Grace and Truth
Bible Ministries

Gal 5:1; Freedom requires the believer to function in the truth of their dispensation


Continuing in our study of the mandate to keep on standing firm freedom that is found in Christ Jesus that goes along with the mandate not to be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1;

We have seen that truth, the Greek word "Aletheia" and defined in the TDNT as "the reality of God " that enables the believer to keep on standing firm in freedom and prevents them from being resubjected to a yoke of slavery.

We saw that TLJC is truth and that grace and truth function together in God's plan for mankind and they while all believers are known by God, not all believers know God through their PMA of Bible Doctine.

We saw that the purpose of the spiritual life was to learn the truth just as Paul had learned it. Phil 4:9; Phil 4:11; as TLJC had commanded Matt 11:28-30;

Last time we saw the attitude of the writer of Psa 119; regarding the instruction for living the spiritual life of Israel that is found in the Torah.

Good decisions made from a position of strength provide the believer with the freedom for making additional choices in life from an even greater position of strength.

The spiritual life of the Church Age believer consists of the Four Spiritual Mechanics.

Utilization of the Two Power Options -->FHS + HIQ = SIQ + GASP = 2PO

Function of the Three Spiritual Skills--> FHS + GASP = 10 PSDs

Execution of the Three Stages of the Adult Spiritual Life:

Stage 1 --> SSE + CSC + TPSDs + PPS = SA

Stage 2 --> SA + CInd + PSD-9 + MT (4) = SM

Stage 3 --> SM + CInv + PSD-10 + ET (2) = MGG

Advancement in the spiritual life of the Church Age enables the believer to function inside the PPOG with continuously increasing flexibility, versatility, capacity, and dexterity when under pressures of prosperity and adversity in life.

Such advancement provides great liberty of action and freedom of thought, decision, and action while maintaining focus on the ultimate objective of Maximum Glorification of God through one's occupation with TLJC. Heb 12:2;

"Freedom" and "liberty" emphasize the part volition plays in execution of the spiritual life beginning with the decision to apply PSD #1 and acknowledge all known sin all the way to the patient endurance needed too persevere through evidence testing.

"Freedom" and "liberty" speak of the absence of restraint and obligation demanded by the OSN in the status of unbelief.

This principle transfers over into the post-salvation spiritual life in that the Church Age believer is not restrained by or obligated to keep the Mosaic Law for righteousness. Rom 10:4;

In other words, the spiritual life of any dispensation is divorced from the constraints of legalism and endowed with the broad boundaries of God's grace under the mentor ministry of God the Holy Spirit

All of these concepts are brought forth in this expanded translation of Psa 119:45; " I will execute the spiritual life of my dispensation endowed with the broad boundaries of grace, for I seek your precepts. "

The next synonym for Bible doctrine found in this passage which is the Hebrew word "piqqudim” Pronounced, pik-KOOD-im that is translated "precepts", this word refers to the imperative moods of the Law that place upon the believer the responsibilities associated with their spiritual life.

It refers to the divine mandates in scripture where man's responsibility is set forth.

Freedom demands responsibility and those who have freedom are willing to submit to those standards that insure the perpetuation of that freedom. Luke 12:48b

The Hebrew word translated "seek" is the verb "darash " describes an intensive inquiry and investigation into a particular subject that is done with great care.

This is the same idea that is presented by the word "diligent” that we studied previously in 2Tim 2:15;

The writer therefore asserts that he searches the Scripture for insight regarding his responsibilities and as a result he confidently executes his spiritual life to the maximum.

Psalm 119:45; I will execute the spiritual life of my dispensation endowed with the broad boundaries of grace, for I carefully research your precepts

Freedom comes with responsibilities and obligations.

v46 - I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed.

The next synonym for Bible doctrine is "testimonies" which is the translation of the Hebrew word: ‘edah pronounced /ay-DAW/ that means- Testimony; divine legislation.

The root word is ‘ud pronounced /ood/ which means, "to repeat." Its derivatives include the concept of bearing witness.

Witnessing is a concept from the courtroom. A witness is a person who has firsthand knowledge of an event and as a result is under obligation to testify truthfully.

The veracity of the testimony is found in the fact that the witness continues to repeat the same data over and over without contradiction.

