In this issue:
Difference in the two covenants
The Foundations
David Clayton
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1John 4:8)
In 1 Corinthians chapter 13 Paul describes love as a selfless principle, an attitude that focuses on caring for others above self. When the Bible says that God is love, it means that God loves me more than He loves Himself, it means that He cares for me in a way that is beyond my ability to care for myself.
God is love! We say this because the Bible says it, but to believe it is to experience a great transformation. When we believe that God is love, when we know the character of God, then we trust in God. I can put myself in His hand and I can relax. I can know that I have somebody who is on my side. Like a baby who is in the middle of a storm and yet fast asleep in his mother’s arms because he trusts the person who is holding him. The storms may rage and the winds may blow but he doesn’t care because he is in his mother’s arms. That’s what we imply when we say that God is love. Those who know the truth about God will put their trust in Him, and when we put our trust in God, He unites with us, He fellowships with us, and we are born again. Then we live a happy and a holy life. It’s a formula that is real, and it works. Those of us who have experienced it can testify that it is real.
Satan’s attacks
So, love is the essence of God’s character and this is the truth that Satan set out to obscure and to destroy. He promoted the idea that God is a self-centered person. Let us understand the implications of this accusation. We tend to think that the opposite of love is hate but that’s not really true, the opposite of love is self-centeredness! God is love because God is not self-centered, He is centered on the happiness of others. That’s what love is. Self-centeredness is the other way around, it’s the opposite of love. When Satan deceived our first parents, he did not say that God hated Adam and Eve—he simply said that God was self-seeking. He said, “God does not want you to be like Himself; He wants to keep back something good from you. God knows that if you eat this fruit, you will be like God. God has lied to you because He’s selfish and self-seeking.” God’s character of love, was the first thing that he attacked.
It is not as easy to identify Satan’s second line of attack, but as we read through the Bible, it begins to appear and gradually becomes very clear. After a while we discover that Satan’s second assault was against God’s system of government. Let’s read a couple of verses that highlight this fact. In 1 John 3:9 we read:
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1John 3:9)
It should be obvious that God’s system of government has as one of its purposes, the elimination of sin. God’s desire is to have a universe which is entirely clean. But how does God propose to accomplish this? What is the system which God uses which achieves this freedom from sin? According to John, God achieves this purpose in a very simple, but profound way. He who is born of God does not commit sin! Simple, but effective! You don’t commit sin, this is the consequence of receiving God’s life in you. It’s not something you do, it’s something God does in you. It’s the consequence of a relationship. There is something on the inside that came from God and the person who possesses this will not sin. So we can see that if God is to cleanse the universe of sin, every single person in it has to be born of God. Again, in Colossians 1:27 we read,
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col 1:27)
That is God’s unique way of government and it is the secret to settling the great conflict which has disrupted the harmony of the universe! This is the great mystery that was hidden for ages but is now revealed to God’s saints. Furthermore, it’s not just the secret to how we can live a sinless life, it’s also the secret to the justification and vindication of the government of God.
Systems of government
When we talk about government, we are focusing on how to achieve a communal state of harmony. The aim is to get people to live together in a way that is peaceful, and harmonious, and where all the necessary things are carried out in an orderly way. The main point we should understand is that God’s government is based on something inside; it is based on somebody living inside! It is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27), it is being born of God, it is the element of having his seed remaining inside. It is the work of God, it is not the work of man. It is accomplished by God working in you to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). This is the basis of God’s government.
Of course, all other governments must operate on a different principle. Let us take a moment to understand what the world’s method is and how it came to be. In 1 Timothy chapter 1 Paul tells us simply and clearly:
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1Tim 1:9-10)
Notice that there are two systems of government. One is based on God living inside a person, while the other is based on rules working from the outside. The Scripture tells us plainly that the law on the outside is not made for righteous people, and it makes sense! Righteous people have Christ on the inside; righteous people have God on the inside, God is working in them. They don’t need something on the outside to try to compel them to behave, what is on the inside is far greater and far more persuasive.
On the other hand, where God does not live and govern from the inside, then there has to be some method of controlling people, some way of forcing them to conform to what is right and the only method available to human beings, is to set up a system to govern men from the outside, a way of controlling and directing them through a system of rules and laws.
The key to God’s government
When we understand this we realize that there is only one system of government in the universe that can ever be sustained, or that is ever worthy of existing forever. This reality is based on one simple, but profound truth which is expressed in the following verse:
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (Mark 10:18)
Why would Jesus say a thing like this, what is the point he was making? Jesus said that the only person who is good, is God. Of course Jesus is God by nature, he is God’s begotten Son so naturally, he is good, as God is good. But what about Gabriel or any of the other angels? Are they good? If we are to accept what Jesus said, these angels are not good. There is a sense in which Jesus is speaking of goodness, and even an angel is not good in this sense!
