The theme, New Creation Realities, is one of the more popular preaching themes in recent times. Usually, teachers of this theme fall into two categories: One: those who promote our new reality in Christ in such a way that it appears that Sin and Backsliding are no longer things to worry about in this era of Grace. The other: those who, in a bid to counter or correct the perceived errors of the first group, promote the reality and consequences of Sin and Backsliding so much that Grace is only given lip service.
There is - or ought to be - a third category. This category, which I consider most important and most relevant for us believers, focus the light on what we ought to do. The first category focuses on what God has done and suggests - intentionally or not - that we have nothing else to do. The second category tries too hard to correct the first, thereby making it look like what Christ did nothing. In the past few years of contact with Christians, I'm willing to bet that you've encountered the two categories I described.
Suppose you come to the realization that your level has changed - say you (as a village boy or girl) got admission to study in a world-class university, or that you got a new job in a multi-national company; what will be your most dominant concern?
If you are like every other rational human being out there, from the first day you step into that new reality, from the first day you step into that new level, you most dominant thought won't be about how God (or whoever He used to help you) went out of His way to translate you into the new place. Your most dominant though won't even be about being fired or resigning or dropping out. If you're raised in a typical home, you will probably remember that you represent the family you came from and have a responsibility to make them proud, or at least not to bring them disgrace. Then you'll begin to think about how to quickly blend in to the new environment, learn their processes and technology, and figure out what it takes to succeed in that new environment.
That's what responsible people do. They don't waste time and energy reveling in the fact that their level has changed. The spend more time thinking about how to change their life to fit the new level they've attained - and working really hard to achieve it.
The situation is no different in the case of our moving out of darkness into light. The facts of the matter are (or should be) clear to every believer:
We are saved: from Sin, Self and Satan. We've been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We are born of the spirit and we have the promise of eternal life, as well as the Holy Spirit to empower us for life and godliness.
These facts represent what God has done, or what we some will call the finished work of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us that "...we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God."
I am trusting that by the help of the Spirit in every believer, the understanding of what God has given us will be made clearer as the days go by. If you are a believer reading this and do not have a good grasp of the facts of what God has done for and in you, I encourage you to spend some time studying it.
However, these facts, as important and central as they are, are there and done deals. Sure, we may need to remind ourselves of them from time to time
What is more important is how to live the life the new creation reality demands.
This is the crux of the matter and we will dwell a lot on it on the last day, Monday. I needed to lay this foundation today because a lot of times when we speak in these terms, others misunderstand us as people promoting the Law instead of the Grace of God.
As you will see, Law is a necessary consequence of Relationship.
The moment a relationship is formed, even if the said relationship is adversarial, the parties involved somehow develops a set of expectations, a code of conduct. There is some understanding of what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behavior, regardless of whether these codes are formalized. This code of conduct developed in/for a relationship is what we call Laws.
Put simply, Relationships beget Expectations (which translate into Dos and Don'ts or Laws), and expectations bring to bear the notion of Offence (what we call Sin) and some mechanism for Recompense and Reconciliation, or Termination if need be.
Here is an example. You may try the exercise on a couple of other relationship types.
Relationship Type
- Marriage
Expectation
- Communicate frequently
- Be faithful and truthful to each other
- Have fun together
Offence
- Cheat on your spouse
- Lie to him/her
- Stop eating at home
Recompense and Reconciliation
- Beg for forgiveness
- Promise (in sincerity) to change
Termination
- Death
- Divorce
I have found this to be true even in relationships between God and mankind. From the first relationship God struck with mankind to the ones He's going into today, you will find these notions there.
This explains why all the epistles have significant portions dedicated to dos and don'ts. Thus when you hear preachers talking about dos and don'ts, don't assume they are ignorant of the grace of God through Christ Jesus. Not that there are no such preachers anyway, but it's fine to give the benefit of doubt.
It is supremely important to understand what is required of you and determine to do them as soon as you enter into any relationship. (You will at least save yourself some embarrassment.). This is especially true in this relationship we've entered into with God that made us New Creation.
At this point, it's important to stress again that expectation (Law) is a consequence of relationship. There is nothing to expect from someone you are not in a relationship with. (Note: I'm using the word Relationship in the normal, general sense. I know this is a gathering of young people and that word usually implies boy-girl relationships. Not at this time). The laws of God are only binding on people in relationship or covenant with God.
