Compliance vs. Commitment (Law-Keepers vs. Faith-Keepers)
- His Servant - Rob McKee
- May 3, 2021
- 16 min read
Isaiah 1:18-20 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Today I would like to discuss commitment vs. compliance; law-keepers vs. lawbreakers; law-keepers vs. faith-keepers. There is a lot of controversy in the world over the subject of law-keeping. The keeping of the ordinances of The Law of Moses was come to an end with the true and final sacrifice that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made on Calvary. This is because, by keeping the ordinances of the Law of Moses, it only kept those law-keepers in a certain place before God as they waited on the coming of Christ.
The sacrifices made of the blood of bulls and goats, etc., only covered sins for a short period of time because the bulls and goats offered where not without blemish like Christ is. This is because they were made solely from the dust of the earth, which was made corrupt when Adam and Eve fell into sin. Ever try to wash dirt with mud? No, you have to mix your water with a cleaning agent, right? It takes something that is not already tainted to clean something that is. Makes sense, right? The animals were more innocent than the people though, obviously, because animals have no knowledge of good and evil. They also were not delivered a commandment that they could break, that might thereby making them capable of sin against God.
What purpose did The Law have then? Well, it was a shadow of the things to come. Remember how Jesus always spoke in parables? The Law speaks volumes to the Grace that came by Jesus, only in a metaphoric fashion, to the carnal man through life being lived a specific way in the flesh, here on earth. It was designed to make us aware of what sin is and to provide us with a baseline of what is and what is not acceptable with God. It also kept sin to a minimum until the coming of Christ. But there was more to keeping The Law than merely not breaking the 10 commandments. There were holydays that had to be observed a certain way, sacrifices for when people would find themselves with sin, and many other ordinances. Let’s not forget the Sabbath – in keeping it was a type and shadow representing the rest (peace), quietness of the mind, and joy that is to come when a person truly puts on Christ through and by plan found within The Word of God.
Let’s prove some of the things said thus far, shall we?
1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Hebrews 10:1-14 For The Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by The Law; 9Then said He, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. 14For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Galatians 3:23-26 But before faith came, we were kept under The Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 7:7-9 What shall we say then? Is The Law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by The Law: for I had not known lust, except The Law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without The Law sin was dead. 9For I was alive without The Law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Even today, when most people think of The Law, they think of the 10 commandments and what not to do, correct? If a person (and some people still try to, even though God has replaced it with Grace), were to try and keep The Law of Moses: by not doing the things written in The Law we are told not to do, and by performing all of the things that are in The Law that we were told, they would then become “compliant” with The Law. Paul was “compliant” prior to meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. Do you remember this statement?
Philippians 3:4-6 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching The Law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in The Law, blameless.
Paul was “blameless” as it pertained to the keeping of The Law. What this meant was that Paul worked as hard as he possibly could within his own strength to not sin before God and to also do everything that God told him to do through The Law. I’m sure that he also asked God for help and guidance, but Christ has not yet been glorified. He, therefore, of course, could not fully abstain from sin within his own strength. However, by this statement, I am sure that Paul did offer sacrifice to atone for his sin. Once he met Jesus Christ, he obviously realized that Faith in Jesus was much more important than keeping of The Law.
Philippians 3:7-12 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of The Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But Israel, which followed after The Law of righteousness, hath not attained to The Law of righteousness. 32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of The Law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.
So, does this mean that the commandments of The Law mean nothing now and that sin is not still sin in the sight of God? Of course not!
Romans 7:12-13 Wherefore The Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Sin is rebellion against God’s Will. God’s Will is that we would not do evil. In contrast, doing righteousness is doing what is right in the sight of God. These are not the same thing. Doing what is right will of course mean that we are not doing what is wrong. But refraining from wrongdoing does not necessarily mean that we are doing everything that God would have us to do either. Even so, everything that we do has consequences; both good and evil, depending on what it is that we do. Who does not know this?
Dueteronomy 11:26-28 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Sometimes, even doing nothing can have consequences:
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Unfortunately, The Law commanded people to be “compliant” to keep sin in check. It also could not remove sin from a person’s life. It only covered sin. So, the sin was still there. We all know what the consequences of sin is…
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
But Christ came to take away our sins:
1 John 3:5-8 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Again – The Law could not do this.
Hebrews 7:18-19 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19For The Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
How does Grace work? – through Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Remember what Paul said earlier? Philippians 3:9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of The Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith
Yes, we are saved by Grace, but it is through Faith. Faith is comprised of belief, hope, and trust. The proof of it, or “works of Faith” is to first believe, then upon belief is built trust, and finally trust yields obedience in the life that we live – The Life of Christ, if you will?
James 2:20-21 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
The thing about faith that we need to know and understand here is that, because faith is a product of trust: faith requires a commitment from us. This commitment is not to rebel against God’s Will, but rather to live a life in trust of God’s Will. Guess what? If we are truly living within God’s Will, then we will be obedient and there is no place for sin in obedience to God’s Will. Where do we find God’s Will? In His last published Will and Testament – The New Testament Word of God!
