The Conditional Security of the Believer

If a picture paints a thousand words, then we should picture the word "if" in golden letters. You see, God has spoken this simple, two-letter word in the Scriptures with regard to our great and glorious salvation, yet so many seem to have missed it.

The popular view of the New Covenant of grace is that reaching heaven is automatic for all Christians. It is assumed that once a person gives his life to Jesus, he is going to make it into the kingdom of heaven no matter what. However, the Bible teaches that there are specific conditions of the New Covenant, just as there were also conditions of the Old Covenant. Let's look at some of those conditions in God's Word, as well as some warnings, which are negative conditions.

I will not include all the conditions, but primarily the ones that contain the golden word "if", which is a primary particle of conditionality. That may be a little word, but it has significant implications for each one of us, when used in the context of the conditions of the covenant in Christ's blood. Therefore, in this article, I will capitalize the word "IF" for emphasis.

Positive Conditions
We begin with the positive conditions.

Enter Through Christ Alone
Jesus said, "I am the door; IF anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (Joh 10:9)

Hear the Lord's Voice and Open the Door of Your Heart
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; IF anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20)

Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
“And He was saying to them all, ‘IF anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” (Luk 9:23)

Become United with Christ in His Death
“For IF we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection…” (Rom 6:5)

“Now IF we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him…” (Rom 6:8; cf., 2Ti 2:11)

“But IF by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Rom 8:13b)

Suffer with Christ
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, IF indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Rom 8:16-17)

Keep His Commandments and Keep His Word
“And He said to him, ‘Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but IF you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’" (Mat 19:17)

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘IF you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’" (Joh 8:31-32)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, IF anyone keeps My word he will never see death." (Joh 8:51)

"IF you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (Joh 14:15)

Jesus answered and said to him, "IF anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (Joh 14:23)

“"You are My friends IF you do what I command you.” (Joh 15:14)

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, IF we keep His commandments.” (1Jn 2:3)

“As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. IF what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (1Jn 2:24)

Hold Fast the Word
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, IF you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain." (1 Cor 15:1-2)

Love One Another
“No one has seen God at any time; IF we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” (1Jn 4:12)

Walk in the Light as He is in the Light
“But IF we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1Jn 1:7)

Judge Ourselves Honestly
“But IF we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.” (1Co 11:31)

Eat of Christ, the Living Bread
"I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven; IF anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."  (Joh 6:51)

Be Freed by the Son
"So IF the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (Joh 8:36)

Become a Son
“Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and IF a son, then an heir through God.” (Gal 4:7)

Be in Christ and Belong to Him
“Therefore IF anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2Co 5:17)

“And IF you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.” (Gal 3:29)

Do the Deeds of Abraham
“Jesus said to them, ‘IF you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham.’” (Joh 8:39b)

Forgive Others For Their Transgressions
"For IF you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Mat 6:14; cf., Mk 11:25)

Your Eyes Must Be Clear
"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then IF your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.” (Mat 6:22)

Confess with Your Mouth Jesus as Lord, and Believe in Your Heart That God Raised Him from the Dead
“…IF you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved: for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Rom 10:9-10)

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat 10:32)

Hold Fast Our Confidence and the Boast of Our Hope Firm Until The End
“But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house--whose house we are, IF we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (Heb 3:6)

“For we have become partakers of Christ, IF we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,” (Heb 3:14)

Continue in the Faith Firmly Established and Steadfast, and Not Moved Away from the Hope of the Gospel
"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- IF indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister." (Col 1:21-23).

Endure to the End
“IF we endure, we will also reign with Him… IF we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2Ti 2:12a,13).

"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." (Mat 24:13)

Your Heart Must Not Condemn You
“Beloved, IF our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God…”(1Jn 3:21)

Those Who Have Strayed from the Truth Must Turn Back to God
“My brethren, IF any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (Jas 5:19-20)

Confess Our Sins
“IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jn 1:9)

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And IF anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;” (1Jn 2:1)

Warnings Against Failing to Meet the Conditions
In addition to all the positive conditions listed above, we are also warned in Scripture of the following negative conditions.