Jesus means that the only being in the universe who is inherently good, is God! Sometimes we may look at someone and say, “this is a good lady,” we can see goodness coming out of her. The statement is only half true because what it means is that she is a conduit for good. It means that good is passing through her. It means that God in her is shining out of her. It does not mean that she is inherently good, because there is none good but God. The only thing that makes anyone, or anything good is the presence of God because God alone is good! Before anyone can truly understand what it means that Christ is our righteousness, they have to understand this. Everybody tries to be good, everybody tries to conform, everybody tries to obey the rules, everybody believes he’s getting better by his performance, but there is no true progress until he comes to understand that “God alone is good.”
When we grasp the truth that God alone is good, we stop trying to evolve into good, we stop trying to become good, we stop trying to be good by our performance, and we seek the good one, we seek the good one as the only basis for true goodness. Everything changes when we understand that God alone is good. Our quest becomes a quest for God instead of a quest for moral behavior. Those who live in the artificial world, the fake concept of religion, are constantly laboring to become good by performance. This is why, when we understand true righteousness, we become fixated on God and His Son. We stop focusing on works and we start focusing on God because God alone is good. That is the foundational truth!
Now we can understand clearly why God’s government is the only government that will work. It’s because God alone is good. Well then, if God alone is good, how can the universe ever be a good place, filled with happiness and peace? The only possible way is if those who live in it are in some kind of dependent relationship with this one who is completely good.
There are many verses which highlight this foundational truth, let us take a look at a couple of them, beginning with Ephesians 1:22, 23:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph 1:22-23)
This verses states plainly that Jesus fills everything, and is in everything, in His church. The church is His body. His life, His presence fills everything, and He is in everything with respect to His church. The same truth is emphasized in 1 Cor. 15:28:
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1Cor 15:28)
Notice that in the passage in Ephesians, it says that Christ is all in all in the church, but Jesus is fighting a battle on behalf of God, and when the battle is won He hands the kingdom back to the Father, that God the Father may be all in all.
The Nature of Good and Evil
With this background understanding, we can now have a clear understanding of the nature of good and evil. The Bible says that God alone is good. God is love, and we have seen that the converse of love is self-centeredness. We also saw that God alone is good. So in light of this, we ask the question: What is evil?
In the diagram above, the yellow oblong represents the universe. Here we may observe the reason for the original sinless state of the universe: If the universe was sinless it was because it was filled with goodness and the only reason for that condition was because God was all and God was IN all. This is how it was at the beginning, and this is how it will be again at the end when sin finally comes to an end (1 Cor 15:28). We can see that this makes perfect sense. How can there be a good universe if God alone is good? Only because the good God is ALL and is IN ALL! God is everything and God is in everything. This is perfect government. It’s a guarantee for happiness.
Of course the question arises, how does sin exist in the universe? The following illustration represents the universe as it exists today; as Lucifer divided it. Now we no longer have one good universe, instead we have a universe that’s divided into two parts. Not necessarily divided in two equal halves, but definitely divided into two parts. There are now two philosophies in the universe.
We can better understand this if we consider the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which was placed in the garden of Eden: Why did God put it there? At first it seems that it was only a snare to Adam and Eve, an unnecessary doorway through which sin could enter paradise. But the reality is, at that time the universe was already divided by two philosophies, so it becomes clear that it was placed there because at that time there was already a dividing of opinion and there were now two moral parts to the universe. Because God is fair and just, God had to allow everybody to make their choice. Even the brand new people – Adam and Eve. God warned them yes, but He was fair and so He had to give them the opportunity to choose which side they wanted.
Today, six thousand years later, we still have the two sides. On the good side, which consists of the body of Christ, what do we see? God (through Christ), is all and in all (Eph 1:23). That’s what makes the church good. That’s what makes you good. God is all and God is in all. It’s still the same eternal principle.
However, there is also the other side of the universe and the question is, what makes that side evil? Is it simply the fact that Satan is on that side? Not at all! The reality is, if we could kill Satan and his angels today, the evil side of the universe would still remain, because evil does not exist because of the presence of Satan, no, evil exists because sinners live by Satan’s principle. That principle is that they avoid God, they fear him and they keep him out of their lives.
It’s Satan’s principle that creates sinners, not Satan himself. People make the mistake of blaming Satan for everything. Yes, it is true that Satan introduced the lie into the universe and in this sense he is the cause of sin, he bears the ultimate responsibility. It is also true that Satan is constantly engaged in efforts to destroy people and induce them to be even more antagonistic towards God, but individually, people are evil even when Satan is absent. They are evil because they have adopted Satan’s principle and God is missing. That is the problem.
