Freedom in Christ part 8

Freedom in Christ Lesson 7;

Part 2: The theory of the declaration and the constitution.

3) Establishment of civil laws (property defined, deeds recorded, contract legal standards are clear, lawsuits for personal injury, define procedure for marriage and divorce). God has a law of volitional responsibility.

 

GAL 6:6 And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.

 

GAL 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

 

GAL 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.

 

The believer's civil law is grace; to himself and others. In grace God gives freely so that we may receive, enjoy, and use His gifts.

 

Satan attacks this by teaching the prosperity gospel, which basically states that it doesn't matter what you sow because grace means that you will always reap God's fruit. Yet we see clearly that sowing to the flesh reaps corruption.

 

God also employs the laws of divine discipline.

COL 4:1

Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

 

4) Establish a moral foundation. Divine establishment law, Decalogue, ethics of the New Testament. The believer's foundation is to produce divine good in all the details of life.

 

Satan's attack upon this is to keep any spirituality in the church only.

 

That service to others only happens in the church so that it's kept behind closed doors and the world doesn't see it. He also promotes spirituality in the mind only and not in application. This was a popular Gnostic teaching. This makes the believer act just like any unbeliever while he thinks he us uber-spiritual in his soul.

 

COL 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

 

Virginia Declaration of Rights; section 15: That no free Government, or the blessing of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.

 

5) Provisions for the poor. Minimal assistance to those who would be, under extreme circumstances, under starvation and destitution.

 

It would go against liberty to motivate a person not to work who was able by taking money from someone who did work.

 

The believer is to be extremely gracious to those in need but not enabling to those who only hurt themselves. He freely gives as purposed in his own heart and so does not fall under the slavery of guilt. Many who are only hurt by gifts can lay on guilt trips with expertise. The believer must discern and in love he will be able to discern under the counsel of God the Holy Spirit.

 

2CO 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

 

2CO 9:7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

2CO 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;