The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. Luke 16:16-17
Can a better summary be given?
The Law never changed, the prophets were always about 'works alone' or 'law'... look how they all fell short, how they all failed miserably, we are humbling to the Creator because of our imperfections and mistakes.. Now when Christ came on the scene he changed everything, let me testify to show an example of how Faith in God made me righteous in him.
I started reading the Bible in 2011, I mean really studying it. I couldn't put it down and being a hard core atheist I wanted to build up my defense or at least give the remainder the benefit of the doubt, regardless I grew tired of the current news and meaningless theories on how the world works so I spent days and nights reading the OT, I got irate often and upset because the prophets always seemed to screw things up. I was especially not impressed by the way 'god' handled things in the OT and it was a struggle to read it without much cringing and gnashing of teeth. I wanted to be good but still wanted to be right, I didn't want to be another 'blind believer', I was at my wits end.
2011 came and went, 2012 came and went, 2013 came and went and I was still if not even more blasphemous than ever.
I identified with Jesus and tried with all my mind to rationalise that any man could have done what he did, I mean crucifixion was a common penality so there was nothing particularly special to me about a guy getting crucified for claiming to be the son of 'god' and 'god' himself. At the time however I found my self close to what I knew was God, I talked to him and begged for mercy several nights on my knees, I knew it was the God of the bible and I wanted a 'sign' of some sort, I was stubborn and had no church and I knew no believers to help with what I assumed to be a psychotic breakdown.
I stored all I read subconsciously and little did I know that the Spirit was listening.
On the evening of December 13, 2014 I was at home arguing with my girlfriend at the time and I was enraged because she wanted me to drive her to meet up with some guy who was going to take her to a hotel (I read her phone text the night before).... 10 minutes later, like a thief in the night, I found myself being prayed over by her and several others in the middle of the road at town square. One was prophesying and another speaking 'tongues' and she was praying silently, my eyes were closed and I felt my body being absorbed by 'words' and I felt like I was being transformed, I felt like my DNA was changing... I left that intervention with a complete and natural understanding of the law, I couldn't steal anymore, I couldn't judge anymore, I couldn't be jealous anymore, and since then the Holy Spirit has hit me with more understanding that I cannot in my spirit ignore, I cannot cuss anymore, I don't fuss and complain anymore, I don't take strange drugs and drink and drive and get with loose women anymore, in fact I hate all of those things. The 10 commandments come natural to me to follow. This is the type and shadow, the prophecy and the revelation, the old to new Adam.
So my Faith in Christ is what transformed me and woke me up and refreshed my mind to do the things God wills me to do with conviction and strong approach.
It has become unnatural for me to break or bend his commandments and natural for me to obey them.
I still sin, I know that if I even mention my good works I am a liar before God but I have sacrificed the old Adam to God and he in return has handed me a new heart and new mind and soul, the old 'me' burned up in Gods victory and I am glad to see 'him' gone.
I am happy and contempt now even at my lowest of lows because the Lords absolute weakness is stronger than any mans strength.
MC our deeds are as filthy rags, there is NOTHING you or your congregation can do either by example, or by words to convince ANYONE otherwise than to point to God himself for ALL fall short of his glory and none is above the other in righteous 'works'.
Putting works ahead of the word by pushing or expressing it in any way is exactly what Christ rebuked against.
If you believe someones faith is dead because you don't feel they measure up in Gods eye, pray over them and speak on behalf of God in the Spirit 100%, let God put the words in your mouth and stir up their spirit to let loose the Holy Spirit to enter into their vessel. Anything less is but a filthy rag dressed up in mystical human tradition and lay on the pulpit floor -abandoned.
I know you are passionate for your Lord, you are a Son of God and no man can ever take that away from you, just come to reason that nothing YOU or your congregation can ever do will change a mans heart by promoting 'good works', it just does not work that way. Grace be on all those whom you doubt my friend. Peace be with you
