Sixth, we are to seek the gifts and ministries of the Spirit so we may be able to build up ourselves and other members of the Body of Christ. We are to watch the Lord carefully and obey Him instantly should He call us to any kind of full-time ministry.

Seventh, we are to live before people in a godly manner so they may see our good works and glorify the Father.

Eighth, we are to put on the whole armor of God that we may stand in the evil day.

Ninth, if we would be the Lord's disciple we must turn away from the world, take up our personal cross, and follow Jesus as our Lord and Master.

Tenth, as we pray, read the Word, obey God, keep ourselves unspotted from the world, serve, give of our means, Christ will be formed in us. As Christ is formed in us we begin to do God's will by nature. This is what is meant by "I will put My law in their minds and hearts." Now we are in the rest of God and delighting to do His will. We now are totally lawful and therefore totally righteous in God's sight.

Sometimes the writer is accused of preaching works. Please note that when Paul referred to "works" he meant circumcision, the feast days, not eating pork, and other aspects of the Law of Moses. In actuality the New Testament is filled with works of righteousness that the saints are to perform, through the grace of God.

God's Kingdom comprises those who do God's will in the earth as it is in Heaven. Satan has little to fear from "Christians" who are not obeying God diligently and sternly.

The Four Horsemen of Error

The interpretation of the new covenant as a "dispensation of grace" that excuses lawlessness is not a harmless mistake in theology that one may adopt or reject at will without significant consequences. The witness of the Christian churches has been destroyed. The light of good works is not seen and so people do not glorify God.

The incorrect understanding of the new covenant is the result of four philosophies that have invaded Christian thinking. The end result of each of the four philosophies is lawlessness. Combined they have robbed today's churches of their moral and spiritual strength.

The "four horsemen of error" are as follows:

Humanism.

Gnosticism.

Antinomianism.

Dispensationalism.

The concept of humanism, that is, of the central importance of human beings instead of the central importance of God, is the product of philosophical thinking over the last several hundred years. The democratic form of government seems to reflect humanistic thinking when it emphasizes the rights of the individual over all other considerations.

It is interesting to note that in the United States of America several of the larger cities are in a state of anarchy because the rights of the individual are stressed over the rights of society.

To be continued.