Question:

75.2—I have a question about the Sabbath day.  I’m witnessing now to a guy at work and going through the Ten Commandments with him to show that he is a sinner.  What do you do when you come to number 4?  It’s in the Ten, yet most Christians don’t keep it.  Some evangelists will ask the person if they’ve given 1 day out of 7 to God and say that’s really what God wants.  That just doesn’t sound quite right to me. 

75.2—The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. On that day of the first week God “rested from all His work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:3). He did this long before the Sabbath was given to Israel as an institution on the night they were delivered from the Egyptians: “The seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you” (Exodus 12:16). And later the Sabbath was given as a law to Israel: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

The reason most Christians do not keep the Sabbath Day, which is Saturday, is because Christians were never put under the Law of Moses. “We are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:15). God put His earthly people Israel under the law to see if anyone would keep His law. He promised long life to all who would keep it, but all died. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

Possibly this is why you are using the law to try to show the man you are witnessing to that he is a sinner. It may be good to show him that God chose Israel, the Jewish people, as a sample of humanity to test all mankind. They did not keep the law, which includes keeping the Sabbath, and so “all the world [became] guilty before God.” A cook doesn’t have to eat the whole batch of soup to see if it has enough seasoning; she just has to taste it! And in a sense this is what God has done. He tested the Jew by putting him under His law and since he did not keep it, “all the world” is guilty before God.

A few more thoughts about the Sabbath: Man never entered into God’s rest. Sin spoiled all rest, and sin made it necessary that God work anew if man is to share the rest of God. Jesus said: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). Anticipating the cross in His prayer to His Father Jesus said:  “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4). Jesus now says: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This is the rest of conscience from the guilt of our sins which we receive when we come to Him by faith and trust Him and the work He did of bearing the punishment for our sins on the cross of Calvary.

In the next verses the Lord offers rest of heart to all who have rest of conscience: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29,30). Everyone who has “peace with God” (Romans 5:1) can enjoy “the peace of God which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) by yoking ourselves with Christ to do the Father’s will.

May each reader know the joy of rest of conscience and rest of heart, which the Lord desires to give to us!

Question:

75.1—When you watch episodes on TV that are trying to prove that the New Testament is false, and that Jesus was here but that He wasn’t the Saviour, Satan uses this to put questions into our minds about our faith. How do we deal with this?

75.1—First, I question the first word, “When,” in the question above. I have been in a doctor’s office for instance when the TV was on and either I could not, or did not think I should try to turn off the TV or turn it to different channel.  But normally do we have no power over watching TV or what we watch on TV? Christians are responsible as to what we look at and are plainly instructed to, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Why is this? “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). In other words, we may not realize this at the time but association with evil does defile us!

As you have experienced, Satan is always on the job to use false teaching to put questions into our minds about our faith. We praise the Lord that He has a way we can deal with this that works!

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ …  though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [fleshly], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1-5).

Let us realize that the Christian’s warfare is “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The open secret as to how we can “cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” is by being occupied with Christ. The apostle would have us taken up with “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1).

Think first about Christ’s meekness: Jesus said: “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Meekness is power under control. Lowliness does not give offence, but meekness does not take offence.

Then think of Christ’s gentleness: “The fruit of the Spirit is … gentleness” (Galatians 5:22). The Lord was a real Gentleman. Every action was with compassion and tenderness. We are instructed: “Let your gentleness be known of all men. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5, JND translation).

When we are occupied with Christ we become like Him: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

This is how we have power over wrong thoughts. One has said that we may not be able to help it if a bird lands on our head, but we can help it if he makes a nest there. So it is with thoughts. They may come but we can displace them with thoughts that are first “true,” then “honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report” (Philippians 4:8), and when we are occupied with Christ, the Spirit of God transforms us into His image. What a privilege to be like Jesus!

Question:

74.1—What is the unpardonable sin? I read through Matthew 12:22-32 and the parallel occurrences in the other gospels.  I just don’t know what the Lord is saying exactly.  Is it as simple as saying something is from Satan when it is really from the Holy Spirit?  For example, a car accident, a death, some supernatural event….  I think some people see that as what it’s talking about.  I looked around some places and most Christians say that it can’t be done anymore and that it was only for the miracles that Jesus did.  I don’t see where they’re getting that from in the text.  I see where it is talking about that in this case, but from what He says, I don’t know how people limit the warning to only that.

