“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

How do we reach the lost that they might hear the Gospel and come to know and trust in Christ Jesus as their Savior? Look at how the apostle Paul approached that task.

To the Jews he became as a Jew, to those under the law as under the law, to those without the law as without the law but not without law toward God, to the weak he became as weak. And why? That he might “by all means save some.”

In other words, the apostle, even though he was free from the requirements of Old Testament law subjected himself to that law (observing the Sabbath and feast days and submitting to dietary laws) when trying to reach the Jews for Christ. When he was seeking to reach those not under the law, he didn’t burden them by trying to bring them under the law and Paul himself lived among them as without the ceremonial law’s prescriptions. When he sought to reach the weak – those who believed it sinful to eat certain foods and the like – he lived as though he himself were weak that he might preach to them Christ and free their consciences from such weaknesses. The apostle behaved himself in such a way so that he could by any means morally acceptable reach the lost for Christ.

And how does this apply to us today? Should we expect our hearers to become like us and observe our traditions and our customs? Or, should we come to them where they are at – becoming like them in so far as we can without sin – that they might hear us and hear the message of God’s Word calling them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus?

We need to keep in mind and practice the methodology of St. Paul, who was called of Christ to take the Gospel to the world: “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.…” Colossians 1:3-6 (Read Colossians 1:1-8)

Though the Apostle Paul may never have visited the church in Colosse, when he heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and the resulting love these believers had for their fellow believers, he, together with Timothy, gave thanks to God for giving them the confident hope of eternal life in heaven through Christ Jesus.

The good news of God’s offer of pardon and forgiveness and the promise of everlasting life in heaven because God the Son became a true man and redeemed mankind reached the ears of the Colossians through Epaphras and, perhaps, others; and faith in Jesus was kindled in their hearts.

As the good news of God’s gracious gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven for Jesus’ sake was used to generate faith in the hearts of the believers at Colosse nearly 2,000 years ago, so this same message generates faith in human hearts today. The same Gospel, that word of truth, tells us of the certain hope laid up for us in heaven, not because of anything we have done or can do, but because God’s own dear Son, Jesus Christ, came into this world and suffered and died for the sins of all and rose again in victory. God’s Word tells us that His gift to us for Jesus’ sake is life everlasting in the mansions of heaven.

Such a gracious gift of God – the forgiveness of all our sins because of His own Son’s holy life and innocent sufferings and death in our stead and the assurance that we have a place in His eternal, heavenly kingdom – will also move us to selfless love for other believers and fellow heirs of eternal life in heaven; but this love is the result of God’s loving gift of salvation to us, not the cause of it.

What a comfort to know that, though we have sinned and come short of the holy demands of God’s good law, Jesus fulfilled it for us and took our sins upon Himself, paying the just penalty upon the cross that we might have forgiveness and life everlasting! And this hope which we have is not an uncertain hope, but simply waiting for the things assured to us by the promises of God. God has offered and promised to us a place in heaven through faith in His Son. That place has been made certain to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus. We await that day in confidence and assurance that heaven is ours for Jesus’ sake.

When we face the end of our lives here in this world, we need not doubt and wonder if we will make it into heaven – heaven is guaranteed to us because Jesus shed His blood for us and paid in full for all our sins. If our salvation depended upon us or anything we did, we could have no certainty and no hope; but because it depends upon Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for us, we have every assurance and hope of everlasting life in the mansions of our heavenly Father’s house!

Paul wrote this letter while he was himself a prisoner because there were those who were seeking to rob these believers of the assurance and hope they had in Jesus by placing other demands upon them – suggesting such things as the worshiping of angels, eating of certain foods or observing certain days. Today, too, there are many false teachers who would suggest and say that to be true Christians people must exercise certain gifts, eat certain foods or observe certain days. The apostle’s message, the true gospel, is that we are complete in Jesus – our salvation and everlasting life is certain in Him – there is nothing we need add to His redemptive work!

Dear Father in heaven, thank You for graciously bringing to us the word of truth, the saving gospel of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting through faith in Your Son, Christ Jesus. By Your Spirit, move us to believe and take heart and be assured that, for Jesus’ sake, our sins are forgiven and, for Jesus’ sake, we have life everlasting with You in heaven. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” Deuteronomy 18:18-19

When God gave the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai and the people saw the lightning and heard the thunderings, they told Moses: “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:18-19).