In other words, we don’t need to be so afraid of Satan, we need to be afraid of ourselves! We need to be afraid of our fear of God, we need to be afraid of our ignorance of God. God feared and God avoided; that is the nature of sin. Every sinner in the world is a sinner because he avoids God. The reason he avoids God is almost always because he’s afraid of God, and that fear arises because he’s ignorant of God—absolutely ignorant, and so he avoids God. That is the nature of sin and that is the nature of good and evil. Good is not something that you develop, nor is evil some kind of seed that is planted in you. It has to do entirely with whether or not we are connected to God.
So we may conclude that our relationship with evil has to do entirely with how we relate to God! If we want to be good, then we must find God and stay with Him. If we want to be evil, all we have to do is avoid God. It’s as simple as that. Let us never, ever lose that central reality. God is the center and if we want to be saved, if we want to rise above what is going on in the world, we must center our attention on God and Christ.
The nature of the Rebellion
How may we understand the nature of Satan’s rebellion? The question is, what method did Satan use to carry out this warfare against God? In John 8:44, Jesus refers to Satan by a certain name: He says of Satan:
. . . . He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
If we think back to the beginning of Satan’s rebellion against God, we may ask, who did Satan murder in the beginning? We cannot find any record of him murdering anybody in heaven, but we discover that his method was to spread lies and propaganda about God (Job 1:9-11). However in his campaign against God there was manifested the spirit of a murderer. The only way he could ever displace God was to get God out of the way—effectively murdering God. That’s why Jesus says he was a murderer, there was murder latent in his heart. In his efforts to take the place of God, Satan’s intent was to get rid of God.
It is obvious that Satan cannot stand against God in a combat of force, that is impossible! How can the creature stand against his creator? Not even for a moment would that be possible! If God snaps His fingers, if God thinks a thought, if God bats His eye, in that instant, Satan would be dead. God is almighty. Satan cannot stand against God. So how could the creature stand against the Creator? Yet Satan did, and the question is, how was this possible?
The answer is, Satan knew God’s character, and he knew God’s principles and this is what Satan depended on in his campaign against God. He knew that God would not wipe him out of existence without giving him a chance to prove his point, because he knew God. He knew that God is fair. He knew that God would not simply say, “I will eliminate you because you’re a dangerous rebel,” and summarily destroy him. Satan knew God, and He knew that if he got intelligent beings to believe him and to doubt God, God would back off; he knew he would get a chance to establish his alternative kingdom, because he knew God. Satan dared to attack God because he knew God’s character! So Jesus referred to him as a liar, because he knew what he was doing. It is clear that Satan’s warfare against God was not a conflict of force; it was propaganda warfare. His primary weapons were lies and propaganda.
When we understand this, it becomes clear that the battle we are involved in is a battle of information. Understanding this we realize that our first weapon is information, and the most important piece of information is the truth concerning the character of God! That’s the first thing. Christians don’t take up guns, and we don’t go out in the streets and march against the government, and we don’t go around stirring up rebellion because of the injustices in society. Instead we take our Bibles and we go out to inform people, we go out to spread information. We go out there to help people know the kind of person the God of Heaven is, because this is the transforming element in everything! If a man is beating his wife, he needs the knowledge of God. If a woman is slandering her husband, she needs the knowledge of God. People under the dominion of sin need the knowledge of God! There is one answer to the problems of the world, and it is the knowledge of God. That is what Satan rose up against, he raised himself up against the truth of the goodness of God and he began to spread lying propaganda.
Essentially, what he did was that he opened the door to spiritual darkness, and this darkness enveloping the world is the darkness of misconception about God. This is the root reason for most of the false doctrines that exist, they arise because people don’t know God. This darkness of misunderstanding God makes people get into things that are irrelevant and pointless and unimportant! They do nothing for the glory of God, they do nothing for the honor of God. They get into legalistic nit-picking elements which they introduce into their religion because they don’t know God. So we should understand that the knowledge of God is the greatest and the most important truth which brings balance and harmony into a person’s religious experience
God’s dilemma.
Satan’s character assasination created a dilemma for God. God’s dilemma is that He cannot personally defend himself against an attack on his character. Here is an example of what I mean:
What if my wife starts to say negative things to people about me? I can say, “It’s not true.” But a seed will have been planted in the minds of people that will be very difficult to erase because they don’t live with me. My wife has lived with me for forty-five years, night and day. She eats with me, she sleeps with me, and if she starts to spread lies about me I have a serious problem! Maybe I can beat her, maybe find a way to silence her, but I cannot fight the attack that way. That will not overthrow the lies which have been told and in fact, such a response will only make people think that she was right in her accusations. This is the problem that God had! God is almighty. and God could wipe out Satan, but that would not help the situation. Even an Almighty God cannot defend Himself against lies in that way.