Do Not Harden Your Hearts
“He again fixes a certain day, ‘Today,’ saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, ‘Today IF you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’" (Heb 4:7)

Do Not Refuse Him Who Speaks
“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For IF those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.” (Heb 12:25)

Do Not Neglect Salvation Through Transgression and Disobedience
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape IF we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard…” (Heb 2:1-3)

Do Not Fall Away
“For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but IF it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”  (Heb 6:4-8)

Do Not Fall Short of the Promise of Entering His Rest
“Therefore, let us fear IF, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.” (Heb 4:1)

Do Not Go On Sinning Willfully After Coming to Know the Truth
“For IF we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” (Heb 10:26)

Do Not Shrink Back
“But My righteous one shall live by faith; and IF he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Heb 10:38)

Do Not Become Weary in Doing Good
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap IF we do not grow weary.” (Gal 6:9)

Do Not Lose Heart When the Lord Rebukes You or Make Light of His Discipline
“But IF you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” (Heb 12:8)

Do Not Become Tasteless Salt
"You are the salt of the earth; but IF the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” (Mat 5:13)

Do Not Fail to Deal Radically with Sin to Remove It
"IF your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” (Mat 5:29)

"IF your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Mat 5:30)

Forgive Others from Your Heart
"But IF you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Mat 6:15; cf., Mk 11:26)

"And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, IF each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."  (Mat 18:34-35)

Do Not Hate Your Brother
“IF someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1Jn 4:20)

Guard Your Eyes, So That You Do Not Become Filled with Darkness
"But IF your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Mat 6:23)

Do Not Become Entangled Again in the Defilements of the World
“For IF, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.” (2Pe 2:20-21)

''But IF that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mat 24:48-51)

Do Not Fail to Carry Your Cross and Follow Jesus, Even at the Expense of Family Relationships
"IF anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luk 14:26-27)

Do Not Fail to Listen to Moses and the Prophets and Believe Christ's Words
"But he said to him, 'IF they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Luk 16:31)

"For IF you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But IF you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" (Joh 5:46-47)

Do Not Have Dead Faith without Works
“What use is it, my brethren, IF someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?… Even so faith, IF it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (Jas 2:14,17)

Do Not Love the World nor the Things of the World
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. IF anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1Jn 2:15)

"For what is a man profited IF he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luk 9:25)

Do Not Worship the Beast and His Image or Receive a Mark on the Right Hand or Forehead
“Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘IF anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." (Rev 14:9-11)

Do Not Fail to Abide in Christ
"IF anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” (Joh 15:6)

Do Not Be Arrogant nor Fail to Continue in God's Kindness
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but IF you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for IF God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, IF you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Rom 11:17-22)

Do Not Live According to the Flesh
“For IF you are living according to the flesh, you must die…” (Rom 8:13a)

Do Not Walk in Darkness
“IF we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;” (1Jn 1:6)

Do Not Deny Your Own Sin
“IF we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1Jn 1:8)

“IF we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1Jn 1:10)

Keep a Tight Rein on Your Tongue
“IF anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.” (Jas 1:26)

Don't Fail to Wake Up
“'So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore IF you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” (Rev 3:3)

Don't Destroy the Temple of God
“IF any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” (1Co 3:17)

Don't Deny Christ
“IF we deny Him, He also will deny us.” (2 Tim 2:12b)

"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat 10:33)

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." (Luk 9:26) 

Don't Fail to Love the Lord
“IF anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.” (1Co 16:22)

Putting it All Together
As we have seen in God's Word, reaching heaven is not automatic once you say a prayer to accept Christ. It is not a foregone conclusion. Nor is it assumed that you will reach heaven, simply because you sincerely gave your life to Jesus at one time and still consider yourself a true believer.

