Most religions are sin conscious; they have rules and laws
to corral the misdeeds of people, but Christianity is to be different. While
Islam is a law and a religion, and Judaism is a law and a religion,
Christianity is not to be a law, just a belief system. Jesus took away sins for
the believer, but the Christian Church as fallen into the trap of trying to
legislate morality. Morality cannot be legislated. Laws do not change hearts.
As we studied a while back, Jesus expected Christianity to exist under any
nation, not usurping the laws of the land, instead existing within any legal
framework. But since we want to legislate morality, we seem to have become
great finger pointers. Christians like to tell everyone how to live and hate
when the unsaved point fingers back at Christians regarding their sins. But
only Jesus can change hearts, so the entrapment of evil keeps Christians
spinning in a merry-go-round of pointing out the sins of the world, declaring
Yahweh’s punishment on the people, and pushing non-believers further and
further away. History is not kind to our fairytale style religion, there simply
wasn’t a perfect time in history where mankind was completely awesome. But
Jesus changes the dynamic of the age we live in and it is now up to us to live
better than we do.
We have corrupt leaders, and many times we feel justified
in pointing out their sins. Israel had judges, and they were to hear from
Yahweh regarding disputes between people. Remember when appointing judges
started? It was when Moses was being consumed listening to complaints between
people and it was wearing him out. Moses’ father-in-law Jethro suggested that
Moses appoint judges over the people to decide complaints, Exodus 18. If we
remember, Jethro was a direct descendant of Abraham and Keturah. Jethro was a
believer in Yahweh even though he was not of Jacob’s lineage. This was the
beginning of Judges over Israel. Israel went through a period of time of Judges
and then we come to the events in 1 Samuel.
I find this section in 1 Samuel so fascinating, there is so
much going on here. Eli was the priest and he appointed his own sons to be
priests, but they were corrupt and were called sons of belial. We have studied
sons of belial and I will note that here. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/01/principalities-and-children-of-belial.html
Let’s look at Eli’s story.
1 Sam 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they
knew not the Lord. KJV
1 Sam 2:22-26 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his
sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the
door of the tabernacle of the congregation.23 And he said unto them, Why do ye
such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.24 Nay, my
sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to
transgress.25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if
a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they
hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay
them.26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and
also with men. KJV
1 Sam 2:34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall
come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both
of them. KJV
1 Sam 4:9 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of
Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. KJV
When Samuel was old he made his sons judges, not priests
like Eli made his sons. We see something similar between Eli and Samuel, we see
that both are men of God who have corrupt sons. It is safe to say that just
because we have a man who serves Yahweh, that man’s sons may not serve Yahweh.
In fact from our modern view, many of those privileged sons and daughters serve
themselves first. We can see that in our day and time too.
1 Sam 8:1-22 WHEN SAMUEL was old, he made his sons judges
over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his
second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. 3 His sons did not walk in his
ways, but turned aside after gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. 4 All
the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 And said to him,
Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint us a
king to rule over us like all the other nations. 6 But it displeased Samuel
when they said, Give us a king to govern us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
Let’s imagine what it would be like to have unjust judges
over people. Alright so maybe that is not too hard for us to imagine. Eli’s
sons were corrupt, so Eli raised up Samuel, but Samuel’s sons were corrupt
judges. Samuel’s sons took bribes therefore they are no different than some of
our modern day judges. Anyone willing to take a bribe is unjust and will
pervert justice. So the people were not without merit in wanting a King instead
of unjust judges. The people didn’t get to elect judges, the judges were
appointed. The people were probably not happy with the situation they lived
under. Unjust priests and unjust judges had already turned the people’s hearts
away from Yahweh.
1 Sam
8:7 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they
say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I
should not be King over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done
since I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving
other gods, so they also do to you. 9 So listen now to their voice; only
solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over
them.
Yahweh wanted to be king over the people, but the people
were probably frustrated by the evil men who took leadership and rule over
them. The people served other gods, probably gods that Eli’s sons worshiped.
Remember our study on the worship of the Cherubim? And our study of
prostitution in the Temple? It seems that these issues had always been a part
of Israeli culture. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/03/passover-male-prostitution-in-temple.html
Samuel told the people what would happen if they had a King
over them.