What if the beings in the universe would believe Satan’s lies (as some did), what would be the consequence? If we believe that God is self-centered and self-seeking and that God doesn’t really care about our welfare (like many people do today), then we lose trust in God. When we lose trust in God, of course we avoid fellowship with Him. We normally do not hang around people we don’t trust. Maybe we will still go through the motions of prayer, but we don’t really enjoy it, it’s simply a duty we carry out because we think it is necessary, there is little trust and fellowship in the ritual. This is an accurate description of the experience of many professing Christians. These are people who are involved in “formula religion.” They know the formula but they don’t know the Person. When we lose trust, we lose fellowship. And when we lose fellowship, God’s government is absent from our lives, God is not in control anymore. This is the obvious sequence. Naturally, when God no longer governs our lives then peace and harmony is gone.
This is God’s dilemma. He is living in a universe where many don’t trust His character. In such places there is no peace and there is no harmony, and the whole purpose of God, for the past 6,000 years has been to restore the universe to its original state of peace and harmony. We may summarize God’s dilemma as follows:
- God’s character has been slandered.
- God is unable to personally defend Himself against such an attack.
- This attack has resulted in many losing trust in God.
- The loss of trust resulted in loss of fellowship.
- When we lose fellowship with God, he no longer governs our lives.
- When God no longer governs the universe is in chaos.
This is the sequence that leads to either anarchy or peace. It should be evident that if we get one of these wrong, everything else is wrong. Many set out to find an answer in following a set of rules because they think that is the solution which is required, but such an approach will never bring us to the place where God wants us to be.
A temporary solution
So how did God deal with the crisis? The first thing was that He had to preserve order regardless. In a place where there was no longer trust in God, there was bound to be disorder and chaos. God wanted to restore peace and harmony, but it was a process that would take time and meanwhile He needed to preserve order regardless.
How was God to do this? There was only one way and it was to set a system of rules in place where people were forced to restrain their own evil, self-seeking passions. They could not be allowed to behave on the basis of their own voluntary choice. Of course, this system would only be a stop-gap, but God had to set it up. It was not enough to give them a Bible study and appeal to them to love one another, this does not work when people are separated from God. Policemen have to be put in place to enforce the rule of law strictly and in many cases people have to be severely punished and even executed. It is no longer possible to leave them free to choose their own way, order has to be preserved by force. They have to be governed by compulsion.
This is why God established a temporary system of government based on external rules, the ten commandments. The fact is, anywhere there is a government based on external rules the only way it can work effectively is by enforcing those laws. This is why when God gave the law, He laid down strict penalties for breaking them. He made rules that if they didn’t obey they were to be punished and in some cases they were even to be killed. This was God’s only option. But even though this was ordained by God, it was still only a partial, stop-gap measure. It was not his normal way of governing and it was a system that was only to last until He was able to restore His original system based on trust in Him.
The true solution
So we can see that the path to recovery had to take a certain direction; First, God had to find a way to give an unmistakable revelation of His character. He had to strike the problem at the root, where it originated. Yes, He could write it in a book, He could make a statement, He could say “I’m good. I love you all!” But no, that would not have been enough to overthrow the lie, there needed to be something that could not be mistaken, something that could not be faked or counterfeited. He needed something so clear and transparent that it would be clear that even God Himself could not fake what was revealed. Something in which not even God Almighty Himself could fool the people.
God not only had to reveal His character in this unmistakable way, but He also had to prove that His way of governing was the only effective way, that it was the best way. In addition to this, because He is a God of love, He also had to find a way to save those who were victims. When we think about it we realize that the poor people of planet Earth, so deeply infected by sin, are really victims. Some may not agree, but it is the truth; we are victims. We did not ask to be born, we did not ask to be born in a world that was under the dominion of Satan. We never took Adam’s decision, we were born in a bad situation and it wasn’t our fault, we are victims. Even though some of us will reject the opportunity for salvation and be lost at the end, we are still victims. The God of love not only wants to safeguard the universe, He wants to give us a chance, because we are victims. But He had to find a way to do it justifiably. He had to stay within the bounds of what is fair – fair even to Satan!
So the true solution to the assault against God’s kingdom has three parts:
1. An unmistakable revelation of God’s character
2. A revelation of the efficacy of God’s government
3. A way to justifiably save the victims.
These are the foundational issues in the universe, the issues which lie at the root of the terrible condition of planet earth and its inhabitants. Recovery and deliverance can only come when there is a recognition and acceptance of God’s answers to Satan’s distortions of the truth.
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A Right Spirit
Recently, I was blessed to see and enjoy another birthday, and I praised the Lord for this gift. My little three year old son, by listening to well wishers and other family members I suppose, recognized that somehow it was an important day in my life. He went into a corner by himself, scribbled some markings on a piece of paper, and brought it to me exultantly. “Look daddy!” he exclaimed, “I drew you a flower!”
I took the drawing from his hand and observed with amusement that the markings were indecipherable, looked absolutely nothing like a flower, and the whole thing was frankly, a complete mess. But yet, I felt a warm, tender feeling well up inside my heart, I looked at his eager little face, and with a broad smile I reached down and picked him up, hugged and kissed him, and told him how grateful I was for his gift. I told him he had made my day, and I really meant it.