There are clearly some conditions we are required to meet. We must do the following: Enter through Christ alone. Hear the Lord's voice and open the door of your heart. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. Become united with Christ in His death. Suffer with Christ. Keep His commandments and keep His Word. Hold fast the Word of God. Love one another. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Judge yourself honestly. Eat of Christ, the Living Bread. Be freed by the Son. Become a Son. Be in Christ and belong to Him. Do the deeds of Abraham. Forgive others for their transgressions. Your eyes must be clear. Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. Continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel. Endure to the end. Your heart must not condemn you. Those who have strayed from the truth must turn back to God. Confess your sins. This is not a complete list, but it gives you a good idea of the conditions God requires for those who wish to reach heaven. Examples of other conditions include the following: (Heb 12:14; Mt 19:21; Lk 9:24).

Those who meet the conditions of the New Covenant receive the following promises: We will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. We will be true disciples of Christ. We will know the truth and the truth will make us free. We will be free indeed. We are new creatures; the old things passed away; all things have become new. We will have continual communion with the Lord. We will come to share in Christ. We will be the Lord’s friends. We will have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. A multitude of sins will be covered. We will be forgiven our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness. Our whole bodies will be full of light. We will have confidence before God. We will have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The Lord Jesus and the Father will love us, and will come to us and make Their abode with us. We will be God’s house. God will abide in us, and His love will be perfected in us. We will abide in the Son and in the Father. We shall be in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection. We shall also live with Him. We will enter into life. We will live forever. We will never see death. Our souls will be saved from death. We will be children of Abraham. We will be heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Jesus will confess us before His Father who is in heaven. He will present us before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach. We will also be glorified with Him. We will also reign with Him. We will have treasure in heaven.

There are also many warnings in Scripture against failing to meet the conditions. The following are some examples of these warnings or negative conditions: Do not harden your heart. Do not refuse him who speaks. Do not neglect salvation through transgression and disobedience. Do not fall away. Do not fall short of the promise of entering his rest. Do not go on sinning willfully after coming to know the truth. Do not shrink back. Do not become weary in doing good. Do not lose heart when the Lord rebukes you or make light of His discipline. Do not become tasteless salt. Do not fail to deal radically with sin to remove it. Forgive others from your heart. Do not hate your brother. Guard your eyes, so that you do not become filled with darkness. Do not become entangled again in the defilements of the world. Do not fail to carry your cross and follow Jesus, even at the expense of family relationships. Do not fail to listen to Moses and the prophets and believe Christ's words. Do not have dead faith without works. Do not love the world nor the things of the world. Do not worship the beast and his image or receive a mark in your right hand or forehead. Do not fail to abide in Christ. Do not be arrogant nor fail to continue in God's kindness. Do not live according to the flesh. Do not walk in darkness. Do not deny your own sin. Don’t open your mouth easily. Don't fail to wake up. Don't destroy the temple of God. Don't deny Christ.

Some of the negative consequences for failing to meet the conditions include the following: Being in a worse state than before you ever came to Christ. Being disqualified to be a disciple of Christ. Being illegitimate children and not sons. Being devoid of the truth. Having worthless religion that does you no good. Being useless to God. Being caught off guard by the return of Christ, as a thief in the night. Being denied by Christ before His Father who is in heaven. Being denied forgiveness by God. God’s soul would have no pleasure in you. Failing to enter the promised eternal rest. Being unable to escape eternal punishment. Losing your life. Being destroyed by God. You must die. Being handed over to the torturers. Being thrown out and trampled under foot by men. Being cut to pieces and assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Your whole body would be thrown into hell. Being in darkness. Being unable to repent. Being cut off.  Being burned. Tormented with fire and brimstone. Being accursed.

Therefore, Scripture clearly teaches definite conditions that must be met by those who have entered into the New Covenant with Christ, and if we want to reach heaven, we must meet these conditions. Otherwise we will suffer an even worse punishment than the wicked.

This message is not being preached or taught in most churches, because it's not popular and it doesn't feel good. People like to preach only the positive side of the gospel or the benefits we receive, but they neglect speaking about the negative side or the warnings we must heed. Nevertheless, both the positive and negative sides are part of the gospel. All of these are conditions that must be fulfilled.