1 Sam 8:10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the
people who asked of him a king. 11 And he said, These will be the ways of the
king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his
chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. 12 He will
appoint them for himself to be commanders over thousands and over fifties, and
some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest and to make his implements of
war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be
perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14 He will take your fields, your vineyards, and
your olive orchards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15
He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his
officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your men and women servants and
the best of your cattle and your donkeys and put them to his work. 17 He will
take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves shall be his slaves. 18 In that
day you will cry out because of your king you have chosen for yourselves, but
the Lord will not hear you then. 19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen
to the voice of Samuel, and they said, No! We will have a king over us, 20 That
we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may govern us and go out
before us and fight our battles. 21 Samuel heard all the people's words and
repeated them in the Lord's ears. 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to their
voice and appoint them a king. And Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go every
man to his city. AMP
Notice that the king will take a tenth or a tithe. That is
the tax the people must pay to now have a king. The people just assumed that
the king would fight for them, but as we know the people are the ones who have
to give their lives for the king, rather than the king giving his life for the
people. The true leader that we should want for a king is the one who lays down
his life for us. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/10/imitators-hireling-or-shepherd-laying.html
As the story goes, Samuel found Saul tending donkeys and he
was appointed King. The point we need to remember here is that the people
rejected Yahweh and wanted a king. They already had unjust judges and unjust
priests, and unfortunately they received unjust kings as well. All of this is
due to rejection of Yahweh. Let’s make a hasty generalization here, a lot of
our rulers, judges, and priests are probably self-serving individuals. There
are some self-sacrificing leaders out there, and those who are willing to lay
down their lives for others are truly wonderful leaders. We have become so
conditioned to the bad nature of man that it is no wonder that the people also
rejected Jesus. Jesus came to take away the sins of the world, but people who
don’t believe on Jesus have the burden of their sins, and no atonement or forgiveness.
Remember that there is now no temple so no one can atone for sin on their own. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/11/blood-atonement-teachers-and-itching.html
Heb 10:1-4 For the Law, being only a reflection of the
blessings to come and not their substance, can never make perfect those who
come near by the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year. 2
Otherwise, would they not have stopped offering them, because the worshipers, cleansed
once for all, would no longer be aware of any sins? 3 Instead, through those
sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year, 4 for it is impossible
for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ISV
The KJV in verse 2 uses the term no more conscience of sins. We are cleansed once for all. This is
the benefit of Jesus being Lord rather than having judges, priests, and
rulers.
Heb 10:19-25 Therefore, my brothers, since we have
confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 the new and living
way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21
and since we have a great high priest over the household of God, 22 let us
continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full assurance that faith provides,
because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience, and our
bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us continue to hold firmly to
the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is
faithful. 24 And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to
love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of
some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord
coming nearer. ISV
No matter how people try to deny dispensations, it is
simply obvious that we live in a new and better administration. Jesus’ blood
changes everything. Now we can come near, into the Holy of Holies because our
hearts have been cleaned.
This dispensation changes everything, yet we are still sin
conscious. But not conscious of our own sin but we have made a religion of
being conscious of other people’s sin. The “church” at large has made a regular
habit of pointing fingers and calling out sins in other people, especially
people who don’t believe in Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Here is an example of
bad religious leaders calling out the sin of someone else.
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up
himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin [361] among you, let him
first cast a stone at her. KJV
John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their
own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the
last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. KJV
NT:361 anamartetos (an-am-ar'-tay-tos); from NT:1 (as a
negative particle) and a presumed derivative of NT:264; sinless: KJV - that is
without sin. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
The Scribes and Pharisees brought a women to Jesus they
caught in the act of adultery. They didn’t bring the man who was with her; and
according to Levitical law, both the man and woman were to be stoned. Some
people have taught that the way this should read in verse 7 is that Jesus asked
not he who is sinless, but he who has not sinned with her. This
supposition is something that I have not been able to corroborate, but if true
this would tell us that she was a temple prostitute (not a popular Sunday
morning topic). Remember that prostitution took place in the inner courts of
the temple, Jesus was not allowed in the inner courts. Jesus was in the outer
courts teaching at the time, and the Scribes and Pharisees were somewhere close
by watching this woman and a man having sex. They would not have dragged her
for miles into the outer courts of the temple on the chance that Jesus was
teaching there. They knew he was in the outer courts and brought her to Jesus
to entrap him. They all had to be in close proximity to each other. In
Solomon’s temple, the temple priests were the pimps of the temple prostitutes,
both male and female. And as we have previously studied, temple prostitution,
male and female, took place for over three hundred years before the glory of
God left the temple and eventually the temple was destroyed when Judah went
into captivity. Nehemiah rebuilt the temple but it was ruined again, and then
Herod rebuilt Nehemiah’s temple which was then destroyed in 70 AD.