In accordance with their words, God promised to raise up a Prophet from among them like unto Moses who would be the mediator of a new covenant with God. He would be the mediator between God and His people by fulfilling all righteousness for us and then suffering and dying on the cross to make full atonement for the sins of all.

And, as God promised, He would put His words in the mouth of this Prophet like unto Moses and this Prophet would speak all that God commanded Him.

We know that Prophet, “like unto” Moses, is none other than Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son sent into this world to make atonement for our sins and redeem us. As the Apostle John writes, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:17-18; cf. Acts 3:19-26; 7:37; John 5:45-47; 3:14-15; 6:14; 7:40).

And, Jesus’ preaching and teaching are none other than the teaching of God the Father in heaven. His message to the people of this world is God’s message to us in this fallen world (cf. John 14:24). Jesus condemned sin and demanded perfect righteousness — greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees and perfect like God the Father in heaven (cf. Matthew 5:20; 5:48) — but Jesus also offered God’s mercy and forgiveness to all who look to Him in faith (John 3:14ff.; Luke 24:46-47; John 5:24; 8:24; Mark 16:15-16). Jesus provided that righteousness by His perfect life, and He atoned for our sins by His perfect sacrifice in the cross. And to all who look to Jesus and His cross in faith is imputed the perfect righteousness of Christ (cf. Romans 3:21-26).

And what is the result of not heeding Jesus’ words and repenting of sin and rebellion against God and looking in faith to Jesus and His cross for mercy and forgiveness? It is as Moses wrote: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” And Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48; cf. v. 44-50; Matthew 17:5).

The question for us to consider today is what do we do with Jesus’ words? Do we believe that He is, as He claimed to be, the eternal Son of God in human flesh come into this world to be lifted up and die on the cross for the sins of the world? Do we believe that He rose again and gives life to all who believe in His name? Do we repent of our sinful and rebellious ways — our disobedience to God’s commandments — and look to Him for pardon, forgiveness and life everlasting?

If so, we have the promise of forgiveness and life eternal in His name. It is as Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24; John 3:16, 36; Mark 16:15-16). If not, His words — the words given Him by God the Father — will judge and condemn us on the Last Day! Cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; John 3:18,36; Mark 16:15-16.

Dear Lord Jesus, our God and Savior, grant us faith to hear and heed Your words that we might repent of our sins and iniquities and trust in You and Your cross for mercy and forgiveness and life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

Monday marks the 45th year of the Roe v. Wade decision and legalized abortions in the United States. Are we — you and I — accountable for the millions and millions of unborn babies murdered in our land since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973? Estimates place the number at more than 60 million! Are we accountable even if we did not directly contribute to a single abortion? While many would like to think, “No,” a principle laid out in Old Testament civil law makes me think otherwise.

So that you understand what I’m saying, let me explain that the Old Testament contains three basic types of law: 1) The moral law which was written on man’s heart at creation and is summarized in the Ten Commandments and other passages of Scripture as a reminder to us fallen creatures of what God requires of all people of all time; 2) The civil law which set forth specific applications of God’s moral law for the nation of Israel and dictated punishments for those who violated those laws; and 3) The worship law of Israel, which spelled out the requirements for Old Testament Israel’s worship of the Lord God, including sacrifices, feast days, festivals and the Sabbath observance.

For example, Old Testament civil law required the death penalty for those whose ox crushed or gored someone to death if they knew their ox tended to push and gore but did not keep such a dangerous animal safely penned or tied (Exodus 21:28-29). It also required the building of parapets around the roofs of their homes to prevent someone from accidentally falling off a roof and being hurt or killed (Deuteronomy 22:8). While we are not required to have the exact same laws and punishments for such things today, the principle remains that God desires to protect human life — life which He created — and holds us accountable for the shedding of innocent blood and not protecting human life. Even before the Ten Commandments were given on Mt. Sinai, God held Cain responsible for his brother’s death (Genesis 4) and required death for those who committed murder (Genesis 9:5-6).

This brings me to the passage in question, Deuteronomy 21:1-9. Though it was civil law for Israel and includes worship law (a sacrifice), it sets forth a principle regarding accountability for the shedding of innocent blood: “If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: and it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley: and the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: and all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.”

