“Good Friday” is supposed to be about the death of Christ on the cross. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Many believers today seem to think that somehow, the death of Jesus has “done away with God’s law,” yet that is not what the Bible tells us. While it is true that the Bible tells us in Romans 8:1, “there is no condemnation, to those who are IN Christ Jesus,” it does not follow that our Creator would ever think to do away with His own law. So the mystery remains: Why do so many churches teach that “the law was done away with on the cross when the Bible says the opposite?”
Romans 8:3 simply tells us that “the law was weak through the flesh” meaning that we , in and of ourselves cannot keep the law. But Jesus can certainly keep the law, and He always did it the same way he expects us to. Through His Father’s Holy Educating Spirit. Think about it. Romans 8:4 tells us that “the righteousness of the law is to be fulfilled in us.” Meaning demonstrated. And as the text says, that is only possible if we walk in The Spirit. God Himself calls His law “righteous” so why would He ever desire that His righteousness be taken away from us by counting the law as being “done away with?” It just doesn’t make sense. Biblically, or practically.
“The law of sin and death” referred to in Rom 8:2 is simply referring to the fact that if we remain in our sins we will die. Even Job was admonished to “Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. Job 22:22.”
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Verse 17 says that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved.” So where is the condemnation in the plan of salvation?
“…this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:19-20)
The Bible boldly proclaims on this point that the only thing that was done away with on the cross was “sin in the flesh.”
“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (Rom 8:3) Sin was condemned, through Christ’s death, not His righteous law. Why would God condemn anything that he Himself calls “righteous?” This is why the Bible tells us to “behold The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Some people even go so far as to say that we are saved by faith.” But how can this be true if it’s not in the Bible and if the Bible says that Jesus is our Savior? (John 1:29, Exodus 34:7, 1 John 3:5) Faith is not our Savior, Jesus is. Faith is the “hand” by which we appropriate the merits of Christ. But Jesus is THE Savior of all and Jesus saves us from sin, not in our sin.(John 1:29)
This week’s topic is entitled “Abiding in Christ.” We abide in Christ by obeying His Word in all of it’s bearings. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) God expects us to abide by all of His Word which tells us that His law is “righteous” and that the only thing done away with on the cross was “sin in the flesh.” As we celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, let us go on to follow Jesus, and abide in Him, by abiding in His Word, and all that it says.
This Sunday we will cover a very misunderstood aspect of the resurrection. Christ was resurrected on Sunday and this has a very special end time significance for all believers today.
Abiding In Christ
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; neither can you, except as you abide in me. (John 15:4).
angel of the Lord is with you (Gen 24:40)
It is not a casual touch with Christ that is needed, but it is to abide with Him. He called you to abide with Him. He does not propose to you a short-lived blessedness that is realized occasionally through earnest seeking of the Lord and passes away as you engage in the common duties of life. Your abiding with Christ makes every necessary duty light, for He bears the weight of every burden. He has prepared a way for you to abide with Him. This means that you are to be conscious of an abiding Christ, that you are continually with Christ, where your mind is encouraged and strengthened.
Do not stand outside of Christ, as many professed Christians of today. To “abide in me, and I in you” is a possible thing to do, and the invitation would not be given if you could not do this. Jesus our Savior is constantly drawing you by His Holy Spirit, working with your mind that you will abide with Christ. The blessings He bestows are all connected with your own individual action. Shall Christ be refused? He says, “Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Of another class He says, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).
Have you, have I, fully comprehended the gracious call, “Come unto me”?
He says, “Abide in me,” not Abide with Me. “Do understand My call. Come to Me to stay with Me.” He will freely bestow all blessings connected with Himself upon all who come to Him for life. He has something better for you than a short-lived blessedness that you feel when you seek the Lord in earnest prayer. That is but as a drop in the bucket, to have a word with Christ.
You are privileged with His abiding presence in the place of a short-lived privilege that is not lasting as you engage in the duties of life. Will anxiety, perplexity, and cares drive you away from Christ? Are we less dependent upon God when in the workshop, in the field, in the market-place? The Lord Jesus will abide with you and you with Him in every place.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”(Mat 11:28-30,MSG)
A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. A person may be carrying heavy burdens of (1) sin, (2) excessive demands of religious leaders (Mat 23:4; Acts 15:10), (3) oppression and persecution, or (4) weariness in the search for God. Jesus frees people from all these burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor.
A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into Biblical path of success, and purpose.
Prayer To Abide In Christ
Father in Heaven,
You have invited me, saying, “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). I confess that apart from You I have no life, no strength, and no lasting fruit. Teach me to remain in Christ as a branch abides in the vine. Let His life flow through me today.
Lord Jesus, I hear Your tender call: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). I bring You my burdens, my weariness, my anxieties, and the hidden weight in my heart. I lay them at Your feet.
You invite me, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Teach me Your gentleness. Train my heart to trust rather than strive, to surrender rather than resist, to follow rather than control.
I accept Your promise that “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Where I have carried heavy yokes of fear, guilt, or self-effort, exchange them for the freedom of Your grace.
Lord, help me abide in You every moment, for without You I can do nothing (John 15:5). Keep me close to Your heart so that Your peace, Your love, and Your strength become the fruit of my life.
Today I choose to remain in You, to rest in You, and to walk with You.