I hope you take it to heart and let it encourage you as well as warn you of areas where your soul is in danger. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that is hidden that must go, and then when He does, repent with all your heart and cry out for forgiveness. Mercy is only available while you are on earth. God's standard for heaven is high and He's not going to lower it for anyone. It's high time we get back to the true gospel, seeking holiness and consecration to God.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, unless otherwise noted.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy New Testament Books Disproving Eternal Security, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Drifting Away, Is Obedience Optional?, The Apostasy Parables, Obedience by the Spirit, The Obedience of Faith, Holy Living in a Perverted World, Aim for Perfection, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, Baptized with the Spirit, Holy Fire Baptism, The Straight and Narrow Path, Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God, Pleasing the Lord, The Burning Ones, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies, Ask for the Ancient Paths, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, Keeping a Good Conscience, Separation from the World, Having a Servant's Heart, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, Righteous Deeds and White Robes, Doing What is Right, The Ways of Life, and Listen to Jesus, Who Upholds Moses and the Prophets. You can find more of my articles related to Working God's Way on the Home page of this blog. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

Remember the Eternal Law of God

The New Covenant Church should remember the Law of Moses, since it has not been abolished, even though the Old Covenant has become obsolete. I'd like to explore what that means for Christians, according to God's Word.

In Mal 4:4, it states, “Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.” (Mal 4:4)

Matthew Henry, the 17th century Puritan preacher, faithful pastor, and Bible commentator stated: “…if we expect the benefit of the [new] covenant with Israel (Heb 8:10), we must observe the commands given to Israel, those of them that were intended to be of perpetual obligation.”

Henry continued, "The summary of our duty, with reference to the law: We must remember it. Forgetfulness of the law is at the bottom of all our transgressions of it; if we would rightly remember it, we could not but conform to it. We should remember it when we have occasion to use it, remember both the commands themselves and the sanctions wherewith they are enforced. The office of conscience is to bid us remember the law.”

He continued, “Even when we have made considerable advances in knowledge we must still retain the first principles of practical religion and resolve to abide by them. Those that study the writings of the prophets, and the apocalypse, must still remember the law of Moses and the four gospels.”

After all, Jesus Himself quoted Malachi 3:1, when He said of John the Baptist, “This is the one about whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'” (Mt 11:10; cf. Mal 3:1; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27).

And the angel Gabriel quoted Malachi 4:6 in Luke 1:17, "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." (Mal 4:6)

In his letter to the Romans, Paul quoted Malachi 1:2, “'I have loved you,' says the LORD. But you say, 'How have You loved us?' 'Was not Esau Jacob's brother?' declares the LORD. 'Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.'" (Mal 1:2-3; cf. Rom 9:13)

The apostle Paul alluded to Malachi 3:6, which says "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed," when he wrote "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb 13:8).  The Lord Jesus Christ who taught us His ways in the gospels is the same, living Word of God found throughout the Scriptures, including the Law of Moses. He did not change His ways when He stepped out of eternity into time, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  He is the same yesterday -- as far back as eternity, today, and forever.

The will of God doesn't change.  It is the same throughout all generations, and His will is found in His Holy Word, which endures forever. "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." (Isa 40:8). That's why the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 Jn 2:17b), because he lives according to the pattern of the living, enduring eternal, Word of God.  For our Lord said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." (Mat 7:21)

So we cannot accept only certain verses from Malachi for today and not accept all of them.  The same prophet who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the verses that were quoted and alluded to in the New Testament also wrote in chapter 4 verse 4 that we must “Remember the law of Moses…”  

One last note about Malachi is that he ended this last inspired book written before the coming of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ by mentioning both Moses and Elijah with these words, “Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.” (Mal 4:4-5). And these were the two men who appeared alive and speaking with our Lord Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew stated, “And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.”  (Mat 17:2-3)

So there is ample evidence in the Bible that we are to remember the Law and the Prophets.  Our Lord in His Word has sanctioned them, and consistently set His seal of approval on them. It is Jesus who said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 5:17-19)

Christ in us fulfills the law and prophets. But it’s not all automatic without any participation or action on our part. It happens as we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus, abiding in Him, walking in the Spirit, doing the will of God. He is all about fulfilling the law and the prophets. That’s what He came to do (Mt 5:17).  So if it is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me (Gal 2:20), then He will be fulfilling the law and prophets in my life and through it.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:3-4)

As Paul said, the Lord Jesus fulfills the righteous requirement of the Law within those who live according to the Holy Spirit, and not according to the flesh.