You see, what made me react this way was not the quality or appropriateness of the gift. At his age, I expected absolutely nothing from him at all. But the attitude and the spirit of his gesture stirred me deeply, and it meant more to me than if an older, more aware person had bought me an expensive article. I took into consideration his intention and motive, and for me this was the greatest treasure of all.
To see that my son was trying, in his own limited, misguided little way to make me happy helped me to understand better how God wants me to relate to Him. I mean, ask yourself the question . . . what can I really give to God to bring Him joy? What gift can I present to a being who is almighty, omniscient, and who gives me all I have anyway? Can my good works impress Him? Can I give a big enough tithe to move Him? What can I give? If that question is considered for just a few seconds, the inevitable conclusion has to be reached that there is absolutely NOTHING! Nothing except the right attitude that is.
This point is reflected in the words of a man who was said to be ‘after God’s own heart,’ a man who truly epitomized the point I am trying to make here. David says in Psalm 51:10:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
What was David talking about when he made reference to a ‘right spirit?’ Does this verse imply that when it comes to dealing with God there is a right attitude, and by deduction, a wrong attitude? The answer is, definitely, yes!
David’s Attitude
The life of David, despite his great mistake, is an object lesson in what having a right spirit means. We can see this in several things which he did. Before he became king, his early years were spent dodging and evading a jealous, murderous enemy. Saul pursued him relentlessly, mercilessly and unreasonably all over the country, even though he was not guilty of any crime.
He took David’s wife and gave her to another man and became obsessed with thwarting God’s plan. As long as he was alive, David would never be king, even though he had been chosen by God himself. He, Saul, was the one great obstacle standing between David and His divine destiny.
Saul murdered the priests of Nob in cold blooded, fiendish rage, and Israel had grown tired of his cruelty and tyranny. They longed for the day when the slayer of Goliath and hero of Israel would take his rightful place on the throne, and they told David as much everywhere he went.
And then came David’s chance! On this night, Saul lay powerless before him, at his mercy. The scourge of his life, his nemesis and tormentor, the one blocking him from greatness and glory, was now in the palm of his hands. Sweet relief was a sword swing away, and surely this was a God-given opportunity! But David’s words show clearly the kind of attitude he had. We can see it in 1 Samuel 24:6:
And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. (1Sam 24:6)
David refused to harm one hair on Saul’s head, not because he was afraid to, not because Saul did not deserve it, and not because he was unaware of how miserable Saul had made his life and the life of his men. But he would not dare to harm the Lord’s anointed! He would not dare to make decisions of such magnitude against the will of the Lord. He would not dare to take steps to set up himself if it meant acting against God! He would not touch his deadliest enemy, because he would rather wait on the Lord to do things in His time and His way!
What a remarkable attitude! What devotion and humility! Even the chance to strike a blow and set up himself as king could not tempt David to act in a way that would be displeasing to God. THIS was the right spirit, the exemplary attitude which made him a man after God’s own heart. It was the spirit he displayed throughout his life, and we can see the same thing repeated shortly after when Saul, continuing his Satanic agenda, fell into David’s grasp a second time.
This time, he was more than justified to slay Saul. After sparing him the first time and hearing him promise to never pursue him again, here he was! This time he had broken his vow and proven beyond the shadow of a doubt his unworthiness! This time, Abishai offered to perform the deed and take the burden of guilt off David’s hands! Surely it should now have been a case of ‘once bitten, twice shy!’
But again, David showed the true state of his heart, refusing to act against God. 1 Samuel 26:9
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless? (1Sam 26:9)
Despite the urgings of his loyal men, despite Saul’s treachery and deceit, despite the myriads of reasons he had to act decisively this time, his concern was still . . . how can I act against someone chosen by God Himself? How can I move against the will of the Lord in my own wisdom? His attitude and spirit were right towards the Lord his God, and this is what moves and impresses the Lord!
When David plotted to destroy Uriah and take Bathsheba, he engaged in a series of actions which were all done in his own wisdom, to fulfil his own desires and lusts, and were carried out without consulting the Lord. For a moment, because he looked to himself and his own wants he lost the right spirit, and perpetuated a great evil in Israel. When he realized what he had done, his words show that he understood what he had lost, and he sought to regain it.
Psalm 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Ps 51:4)
Here we can see that David’s great concern was not his reputation, nor his own welfare, but the fact that he had betrayed the Lord, and displayed a rebellious spirit against Him. Psalm 51:10 shows that he recognized that the problem was not so much the action that he performed, but the spirit, the intention, the motive and attitude towards God which led to the action to begin with. I feel very confident that David regained that spirit, a right spirit, and despite his error, he will always be remembered as the man after God’s own heart.
