WHEN GRACE BECOME GUESSWORK ROSS SMITH
ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES ARE FROM THE AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.
Romans 6:15-16 What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God’s favour and mercy? CERTAINLY NOT! Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, (including ourselves .. comments mine) you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
WHEN “GRACE” IS ASSUMED TO BE A BLANK CHEQUE, THEN IT IS NOTHING MORE THAN “PRESUMPTION.”
I am alarmed at the concepts held widely across the church family that says, “Well brother, I am not under law but under grace”, and then the individuals proceed to address their own particular brand of self-righteousness, rather than display the character of the God they profess to own. This statement sets the alarms buzzing because the statement, whilst biblically correct, is questionably irrelevant due to the fact that there are those who are “Biblically Illiterate”, which is a result of “Biblical ambiguity.”
Romans 6:1-2 WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? CERTAINLY NOT! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? (What a good question? .. comments mine)
Many people are quick to adopt GRACE but they are far less ready to include FAITH, and the two cannot be separated. The GRACE component is adopted as it may make life easier, whilst the FAITH component is ignored because it requires some dedicated and concentrated expenditure of commitment, and the elimination of selfish demands.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is BY FREE GRACE (God’s unmerited favour) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) THROUGH [YOUR] FAITH. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
Grace only abounds when we no longer submit to sin, whether that be blatant sin, the sin of ignorance, or in many cases the sin of neglect. The Apostle James sums this up eloquently,
James 4:17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.
We have to be careful that we do not gloss over an individual’s adopted concepts, because they are dangerous, both to the individual and also to those to whom they espouse this error.
Indeed, the Bible states that we are “UNDER GRACE”, but then it demands that we evidence that fact, not just mouth the words. So, what is the evidence that we are “UNDER GRACE?”
Romans 7:4 Likewise, my brethren, you have undergone death as to the Law through the [crucified] body of Christ, SO THAT now you may belong to Another, to Him Who was raised from the dead IN ORDER THAT WE MAY BEAR FRUIT FOR GOD.
“IN ORDER” or “so that”, forms the apodosis, the condition and the result. The result is desirable but the abandonment of self is objectionable, and so, neither is selflessness evidenced, or fruit manifest.
To fulfil what Paul is saying to the Romans, there has to be evidence in the form of “FRUIT”, and the only handbook that will give us the criteria for fruit is the Bible.
Colossians 1:10 That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, FULLY pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, BEARING FRUIT in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
There are several parts to this scripture that need to be comprehended so that the fruitfulness of the person may be critically assessed, not in a judgemental manner, but realise, that any attempt to “inspect fruit” will be interpreted as being judgemental or critical, not objective.
There are three things that Paul states as an initial requirement before we ever get to the “fruit inspection”. These are,
- Walk
- Live
- Conduct yourselves
I have stated previously as follows: – “We have to be careful that we do not gloss over the individual’s concepts, because they are dangerous, both to the individual and also to those they espouse this error.”
THE CONSEQUENCE OF CONCEALING OR IGNORING GUILT IS THAT IT REMOVES THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE.
“WALK” Thayer Definition:
1) to walk
1a) to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities
1b) Hebrew for, to live
1b1) to regulate one’s life
1b2) to conduct one’s self
1b3) to pass one’s life
“WALK” infers PROGRESS, and progress requires an OBJECTIVE, whether it be to reach a destination, or for exercise for health, to fulfil a task, to escape from some peril, to climb a height etc. etc. etc. So, the same inference applies to the spiritual dimension, if we want to qualify for attaining the objective, we will have to show “fruit” or “progress”. I would be bold enough to suggest that the two terms are interchangeable.
But our walking has to be considered and careful, it has to be with a purpose, and it has to be precise, otherwise we end up at the wrong destination, whether it be naturally or spiritually.
Ephesians 5:15 LOOK CAREFULLY THEN HOW YOU WALK! Live purposefully and worthily and ACCURATELY, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
Psalm 1:1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man WHO WALKS AND LIVES not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
Walking in the dark is “GUESSWORK”, it is just like walking the same way as the world walks, with their blinded eyes, ignorant of the providence of God and assuming that our “freedom of choice” extends to do as I see fit. The Apostle John, when speaking about Jesus, puts to rest any argument in this respect, and we need to see if we can in any way claim the same traits.
John 5:30 I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of MY OWN ACCORD–but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. (This does not require a “voice from heaven”, His requirements are clearly enunciated in 66 books, but the knowledge is not enough, it has to be motivated by “desire” .. comments mine) Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I HAVE NO DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS PLEASING TO MYSELF, MY OWN AIM, MY OWN PURPOSE] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.
Already I can hear the barrage of objections echoing through the halls of self-righteousness, those whose concepts of “GRACE” include the “pleasing of self” at the expense of truth. Does this sound harsh, then let scripture reinforce the matter. Hebrews points up unquestioningly that God “SPEAKS” in no uncertain manner, His Word is so “alive, powerful, operative, energetic, effective”, but we so often choose to turn the deaf ear or the blind eye, or the hard heart, and then wonder why we do not see the “fruitfulness” that God’s Word demands.
Hebrews 4:12 FOR THE WORD THAT GOD SPEAKS is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], EXPOSING AND SIFTING AND ANALYZING AND JUDGING THE VERY THOUGHTS AND PURPOSES OF THE HEART.
The “performance” of some ecclesiastical function is no endorsement of spiritual authority as such, but the “GUESSWORK” engaged in by pretenders is bait for the gullible, and can only be remedied by the imbibing of God’s Word constantly and intensely, heightening the discernment that comes by God’s Spirit.