There are instructions in there, people! If we follow these instructions, they will not lead us into sin, but away from it! It’s not that we are being compliant by not doing the things that God told the world not to do. Instead we are committed to following Christ and Him only; not ourselves, not our own will, not the devil, and not this world.
What does it take to make a commitment like this? Aren’t commitments made between others that we trust? When we trust others and they do not betray that trust, what happens? Do we not find a love for one another in a mutual trustworthy relationship?
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Well, what else is there to love? -God’s Word, Jesus Christ!
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
What does the Bible say about the Word of God? Many things, but let’s read this scripture…
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Commitment is all about the heart Folks. To serve God in Grace and Truth, you have to have a heart to do it. You have to be committed from the heart. You have to love and cherish God’s Word. This includes the instructions and commandments found within not only the New Testament, but all of it! You see, God and His Word are one in the same. He does not change. The commandment was given to show mankind that they needed a savior; it convinced them that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But we are not saved by The Law, neither by sin. We are saved by Grace. The Law diagnosis sin, Grace cures it.
John 1:17 For The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Of course, Grace is a gift. We cannot purchase it, we cannot earn it. It must be given to us by God. This gift is given as the indwelling Spirit of God. Remember how I said that commitment has all to do with the heart? If our heart is infested with sin from birth, then God is the only one who can change that. He does so by drawing us closer through our faith in His Word. The more we can see of Him, the more we can believe, and eventually begin to trust Him. Once He sees that we are earnest and fully committed, He will give us what we need to fulfill that commitment.
Acts 15:8-9 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Once again, it has all to do with the heart. A heart that is committed to serve God will perform His Will. A heart that is fixed on the things of this world will rebel against God because the ways of this world are totally contrary to the ways of God. We have to have our mind made up and be totally committed.
Proverbs 11:27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Romans 8:5-9 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to The Law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
It all starts with belief in The Truth; that God sincerely wants to save us from all sin:
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; 26That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
I’m pretty sure that we can say that sin is a blemish. It certainly has nothing to do with holiness, right? Christ wants to save us from all sin. He came to cleanse us from our sin; to remove it from our being. If we can believe this, then we have the first ingredient of true Faith in God’s Word. Until Christ’s initial resurrection took place and was witnessed: the death, burial, and resurrection were all earthly shadows of the things to come in a true follower’s life, spiritually speaking.
When we seek God and Christ comes into our heart we are then committed to die to sin, just like Jesus was born into this world destined and then committed to be crucified on the cross. Once He helps us to bury our old sinful nature, we are then resurrected in His life. He is now living His life through us. What kind of life does Jesus live?
1 Peter 2:21-22 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth
Once we are committed to partaking in His death, burial, and resurrection in our lives, He gives us power to follow through by becoming as He is.
Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name
1 John 3:1-6 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. 4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also The Law: for sin is the transgression of The Law. 5And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.
Who here has ever made a commitment and broken it? I know that I have in my past. In some cases, I probably was not totally committed. Maybe I didn’t think about all of the potential consequences of the commitment first, so I did not honor my word and backed out. I’m sure, as a sinner, I did this many times. Other times, however, I made commitments with every intention of keeping them, but I did not have the ability or maybe the willpower within myself to keep up with those commitments.
More good news about The Salvation of God: is that it is His Work being perfected in us! We make the commitment, we put effort towards seeking Him, we put effort towards doing the right thing whenever we have opportunity, and He takes care of the rest. He gives us the power to follow through with our commitment.
Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psalms 26:1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
There is nothing to fear in making this commitment, so long as you truly believe that God is capable of sustaining you.
Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Serving Christ really is about commitment. God does not want compliant servants, He wants people who are committed as friends.
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Something to think about…
There is a difference between a good-nature and obedient child, versus a rebellious child. Each have a different nature about them:
If a father and mother shows their children love from a young age, they grow up to trust them and love them back. These love grows in their children and encourages them to further instruct them once they begin to get older, because the parents see the fruit of their labor in their children’s’ behavior. They more they loves them, the more they instruct them to do what is good because they also know that when their children do good, they are rewarded for the good in return. The more that the parents instruct them, the more that the children also love them and are committed to do whatever it is that makes the parents happy. By doing what they have been instructed to make their parents happy, they receive blessings because their works are good and not evil.
Jesus speaking – John 15:9-15 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends. 14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
It takes true love and true commitment to do good in God’s sight, especially when the reward is not immediate. Because the punishment is also not immediate, it is hard for many people to make a commitment to do good.
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: 13But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Many are called to try out for the opportunity to become a child of God. Like a play, “they get themselves” into “character” and are compliant to some things for a while, being righteous in their own way; within their own ability. Few, however, are chosen to actually become a child of God because they are the only people who are able to commit to loving and serving Him in true holiness.
Most people simply do not “believe” that Our Lord is able to make His Word come to pass. They do not believe that we must suffer, dying spiritually, our past reputation be buried, and then become spiritually resurrected; living an entirely new and wholesome life in this “dressing room” we call “Earth”.
Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. – The Lord Jesus Christ
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Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
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