Continuing from part one, from the beginning until now, the world has continued to become increasingly hardened and corrupt. However, even as the world becomes more corrupt, the grace of God abounds and has become even greater.

At the same time, this extended grace does not permit sin. God never forsakes his righteous judgment, nor does he change one dot or tittle of the law, but instead provides a greater means of salvation whereby we might be saved. However, along with the extension of grace, comes greater wrath if that grace is trampled on and taken as a justification for sin.

A reading of the Gospels shows that Jesus, while fulfilling the sacrifices contained in the law, did not take away the law; to the contrary, he made the law stronger by bringing in more accountability along with providing a greater and more perfect salvation. To whom more is given, of them shall more be required—contrary to the false teachings today of some who remove accountability by the misapplication of God’s grace regarding Christian responsibilities to holiness.

We can therefore conclude that the conscience before the law and the written law both failed to bring mankind into obedience. Therefore, God responded with more grace by giving a greater promise. Promising a New Covenant, the Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, saying:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Thus, the written law given outwardly gave way to the law engraved upon the heart inwardly by the circumcision of the spirit. Through Jesus Christ, the word of God and the soul of man are married together as one in an inner dwelling of the spirit. This is the eternal law that finally brings forth both righteousness and obedience to eternal life, through the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When the Pharisees came to Jesus, they asked him if divorce was lawful for every cause. When he did not condone divorce for every cause, they attempted to trap him, pointing out that it was allowed in the Law of Moses. Jesus answered them, saying, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so.”

Jesus then magnified the law of the Spirit, saying, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and whosoever marries her who is put away, commits adultery.”

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” But I say unto you, “Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

Jesus spoke more about hell than he did about heaven. He warned us not to think that he came to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

God’s warning of eternal damnation is not softened by the entrance of grace. Indeed, the wrath of God is only expressed in greater terms and with far more emphasis on eternal judgment.

God never changes. His law never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never forsake his righteous judgment to accommodate our sins.

Paul prophesied of a great falling away before the Day of the Lord. Today, many Christians and churches have turned away from the teachings and examples of Christ. They will not preach judgment, repentance, or embrace the suffering of the cross; rather, they have become inclusive and tolerant of sin and will reap damnation unless they repent. Although works do not save, neither will doctrines of eternal security save them; only obedience to the faith will.

Hoping to be accepted by the world, many Christians have become the world. Compromising the word of God in the name of love, they fail to show love to those in bondage to sin who are lost. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.

Still, Christ remains true; if we deny him, he cannot deny himself. Jesus is coming soon; his fan is in his hand, and he will separate the wheat from the chaff and the sheep from the goats. Judgment begins in his own house, and he brings his reward with him to give each one according to their work. Make straight the path of the way of the Lord; the time is at hand. 

Part 1 here…