1 Corinthians 13:1 IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, (Oratory is not the essence of esteem … comments mine) but have not love (THAT REASONING, INTENTIONAL, SPIRITUAL DEVOTION such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I AM ONLY A NOISY GONG OR A CLANGING CYMBAL.
It is only a “seared conscience” that can condone such patronising pastoring, holding sway by tickling ears instead of stirring souls. Every opportunity afforded a man to speak of the things of God should contain rich and nourishing food, (Colossians 2:19) have the impact of the fire and hammer (Jeremiah 23:29) and carry the conviction of sin and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
1 Timothy 4:1-2 BUT THE [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), (Those who assume that they are able to use GRACE at their discretion, and perpetuate error for convenience sake… comments mine)
We need to be fully informed, not only what the church is for, but what the church is against. The purity of the church is more important than its public relations.
LIVE
The second element that Paul refers us to in Colossians 1:10 is to “LIVE” This is not to just “EXIST”, the animals are able to exhibit the latter with great aplomb, using their innate nature to glorify God without any “intelligence” as to how and why. If you rise early in the day, as we are encouraged to do, (Proverbs 8:17), then you will be mesmerised by the cacophony of bird song that resonates across the awakening day, an incentive for us to praise the Lord.
It is only by these means that men can begin to “LIVE”, without proper direction, correction and encouragement life becomes a charade. The “GUESSWORK” or conjecture that many spurious doctrines espouse today are described in John as amounting to “THEFT”, but then points up the degree and abundance of life offered in Christ.
John 10:10 THE THIEF comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (Also 1 Thessalonians 4:1
We, as mortals, originally made “In His image and likeness”, and for whom Jesus gave His life, that we might have real life, and to restore the original design, and not only does He have that ambition for us, He has provided the vehicle for us, that is, in a relationship that carries all His providence and benefit that attends obedience to His Word.
Acts 17:28 FOR IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING; as even some of your [own] poets have said, FOR WE ARE ALSO HIS OFFSPRING.
CONDUCT YOURSELVES
In this generation, we are very short on examples or patterns for behaviour; never has this been more obvious, and never has there been such a display of undisciplined conduct.
We see this evidenced in kids at the supermarket, athletes and elites destroying their minds with drugs, businessmen engaging in nefarious pursuits, or just listen into “Question Time” in our Federal Parliament to be exposed to the rabble of poor conduct, but we are adjured to make sure we do not succumb to this malaise.
Once upon a time, and yes it does sound like a fairy tale, there were such things as “Etiquette”, and “Table manners”, and “Dress code”, and “Courtesy”, and “Respect”, and “Decorum”, and, and, and!!!! How quickly does society deteriorate when there is no proper “CONDUCT”? While we will resile from the suggestion that we are poorly behaved, there is a spirit of unruliness pervading our nation that has the Parliament instituting extraordinary measure to combat terrorism, but doing little to restrain their own behaviour.
Mark 7:20-23 And He said, What comes out of a man is what makes a man unclean and renders [him] unhallowed. For from within, [that is] out of the hearts of men, come base and wicked thoughts, sexual immorality, stealing, murder, adultery, Coveting (a greedy desire to have more wealth), dangerous and destructive wickedness, deceit; UNRESTRAINED (INDECENT) CONDUCT; an evil eye (envy), slander (evil speaking, malicious misrepresentation, abusiveness), pride (the sin of an uplifted heart against God and man), foolishness (folly, lack of sense, recklessness, thoughtlessness). All these evil [purposes and desires] come from within, and they make the man unclean and render him unhallowed.
Our conduct is a product of our heart; it is the reflection of our attitude; it is the fruit of our relationship with God Himself; it is the outward exhibition of the inward obedience to the prompting of the spirit; it is putting into practice the truths that are unambiguous and precise in the Word; it results in a “Life of Contrast” as required in Ephesians 5:11.
Haggai makes the point in chapter 2:12 and 13 (AMP), verse 12, “Holiness is not infectious” and verse 13 “unholiness is infectious”.
Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and CHANGING YOUR CONDUCT), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Psalm 119:1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], WHO WALK (ORDER THEIR CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION) IN THE LAW OF THE LORD (THE WHOLE OF GOD’S REVEALED WILL).
How do we know we are under grace, what is the evidence, what confirms it, or are we just kidding ourselves, are we “GUESSING” what it means, for we cannot kid God? The Bible certainly does say that we are not under law, but does that imply that we are free from the obligation to obey it?
Romans 3:31 Do we then by [this] faith make the Law of no effect, overthrow it or make it a dead letter? CERTAINLY NOT! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law.
Here is the answer to the entire problem! Paul asks if the law is nullified for us just because we had faith in Christ’s saving grace. His answer is that the law is established and re-enforced in the life of a grace-saved Christian.
Romans 5:21 So that, [just] as sin has reigned in death, [so] GRACE (HIS UNEARNED AND UNDESERVED FAVOUR) MIGHT REIGN ALSO THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD) which issues in ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) our Lord.
God gave us his Word so we may believe and have the predicted eternal life, and it is to be shared through preaching. As long as one preaches the Word of God and not his own interpretation or opinions, he cannot fail, but if we engage in “GUESSWORK” we are surely doomed. The Prophets of old had to be sure of their “inspiration”, because if it was of their own conjecture, and the prophecy was proven to be false, then their end was under a pile of rocks. If some of the obscure teachings in these days are to be perpetuated, then maybe the church needs to take shares in a quarry, for lots of stones would be required if we lived under the old covenant.
GOD’S WORK IS NOT GUESSWORK
Ross Smith 