after reading your article today I was reading Scriptures and this verse jumped off the page:

Rev 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Immediately I realized something has changed when I read verses like this.

Before, as a son of glory seeking, I began thinking about what I was going to do to “keep” the commandments of God and “keep” faith.

Boy, I tell you it is verses like this that tired me out, worried me because I tried and tried and sometimes succeeded and then I would go down! I ultimately would never overcome the law of sin and death working in my flesh.

Now, after listening and learning to “make” the proper distinctions between the Law and the Gospel, I find it is exciting again to read the Scriptures.

Yes, before, in the earlier days of being a disciple, so optimistic and positive about living a Godly Life, I read and read and read the Scriptures. But as time came and went and I began to have difficulties with this sin nature, succumbing to the nature of sin, I became discouraged with the frequent and continual nagging law of sin and death. No matter how much I prayed or fasted or read Scripture or went to Bible Study these deeds did not changed my sin nature. It disappointed me that I was so sinful and such a wretch!

But when my mind was opened to the “Law” of the Spirit of Life as the helper, not my own abilities a freshness came to me and now comes over me daily.

Now I am able to see clearly the work of the law of sin and death and rejoice with Paul and you and anyone wanting to “let” Christ be Christ to me and now He is my daily Savior.

Now when I read verses like that there in Revelation 14, I realize the Commandments have already been kept and the “Faith” is His Active, Living Faith, not my faith which God has already declared to be useless:

Rom 3:9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,
Rom 3:10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
Rom 3:11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Rom 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

The saying, my loose paraphrase: “the law says do this, and it is never done, the Gospel says believe this and we realize it is already done for us” comforts my soul!

Now when I read Revelation 14:12 I apply both parts to myself and begin rejoicing all over again! I first start with the Law of sin and death and immediately begin rejoicing afterwards looking at the Gospel anew because I realize and see and understand that the burden shifts from me “doing it” to what Christ has already done, He did it for me already. Now, I receive continual daily forgiveness and rejoice! Now it is clear to me what is meant when we read what He said:::>

Joh 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”
Joh 19:29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Michael
Eureka, Ca.