Du you remember, Apostle Paul urges you to "...live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Eph. 4:1 ISV) and "...have not stopped praying for you... so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way..." (Col 1:9-10 BSB)
Notice that even though they asked of works, Jesus didn't give them a list; instead He talked about the work - the principal work which is well pleasing in His sight; and without which it is impossible to please Him; and without which no work whatever is a good work.
Do you remember Habakkuk 2:4? How about Romans 1:17? Galatians 3:11? Hebrews 10:38? They all say the same thing: "The just shall live by [his] faith". It's by his faith, NOT by his justness (righteousness) or any other thing. "Whosoever believes [in Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life", John wrote. This faith, this believing is not a one-time thing that happens the day you "gave your life to Christ". It's rather a constant exercise of faith in Christ, and is the most important and difficult part of the obedience required from us as His people. All our actions, all our works is a reflection of this faith.
For instance, this faith is the reason you won't steal even when in need, because God has promised to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory; this faith is the reason you will forgive and not seek revenge, because vengeance is God's and He has promised to revenge on your behalf (see Deut 32:35); this faith is the reason you won't defile your body regardless of the urge and instead take good care of it, because it's the temple of the Holy Spirit; this faith is the reason you will take your job seriously (while you're there) no matter how little you're paid or how badly you're treated, because you know that the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10); this faith is the reason you can face threats, because we are not to fear those who can only kill the body but not the soul (Luke 12:4); this faith is the reason you can face death, because there will be resurrection unto eternal life with God.
As much as you'd love to spend whole days in the House of God gazing at His beauty (or even the beauty of the auditorium), that's not what God has in mind for you. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Eph 2:10 NLT).
See, Jesus did not allow those three apostles to build tents on the Mount of Transfiguration; I don't think He'd allow you too. So figure out those good things, those good works He has planned for you long ago, and get busy doing them. "Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do." (Eph 5:17 GNB).
The gathering of the brethren has its proper place, and that place is not central. Most of us will have God needing them in places or works that are not directly ecclesiastical, and so will not have a lot of time to spend in the "presence of God" (as in, the gathering of brethren). That's not a problem. What is important is that "whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
Love. Believe. Get busy.
That's it.
There is - or ought to be - a third category. This category, which I consider most important and most relevant for us believers, focus the light on what we ought to do. The first category focuses on what God has done and suggests - intentionally or not - that we have nothing else to do. The second category tries too hard to correct the first, thereby making it look like what Christ did nothing. In the past few years of contact with Christians, I'm willing to bet that you've encountered the two categories I described.
Suppose you come to the realization that your level has changed - say you (as a village boy or girl) got admission to study in a world-class university, or that you got a new job in a multi-national company; what will be your most dominant concern?
If you are like every other rational human being out there, from the first day you step into that new reality, from the first day you step into that new level, you most dominant thought won't be about how God (or whoever He used to help you) went out of His way to translate you into the new place. Your most dominant though won't even be about being fired or resigning or dropping out. If you're raised in a typical home, you will probably remember that you represent the family you came from and have a responsibility to make them proud, or at least not to bring them disgrace. Then you'll begin to think about how to quickly blend in to the new environment, learn their processes and technology, and figure out what it takes to succeed in that new environment.
That's what responsible people do. They don't waste time and energy reveling in the fact that their level has changed. The spend more time thinking about how to change their life to fit the new level they've attained - and working really hard to achieve it.
The situation is no different in the case of our moving out of darkness into light. The facts of the matter are (or should be) clear to every believer:
We are saved: from Sin, Self and Satan. We've been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We are born of the spirit and we have the promise of eternal life, as well as the Holy Spirit to empower us for life and godliness.
These facts represent what God has done, or what we some will call the finished work of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:12 tells us that "...we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God."
I am trusting that by the help of the Spirit in every believer, the understanding of what God has given us will be made clearer as the days go by. If you are a believer reading this and do not have a good grasp of the facts of what God has done for and in you, I encourage you to spend some time studying it.
However, these facts, as important and central as they are, are there and done deals. Sure, we may need to remind ourselves of them from time to time
What is more important is how to live the life the new creation reality demands.
This is the crux of the matter and we will dwell a lot on it on the last day, Monday. I needed to lay this foundation today because a lot of times when we speak in these terms, others misunderstand us as people promoting the Law instead of the Grace of God.
As you will see, Law is a necessary consequence of Relationship.
The Law is needful
I start with the summary: Law is a necessary consequence of relationships.The moment a relationship is formed, even if the said relationship is adversarial, the parties involved somehow develops a set of expectations, a code of conduct. There is some understanding of what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behavior, regardless of whether these codes are formalized. This code of conduct developed in/for a relationship is what we call Laws.
