(NASB) |
 |
 |
 |
(NIV) |
Many thanks to the priests at Saint Hyacinth Basilica, Chicago, Illinois 60618 for their |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Truth: "Works of the Law"
Truth: Bible Truth
"Works of the Law" - Page 18.
This article by Robert Sungenis used with permission.
| Previous: | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16| Page 17 |
| End Page of Article. | Page 18 |
Here Paul is speaking of a Christian who knowingly and deliberately sins and does not repent. For him, there is no more sacrifice (for mortal sin keeps us out of the benefits of Christ's sacrifice); rather, he will meet the judgment of God.
Now notice what Paul does. In verse 28 he alludes to the Mosaic law of the Old Covenant that would execute such a person. The same thing is true in the New Covenant, only it is God himself who is the Judge and Executioner. As the Mosaic law administered death for willful disobedience, God will administer the "second death" and send them to Hell (cf., Rev. 20:14; 21:8). That is the "severer punishment" in contrast to the death given in the Mosaic law, for in the second death there is no escape, and one is subject to the wrath of God for eternity. And in the same way that the Mosaic law required "two or three witnesses" in order to administer death, so the New Covenant has its "two or three witnesses" who administer the second death. They are named in the above verses as "the Son of God," "the Spirit of Grace," and "the living God."
So, we see that the New Covenant, even though in some respects it is a much improved covenant, in another sense it is even more demanding, for with much freedom comes much responsibility. Now, as opposed to the Old Covenant Law being our judge, such that it could convict us for murder but not be able to peer into our heart to see if we actually hated our brother (cf., Matthew 5:21-24), God, in the New Covenant, is able to peer into our heart and know our most secret motives. And it is upon this basis that the New Covenant judges us (1 Corinthians 4:5; 9:27). Fortunately, God infuses grace into our soul upon confession of sin so that when He looks at us He sees a purified being, justified in His sight. But if we spurn his New Covenant graces, then we will receive the "severer" punishment, a punishment even harsher that what was given in the Old Covenant.
Amen.
Robert Sungenis, M.A. (Ph.D., cd)
Catholic Apologetics InternationalP.S. If anyone has questions concerning this essay, please direct them to me at cairomeo@aol.org.
Truth: "Works of the Law"
Truth: Bible Truth
"Works of the Law" - Page 18.
This article by Robert Sungenis used with permission.
Previous: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9
Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16| Page 17End Page of Article. Page 18