The Jot Jesus stated would not be removed from the law is the smallest letter found in the Greek or Hebrew alphabet. A Tittle is a small point or stroke added to some Hebrew letters to help distinguish them from ones that look similar. From Jesus' statement we can only conclude that since heaven and earth are still here, God's law have not been "done away with" but are still in effect! In the book of Revelation the apostle John writes: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." (Revelation 14:12) The theme of obedience is repeated frequently throughout the New Testament writings, especially those of the apostle John. Notice how direct and blunt he is about sin and obeying God's law: "The one who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1John 2:4) "For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." (1John 5:3) "Everyone who practices sin is also practicing lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness." (1John 3:4) "And whatever we may ask we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and practice those things that are pleasing in His sight." (1John 3:22) "And now I beseech you, lady, not as though I am writing a new commandment to you, but that which we have observed from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is the love of God: that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, exactly as you heard from the beginning, that you might walk in it." (2John 5-6)
The apostle Paul is often called up to support those who detest God's commandments. Yet this same Paul wrote in the Book of Romans: "Therefore, the law is indeed holy, and the commandment holy and righteous and good." (Romans 7:12)
Good works, meaning doing what is right in God's sight, are an essential part of the way to eternal life: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto the good works that God ordained beforehand in order that we might walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Paul lets us know that those who do not obey will not be in his kingdom: "Don’t you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers of themselves as women, nor homosexuals, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1Corinthians 6:9-10) Each of the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, are repeated either exactly or with words conveying the same thing in the New Testament. These reiterated commandments from the Eternal show the standard against which repentance is needed. Please see our article entitled "Where are the Ten Commandments in the Old and New Testaments?" for more information. Requirements before conversion On Pentecost, just days after Jesus ascended to heaven, God empowered the disciples by giving them His Holy Spirit and the miraculous ability to extol and praise him in other languages. As people in Jerusalem start to gather around the disciples to see what is happening Peter gives a powerful message explaining the miracles that were occurring and that Jesus was the true Savior of man. The crowd who hear Peter have their consciences pricked and asked what they should do next. Peter then tells the crowd that repentance is needed: "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you yourselves shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) The word REPENT comes from the Greek word metanoeo (Strong's Concordance #G3340) which means to think differently or reconsider and to begin to feel regret. Repentance begins to occur when we fell sorry, remorsefully, etc. about the sins we have committed --- our disobedience to God through the breaking of His commandments. A repentant person not only feels sorry for their sins but also desires and begins to obey God, which Peter again states must occur before he will give them the gift of his Spirit: "'And we are His witnesses of these things, as is also the Holy Spirit, which God has given to those who obey Him.'" (Acts 5:32)
The repentance which accompanies our conversion means we look to the Word of God only - not church tradition, not what our minister may say to the contrary - to find out how we should begin to live our lives. Loving others Jesus points out the essence of the Christian life, the summing up of what our Father wants from us, when He said: "And Jesus said to him, ' ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment; And the second one is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'" (Matthew 22:37-40) What does it mean to love your neighbor? Is it simply having nice thoughts about them? It is the practical application of all those things which are described in the God's Law. This includes helping our neighbor when they are in trouble, safeguarding our property so that the neighbor does not hurt themselves by falling into a hole, giving them money when they are in need, etc. It means sharing our food with them if they are hungry or getting them clothes they cannot afford. Loving our neighbor (e.g. anyone we are in a position to help) is not done simply out of duty but out of a willingness to love and serve others. No true Christian would argue with the concept of loving for neighbor. But there is another - and much neglected - side of the coin. Just how does someone love God? Loving the Creator To love our Father in heaven is far more than attending church services. To truly love God means to do what he says -- to obey his commands, to worship Him in way he has proscribed in His Word, etc. It is obedience not to somehow earn salvation but out of a desire to follow God's revealed will. It is the application of the first four of the Ten Commandments, which John included when he said: "For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." (1John 5:3)
On the night he was betrayed Jesus taught the disciples about many things, including what it means to love him and the Father. Jesus clearly linked love and obedience when he said: "If you love Me, keep the commandments - namely, My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that it may be with you throughout the age: Even the Spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive because it perceives it not, nor knows it; but you know it because it dwells with you, and shall be within you." "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. The one who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word that you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s, Who sent Me." (John 14:15-17, 23-24)
When we repent, we want to do as God says and not what we or others may say. We become willing to search the scriptures and study God's word to learn about His will and to be fully able to serve him: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; So that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." (2Timothy 3:16-17)
While we cannot save ourselves strictly based on what we do (our works), we are required to express our true repentance and faith BY our works. Just having faith or belief in God is not enough, as James tells us. "Do you believe that God is one? You do well to believe this. Even the demons believe - and tremble in fear." (James 2:19)
In the end, if we do not DO what is right --- if we do not obey our Creator and Father --- then whatever faith we think we have is DEAD and useless: "You see, then, that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only . . . For as the body without the spirit is dead, in the same way also, faith without works is dead." (James 2:24, 26)
This is what the Bible says about REAL repentance! |