THE PARAMETERS OF SIN

"Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matt.7:23

     Those who stand illiterate to the parameters of sin that lead one’s life away from Christ's Standard of Righteous will have lost the single greatest gift spanning eternity: "Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (I Cor.2:2). To abandon GOD'S tugs of heavenly love: to turn from the music of His gentle strums on our heartstrings is to never see fulfilled every childhood dream that GOD inscribed in the citadel of every soul. But those "which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness," these shall receive the Saviour's approbation: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Rom.2:15; Matt.25:23).

     The Bible teaches the sad reality that the vast majority of men who have ever lived have grieved the Spirit of GOD away from their hearts and thus will "perish." It is these who will stand before Jesus on the day of judgment to learn that they have fought tooth-and-nail against their deepest and fondest hopes for life. They stood against the moral and emotional constitution that GOD placed in their hearts "In the beginning." They chose sin over Him, "and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Ja.1:15. And when this realization comes home to their hearts, all will proclaim: I chose to keep these things far from me and live the life I chose over and above the life offered me by GOD.

     Said Jesus of this fate: "for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." Jn.5:28-30.

     In accordance with one’s obedience or disobedience to the convictions of conscience our life is lived out. And the discipline it takes to walk in Christ's way is simply our submissive will to allow Him to lead our lives through the many lessons that refine the soul into the similitude of Christ. On this, Jesus said, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Lu.13:24. It is an exercise that calls for our daily invitation for His Presence: through the Holy Spirit, Scriptural knowledge, daily prayer, and the perseverance of faith that brings honor to the words of David: "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." Ps.40:8.

     But those who have persistently denied the voice of conscience, which includes most of the ministers in the Christian church who chose sin over Him, will one day hear the words of Jesus: “Depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Matt.7:23. These words of Jesus, along with other statements that outwardly appear harsh and uncaring should be understood in light of the great threat of sin against the dignity of life. The spirit that is allowed to lead one's life determines the legacy we leave behind.

     An example of just how easily one can be led astray: When Jesus was about to face the crucifix His beloved Apostle Peter reproved Jesus over the prophecies and the Saviour's own words concerning His death (Lu.9:44,45): “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” And Christ’s response to Peter exposed the true source of the disciple’s words, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matt.16:22,23.

     This same deceiving spirit and false admonitions are rampant in the churches today. It has become so prevalent that most Christians are unaware of the danger that threatens the entire church of Jesus Christ. A “peace and safety” message rules the whole Christian world today (I Thess.5:3). The natural sin-loving heart gravitates to anything that promotes a leisurely flow of daily life that with ease enters into the glory of "the kingdom of heaven." The Bible teaches that none enter the eternal paradise without suffering the wrath of Satan in this world (II Tim.3:12; Rev.12:17). And he will stretch his boundaries of jurisdiction as far as he is allowed. This thinking of a smooth transition to glory is the antithesis of what is about to unfold in the closing scenes of Earth’s sinful history leading to "the seven plagues" and "the coming of the Lord." And we are called to get a handle on this boundary so as to not become ensnared and led away “as others which have no hope.” I Thess.4:13.

     The broad range of doctrines and men’s insistence that certain dogmas are infallible is so contradictory to the rudiments of Scripture so as to leave the average trusting Christian family ignorant of the boundaries between heaven-led truth and that which is deceiving them to their destruction. This confusion serves Satan well, for through the confusion ignorance remains. And through ignorance, "the tradition of men" holds sway. And through "the tradition of men" sin remains in the life.

     There are many voices out there. But within the many voices is the “still small voice” of GOD. And that Voice never leads away from the plain "Thus saith the LORD." It is His voice that always leads to our "rightly dividing the word of truth." We are called to recognize GOD'S Voice as did Abraham when GOD called him to sacrifice his son Isaac: to cement his faith in GOD. Abraham stood fast in his faith that GOD would not betray Isaac nor himself in this most difficult command ever given to him and his son. They honored GOD'S command regardless. The last generation of Christians are to face a similar test.

     “To the law [the Ten Commandments], and to the testimony [the Holy Bible]: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa.8:20. Multitudes of Christians from various denominations claim this verse as their standard. Nearly every Christian I have had discussions with boldly claim, “I only follow the Bible.” And yet among them are views that are as antagonistic to the rudiments of salvation as the devil is to Christ Himself! So, how do we discern the Voice of GOD from the voice of the deceiver?

     “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” I Cor.14:32,33. In this perfect description from the Apostle Paul we see the call to remove each and every contradiction that exists in the church. This can only be achieved by building bridges between the verses that stand in opposition to each other. In this, the churches flat-out refuse. As a result, the doctrinal disagreements between the various church denominations has prevented the unity that Christ prayed for His church, that the Gospel work may finish and the reign of Satan's affliction of life come to an end (Jn.17:11).

     The great stumbling block of Christianity today is by their using New Testament verses as the starting point for their doctrine. The very core of this thinking is wrong. All that Jesus believed, said, did and accomplished was due to His core of faith residing in the Old Testament. It is as Paul said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” II Tim.3:16,17.

     And so, to build doctrines from interpretations of the New Testament that contradict the Old Testament guarantees that Satan is behind the commentator and not the “still small voice” of the Spirit of GOD.

     Scripture gives prophecy that one day soon, the whole world will become “Christian” (Rev.13:3). This will occur simply because mankind is soon to face the threat of extinction on a global scale. But this coming version of the professed Christian religion will remain disobedient to the explicit commands of Jesus Christ (Matt.5:19; 19:17). The standard set forth by Jesus and His Apostles Peter and Paul, was the Judean model for the Christian church (I Thess.2:14)! Today's dominant churches deny this model. This is because the divorce from the sins of the Roman church that GOD began through the great Reformers came to a halt before the 20th century. Fact: If the church had done her duty, Christ could have come long ago. But because of her negligence the most brutal wars ever seen in human history emerged with weaponry that literally vaporized life through nuclear detonation. It needs to be clear in the mind of every Christian that if the church had done her duty these atrocities would never have occurred (Matt.24:14; II Pet.3:12)! Nevertheless, the churches will not humble themselves to acknowledge their responsibility to permanently postpone the 2nd Advent of the LORD Jesus Christ! This is the reason "that judgment must begin at the house of God," and is why the first plague falls on the apostate leaders and their worshipers (I Pet.4:17; Rev.16:2).

     And through this general heading where the feud exists between the disobedient and the obedient, a true and faithful remnant will emerge: “they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” A last appeal to man from the LORD Himself, through the lips of His faithful disciples stands on the horizon of our day. A great struggle and sifting between good and evil is necessary, that those who follow the dictates of conscience (according to the childhood ideals for justice, mercy and love) will stand through the last battle between Christ and Satan, truth and falsehood, love and hatred. To the end that when Jesus comes for his bride that “hath made herself ready” (Rev.19:17), this “little flock” will hear the words of approbation from the LORD: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” II Cor.12:9; Matt.25:34.

     In closing: the Bible teaches that either GOD leads or Satan leads our words and actions (Matt.12:37; Rev.20:12). And in accordance with our freewill, in every decision we serve either GOD or the devil. On this the GOD of Heaven urges us: "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." "Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him," "beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." This is where the enemy lures through pride. And through pride crosses the boundary giving allowance for sin in the life: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Col.1:10-18; 3:9,10; 2:8; I Cor.10:12. Our battle with our fallen nature is a daily battle: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." Ja.1:14.