While no such commandment for the sacrifice of a heifer is required of us today — a lot of heifers would have to be killed if it was — an important principle is set forth for us to note. Even though the people did not commit the murder, God held them accountable for not bringing the murderer to justice. Had they seen or known of the crime, they would have been required to put the murderer to death (Genesis 9:5-6; Exodus 21:12; Leviticus 24:17). But even though they did not know who had committed the murder, the people and nation were still accountable — thus, the heifer was killed, an oath was taken they knew nothing of the crime and atonement was made for their failure to punish the murderer.

Certainly, God takes very seriously the shedding of innocent blood. He created man in His image and continues to form and give life to each human being in the womb (cf. Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 11:5), and He holds us accountable to protect each human life He has given.

Now apply this principle to the murders of today. Our land is full of bloodshed and very few receive the punishment God commanded from the book of Genesis onward. And consider the millions of unborn children God was forming in the womb who have been legally murdered in the U.S. since the Roe v. Wade decision. Who is responsible?

Obviously, the mothers seeking the abortions and the doctors and clinicians performing the abortions are guilty of shedding innocent blood and destroying God-given human life. Their punishment under Old Testament law was death. Oh, that they might repent and receive mercy and forgiveness in Jesus Christ and not suffer the eternal consequences of their sins!

But what about the rest of us who know the murders are taking place and have not risen up to stop this horrific crime against human life — a crime which exceeds the Holocaust of Nazi Germany and the killing of millions by dictators in communist and socialist regimes? Are we innocent? Were the German people innocent of what took place there under rulers they placed in power?

The principle of Deuteronomy 21 teaches us that we are not innocent of the blood which is shed in our land and on our watch. God holds us accountable for failing to punish the murderers and for allowing the killing to continue.

So, what are we to do? We can’t take an oath over a heifer and claim we didn’t know because we do! We can’t claim innocence! We can and should acknowledge our sin and guilt before the Lord God and plead for mercy based upon the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God the Son in human flesh. And, we can be assured that through faith in Jesus Christ we have God’s pardon and forgiveness.

But, knowing this is a crime against God the Creator Himself, do we allow this atrocity to continue? How can we simply say it’s the law of the land and do nothing? There is a time to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29), a time for each of us as citizens, and for our elected representatives, to say no to the immorality endorsed by ungodly judges.

I do not advocate taking the law into our own hands, but it is time for our weak-kneed governors, legislators, prosecutors and sheriffs to do what is morally right and stand up to the ungodly dictates of federal judges and say, “Not here, you don’t.”

It’s time to prosecute those obtaining and performing abortions on murder charges and to carry out just punishments to stop the murdering. It’s time for us to remove, whether by recall, impeachment or by our ballots, all who are unwilling to defend human life, born and yet unborn!

Why? Because we are accountable to God, our Creator and our Judge, for this innocent blood shed among us!

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

What did the Old Testament prophets teach? “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30; Cf. Jonah 3).

What did John the Baptist preach? “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4).

What did Jesus preach? “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).

What did Jesus command His disciples to preach? That “it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47).

What did Peter preach on the day of Pentecost? “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).

What do ministers preach today? “It’s OK. God loves you. Don’t judge; just love everybody.”

What’s wrong with this picture? Have we forgotten to preach repentance from sin and dead works, and faith in Christ Jesus and His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world? Have we forgotten our need for repentance – to turn from our sinful ways to God for mercy and forgiveness for Jesus’ sake? Have we forgotten our need for daily contrition and repentance?

God’s Word says: “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11).

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness … If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:8-9, 2:1-2).

The message of God’s Word to you and to me is this: We are, by nature, sinful and unclean and we live in a world headed for judgment. If we continue on in our own selfish and sinful ways and follow the course of this world, we will be judged and condemned to the eternal torments of hell. Rather, God would have us repent of our evil ways and turn to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the sacrifice of the Son, Messiah Jesus (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). He calls us by His Word, and His Spirit convicts us of our sin and guilt and offers us full pardon and life eternal through faith in Christ Jesus.

O gracious God, we are sinful and unclean and have gone our own way – a way which leads to eternal death and damnation. Have mercy on us. Forgive us for Jesus’ sake. And lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible]