There were many Jews under the old covenant who attained righteousness by practicing what God had stated.

But in most cases Israel did not walk in God's ways. Therefore God gave us a new covenant, a covenant in which His laws are lifted from tables of stone and written in the mind and heart. Also, God has forgiven our sin freely through the Lord Jesus as we walk in the light of His will.

God's purpose in the new covenant is to create righteous people. If we truly receive Jesus (not just make a doctrinal confession) and walk in Him each day, a new, righteous creation begins to come forth. The new, righteous creation is the Kingdom of God. It is the promised salvation that is to come to God's Israel, His elect both Jewish and Gentile.

As we mentioned previously, part of the error is the removal of the fear of the Lord. The translators, without a sound contextual or lexical basis, are using the term reverence in place of fear. Fear and reverence are vastly different emotions. The reason behind the change is that if through the Lord Jesus we cannot be guilty of unrighteous, disobedient behavior because God sees us only through Christ, then there is no basis for fear.

There are numerous passages that warn the believer concerning his conduct. Paul tells us plainly that the Christian who continues to follow the appetites and lusts of his body and soul will never enter the Kingdom of God. He will slay his own resurrection unto righteousness.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13)

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Some are teaching we shall inherit the Kingdom in any case because grace is unconditional. Satan says you shall not surely die. Paul says you will not inherit the Kingdom of God if you continue in sin. You will slay your own resurrection, the resurrection you had hoped would be to eternal life.

What do you say?

The fear of God is a very healthy aspect of true Bible faith. The believer who does not fear God is deceived. He does not know the Lord. If we would be a true witness of God we must preach both the goodness and the severity of God.

Faith and the Quest

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

There were wealthy people in the days of Abraham who lived in ornate palaces. Pharaoh of Egypt was one example. But Abraham, although very wealthy, having hundreds of servants and a huge amount of livestock, chose to live in the land of promise as a pilgrim and stranger. His home always was a tent.

To be continued.