NOT A HARD, LIFELESS DECREE

[skyblue888]

On account of the merits of the great sacrifice that was made for us, "The same voice that spoke into space the worlds on high, which said to the earth, 'Bring forth grass,' speaks to us in the words of God's law! The law of God (not merely written with ink but proceeding out of His mouth) is not a hard, lifeless decree, which weak mortals are to strive in vain to keep, while God watches them with a stern eye ready to taunt and punish them for failure! No. That word which says to us, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself,' sheds that love abroad in our hearts, just as it brings forth the fruit in the plant, if we are willing to be as submissive to the Voice of God as is the inanimate creation. Then well might we sing: How gentle God's commands! How kind his precepts are!" E.G. Waggoner, The Gospel in Creation, p.104.

[color:#333333]In other words, "The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. That word imparts power, it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul into the image of God. The life thus rereived is in like manner sustained, by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." E.G. White, Education, p.126.

"The words that I speak unto you," Jesus said, "they are Spirit and they are life." John 6:63.

"God's holy, educating Spirit is in His word." Education, p.132.

If I understand what is stated above, the law of God, merely engraved on stones or written with ink can only be a ministration of condemnation and death. But when we receive that same law from God's mouth, it is Spirit and life to us! "The letter kills but the Spirit gives life." 2 Cor.3:6-9. The word of God is Spirit and life as it proceeds out of His mouth!

So the commandments of God are the impartation of the Spirit to those who receive them as the Voice of God speaking to the soul in promise. Thus it is called "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" or "the word of life." Romans 8:2.

What do you think?

[skyblue888]

No comments, anyone? Is this something clearly understood, do you think, the difference between the letter and the Spirit? We know what the letter is, whether engraved on stones or written with ink, it is the ministry of condemnation and death. "The letter kills." 2 Cor.3:8. But what is the ministry of righteousness? 2 Cor.3:9. "All the words of My mouth are with righteousness." Provervs 8:8. "The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness." "I the Lord speak righteousness." Isaiah 45:19,23. Thus "All His commandments (proceeding out of His mouth) are righteousness." Psalm 119:72. And "Righteousness is love and love is the light and the life of God." Mount of Blessing, p.18. "The Spirit is life because of righteousness." Romans 8:10.

The apostle Paul, in Romans 7:10, speaks of "the commandment which was to bring life." But the Israelites said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us lest we die." Exodus 20:19. The ten words which God spoke at Sinai were to bring life to the Israelites, even the life of the Infinite One! Because they were not able to hear the Voice of God in His commandments that they might have life, even everlasting life, God wrote them with His finger on stones and thus they became a ministration of condemnation and death. "But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious... how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?" 2 Cor.3:7,8. "The words which I speak unto you," Jesus said, "they are Spirit and they are life." John 6:63. The ten words which He spoke on mount Sinai were the words of eternal life! "I know that His commandment is life everlasting." John 12:50; 6:68.

In Christ's day it was the same problem: Jesus said to the Jews, "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word." John 8:43.

"He who is of God hears My words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." verse 47.

"My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27,28.

"Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live. And I will make an everlasting covenant with you." Isaiah 55:3.

"He awakens my ear, to hear as the learned. The Lord has opened my ear." Isaiah 50:4,5.

"My ears You have opened." Psalm 40:6.