Answer:

74.1—Your question has bothered many, but the Lord tells us that the unpardonable sin found in Matthew 12:22-32; Mark 3:22-30; and Luke 12:10 was committed by “the scribes” of the Old Testament Scriptures, and “the Pharisees,” who of the various sects of the Jews, adhered the most closely to the Scriptures. So they should have known better than to make such a horrible accusation against their Messiah and to spread this falsehood to others as they traveled from Jerusalem into Galilee.

They made two false accusations against the Lord in Mark 3:22 (JND). They said (1) “He has Beelzebub.” The Hebrew interpretation of Beelzebub is “Lord of the Flies” or “dung god.” It was the Philistine god (2 Kings 1:2). They also said (2) that “by the prince of the demons [Jesus] casts out demons.”

The Lord answers their accusations with the question: “How can Satan cast out Satan?” Then He refutes both of their accusations by using two short parables, and the analogy is very clear: Satan is the strong man, and his house is the unfortunate beings who are controlled by demoniac power. But the Lord is the Stronger One, who by the enabling of the divine Spirit, has defeated Satan, and has the mastery over demons.

Then He gives a most solemn declaration and warning, “Verily I say unto you, that all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and all the injurious speeches with which they may speak injuriously; but whosoever shall speak injuriously against the Holy Spirit, to eternity has no forgiveness; but lies under the guilt of an everlasting sin; because they said, He has an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:28-30).

The Greek word the Lord used, translated “injuriously” above, was not arneomai (“to deny”), but blasphemeo (“to blaspheme”). We think of blasphemy as taking the Lord’s name in vain, but blasphemeo is not the use of swear words in the New Testament (see 1 Timothy 1:20; 6:1; 2 Peter 2:2) but is a denial of the faith. This blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not idle words, but a denial of the Spirit’s testimony to the Lord Jesus. Apart from accepting the testimony of the Spirit there can be no new birth (John 3:3-7), so a person who rejects His testimony “lies under the guilt of an everlasting sin” (Mark 3:29 JND).

The particular sin the Lord said is unpardonable is: “Because they said, [Jesus] has an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:30). He tells them that “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34), and He knew that in their hearts they had refused the Spirit’s testimony as to Himself. Therefore, in a certain sense this particular sin cannot be done today, because Jesus is not on earth doing miracles by the power of the Spirit of God.

However, the unpardonable sin today is to reject the Spirit’s testimony, as recorded in the Bible, to repent of our sins and trust Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. Twice the Lord repeats the words: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3 and 5). The apostle Paul preached: “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). And Revelation 21:8 tells us that unbelievers are second on the list of the classes of sinners who will be in the Lake of Fire for all eternity: “The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

We trust that if you, dear reader, have “blasphemed” the Saviour by rejecting Him, that for your eternal blessing you will wait no longer to come to Him. The door of grace will soon be closed to you forever, but we are so thankful that we can still tell you at this moment: “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name” (John 1:11,12).

Question:
Who can have liberty? 

Answer:

Liberty defined means, “Exemption from slavery, bondage, imprisonment, or control of another.  Freedom, deliverance!”  Who can have liberty?  All believers that are made free by the truth and the Son.  The unbeliever needs freedom from sin and Satan (Acts 26:18), but the believer needs deliverance from self—the flesh, legality—false brethren, looseness and license of the world.

In order to have liberty, you need to realize these three key points.  You need to realize that you are guilty of committing sins against God.  Realize that not only have you done evil, but you yourself are sinful (Romans 7:14).  And finally you need to realize that you are helpless to do what you should in your own strength.  Romans 7 shows the conflict between our new nature and our sinful nature.  The Lord wants to save us from this struggle.  We know what is right, but we have no power to do it (vs.18).  We can’t fight the flesh in our own strength.  We need to turn from ourselves and turn to Christ (Romans 8:3,4).

There are three steps involved in becoming delivered from our flesh.  1. Learning from God (Romans 6:1-10): The believer’s identification with Christ deals with sin’s power, not merely sin’s penalty.  Sin shouldn’t have dominion over us.  2. Reckoning with God (Romans 6:11-15):  To reckon means to depend on, count on, be sure of, rest assured, believe. Reckoning deals with faith; having faith in the facts.  The facts need to not only be in your head, but in your heart.  We are dead to sin, but alive to Christ.  Turn your back on sin, flee from sin!  3. Yielding to God (Romans 6:16-23):  Since I am crucified with Christ, I am free from not only the penalty of sin, but from the power of sin.  2 Corinthians 5:20 tells us we are ambassadors for Christ.  The definition for an ambassador is a country’s representative in a foreign land.  That is our job description.  We are Christ’s representatives in this foreign land!  What a wonderful job description!

