Memory Verses: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 | Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28 | Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31 | And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common. Acts 10:15 | For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

When you read something like the words of Nehemiah 13, calling for the putting away of “strange wives” and excommunication of certain people from the congregation, keep these words in perspective. Did it really happen? Yes. Does this mean that you are now, therefore -post resurrection (of Christ), clear to go and get a divorce so you can fulfill that law? No. The mercy of God has been extended beyond the law. We are not to use the Word to heap additional offense on top of sin; that being said, some people do err because they have been taught to do so. But we are accountable for sins of commission and omission. Not giving people the whole story is breeding a brand of weakness of which the Lord is tired. And how can they be strong unless they hear?

We who are baptized into the body of Christ are justified by the blood of His sacrifice; and have been delivered from the law of sin and death. This law divides people by race and culture and money and royalty and more.

Does this mean that we should enter into marriage lightly, forsaking our faith? No. It means that we are no longer justified by the law (of sin and death) itself – as it was before Calvary’s testimony; thus, adherence or not to that law, is not the meter by which we will be judged worthy or not, of God’s approval. As such, we are not to condemn others also, based on adherence or not to that law alone. For the measure of a man or woman is changed. There is not a certain “look” or garb or food or location… to determine God’s Favor. But God looks on the heart. (Does this mean we throw out the Old Testament with the draught (Mark 7:19)? No. It is a testament: which means “witness” (and in this case it is a witness of record: a necessary part of “hearing.”)) What we know is that if any person – no matter their race, creed, color, or any such difference, shall be conformed to the mind of Christ, there shall not be a law to bind him or her from the kingdom.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

You have also heard it used to discourage couples, the words of Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Usually, this verse is thrown at a believer who is considering a non-believer. Unfortunately for many, that is the end of the conversation. Door slammed shut without explanation. This scripture should not be used alone, to say, “If that one’s a sinner then they are both sinners since they like each other.” No. Now you have taken a believer a cast him (or her) into the lost number. Rather than stomping the seed of Grace, we should be ushering in a new creation. Have we been so long “saved” that we don’t know how to use our witness (Acts 1:8)?

Have we forgotten that One can send one thousand and two can set ten thousand to flight? (Deuteronomy 32:30).

AND

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

AND

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 18:19

Do we apply the power of God to tangibles only – like a wealth wish list? (By the way, there’s nothing wrong with anti-poverty Christianity. Poverty destroys. You are not supposed to be a broke-down warrior. So do what is in your power to end poverty – and believe God for the rest). Now, what about the heathen inheritance (Psalm 2:8)? What about remitting the sins of people who have no good sense (yet) to repent (John 20:23)? Our first resolution does not need to be “Off with their (spiritual) heads!” The power of God is not given to pad your pew seat while the world literally goes to hell. Get out there and work the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:6).

These “TWO” could be the same two from the first situation. Some of us who are the “righteousness of God” are ignoring whole generations because of the thinking, “Well, that’s what God did in the wilderness. He let them wander forty years.” Listen, the Exodus is over. We are not supposed to be casting off people because they were born in sin. DUH. Were you born with one foot in heaven and the other in the baptismal pool? I don’t think so. Even an anointed child needs Godly parents. Even Jesus had to call His disciples and train them – mostly by association. They didn’t know everything without being taught. Remember Jesus asked His own disciples of all people, “Have I been so long with you and you still don’t know who I am?” So we who should be teaching more in Christ’s earthly (physical man) absence than when He walked the earth, have instead decided to reduce the class size by kicking out the people who don’t believe yet. What? That’s what school is for! So people can learn something.

The answer to every “disagreement” is not to simply scrap it and start over. (Sometimes, you have to pick up pieces and begin anew – for most (and not all) of us, this is because of a bad choice made (and it does not have to be something recent). Even if I at one time or another had to start over because of my bad choice, it is not for me to teach that it is OK to make bad choices. And this is not what we are saying here. (We’re saying, save the lost. That’s what your freedom is for.) Rather, I should be the more apt to teach right things that people may avoid the mistakes I have already made. My divorce is not a banner so I can tell people that divorce is the best answer to what ails them.)

It could be that God has made a provision, so that there need not be a worse tragedy later – that one shall be taken, and the other (unbelieving) left (Matthew 24:36-51). If two disagree, then we should be working on an agreement phase. This is part of the use of pre-marriage counseling. That being said, you don’t have to kick people out of the kingdom. If the kitchen gets too hot, they’ll leave on their own. We are not called to be pew barbarians. Even you were drawn by loving kindness. Can you not care a little for you brother or sister who needs to meet the same Christ you met?

But how do you know which case applies to a current situation? There is no way to get around the wisdom of God. You will have to communicate with Him to do anything worthwhile. Talk with your pastor. But, don’t make him or her the scapegoat for a weak prayer life. PRAY for yourself. You have an awesome privilege. The veil (Hebrews 9:3) was torn into parts from the temple (Matthew 27:51) so you can go to God directly.

Concerning “lawful” behavior (whereas in some places it is even “legal” to abuse (or to do worse) to wives) – God is not pleased with laws that contradict His commandments. What? I thought you said we are not under the law. Why then are we subject to the commandments? Christ did not destroy the commandments. HE FULFILLED THEM ALL at a higher level. How can you do one and not do the other? You cannot. When you truly fulfill the law of Christ, you do also the commandments; because when you do one thing to a higher degree, the lesser should be completed by default – since the whole tower is built upon the founding stones. Until you do the foundation, you can not really fulfill the law of Christ.

Because of Christ, we are now subject to the meter of faith. Though we be above the law of sin and death, the more we believe in the holiness of God and therefore strive to be like Him, the more “lawful” things will not be committed though they be not unlawful. Because they are not expedient – they have no good value to edify or improve the Body of Christ; they will not bring us closer to the will of our Heavenly Father; therefore they are not considered among those acts to which we lend our members (our mind, body, soul, finances, all our strength).

ROMANS 3:19-31

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law isthe knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

ROMANS 10:4-15

4 For Christ isthe end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above: ) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!