The Spirit Jesus Taught
Jesus taught about having the right spirit as well. We can see an example of this in Mark 12:41-44:
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:41-44)
The focus of Jesus’ message here was attitude. What is important to God is not how much we can give to Him, how elaborate the words we use when addressing Him, or how much of a show we can put on for others to see. He is interested in those who have the right spirit! In fact, Jesus says the Father seeks people to worship Him in spirit and in truth. In the context of what I am saying here, the Father wants us to worship him with a true spirit! A spirit which says, my greatest desire is to please HIM! and if I fail in my actions sometimes, I still maintain the right spirit.
Jesus drew a contrast to this attitude by highlighting the wrong spirit also in Matthew 6:1-4:
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (Matt 6:1-4)
What we can see here is that many men do ‘good’ deeds, they perform morally upright actions and appear to be operating in the service of God. But their motives are totally, utterly wrong. The inward desire of their hearts is not to obey and honour the Father, but rather to be commended by men.
This is a fundamental distinction which encapsulates and summarizes in verity what God really wants from us. It is not our tithes, our good works, our upstanding reputations or faithful church attendance. But a heart that is submissive and truly desirous of pleasing Him. A heart which says, I will not do anything publicly or privately, because I want HIS approval, I want nothing to come between us, I am willing to submit my own desires and feelings to Him, just like David did.
This is what is meaningful to God, the right spirit! The inner condition of a person, and not his public displays. This is why he told Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7:
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1Sam 16:7)
This is what my son showed to me, in his own limited attempt to give me a gift on my birthday, he showed me a right spirit! And this is all our heavenly Father desires of us.
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Difference in The Two Covenants
David Clayton
The Christian landscape is in a doctrinal mess. There are so many differing ideas about every doctrine that sometimes it seems that there will never be unity of the faith within Christendom. God assures us that there will be unity among his people eventually, but it has to be admitted that when we look at the present situation it is hard to believe. Even on something as basic and straightforward as the two Covenants there is unexpected confusion. This week I came across a discussion on Facebook in which the following comments were made:
Covenant of experience vs time
The covenants are not to do with periods of time but of two different experiences (read Gal 4 21-31). These like Hagar and Sarah existed concurrently. These two experiences are represented by these two women. So the experiences exist concurrently. They have nothing to do with BC vs AD. (the Bible was divided like this by dispensational theologians).
Waggoner succinctly stated: The old covenant is, “we will do it.” The new covenant in action is, “Christ will do it through our faculties!”
It’s interesting to note dispensationalism originally came from Augustine and then Calvin picked it up, then Dr. Des Ford ran it through Adventism.
They (Imad & David) see it as periods of time. The 1888 messengers saw it as two different Christian experiences available all down through time. They both exist together. We all go through the old to get to the new. It’s a mindset not a time frame.
It’s always the same law or covenant. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That you don’t understand and this is a sad thing. Yeshua was the embodying of the Torah and the covenant. Your statements take away and steal from the amazing nature of the Eternal Elohim and makes confusion and mislead with western world pseudo wisdom.
Abraham and Moses and David etc etc lived via the faith of Jesus under the new covenant in the old testament and they did it God’s way!
These comments were not all made by one person, but are actually a collection of comments made by about four different people.
It is true that the two covenants may, in a secondary sense be applied to the personal experience of an individual Christian. Yes, many Christians do first of all try to seek God’s favor through their works, having an old Covenant mindset, before they come to understand the way of faith and abandon their efforts to please him by works and accept the way of faith. The apostle Paul does apply the two covenants experience in this way in Romans chapter 7, where he speaks of a person being brought to a state of helplessness and despair by the law, before he eventually comes to Christ. This is the application of the two covenants principle to an individual’s experience, but it is NOT the primary meaning of the two covenants in the Bible. Anyone who claims this is either abysmally ignorant of what the Bible teaches or is deliberately deceiving himself and others as to what the Bible says.
Rejection of truth
These people have focused on one aspect of the New Covenant, but they completely reject another aspect which is more significant and which brings greater truth and understanding. The two Covenants are events that are absolutely defined by time periods, this is so clearly taught in the Bible that it is a major puzzle to understand how people can deny this glaring truth. The New Covenant was implemented at the time of Jesus death and resurrection, before that time, what people had was a PROMISE of the New Covenant, but it had not yet been set up. In Hebrews chapter 9, the apostle Paul tells us,
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Heb 9:16-17)
This verse alone is sufficient to make the matter clear beyond debate. A Testament, a covenant is effective after the death of the person who makes it. It has no efficacy while the person is still alive. Paul was making this point in relation to Jesus’ new covenant. That covenant was not effective, did not go into effect until the “testator,” (that is Christ) was dead. This is why Jesus referred to the communion wine as “the new testament in my blood.” It was his death, the shedding of his blood, that made the covenant go into effect.
