How many people do you know that say they have been saved by the grace of God who still tithe, who say that we must still follow at least the Ten Commandments, that believe that Sunday is now the Sabbath and not Saturday? Many will attempt to say or explain their reasonings for this by proclaiming Romans 11:17, “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;”
Or perhaps an Old Testament verse or two describing how one who desired to become an Israelite must adhere to the law. Every one of these individuals seems to believe that the law, at least in these regards, takes precedence over Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
I have noticed over the years that the most efficient way to at least get these people to contemplate these truths is with their giving financially to the Lord, what is still called tithing, for the tithe was actually in three parts, reflecting nearly thirty percent of the people’s accumulated wealth, not ten percent. Some start to pay a little more attention then, for it is well known that the more they are “required” to give, the less 2 Corinthians 9:7 begins to become a truth, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Being grafted into the vine does not make one a physical member of the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it does not modify your genetic structure, and all those who were welcomed into that tribe who were not of the seed of Abraham were not offered all that were born of Him. As for the Sabbath being changed, at least in their minds, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)
It is almost impossible to help most people to see these truths though, many stand behind the pulpits who do not understand them, and the works-based religious cults, even when one does not attend to or adhere to their lies, have done an excellent job of making people believe what is not true, that the law is still relevant in the life of one who professes Christ as Lord. We want to believe that we are “doing our part,” at least in part, so ten percent seems like the right amount to toss into the plate as it goes by, Sunday morning is set aside as that “special time,” and the Ten Commandments are akin to the cross. Do all these and you will invoke the favor of the Lord, and all will go well for you in this life.
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
Anything that you do, any work that you perform while attempting to adhere to any part of the law is not going to earn you any favors from the Almighty, in fact it is reprehensible to think that once we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that we must return to even one small part of the law. Paul made this quite clear when he rebuked Peter for that mistake.
How much should you give unto the Lord of your money? What does your heart say?
How much of your life were you planning on giving, ten percent?
What day should you set aside to worship the Lord? Sunday morning, or every moment of every day?
Will following the Ten Commandments or any part of the law save you, or bring the favor of the Almighty upon you? Or will being obedient to the will of God, listening and obeying the Holy Spirit out of a joyful heart, following Jesus Christ wherever He leads you.
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10) No one was saved by obeying the law in the Old Testament, all who were counted righteous were saved by grace. Adhering to the law does not bring joy into the heart of the Father, loving out of a willful heart His Son does.