A few weeks ago, I delivered a message that talked about a principle in the legal system that often governs the outcome of many courtroom cases. It’s called stares decisis.
I gave the example of an attorney standing before the court, or judge, arguing her case. When an In the course of doing so, she refers to a past case as setting the precedent for her current argument. The precedent, or case law, that she is using is based on an earlier ruling in a similar case. The earlier ruling would have been the first such case that required a legal remedy.
When a court's ruling agrees with case law, the court has followed the principle of starts decisis.
Stares decisis is Latin for "stand by that which is decided".
The kingdom of heaven, based on what I see in scripture, functions by stares decisis. God says the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, "stands as decided" and He makes this clear in passages like Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8, 2 Peter 1:20, 21, Psalm 138:2 and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
As I continue to think about the legal principle of stares decisis, it is clear – at least to me – that many in the body of Christ do not understand that the Bible is eternal case law that cannot be repealed. Many treat the Bible as open for interpretation based on their needs and emotions, and what they believe personally. For many, the Bible is a useful guide but it is not the standard by which they live.
Therein lies the problem. For God, the Bible is not a book of guidelines. The Bible contains non-negotiable spiritual truth that must be adhered to by those who live in the kingdom of heaven.
Today we’re going to look at some additional passages that show the stares decisis nature of the Bible. The Lord has impressed upon me to share these passages with little to no commentary in.
First of all, let me say that it is absolutely critical that we agree that the Bible is stares decisis and live our lives accordingly. When we do, it will – without a doubt – increase our faith.
After all, isn’t this the whole point of living by faith? Faith is nothing more – but oh it’s so crucial to understand this – faith is nothing more than simply taking God at His Word.
The scriptures we are going to read are stares decisis in the kingdom of heaven. We must believe and affirm these truths and then stand by them without compromise.
From time to time throughout the message, I’m going to remind you that stares decisis means to stand by that which is decided.
"For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9, 10)
The word "complete" means nothing more can be added. Everything we need to live in this world as God's sons we receive the moment we are born again.
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17, 18)
The only way to know whether or not someone’s doctrine, or teaching, is causing division is to follow stares decisis in the following verse.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman (a person who labors to understand God’s heart and meaning in what He says) that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (I Peter 1:14-16)
"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (I Samuel 15:22)
Obedience is the thread that runs throughout scripture and it was God’s issue with Adam in Genesis 3:17. Adam’s disobedience cost him dearly. Now I ask you: can we afford to make the same mistake?
Let me remind you: stares decisis means stand by that which is decided.
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
(2 Corinthians 1:20)
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
(2 Corinthians 5:10)
"Wherefore shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6:6-8)
“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentation 3:25, 26)
“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and make the flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:5)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
(Hebrews 10:35-38)
It’s time for our reminder: stares decisis means stand by that which is decided.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
I want you to hear how the Amplified Bible renders this verse. “So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).”
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)
We read Romans 10:17 and Matthew 4:4 together because it’s important that you see the truth it presents. You have to hear the Word of God in order to increase in faith. And Jesus says every Word from God is bread. Here’s the image: we have to eat scripture to feed our spirits so that our faith can grow. Do you see this? Our Heavenly Father is making this so simple for us!
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (I Corinthians 1:10)
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, no adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, No thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Corinthians 6:9, 10)
This is written to the Body of Christ. It is not written to the lost. The phrase “Know ye not” is rhetorical. What God is saying to us is this: “You should know this!” Please, let that sink in!
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
And now a word from our sponsor: stares decisis means stand by that which is decided.
“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul, all they that hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
(James 1:12-14)
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31, 32)
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear has torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (I John 4:17, 18)
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26, 27)
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5)
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The truth in these passages, ladies and gentlemen, stand as decided in heaven to our Heavenly Father. They are stares decisis. We enforce these truths by simply believing them, by simply accepting them and by simply living by them. In other words, we bring to life – we give substance to – these truths as we walk in them by faith.
I encourage you ladies and gentlemen. Allow the Bible to be stares decisis for you. Allow it to be the standard by which you judge and evaluate what is happening in your life, in our country and in the world.
