Rejecting A Mixture Text: I Timothy 1:8-11NLT
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
Do you have the good news? Then by all means, don’t trade it for anything.
The question I ask you is, “Who is the law for?” The law isn’t for the believer, because he or she has been made righteous through Jesus’ shed blood. The law isn’t applicable for someone living under the new covenant of grace. The law is for unrighteous people- unbelievers who have not received Jesus as their savior. The laws purpose is to bring the lost to the end of themselves, and to help them realize they need Jesus Christ.
Paul makes the purpose for the law very clear, listen to *Galatians 3:24-25NLT Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
The law makes you sin-conscious, while grace (Jesus Christ) favor, success makes you righteousness conscious. ( Some say, “I don’t have success,” on the contrary, If you are washed by the blood of Jesus you are rich, you are favored!)
Listen to what Paul said about living under the law in, *Romans 7:19,24NLT I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 24. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
When Paul was struggling under the law, he was condemned again and again, he say’s, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
*And then Paul answers his own question, in Romans 7, verse 25NLT Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
The laws role is to show us that in and of ourselves, we will never be able to reach God’s perfect standard. The law condemns the sinner, but grace (Jesus Christ) brings abundant life.
*Galatians 3:26NLT For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
My question to you today is, “are you receiving a mixture of law and grace as a believer? Do you slip in and out of the two covenants?”
Mixture teaches that God is happy with you sometimes. Mixture teaches that our fellowship with God is broken because of our failures.
*Romans 8:1NKJ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Bible translator mistake)
*Romans 8:1ASB There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.
*Romans 8:1NLT So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Jesus Christ was condemned for all your sin.)
TV Show Sitcom called, My Name Is Earl. Most people in the world are generally live like Earl. When Earl does something good, he expects something good to happen to him good,and vice versa. (The world calls it Karma) Karma is based on you; however, grace or Jesus Christ is based on what He accomplished on Calvary!
In Romans 8:1, Notice the word, ‘Now.’ Now means no condemnation presently. The now declaration is true every moment, every day, and when tomorrow comes, it is still true.
No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, period. No conditions and no prerequisites.
Listen to 2 Corinthians 3:9NLT If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!
2 Corinthians 3:9AMP For if the service that condemns [the ministration of doom] had glory, how infinitely more abounding in splendor and glory must be the service that makes righteous [the ministry that produces and fosters righteous living and right standing with God]!
Jesus Christ didn’t place a band-aide on redemption, He finished all works!
Believing in the finished work on the cross, Is all about Jesus’ finished work, and none of man’s efforts. (Hallelujah!)
Think about this, All your sins, came after the shed blood of Jesus on the cross.