Bearing false witness is prohibited in ninth commandment in the Decalogue of the Mosaic Law in Exod 20:16; "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

In Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence violation of this commandment is referred to as "perjury." which is defined as: the willful assertion as to a matter of fact, opinion, belief, or knowledge, made by a witness in a judicial proceeding as part of his evidence, under oath, such assertion being material to the issue or point of inquiry and known to such witness to be false.

The word 'edah / ay-DAW / is always used in reference to the testimony of God.

In other words, all that God has chosen to communicate in the Torah is absolute, unqualified truth.

Those who for whatever reason are motivated to repeat what God has written are witnesses to His testimony.

In the face of unjust and unfair treatment making such a witness can be very dangerous and in some cases fatal.

Human circumstances change and with them often come suppression of speech and restrictions on other means of expression.

But the Word of God stands forever! Matt 5:18;

The writer of Psalm 119 declares before the Lord that he will speak the truth revealed in God's word even before kings regardless of the political situation.

Even though the king may not agree, consider it foolish, or even legislate against it, the writer of Psalms 119 contends he will continue to communicate the divine law.

And when he does so he maintains that he will not be ashamed; confused; embarrassed; dismayed; disgraced

The Hebrew word used here is "boosh” that stresses the sense of public disgrace, that in this case is potential defeat at the hands of the enemy. (the Babylonians)

Capture by the enemy brings shame, disillusionment, and humiliation.

This is the same idea that is presented in 1John 2:28; regarding the believer's evaluation before TLJC where the equivalent Greek word is used.

The Psalmist contends that in such a circumstance he will not be ashamed. Because of his trust, faith, and confidence in God just expressed in:

Psa 119:42; b "I have confidence in Your Word."
v43b,"I confidently wait with patience for Your justice."

Having transferred his case against his enemy to the Supreme Court of Heaven, the Psalmist expresses trust in the Lord to protect him in the interim.

He has confidence that even if captured by his enemy he will witness before his enemy of the divine legislation found in the Torah without shame, confusion, embarrassment, dismay, disgrace, disillusionment, or humiliation.

Psa 119:47; - And I shall delight in Your commandments which I love.
There are two verbs in this verse which indicate the writer's motivation toward doctrine.

This is described by the Hebrew word "shaw ah" that means To delight oneself in; to find pleasure in; it implies being totally absorbed or focused or to meditate and think about something.

The Greek translation is "melatao" that is used in 1Tim 4:14; that is translated "meditate" in the KJV.

The delight spoken of here is the results in his executing the spiritual life of Israel.

The Psalmist has done his Bible study, or in his case Torah study, and has made application of the Faith-Rest Drill.

He has reached the third and fourth stages of the Faith- Rest Drill which involve the application of Bible Doctrine to man and circumstances.

The third stage of the Faith-Rest Drill is confidence based on the doctrinal rationales and results in the courage to make application to man and circumstances.

The fourth stage is application of Leviticus 19:18 to your enemies which is the transfer of one's case over to the Supreme Court of Heaven for judgment.

This same principle is restated in the Church age. Rom 12:18-21;

Such a believer has great soul tranquility, is free of fear, motivated by the truth of Bible Doctrine, and secure in their confidence of divine provision and care when under any kind of pressure.

The thing that delights him is Bible doctrine that is described in this passage by the Hebrew word "miswah" that is translated "commandments"

This is the same word used in Job 23:12;

This makes reference to the 613 imperative moods in the Old Testament Torah that define the mandates of God for the spiritual life of Israel. (The ritual plan of God)

The writer of Psalm 119 uses the word on three occasions to express how the commandments of God reflect several of His divine attributes:

Psa 119:86; All Your commandments are faithful.
Psa 119:151; All Your commandments are truth.
Psa 119:172b; All Your commandments are righteousness.

We learn from these three verses that the commandments come from the source of the eternal Logos or word. John 1:1;

They are "righteous." because they come from a perfect God, they are truth because are backed by divine veracity, they are faithful because they are backed up by divine immutability, and consequently we may depend and rely on them with absolute confidence.

 

© Copyright 2007, Michael Lemmon Bible Ministries. World Rights Reserved.  This document was created on 10/12/2008