Again, in Galatians chapter 3 Paul shows us clearly that the two covenants existed in two different periods of time. First of all, he shows us that God promised the new covenant to Abraham through his Seed. Later on, the law was added to God’s dealings with his people. The covenant of the law, established at Sinai, was added as a temporary measure to discipline and school them until the promise to Abraham was fulfilled and Abraham’s seed, the new covenant, arrived. When this seed (Christ) arrived, the temporary covenant of the law was abolished and the new covenant was established.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Gal 3:16-19)
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal 3:24-25)
It was ADDED, “TILL” . . . . it was temporary and had an expiry point.
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (Heb 8:13)
Here we see clearly that there were two different covenants. The Old covenant had decayed and was already vanishing away in the times of the apostles. It is now completely gone, replaced by a “better covenant.”
Another misconception
Additionally, here is another aspect of the faulty understanding which these people have: They are basically fixated on the law and see it as the center of all God’s dealings with man. With such a focus, how can anyone escape the tentacles of legalism? So they conclude that both covenants are centered on the law.
1. The Old Covenant was simply the law written on stone.
2. The New Covenant is simply the law (the same law), written in the heart.
In this understanding the only difference between both covenants is the LOCATION of the law. The law itself remains exactly the same and the covenant remains the same in essence. The only difficulty was that the law was not being kept in the first instance. This is why in so many cases we find that people who hold to this misconception are determined feast-keepers and observers of many other aspects of the laws of Moses. If the only thing that changed was the location of the law and not the law itself, then obviously, it suggests that all the law still is relevant and needs to be observed!
But according to the Bible the two covenants involves much more than simply a change in the location of the law.
Firstly: The central issue in the covenants was not the law, it was the relationship between God and man. Yes, it is true that there was, and is no problem with the law (the ten commandments), but the question is not “how can we keep the law?” Above and beyond that is the greater question, “how can the relationship between man and God be restored?” This is the real issue. When the relationship is restored, the keeping of the law is a simple matter.
1. The Old Covenant proposed that this relationship should be established by the performance of the people – the keeping of the law.
2. The New Covenant proposed that this relationship should be established simply on the basis of faith in Christ.
Secondly: Along with the restored relationship, there was the issue of how to represent God properly. Here, the focus was on man’s behavior.
1. The old covenant proposed that this would be accomplished by man’s conformity to the law (which proved to be an impossibility)
2. The new covenant provided that this should be accomplished by Christ dwelling in the believer and imparting his own, resurrected, victorious life to him as a gift, thus enabling him to “walk in his laws.” Or simply, to behave as he Christ behaves. This victorious, resurrected life became available when Christ became the last Adam, not just our legal representative, but the source of our new life which makes us a part of his kingdom, members of the new human race.
In other words, it is not just a matter of the law moving to a new location, it is a matter of the form of the law changing.
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (Heb 7:12)
Originally it was a document consisting of 10 statements. In the New Covenant it is not a document, it is a New nature, inscribed in the spirit of the believer by the gift of the spirit of Christ which produces the image of God in man. Something that the document of ten statements could never possibly do! In Jeremiah chapter 31, God described it as the writing of the law on the hearts of believers. Typically, those who are law-oriented have interpreted this to mean the transference of the same 10 rules to the minds of believers. But it should be evident that God was referring – not to the letter of the law, not simply ten rules, but to the impartation of the nature and character of Christ to his people!
Ezekiel 36 gives a different perspective when it says that God will give them a new heart and a new spirit! Not ten rules, but a different spiritual nature! Now believers do not represent God by simply following ten rules, no, they represent God because God lives in them by the gift of his spirit. They live in harmony with the ten rules and much more! Because they are no longer responding to ten rules, but to a far greater source of instruction and truth, which is the spirit of the living God!
Paul describes this difference clearly in 2 Cor 3:
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (2Cor 3:6-8)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2Cor 3:17)
There are people who will be saved in spite of the fact that they kept the law very poorly, but NOBODY will be saved who is not a son of God. relationship is the issue. The law was only setup as a means of restoring this relationship under the Old Covenant, but as we all know, it never worked and never could.
The eternal doorway to being right with God (righteous) is faith in God. This is what some are referring to as the “everlasting covenant,” but again, faith is only a half of the process, the other half is the restoration of the image of God in the believer. Faith is the believers input, but the restoration of God’s image is accomplished ONLY through the gift of the spirit which came at Pentecost, the life of the resurrected, glorified Christ, the last Adam. This is our source of life and there is no other way by which one may be restored to the image of God. The keeping of the 10 commandments is only the byproduct of this righteous life.
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Nothing Like it
In all the universe there is no other government which operates on the same principle as God’s government.
All other governments operate on the principle of preserving order and cooperation through a system of LAWS AND ACCOMPANYING PUNISHMENTS.
