66. Instructions In Holiness Series

IN GOD'S IMAGE 66 - INSTRUCTIONS IN HOLINESS

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

We have been looking at the subject of the law in relation to the development of spiritual maturity in God’s holy people.

• The last two sessions have focused on five reasons why the New Covenant instituted with Christ’s blood is so much more effective in producing the character and nature of God in His people than the Mosaic Covenant or Torah.

• The main reason for bringing about this dramatic change is the coming of the Holy Spirit who takes up residence in God’s holy people.

• In order for what Christ has achieved on our behalf to become a reality in our lives, the Holy Spirit by taking up residence in our hearts and mind is the means by which God now produces His holy nature and character in our lives.

Let’s briefly summarise the five points we have covered so far on why the New Covenant of grace is so much better at producing a holy people for God than the Old Covenant of law.

• 1) With our conversion we are given a new nature that wants to please God.

• This new nature is the fulfilment of Jeremiah 31:33 where God says, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”

• This new nature is none other than the Holy Spirit Himself taking up residence in our lives imparting to us the very nature and character of God Himself.

• This change of heart is a massive transformation from the past and should not be underestimated.

• 2) We have been set free from the condemnation of the law as the demanding righteous requirements of the law have been fulfilled in us by Christ (Romans 8:3-4).

• This simply allows grace to be grace.

• The beauty of grace is we are accepted and continue to be accepted regardless of how far we fall short of the perfection demanded of the law.

• God knows this and this is why He does not put unrealistic expectations on us now that we live under His grace.

• Christians, far too often, continue to place themselves under the uncompromising demands of the law when there is no need to.

• 3) The law that condemns and brings death only applies to the old sinful nature of Adam, not the new nature.

• 1 Timothy 1:9-10 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.

• As mentioned above, the law is great for bringing sinners to repentance, but once it has done its job, it no longer applies to believers who are now under grace and are now slaves to righteousness under the direction of the Holy Spirit who now works with our new nature to develop spiritual maturity in God’s holy people.

• So when we try to control believers through the old rules and regulations of the law, we are not taking into consideration the reality of the Holy Spirit and our new nature.

• The new nature is under the control and direction of God’s Holy Spirit who gives us the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

• 4) The motivation for achieving holiness under the Old Covenant was “fear,” while the motivation for being holy under the New Covenant is “gratitude.”

• This too is a remarkable transition. Under the old legal way of operating, a sinner received condemnation and death for his disobedience.

• The motivation for being good under this old system was “fear.”

• But now under the New Covenant instituted with Christ’s blood, we not only receive mercy and forgiveness, but also the promise of eternal life through the life-giving Spirit.