With this story we see the religious leaders who were just
as sinful as anyone else, pointing out the sins of one woman. Women were
considered “dogs” in that day and time, so they were trying to get a reaction
from Jesus; either he would support the women or he would condemn the women. But
Jesus picked option three, he asked who among the accusers was sinless. Who
among us is sinless? Anyone? Anyone? The woman was now set free from her
accusers and she probably became a believer in Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
Let’s look at one of the words for sin and see what John the Baptist said about Jesus.
NT:266 hamartia (ham-ar-tee'-ah); from NT:264; a sin
(properly abstract):KJV - offence, sin (-ful).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
John 1:29-34 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and
said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin [266] of the
world! [Ex 12:3; Isa 53:7.]
Jesus takes away the sin of the whole world. That seems to
be a message we have forgotten. Jesus does not only take away the sins of the
saved, but the unsaved as well, the whole kosmos,
the “adorned earth”. That is what is beneficial in making Jesus Lord rather
than rejecting him, he is fixing everything. One may say, “so what if Jesus is
taking away sins, I like sin.” However, if one practices sin that one is a
slave to sin.
John 8:33-36 They answered Him, We are Abraham's offspring
(descendants) and have never been in bondage to anybody. What do You mean by
saying, You will be set free? 34 Jesus answered them, I assure you, most
solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin [266] is the slave of
sin [266]. 35 Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever);
the son [of the house] does remain forever. 36 So if the Son liberates you
[makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. AMP
It is not about enjoying sin, because eventually one does
not enjoy sin, but rather becomes obsessed with getting the same “high” from
that sin. One has to be a slave to sin to attempt to get more fun from it. Then,
like thirst in the desert, one pants after water, but satisfaction becomes
elusive as there is no water in the desert. Yet we cannot legislate
sinlessness, it is something one has to come to on his or her own, hating the
bondage of sin and choosing freedom in Christ.
John 16:7-11 However, I am telling you nothing but the
truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that
I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper,
Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close
fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close
fellowship with you]. 8 And when He comes, He will convict and convince the
world and bring demonstration to it about sin [266] and about righteousness
(uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: 9 About
sin [266], because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to
Me]; 10 About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God),
because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; 11 About judgment,
because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and
condemned and sentence already is passed upon him. AMP
It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict the world of sin,
this seems simple enough. The law made people sin conscious, but now it is the
Holy Spirit who makes people sin conscious. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/02/evil-under-sun-sexual-domination.html
Rom 3:20-25 For no person will be justified (made
righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the
works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men
recognize and be conscious of sin [266] [not mere perception, but an
acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy
character]. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently
and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law
and the Prophets, 22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing
with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And
it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 Since all
have sinned [264] and are falling short of the honor and glory which God
bestows and receives. 24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right
standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor
and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom
God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by
His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and
reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's
righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored
former sins [265] without punishment. AMP
Now the righteousness of God is revealed. Now; that means something has changed
from before to now. Jesus’ blood changed the dynamic of the age. Paul tells us
something very important here.
Rom 5:12-13 Therefore, as sin came into the world through
one man, and death as the result of sin [266], so death spread to all men, [no
one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned [264].
13 [To be sure] sin was in the world
before ever the Law was given, but sin is not charged to men's account where there
is no law [to transgress]. AMP
Sin is not charged to men’s account where there is no law.
I have to ask why then do so many people want to put us all under the law? Is
it so they can charge us with sin? Is it so they can lord over us? But my sins
are not charged to my account where there is no law. This certainly messes up
the sin conscious religions doesn’t it? Sin was in the world before the law;
think Adam to Moses, but sins were not charged to anyone’s account until the
law was given. Now the law is void because Jesus’ blood opened the way into the
Holy of Holies, it’s a new age where we now can come boldly to the throne
having our hearts clean. Jesus’ blood takes away the sin of the whole cosmos and we are not enslaved to sin
any longer. The law made more sin.
