Moving forward into the season of Pentecost, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost on 6/1/08 has the following 3 readings: Deuteronomy 11:18-21; 26-28; Romans 3:21-28 and Matthew 7:15-29. Chosen to preach on is Deuteronomy 11:28, “and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.”
It is of some interest that the 28th verse of Deuteronomy 11 which results in a curse if you don’t obey the Law, appears to contradict the 28th verse of Romans 3: “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified apart from the deeds of the law.” The resolution of this apparent dilemma is again found in using the distinctions between Law and Gospel.
Unlike every other religion in the world in which obedience gives blessings and disobedience results in being cursed, Christianity reveals that even sinners are blessed. The key is found in what it means not to obey the commandments of God in the 28th verse of Deuteronomy 11. The verse explains that not obeying the Lord your God means to “turn aside from the way which I command you today” and also “to go after other gods which you have not known.”
Man-made religions of the world teach that the way is through obedience. Christianity teaches that the way is through repentance which also is a gracious gift from God. By repenting of one’s sin–which includes not only contrition but also faith in Jesus Christ–the believing Christian is on the narrow way of salvation. For the repentant believer receives not only the forgiveness of sins but also the robe of righteousness.
Thus, from God’s point of view–which is the only viable point of view–the believing Christian is regarded as a sinless saint but not by one’s own works but because of the works of Jesus Christ Who died on the cross to remove the penalty for our sin and prepare the way for us to be dressed in His robe of righteousness. Yes, from our point of view we disobey God’s law and deserve both temporal and eternal punishment. But in light of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God declares those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior to be righteous in His sight and ready to receive blessing after blessing.
Name:Tom Baker
Pastor Tom, you wrote: “Man-made religions of the world teach that the way is through obedience. Christianity teaches that the way is through repentance which also is a gracious gift from God. By repenting of one’s sin–which includes not only contrition but also faith in Jesus Christ–the believing Christian is on the narrow way of salvation. For the repentant believer receives not only the forgiveness of sins but also the robe of righteousness.”
And so I say, “it is a gift, it is a gift, it is a gift”!
If it is not a gift, it is not of God.
It is really is that simple!
Michael
Eureka, Ca.