A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 2 NO. 52                                        February 12, 2006

KEEPING THE LAW!

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

James tells us in James 2:10 that we must keep the whole law and not stumble in one point.  Doesn't that seem difficult?  After all no one was perfect save for Christ right?  How then can we be expected to keep all the law?  Wouldn't that mean that we would have to be perfect like Christ?

All of these questions are questions that we think about and actually causes many to “give up” on living as God would have them to live.  Some even try to justify their “giving up” by stating that God will not allow them to be “lost in hell” because they are better than some.  Also, many “give up” because they see someone who seems to be righteous doing things they shouldn't and believe them to be hypocrites.  It seems if one wants to try and justify their actions, they will come up with all types of “reasons” why they are not keeping some of the law.

Paul told Timothy that all Scripture is given so that one might be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17).  Also, we find James telling us in James 1:25 that one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it will be blessed.  John 12:48 tells us that we will be judged by the words of Jesus.  These passages indicate that we can strive for completion or perfection by looking into the perfect law of liberty and doing what it says.  Also, we know what we will be judged by, and that is the words of Jesus which are found in the perfect law of liberty that we are to continue in.

Knowing this, why is it that one thinks they can make excuses for not following this law?  Such issues as not attending the services scheduled for the saints to meet whether it be on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening or during a gospel meeting seem to be on the top of the list for “excuses” of not holding to the law of seeking first the Kingdom of God.  Not taking the gospel door to door because of some reason or another is justified by us even though we are told to go into the entire world and teach the gospel.  Stating that we do not know as much as we should seem to be the number one excuse for not sharing the good news of Christ.  Yet, we do not take the time to gain more knowledge of the perfect law we are to live by.

Maybe it is just me getting older or maybe it is because I am but a simple minded man that I see the Lord's church being infiltrated with individuals who are looking for more while willing to give less and becoming frustrated when they hear that heaven is all there is and it is not found here on earth.  Many want God to give them all things here on earth and fail to understand that we are just passing through this life nothing but a pilgrim on our journey to eternity.  The perfect law of liberty tells of the hope that we can have of a place of rest and peace basking in the sunshine of the glory of God forever and ever.  That place is not on this earth but in heaven and the only way that I will ever be able to experience the place called heaven is by keeping the law.

We must understand that we cannot “earn” heaven no matter how perfect we live.  James 2:13 teaches us that mercy triumphs over judgment.  In other words, by the grace of God was Jesus sent to be our Savior and by the mercy of God will heaven be awarded.  This does not mean that I can do any and all things and be a recipient of this mercy.  It means that I must be continuing in the perfect law of liberty and striving for perfection every day I have breath of life on this earth.  Then by the love of God, He will grant me mercy and that home in heaven.  Just as He promised and was the purpose of Him sending His Son to die for us so that we can have salvation through obedience to Him by the mercy of God.

Let us strive to keep the whole law of liberty.  Let us not be caught up in the thinking of the world but be caught up in seeking first the Kingdom of God.