that he can’t even keep up with it in himself. Ironically, those who claim that we must confess our sins are making light of sin. David—the man after God’s own heart—himself acknowledged that he had sins he couldn’t confess—because he wasn’t aware of them!

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12)

And

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)

David didn’t ask God to forgive his gross perversions so he could try harder next time. He pleaded plainly: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10).

Sin is deeper than what man does. It defines his very being:

“[S]in entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12).

Saying sorry and trying harder isn’t good enough. No one can keep up with his sins. The Christian receives a redeemed spirit, but he still has his flesh to contend with.

But we shouldn’t fear or worry:

“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)

Notice here that John does not tell his readers to confess their sins to be forgiven. He reminds them that Jesus is our propitiation for our sins—and for the sins of the whole world! The song writer wasn’t kidding when he wrote “There is power in the blood!”

And that’s precisely what Christ Jesus provided for everyone who believes in Him. Jesus died for us—and as us—to grants us His life, His standing (Ephesians 2:4-6).

Furthermore, condemnation does not set people free, but being free from condemnation enables us to be free from sin. (Romans 7:24-25, 8-1). In fact, it’s the grace of God that teaches us to reject sin and live godly lives in Christ (Titus 2:11-14). That’s the beauty and the wonder of the Gospel! Even when we sin (verb), God will never again impute our sins to us ever again (Isaiah 54:9) because they were imputed to the body of Another (1 Peter 2:24).

Does that mean I want to go out and sin, since I will never be punished by God for my sins? Paul the Apostle answered: “God forbid!” (Romans 6:1-2). God’s grace actually gives us power to overcome sin:

 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

Repentance is ongoing, no doubt. There is so much that we need to learn about what Jesus did at the Cross for us. However, it’s untenable to expect Christians to confess all of their sins every day in order to be forgiven. Such views also diminish the Finished Work of Jesus on the Cross. It’s the blood of Jesus that sets us free from sin, for it cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). If there is confession of sins, it’s because we are forgiven!

Not Ten, but Just Two: Believe on Jesus, and Love One Another (As Jesus Loved You)

Canon J. John shared a powerful conversion message last night on TBN (October 29, 2014).

Canon J. John

When he was younger, an evangelist at his college had asked him: "Has Jesus been knocking on your door?"

He had no idea where the door was, but one day John asked Jesus: "Come on in."

The eyes of his understanding were then enlightened, and a wonderful warmth filled his heart.

Indeed, his experience describes the new birth which every Christian experiences.

I was saddened, however, when I then heard him talk about his reintroduction of the Ten Commandments.

"I heard the Lord tell me to teach them backwards," he shared on this program.

Then he went to his pastor, and John admitted while retelling the story: "I told my pastor: 'I think the Lord has given me a God idea. And if it's not a God idea, then at least I think it's a good idea."

Right away, he admits that he was not sure that he was hearing from the Lord. The fact is that he was not. It was a "good" idea, the same way that it seemed like a good idea for Abraham to sleep with the servant girl Hagar rather than truth the Lord's power and timing so that his lawful wife Sarah would conceive a child.

There's a larger revelation which needs to be received on this matter.

The Old Covenant, the Ten Commandments, they were a good idea at one time.

Today, the Old Covenant has come and gone.

The Old Covenant, engraven on stones, was fulfilled at the Cross.

Consider what Paul writes to the Corinthians in his Second Epistle:

"7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." (2 Corinthians 3:7-11)

                             

Notice that the ministration of righteousness exceeds in glory. This is a righteousness that we receive by faith, not by works (cf. Philippians 3:9)

The writer of Hebrews outlines the elements of the New Covenant:

"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

 

Now, consider what the writer of Hebrews shares next:

 

"13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."

 

The Old Covenant has faded and passed away, because it has been fulfilled. We don't need it anymore if we have passed from death to life in Jesus. In Christ, we are dead to the law (cf. Romans 7:4).

 

Now, what I have found particularly troubling is that men and women like Canon J. John say "The Lord said" as if that silences dissent. And what's worse, he goes against the Gospel by bringing back the Ten Commandments!

