By: Gabriela Yareliz
PART III
So this piece is a bit long; I understand. Time runs short these days, but I encourage you, if you are interested in these topics of peace, philosophy and belief, to read it. I wouldn’t spend time typing this out if I didn’t think this was important.
I have divided the themes into seperate sections so you can read them at your convenience at your own pace if you can’t read it all in one go.
In the end, I think all of our souls are restless and seeking. We are all looking for peace and Truth. I am an inquirer who is walking along the journey; so walk with me.
FRUITS
It is logical to say that one can know whether something is good or bad by its fruits. If someone says a certain movie genre is good and wholesome, but it is proven that many who are exposed to its teachings and portrayal of life become mass-murderers then the movie is probably connected to that some how. Many will doubt it is truly as wholesome as many say it is. It is logical. There are always connections. Nothing is without influence whether it be good or bad.
The same is with our beliefs.
“And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.” (Great Controversy, pg. 465)
In the truths of His word, God has given to men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan [evil]. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world.
The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety… Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time.” (GC, 465)
WHAT THE HOLY LAW DOES FOR US
“Many religious teachers assert that Christ by His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the bondage of the law they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the gospel.
The claim that Christ by His death abolished His Father’s law is without foundation. Had it been possible for the law to be changed or set aside, then Christ need not have died to save man from the penalty of sin. The death of Christ, so far from abolishing the law, proves that it is immutable. The Son of God came to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isaiah 42:21.
He said: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law;” “till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:17, 18. And concerning Himself He declares: “I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8.” (GC, 466)
The first step in reconciliation to God is the conviction of sin. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20.
In order to see his guilt, the sinner must test his character by God’s great standard of righteousness.
It is a mirror which shows the perfection of a righteous character and enables him to discern the defects in his own.
The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. (GC, 472)
TO BE HOLY
Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God’s requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” And “whosoever sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath not seen Him, neither known Him.” 1 John 3:6.
Though John in his epistles dwells so fully upon love, yet he does not hesitate to reveal the true character of that class who claim to be sanctified while living in transgression of the law of God. “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.” 1 John 2:4, 5. Here is the test of every man’s profession.
We cannot accord holiness to any man without bringing him to the measurement of God’s only standard of holiness in heaven and in earth. If men feel no weight of the moral law, if they belittle and make light of God’s precepts, if they break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men so, they shall be of no esteem in the sight of Heaven, and we may know that their claims are without foundation.” (GC, 472 & 473)
FINDING REST FOR OUR SOULS
The law serves as a mirror for us to compare our characters to the Holy character of God. It shows us our state and then it is up to us to place ourselves in God’s hands to be changed.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. . . . But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3.
It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people (GC, 473).
Pastor Dennis Smith said the Holy Spirit, is God in action. We can safely say that much of what we see happening on earth is the Holy Spirit’s work. God in us. The Holy Spirit was what wrote the law on the tablets of stone for the people of Israel. The law is not done away with, for there is a promise in Hebrews 10:16, 17 that says:
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. ”
The same Spirit that wrote the law on the tablets of stone, God Himself, promises to write this same law in our hearts.
We obey when we love.
There was a man whose father died and he asked a friend if he should grieve. His friend said, “Of course, he was your father.” So the man went and grieved. Was this true grief? No. If it was true it would have come naturally, he wouldn’t have been able to help it.
The same is when we obey God’s law. It becomes our impulse, not something we do because we have to, all because we love Him who gave everything for us.
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 