Increasing in the knowledge of God humbles the soul, but increasing in the knowledge of the world tends to cause pride. And as worldly knowledge has grown, so has the resistance to God and greater depths of sin. However, as sin abounded, the grace of God abounded even more.

Nevertheless, the grace of God that is extended to humanity does not excuse sin. God will not abandon his righteous judgments, nor has the law changed; the wages of sin is death, but through Jesus Christ, humanity has been provided with a greater and more perfect means of salvation. However, with it comes greater accountability and greater punishment if the grace given is trampled underfoot. Grace is not to be taken as the freedom to live in unrighteousness. A man will reap what he sows.

Christ fulfilled the sacrifices and requirements of the law. His offering did not destroy the law; rather, it fulfilled it. By providing a greater and more perfect salvation, the law has more weight if it is broken. Where there is power given to overcome sin, there is also more responsibility and greater accountability should the power be neglected. Jesus taught that those who receive more must also give more.

The conscience of man failed to produce righteousness, so the law was given. But the law given in Sinai also failed to bring about righteousness due to disobedience. God responded to man’s failure with judgment. However, afterward, greater grace was given by promising a New Covenant. Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord said,

“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.” (Jeremiah 31-34)

When the time came, the written law, originally inscribed on tablets of stone, was replaced by the law of the spirit that is engraved upon the heart. Through Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, the soul is married together with God through the inner dwelling of the Holy Ghost. If we obey the Spirit, the Spirit living in us is the eternal law that brings forth perfect righteousness and eternal life through the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not do away with the law; it became of more force with the gift of the Spirit. Jesus said,

“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.

God judges not just actions but also what is in the heart. He warned not to think that he came to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Jesus said, “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.”

Followers of the Lord are commanded to be holy. His warning of eternal damnation is not negated by the entrance of grace if his commandments go unheeded. The wrath of God is expressed in increasingly severe terms and with much greater emphasis on eternal judgment for those who know the truth and turn away from it. Judgment begins at the house of God.

God never changes; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will never forsake his righteous judgment to accommodate sin. The Lord is the Defender of Eternity, making and keeping it holy forever. No unrighteousness shall enter.

The Bible warns of a great falling away, and many have indeed fallen from following the Lord. Some hold back from preaching judgment, repentance, or embracing the suffering of the cross. Desiring to be inclusive, they are tolerant of sin, lest they suffer the reproach of the cross. Damnation awaits them unless they repent and stand for the truth.

Works do not save; neither will doctrines of eternal security keep the souls of those who continue in sin. Faith saves the soul; obedience to the faith keeps it. Noah was saved by faith when he moved with fear and prepared an ark—an example for us of faith-driven works that saved him.

In their desire to be accepted by the world, many end up becoming the world. Compromising the word of God in the name of love is a failure to show love to those in bondage to sin.

By closing their eyes to sin, they lead others into the ditch—for if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.

Christ remains true to His word; if we deny Him, He cannot deny Himself; He will deny us. 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 at His house. He is bringing his reward with him to give to each one according to their work. Wherefore, “Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!” for the time is at hand.