God’s governing principle
God’s true government is within. He rules in His kingdom by sharing himself and his life with his people, he is with them and IN THEM! No other government can function like this, for God is the only one who is capable of living inside another person. This is why all other governments must fail . . . they operate on the basis of seeking conformity through external laws and rules.
Jesus’ mission
Jesus Is God’s General, His mission is to restore the universe to his Father, to re-establish that principle of God governing within, in all of the intelligent creation.
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph 1:22-23)
First of all, Jesus restores this relationship in himself. This is the only way in which God can truly be glorified; this is the only hope of bringing glory to God.
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col 1:26-27)
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Col 3:11)
How and whose glory
When Christ has accomplished this great work of restoration, then the universe will be back to its perfect, sinless condition where God is all, and living IN ALL!
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1Cor 15:28)
Not words nor angels
This amazing relationship can never be achieved through the ministry of angels (though they have a part to play), or through the ministry of the words of the Bible ( though it also is designed to play a part). It is only through the personal, literal indwelling of God and His Son that this system of living government can be achieved. All else, everything and anything else, will only lead to rank legalism, a formula for failure and frustration.
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Vitamin Supplements
Lenworth Frankson
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that our bodies require to function properly. While obtaining these nutrients through a balanced diet is ideal, there are situations where vitamin supplements become necessary. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why vitamin supplements may be recommended and the circumstances in which they can be beneficial for your health.
1. Nutrient Deficiencies
One of the primary reasons individuals turn to vitamin supplements is to address nutrient deficiencies. Sometimes, our diets fall short of providing specific vitamins or minerals in sufficient quantities. Common deficiencies include vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron. Vegetarians and individuals with limited food choices are particularly susceptible to these deficiencies. Supplements can bridge the nutritional gap and help maintain optimal health.
2. Malabsorption
Certain medical conditions and circumstances can hinder the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. Conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or gastric bypass surgery can compromise nutrient absorption. In such cases, healthcare professionals often recommend supplements to ensure that the body receives the necessary vitamins and minerals.
3. Increased Nutrient Needs
Throughout our lives, there are periods when our bodies require more vitamins and minerals. For instance, pregnant or breastfeeding women, growing children, athletes, and individuals recovering from illnesses have increased nutrient needs. Vitamin supplements can provide the extra support required to meet these demands and ensure good health.
4. Restricted Diets
People who follow restrictive diets, such as veganism or certain weight loss plans, might struggle to get all essential nutrients from their food choices. Supplements can serve as a valuable backup to ensure they meet their nutritional requirements.
5. Environmental Factors
The environment in which you live can influence your nutritional needs. For instance, in regions with limited sun exposure, vitamin D supplements may be advised to prevent deficiencies. Additionally, individuals residing in areas with limited access to fresh produce may find vitamin and mineral supplementation beneficial in maintaining overall health.
6. Elderly Individuals
As we age, our bodies may experience reduced nutrient absorption and increased nutrient requirements. Supplements can play a vital role in addressing deficiencies that are commonly seen in older adults, promoting overall well-being.
7. Chronic Health Conditions
Certain chronic illnesses and medications can interfere with nutrient absorption or metabolism. Individuals with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or osteoporosis may benefit from specific supplements to manage their health effectively.
8. Reduced risk of diseases
Some vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, are antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage. This can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Tips for Taking vitamins
Take supplements with food to improve absorption.
Avoid taking supplements with caffeine or alcohol, as these substances can interfere with absorption.
Take supplements at the same time each day so you don’t forget.
Store supplements in a cool, dry place.
It is also important to note that vitamin supplements can interact with certain medications. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any supplements you are taking, especially if you are taking any prescription medications.
It’s crucial to remember that vitamin supplements should complement, not replace, a well-balanced and diverse diet. Organic whole foods offer a spectrum of nutrients in their natural forms, which are often better absorbed by the body. Moreover, excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals can have adverse effects. Before starting any supplement regimen, consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian. They can assess your unique nutritional needs and discuss potential risks and benefits. In many cases, making dietary improvements may be the most appropriate solution to address nutrient deficiencies and maintain optimal health.
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;” Gen 1:29 (NASB)
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November 2023
Open Face is dedicated to the promotion and the restoration of apostolic Christianity. In particular to the restoration of those truths which have been cast down to the ground and trampled underfoot by the papacy, and adopted by her daughters.
Our purpose is to motivate our readers to commit themselves wholly to the task of personal preparation for the coming of the Lord, and to the taking of the final warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.
Open Face is published bi-monthly, and is sent free of cost to all who desire to receive it.
Editor: David Clayton
Publishing committee: Howard Williams
Karleen Williams
Jennifer Clayton
David Clayton
P.O. Box 23,
Knockpatrick, Manchester,
Jamaica, West Indies
+1 (876) 361-8555
email: vidclay@gmail.com
Website: http://www.restorationministry.com