Rom 5:19-20 For just as by one man's disobedience (failing
to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so
by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable
to God, brought into right standing with Him). 20 But then Law came in, [only]
to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting
opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited
favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, AMP
If we keep trying to put the world under the law, we are
wrong. We cannot legislate morality, we cannot legislate Christianity. That is
not how this works. There is a payment for sin, but it is the Holy Spirit who
draws people to Jesus’ gift of eternal life, not angry Christians.
Rom 6:23 For the wages which sin [266] pays is death, but
the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus
Christ our Lord. AMP
The good news for the believer is that there is no
condemnation for sin for those in Christ because the law of the Spirit of life
frees us from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its
power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy
Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful [266] flesh and as an
offering for sin [266], [God] condemned sin [266] in the flesh [subdued,
overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], [Lev
7:37.] AMP
Jesus took away the power of sin. Sin had power over
humanity, but not any longer. But giving people a set of laws and rules to live
by does not get them into heaven. Jesus gives people eternal life, not the laws
or rules we live by. Therefore, we cannot legislate sinlessness for the world,
we have to share Jesus who takes away the sins of the world. Let’s look again
at Hebrews.
Heb 10:5-7 Hence, when He [Christ] entered into the world,
He said, Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have
made ready a body for Me [to offer]; 6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You
have taken no delight. 7 Then I said, Behold, here I am, coming to do Your
will, O God — [to fulfill] what is written of Me in the volume of the Book. [Ps
40:6-8.] AMP
Jesus offered himself, in doing the Father’s will, to save
those in humanity who accept his gift. There is no temple, no one can offer
sacrifice for sin. That is what the Jews hinge on, a temple to cleanse
themselves from sin, because they are sin conscious. But Yahweh does not want
sacrifices and offerings, Jesus’ body annulled the former, the burnt offerings
and sin sacrifices. Jesus annulled the old laws and inaugurated the new order.
Heb 10:8-10 When He said just before, You have neither
desired, nor have You taken delight in sacrifices and offerings and burnt
offerings and sin offerings — all of which are offered according to the Law
— 9 He then went on to say, Behold,
[here] I am, coming to do Your will. Thus He does away with and annuls the
first (former) order [as a means of expiating sin] so that He might inaugurate
and establish the second (latter) order. [Ps 40:6-8.] 10 And in accordance with
this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through
the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). AMP
Because Jesus annulled the law and inaugurated the new
order, we then who believe are consecrated and sanctified. And once more, we
cannot legislate rules and laws to make people consecrated and sanctified.
1 John 1:7-2:2 But if we [really] are living and walking in
the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us
from all sin [266] and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and
manifestations]. 8 If we say we have no sin [266] [refusing to admit that we
are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the
Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. 9 If we [freely]
admit that we have sinned [266] and confess our sins [266], He is faithful and
just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [266] [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously]
cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will
in purpose, thought, and action]. 10 If we say (claim) we have not sinned [264],
we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is
not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts].
Chapter 2:1 MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so
that you may not violate God's law and sin [264]. But if anyone should sin
[264], we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father —
[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the
Father's will in every purpose, thought, and action]. 2 And He [that same Jesus
Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins [266], and
not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world. AMP
We can have unbroken fellowship with each other, remember
the need for the judges long ago? This means we have to have a level of
maturity among us. And because Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin and guilt, and
forgives us, and we have an advocate if we do sin, we are not under the bondage
of sin. Jesus is the payment not just for us but the whole cosmos. This should
be our religious message, not pointing fingers at other people’s sins. The Holy
Spirit is the one to point out sins in people. It is funny how Christians don’t
like to have the unsaved point out their sins. The unsaved are doing the same
childish things the Christians do, just like siblings trying to get one another
in trouble.
The primary problem is that we have people who reject
Yahweh. Our judges, rulers, and religious leaders are hirelings, and many are
unjust, out for their own personal gain. But making laws for people to live by
does not get one eternal life, the Holy Spirit has to draw all men to Jesus’
redeeming blood. Living in a sinful society has been the norm since the
original sin in the garden. Sin puts people into bondage, whether it is trying
to appease false gods, or lusts of the flesh, or dishonest business practices.
One sin builds on another. The dilemma for the Christian Church is sharing the
freedom from sin rather than attempting to establish a sinless society. Even
when Jesus reigns during the millennium there will be sin and a need for
atonement, so we cannot abolish sin in the world, only within ourselves. Yet
the whole cosmos can be free from the bondage of sin, but someone has to
actually tell the world that Jesus made that available.