Question:

How do you know if you or someone you know is using license?

There are a few dictionary definitions of the word license: “Freedom to deviate from strict conduct, rule, or practice, generally permitted by common consent; Excessive, undisciplined freedom, constituting an abuse of liberty”; and, “Using freedom from the Law as an excuse to sin.”

Question:
“What is legalism?”

Answer:

The Webster dictionary defines the word Legalism as such: “In Theology, the doctrine of salvation by good works”; and, “Strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious moral code.” Also, conformity to man-made moral codes, rules, or laws to remain in God’s will (Matthew 23:25). The Pharisees were more concerned about their outward appearance than true godliness. And finally, insistence that other believers are to follow one person or a group’s subjective standards and rules.

There are numerous ways that you could be legalistic, but Paul gave us a list of some of the more common ones: Fish on Friday, no radio, no movies, no dancing, no playing cards, no lipstick or earrings, no activities on Sunday, no restaurants that serve alcohol, no TV, no pants for women, King James only…. And the list goes on. Paul also made a point that the desire to do what is right does not make us a legalist.

He brought out some characteristics of a legalist. They focus on the law as a rule of life. They may conform to the letter, but not the spirit of the law; may be satisfied with a lower standard of morality than found in Christ; obey out of fear of retribution or hope of reward. They find loopholes in the law to allow more freedom of their own will. They also concentrate on their own list of rules, while neglecting the serious and Scriptural commandments. They may also have pride in their adherence to the law or set of rules. You wouldn’t need to be outwardly critical of others, but you could take pride in yourself, thinking you are better than others. They compare themselves with others. The verse he used was 2 Corinthians 10:12: “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, they are without understanding” (NASB). Christ should be our standard. We will always find someone who is worse than ourselves. And finally, they are often critical and fault-finding of others and may not accept criticism in return.

After learning what a legalist is, we were then shown how to respond to a fault-finding legalist, or to Scriptural reproof. Start off asking for Scripture or Scriptural principles. Listen politely, answer gently, receive genuine, Scriptural reproofs (Proverbs 10:17). Don’t respond, “You’re just a legalist!” Obey your parents (Ephesians 6:1). Don’t plead that we are “Not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14,15). Don’t use liberty as an occasion to stumble others (1 Corinthians 8:9). Do not respond by attacking his/her faults (Galatians 6:1). Don’t become a legalist yourself.

Legalism can cause a lot of harm. It produces an atmosphere of fear rather than love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22,23); it weakens the fellowship with fellow believers, even without saying anything (Galatians 5:15; Philippians 2:3). It takes fellow believers’ focus off of Christ (Colossians 2:20-23). Also, it enslaves believers to man’s ideas rather than to true righteousness and holiness (Romans 6:18-22).

Question:

How do you know God’s will? How do you know what to do?

6 points.  1. Do I want to do God’s will? (Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:2, John 7:17).  If you honestly want to do God’s will, He WILL show you.  You can’t just want to know about it so you can decide if you want to do it or not.  2. The Bible shows us His will already:  (1 Thessalonians 4:3—abstain from sexual immorality; Ephesians 5:18—don’t be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 6:1,2—obey your parents, and honor your father and mother; Romans 12:1,2—present your bodies as a sacrifice to God, don’t be conformed to the world, but renew your mind.  For marriage, we are told to marry only believers and those who are in the Lord (that wipes out a lot of people). 3. Get to know your Bible: When we know the Bible, it will help us make decisions.  There are no directions that tell you to go to which college or the name of the person you are to marry, but there are things that can direct you in making those decisions.  4. PRAY!  It is in the quiet times you have with the Lord that He can speak to you.  If you don’t have this special time with the Lord, you are missing out on the input He wants to give you.  5. Holy Spirit:  John 16:13 says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” (NASB)  AMEN!  6.  Get counsel:  Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in the abundance of the counselors, there is victory.”  Get advice from older people.  Phil gave out a list of phone numbers of some of the older brothers.  He wanted us to know that they are more than willing to help you when you are facing a tough decision.  Although their counsel is valuable, the most important thing is with the Lord.