There are certain things that have been blown out of proportion and have to be understood in the right perspective. That the laws of God are immutable, they are unchanging over time, with no one having the authority to change it and is beyond question. It is to be understood and recognized that, law per se cannot give us salvation. It at best condemns us and exposes us as sinners. We go back to square A in I John 3:4-6 where it is clearly stated “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” Thus, the whole thrust is to be sinless through and like Jesus Christ.
Sin is the transgression of law, and many have contended that the Laws have been nailed to the cross. By virtue of this logic, we live in a society without law and are sinless. Accordingly, all can do as they please and are going to be saved in the kingdom of heaven. In Romans 3:23, we learn “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” I Corinthians 6:9-10 further clarifies “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” Perhaps the law has been nailed to the cross of the false prophet. The point has been made that sinners shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The popular preaching of the ‘doctrine of convenience’, says that we are saved by the grace of God. This is confirmed in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” If we go to the church every week, and give our tithes and offerings, will the Grace to available to us? Certainly not. First, “it is by grace you have been saved.” If we are saved by grace, this means that it is not because we are good or deserving; rather, it is because God is good and gracious. Secondly, we are saved “through faith.” In order to be saved, there is a necessary human reciprocity to God’s grace. The response is simply trusting God to save on the basis of Christ’s goodness.
Let us further examine the deeper implications. In order to receive the Grace, it is imperative that we come to our Lord, accept Him as our Saviour, and walk in His footsteps. When we walk with Him, we develop the necessary faith, which is the touchstone for being saved. This demands that we turn from our sinful ways and turn into a new leaf. As sinners and particularly born in sin, this is a difficult task. Psalms 51:5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
All our efforts have to be directed to keep away from sinning. Our sincere efforts in this direction will pay rich dividends. To those who make such efforts, the door of grace is opened to them, which is freely available to anyone who walks this path. It is thus necessary to follow the Lord’s commandments, repent, seek His forgiveness, and in the end receive His Grace to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
laddertoheaven.co in