The Unity of the Scriptures
The Scriptures are like an expensive pearl necklace.  Each pearl is a Scripture and they are all connected to each other. You cannot take out one Scripture verse and say that doesn’t apply, but keep the other one.  If you remove one, they all fall off and you have nothing.  The Scriptures can only be accepted in their entirety.

"Every word of God is flawless." (Pr 30:5)

"...Your Truth is everlasting..." (Ps 117:2b)

"...Your commands are my delight. Your statutes are forever right." (Ps 119:143b-144a)

"Your Word, O Lord, is eternal…" (Ps 119:89.)

"...All your commands are true. Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever." (Ps 119:151b-152).

"All your righteous laws are eternal." (Ps 119:160b)

"All your precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever." (Ps 111:8)

"Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands." (Ps 112:2)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2Ti 3:16-17).

This is why Jesus said that His disciples were becoming teachers of the Law, who would bring out new treasures as well as old. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Mt 13:52).

Let us remember the Law of Moses and allow our consciences to be trained by it once again, according to the working of the Holy Spirit within us.  And let every teacher of the law who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven bring out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old, proclaiming the whole counsel of God written in His Word, including the Law of Moses.

The Bible's highest purpose is to reveal God’s character. We approach God through His Son Jesus Christ, through His cross and through His shed blood, not through observance of the Law and its ritual sacrificial system. The Bible says that we must not observe the Law, and yet we must observe God's commandments, those of them that were intended to be of perpetual obligation.

As Roland Buck said in his book, Angels on Assignment, “Since we are now justified, we have already been accepted by God, so these other things which are done by our own efforts and our own spiritual achievement are not for the purpose of God's acceptance...” We do these things because we love God and love our neighbor, as Jesus taught us! As our love abounds more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, we are enabled to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God (Phil 1:9-11).  " For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" ( Rom. 13:8b ). "Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" ( Rom. 13:10b ).

If you are interested in a more detailed explanation, I strongly recommend reading the following articles below, beginning with the ones in the left column:

Is Obedience Optional? The Law of Christ  The Law Fulfilled in Us The Law Established Through Faith The Cost of Discipleship Faith Works! Costly Grace Deleted Scriptures in the Bible? Did Jesus Nail the Law to the Cross? The Obedience of Faith Righteousness by Faith not Law Listen to Jesus

Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God Aim for Perfection Righteous Deeds and White Robes Doing What is Right Your Rewards Are Based on Your Practice Partaking of the Divine Nature Walking in the Perfect Will of God Pressing on Toward the Goal Obedience by the Spirit The Law is Good if Used Lawfully What Then Must We Observe?

Examples of Perpetual Commands
We are not under law but under grace (Rom 6:14).  Yet as Matthew Henry said, “We must observe the commands given to Israel, those of them that were intended to be of perpetual obligation.”

For example, the apostles and elders of the first century Church issued the following decreed for Gentile disciples: "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." (Act 15:28-29). We Gentile believers must still abstain from eating certain things, namely food sacrificed to idols, blood, and the meat of strangled animals. We must also abstain from fornication. This decree was based upon the law under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

In the book of Malachi, we also see numerous references to other such commands intended to be of perpetual obligation. They are important to God, and we know these are still important today, since He changes not. We are the ones who have turned aside from His decrees and changed, not Him. 

"From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?'”  (Mal 3:7)

The Lord is calling us to return to Him, not to the Old Covenant. He is calling us to submit to God's righteousness, not to the Law.  We are not seeking to establish our own righteousness, because we know the righteousness of God that comes by faith. We are not endeavoring to keep up the Law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ.

