..To Ancient SDA's ............ To "What's New?"

by

Ron Parsons

The aim of this series:

“Then He said to them, ‘O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:25-27.

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1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by [his own] works, he has whereof to glory; but not before God.  3 For what says the scripture? “Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 

4 Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt [he has earned his pay].  5 But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly [accepts the promise], his faith is counted for righteousness. 

6 Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, to whom God IMPUTES righteousness without works [he is JUSTIFIED by FAITH IN THE PROMISE OF GOD], 7 saying, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  8 Blessed is the man [or woman] to whom the LORD will not impute sin.” [Psalm 32:1-2.]

9 Comes this blessedness then upon the circumcision [church members] only, or upon the uncircumcision also [those who make no profession of Christianity]? 

11 And [then] he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he [already] had yet being uncircumcised [before he was in a church]: that he might be the father of all them that [just] believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also.  12 And [that he might also be] the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only [not just in a church], but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham [but who also practise faith, for “faith WORKS by love”, Galatians 5:6], which he had being yet uncircumcised . . .    [It is simply a matter of WHERE the faith works: before justification or after].

24 but for us also, to whom it shall [also] be imputed, IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM that raised up Jesus our LORD from the dead; 25 who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

The first part of this Scripture is relatively easy to understand.  We do NOT have to be in a church to be saved, although many would like to have us believe this is so.  Also, Christian “works” are not to GET justification, but are the RESULT of it.  However, the last part of this scripture seems to elude many of us.  It is written,  “it [justification] shall be imputed, IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM that raised up Jesus our LORD from the dead . . . ”

23 You that make your boast of the law [by claiming to follow the rules of a church], through breaking the law dishonour you God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  [See 2 Samuel 12:13-14 for an example of this]. 

25 For circumcision [being in a church] verily profits [the unbelievers who are outside the church], if you keep the law: but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision [you are a fraud in their eyes].

26 Therefore if the uncircumcision [the person outside the church] keep the righteousness of the law [without being in a church], shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision [as if he was in the church]?

27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature [an unbelieving person], if it fulfil the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision transgress the law? 

28 For he is not a Jew [a person in God’s family], which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew [a person in God’s family], which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

1 What advantage then has the Jew?  Or what profit is there of circumcision? [What’s the point in having an organised physical church?] 2 Much every way: [but] chiefly, because that to them were committed [the care of] the oracles of God [the scriptures].  3 For what if some [in the organised church] did not believe [or misbehaved, like David]?  Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yes, let God be true, but [even if] every man [or woman in the church is] a liar [and a sinner]; as it is written, “That You might be justified in Your sayings [e.g. that the wages of sin is death], and might overcome when You are judged [that unbelievers may see Your justice when You rebuke them].” [See Psalm 51:4.] 

5 But if our unrighteousness [sins] commend [emphasise or prove] the righteousness of God, what shall we say?  Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man)  [If good comes from our sins then should He punish us?] 6 God forbid: for then how shall God [be able to] judge the world [if He treats us differently]? 

13 And David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”  And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin [forgiven you]; you shall not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”  Back

3 [David said] “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight: that You might be justified when You speak, and be clear when You judge.”  Back