Put simply, Relationships beget Expectations (which translate into Dos and Don'ts or Laws), and expectations bring to bear the notion of Offence (what we call Sin) and some mechanism for Recompense and Reconciliation, or Termination if need be.
Here is an example. You may try the exercise on a couple of other relationship types.
Relationship Type
- Marriage
Expectation
- Communicate frequently
- Be faithful and truthful to each other
- Have fun together
Offence
- Cheat on your spouse
- Lie to him/her
- Stop eating at home
Recompense and Reconciliation
- Beg for forgiveness
- Promise (in sincerity) to change
Termination
- Death
- Divorce
I have found this to be true even in relationships between God and mankind. From the first relationship God struck with mankind to the ones He's going into today, you will find these notions there.
This explains why all the epistles have significant portions dedicated to dos and don'ts. Thus when you hear preachers talking about dos and don'ts, don't assume they are ignorant of the grace of God through Christ Jesus. Not that there are no such preachers anyway, but it's fine to give the benefit of doubt.
It is supremely important to understand what is required of you and determine to do them as soon as you enter into any relationship. (You will at least save yourself some embarrassment.). This is especially true in this relationship we've entered into with God that made us New Creation.
At this point, it's important to stress again that expectation (Law) is a consequence of relationship. There is nothing to expect from someone you are not in a relationship with. (Note: I'm using the word Relationship in the normal, general sense. I know this is a gathering of young people and that word usually implies boy-girl relationships. Not at this time). The laws of God are only binding on people in relationship or covenant with God.
Du you remember, Apostle Paul urges you to "...live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Eph. 4:1 ISV) and "...have not stopped praying for you... so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way..." (Col 1:9-10 BSB)
So, what does God want from you?
1. Love The Lord
A relationship in which the love is one-sided will never last. The Lord loves us so dearly. We can never love Him as much as He loves us, yet He invites us to try. The first and greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is this: _"You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."_ (Mark 12:30 NLT)2. Believe
During an interesting conversation between Jesus and the people who came to Him to seek another multiplication of bread and fish, "they asked Him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'" (John 6:28-29 NIV).Notice that even though they asked of works, Jesus didn't give them a list; instead He talked about the work - the principal work which is well pleasing in His sight; and without which it is impossible to please Him; and without which no work whatever is a good work.
Do you remember Habakkuk 2:4? How about Romans 1:17? Galatians 3:11? Hebrews 10:38? They all say the same thing: "The just shall live by [his] faith". It's by his faith, NOT by his justness (righteousness) or any other thing. "Whosoever believes [in Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life", John wrote. This faith, this believing is not a one-time thing that happens the day you "gave your life to Christ". It's rather a constant exercise of faith in Christ, and is the most important and difficult part of the obedience required from us as His people. All our actions, all our works is a reflection of this faith.
For instance, this faith is the reason you won't steal even when in need, because God has promised to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory; this faith is the reason you will forgive and not seek revenge, because vengeance is God's and He has promised to revenge on your behalf (see Deut 32:35); this faith is the reason you won't defile your body regardless of the urge and instead take good care of it, because it's the temple of the Holy Spirit; this faith is the reason you will take your job seriously (while you're there) no matter how little you're paid or how badly you're treated, because you know that the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10); this faith is the reason you can face threats, because we are not to fear those who can only kill the body but not the soul (Luke 12:4); this faith is the reason you can face death, because there will be resurrection unto eternal life with God.
3. Get Busy
Somehow, we've been conditioned to believe that we ought to spend as much time as possible in the "presence of God" (which has become euphemism for gathering of brethren or dedicated private fellowship with God). We rebuke Martha for being too busy and praise Mary her sister for choosing the better option. We echo with the psalmist, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm 27:4 NIV).As much as you'd love to spend whole days in the House of God gazing at His beauty (or even the beauty of the auditorium), that's not what God has in mind for you. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Eph 2:10 NLT).
See, Jesus did not allow those three apostles to build tents on the Mount of Transfiguration; I don't think He'd allow you too. So figure out those good things, those good works He has planned for you long ago, and get busy doing them. "Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do." (Eph 5:17 GNB).
The gathering of the brethren has its proper place, and that place is not central. Most of us will have God needing them in places or works that are not directly ecclesiastical, and so will not have a lot of time to spend in the "presence of God" (as in, the gathering of brethren). That's not a problem. What is important is that "whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
Love. Believe. Get busy.
That's it.
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