However, the Lord also said in Malachi 3:5 that in the day of His coming, which is the future, second coming of Christ (not Old Testament Days), He will come near for judgment and be quick to testify against those evildoers who have gone stray from His commands.  Therefore, I’d like to give some examples of violations of His commands, so that you understand clearly what I mean by "remembering the Law":

They include, but are not limited to robbing God (Mal 3:8-10; Mt 22:21), divorcing treacherously (Mal 2:14-16; Mt 5:31-32; Rom 7:1-3; 1 Cor 7:10-11,12-13), marrying non-believers (Mal 2:11; Ezra 9-10; 2 Cor 6:14 – 7:1), offering Him second best or less than our best (Mal 1:6-14), saying harsh things against Him (Mal 3:13-15), turning from the way and causing many to stumble (Mal 2:7-8; Mt 18:6), turning away from His decrees (Mal 3:6-7), sorcery (Mal 3:5; Rev. 21:8; 22:15), adultery (Mal 3:5; Mt 5:27-28), perjury (Mal 3:5; Mt 5:33-37), defrauding laborers of their wages (Mal 3:5; James 5:4), oppressing widows and orphans (Mal 3:5; James 1:27), depriving aliens of justice (Mal 3:5), and not fearing the Lord (Mal 3:5; Mt 10:28; Ac 9:31; 13:26; Rev 15:4).  All of these are still sins in the sight of God. However, this is not an all-inclusive list.  For more examples from the New Testament, please see my articles, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven and Abominations in the Sight of God.

Examples of Obsolete Laws
Although the perpetual commandments of God still do apply to Christians today, it is important to note that many biblical laws were given only to ancient Israel, and do not apply to us today. I would like to give some examples, so that you have the ability to know which ones do not apply.

For example, there were various regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary (Heb 9:1). These are now obsolete, and we understand that they were shadows and types of the things to come under the New Covenant. In other words, they are illustrations for the present time (Heb 9:9).  As Paul said, “They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” (Heb 9:10).  These regulations pertained to the tabernacle, the arrangement of its furnishings, ceremonies, priestly duties, animal blood sacrifices, gifts, and offerings, including food and drink (Heb 9:2-8).

There were also regulations that required the observance of days and months and seasons and years, such as the seven annual feasts of Israel (Lev 23; Gal 4:10).  As I wrote about in my article, God’s Priorities Seen in the Jewish Feasts, the feasts typify God’s seven priorities. The Passover of the Lord illustrated the blood of Jesus (Lev 23:4-5; Exo 12:26-27; Mat 26:26-28; Heb 10:19). The Festival of Unleavened Bread illustrated our fellowship and communion with God (Lev 23:6; Luk 12:1; 1Co 5:7-8). The Festival of First Fruits illustrates that Jesus Is Alive! (Lev 23:9-10; 1 Cor 15:20). The Festival of Pentecost illustrated the promise of the Holy Spirit (Lev 23:15-16; Act 2:1-6). The Festival of Trumpets illustrated that we must go tell the world the good news of Jesus Christ (Lev 23:23-24; Mat 28:18-20). The Day of Atonement illustrated that the atonement of Jesus is Everlasting (Lev 23:26-27; Heb 9:24-25; 13:11-12). Finally the Festival of Tabernacles illustrated the return of Jesus Christ (Lev 23:33-34; 1Th 4:15-17), which is the only one of these feasts that has not been fulfilled, and it will be fulfilled soon! These festivals were so important to God that he had Israel rehearse them every year.

For more help on which laws are obsolete, please read the book of Hebrews.

The Ways of God Are Eternal
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses wrote the Torah (Law), which is the first five books of the Bible. Even Genesis is part of the Law, in which he recorded events that occurred before God established the Mosaic covenant with Israel. Before the Mosaic covenant, there were people like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, who did the right thing and were righteous, although they did not have the written code. Even the apostle Paul held up the lives of these people of faith as shining examples for us in Hebrews 11. Abel was a righteous man (He 11:4), Enoch pleased God (He 11:5), Noah became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith (Heb 11:7), and Abraham obeyed God. They all did so by faith, just as we are supposed to do. They obeyed God without having the written code. Although they did not have the Law, they instinctively did the things of the Law, and they showed the work of the Law written in their hearts (Rom 2:14-15).

When Moses wrote about them, he surely knew that and gave an account of their lives in such a way that described how they did so. That included the tithes given by Abraham and Jacob (Genesis 14:20; 28:20-22), as well as the sacrifices offered by Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Jacob.  God said of Abraham that he, "obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws." (Gen 26:5).