What does Paul say to Christians about returning to the Ten Commandments?:

"6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1: 6-9)

Paul was shocked -- shocked-- that men and women born again in Christ would go back to the Ten Commandments. Paul was emphatic in his outrage: If he or any other messenger of the Gospel, or an angel from heaven (not a demon from hell) preached something else ... let him be accursed.

Wow! This is not a game, people. Let us not bring believers back under law. Let us not do despite to the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10: 27-29)

Canon J. John reminds me of many Christians who once they are saved by grace through faith, are then convinced that they can be perfect through the law.

I do not doubt that he is born again. I vehemently reject his argument to bring back the Ten Commandments, even in a "positive" light.

Paul was as subtle as a meat cleaver with Christians who were foolish--yes foolish--enough to go back under law after being saved by grace:

"1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:1-5)

The error time and again which I find from the most well-meaning of preachers misses the big issue: man is dead in his trespasses, and needs life. He does not help: he needs life. Man does no need help, instruction, guidance, training to keep the rules. 

He needs to know that the Ruler, the King of Kings, wants to keep us!

When we are saved, we receive His life, and we do not grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord or bear more fruit for Him through our efforts.

Let us never forget that through the law is the knowledge of sin, not the Son:

"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." (Romans 3: 20)

God the Father invites us to grow in grace and knowledge of His Son:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)

That word "Amen" is crucial, because it means "believe" or "I believe it," and this faith is all based on the Cross. Either you believe Jesus did it all, or you do not, and it is not open for debate.

Today, under the New Covenant, it is no longer about the Big Ten, because Jesus fulfilled them fully and forever.

It is no longer "Just Ten". Now it has become "Just Two", because there are two different commands which replace the Old Covenant.

John summarizes the "Just Two" like this:

"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." (1 John 3: 23)

Jesus spoke of these two simple directions in the Gospel of John:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)

and then:

"A  new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)

These are not commandments in order for God to bless us, but because He has blessed us. The goodness of God leads us to repentance, to believe on Him (Romans 2:4), and we love because He first loved us! (1 John 4:19).

This pattern of moving from Ten to Two is very compelling.

Throughout the Old Testament, a number of times a group numbered in twelve is divided into ten and two.

This separation is a picture of us leaving the Old Covenant (Ten Commandments) and entering into the New Covenant (Grace).

                             

Jacob had twelve sons, but the first ten were from lawfully defined wives and bondwomen (Leah, Bilhah, Zillah). Jacob's favored sons came from his beloved wife Rachel (ewe lamb, picture of Jesus our perfect Savior): Joseph and Benjamin.

When twelve spies visited the Promised Land, ten of the spies (a picture of the law, and the Old Covenant) gave an evil report, focusing on themselves and then their enemies. There were only two spies who gave a graciously true report: Joshua (God is savior, and also the Hebrew name for Jesus!) and Caleb, which means "faithful' or "whole-hearted".

The two spies represent the New Covenant, in which we believe on Jesus whole-heartedly, focusing on God and His Word:

"And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13: 30)

When King Rehoboam (Freer of the People) become king, he offended the twelve tribes so much, that ten of the tribes divorced from Rehoboam and established their own kingdom. The two tribes which stayed loyal to the king were Judah (Praise) and Benjamin (Son of My Right Hand)

Through the Finished Work of the King of Kings, Jesus fulfilled the law and rendered it inoperative to condemn us, freed us from its ministry of condemnation, and has brought us into a New Covenant, where He is our God, and all we do is Praise and thank Jesus, the Son at the Father's Right Hand.

We no longer try to keep Ten Commandments, which no one could ever keep, anyway:

"Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" (John 7:19)

and

"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." (Romans 3:20)

and also

 "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient" (1 Timothy 1: 9)

God places His two new laws in our hearts: to believe on Him and love one another.

"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33)

We live by His faith, and we love through His love for us.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

and

"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)

It's not about "Just Ten", but rather "Just Two": that is the New Covenant, and we are just and true to what Jesus has done at the Cross if we recognize this change. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and all we have to do is just believe on Him, and let His love move us to love others.