Therefore, the eternal law of God predates the Mosaic covenant and outlives it. The ways of God are not limited to one covenant relationship that He had with a people or a person. While we are no longer bound to the Mosaic covenant and its particular requirements, we are not free from God’s eternal law, but are under Christ’s law (1 Cor 9:21).

Although the sacrificial laws have now been fulfilled by Christ's one sacrifice for all on the cross (Heb 9:28), we still offer the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips that openly profess His name (Heb 13:15).  We still have sacrificial giving, sacrificial service, and each one of us as His disciples has to offer to God the living sacrifice of our bodies, as we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Rom 12:1; Lk 9:23). His law of love, His character, and His ways can be seen all throughout the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable (2 Tim 3:16).

All God's ways are righteous and true (Rev 15:3). Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (Jn 14:6).  As the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus loves all the ways of God, which are eternal.  They are the ways of life! (Ac 2:28; Ps 16:11).  He reveals them to us, and enables us to walk in them by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.  His precious blood frees us from the power of sin, not only so that we can be forgiven, but also so we might die to sin and live to righteousness. There is no other way to the Father except through Jesus Christ.  It’s always only through a personal relationship with Him, not through your observance of the Law. (Also see The Ways of Life).

Other Scriptures
Our Lord said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” (Joh 15:10) 

"No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him."  (1Jn 3:6)

"No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."  (1Jn 3:9)

"The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."  (1Jn 3:24)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mat 28:19-20).

"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26)

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law." (Rom 3:28)

"Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law." (Rom 3:31, NIV).  Since Paul said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we uphold the Law, you can be sure Jesus upholds the law.

"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says...If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command." (1 Cor 14:34,37).

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise— 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'” (Eph 6:1-3; cf., Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16).

"Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." (Rev 14:12)

Putting it All Together
Many biblical laws were given only to ancient Israel, and do not apply to us today. Yet other laws do apply to Christians today.  Therefore, those of us who are under grace must remember the Law of Moses, because it teaches us the eternal ways of God. The Law has not been deleted, set aside, done away with, or erased.  Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.  Jesus did not call us to be lawless people or lawbreakers.

Granted, we are not to concern ourselves with ceremonial law like circumcision or animal sacrifices. We are not endeavoring to keep up the law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ. But the Ten Commandments, for example, are very clearly meant for all generations.  These still represent what pleases God today, and we express our love for Him by keeping His commandments.  Keeping God’s commands in what counts! (1 Cor 7:19b).

Jesus and the apostles taught from the Law. But we do not simply keep the letter of the Law, which is what man sees on the outward.  For the letter kills. Rather, we keep the true spirit and intent of the Law, which goes much deeper and gives life. This is only possible by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

We are not justified by doing the works of the Law.  It is only when we put our faith in Christ that He justifies us. When you know the Lord personally, you have true righteousness, the righteousness of God, and this is the intent or “end goal” of the law. Once you are justified, you will be led by the Spirit to be a doer of the Law (James 1:25; 4:11). 

Finally, always remember that we can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus (Jn 15:5), and if you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love (Jn 15:10). He Who lives in us fulfills the Law in us.  It's not something you have to force, or do legalistically, but it happens as you open up and receive the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to flow through you. 

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. Ten Commandments image from Richard Harrison's article called God's Ten Commandments.  The "Every Word of God is Flawless" image used in this article is by my sixteen-year-old daughter, C.V. Lacroix.  You can find more of her fine artwork at A Brush with Life.

Author's note:  If you enjoyed this post, I highly recommend Wesley and Henry on the Gospel Law, The Spirit's Law of Life, Abominations in the Sight of God, Holy Living in a Perverted World, Garments of Godliness, Is Tithing Required?, Keeping Sundays Holy, Is Practical Righteousness a Lost Truth?, Practicing Your Righteousness, The Law Established Through Faith, Pleasing the Lord, Why Paul Lived Like a Jew Among the Jews,  Holding Fast the Faithful Word, and the other posts available through the links on the Home page.  You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Him.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.