The Law and Avoiding Hypocrisy by Brother Duke Hansen

         Before we really get into the scripture that is for the message this morning, I wanted to first have you go to Romans 3:31. The flesh has always been resistant to the law and being worked upon to submit unto righteousness. In this verse Paul writes;

        31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

        The reason the flesh wants to get away from the law is to move away from accountability. There are churches this morning promoting that the believer doesn't need the law. The law was for the old covenant. As if we in the 21st century are above the things of old, and we can do everything we did before our salvation because we have become a Christian simply through belief. The law was not establish to be the buzzkill of the flesh. It isn't the no fun zone. The law doesn't prohibit the flesh. Even under the law, King David knew that God did not like the blood of bulls and goats in animal sacrifice but preferred a broken and contrite spirit. 

        We are going to read from Romans chapter 2 and we will begin at verse 1. 

        Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judges: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemns thyself; for thou that judges does the same things.

        What Paul is writing about here is unrighteous judgement. He's writing about people who are hypocritical in their walk. We are all subject to judgment. Let's drop down to verse 14.

        14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.

        Paul was pointing out in this point of the chapter that the Gentiles, who didn't grow up with the established law of the Hebrews, but through their salvation in Jesus are walking in the law. They're doing the assignment correctly as we should every day. Let's go back up to verse 2 of Romans 2.

        2 But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

        3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?

        4 Or despised thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

        Everyone has points in their life in which they are envious of someone who is having a moment of high favor. It's human nature. God is above that. It's up to us to break the hypocrisy that's in our flesh. The Holy Spirit gives us that ability as it did to the Gentiles written about in verse 14. Is your mind made up and committed to do so?

        15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

        Excuse one another. Do you know how to excuse? You forgive them. What you bind and loosen on earth you do the same in heaven.

        There's plenty of things which can pull you aside or down from your walk. One of these things are spiritually immature people. They can weaken and affect your maturity. They are not trying to work on their character. There's plenty of sorry among them but not enough of true repentance. 

        Think of the church similar to a courtroom. Jesus is your advocate and defender as you are already guilty for your flesh and you should lean upon him for your acquittal. You have full access to God, There are scriptures written about it. The price is you should first subject your flesh to God's hand and then submit to the law he established.

        We are going to turn to the 2nd chapter of 1 Corinthians. We are going to start at verse 1.

        And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

        2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

        3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

        4 And my speech and my preaching was not enticing word's of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

        5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

        Your faith can be altered by money, wisdom of man, family, friends. Many things can alter your faith. We understand that obedience to the word is a sign of maturity.

        We speak wisdom of God even his mysteries there in is a hidden wisdom. To be powerful in the spirit you are to be weak in the flesh. Let's go to verse 7.

        7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory;

        If our gospel is his, it's hid to the lost. The lost may very well be in a sanctuary this morning but under the belief they're already saved. They may have been lulled by a deception. The deception itself isn't a lie. When you put your faith in that deception it becomes a lie.

        8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

        If you have the spirit of truth within you and yet you chase after the pleasures of the world, you are committing adultery against God. When you have become born again in Jesus you take his name.

        9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

        When you are trying to build up a core group of believers, yet they are not wanting to commit to the steps towards maturity, it is really hard and frustrating to make progress. How long shall we serve two masters? What Paul was writing in this letter, King David was experiencing in his time. Earthly pleasure and wisdom are finite. They are but a vapor. If we look at these scriptures and really think about them, how can we let this flesh off so easy? 

        God is keeping his established commandments. Jesus said If you love me keep my commandments. He didn't change his mind after John wrote Revelation. It's not a problem to uphold the law if we are walking upright. We are going to make a mistake and fall short frequently, and then search the scripture to see if it's allowed. That's why drinkers cite Jesus turning the water into wine as confirmation to act on their sin nature. 

        This sermon is about the flesh itself and not the individual this morning. It isn't as if I got a list of names to call out. Let's continue reading with verse 10.

        10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.

        You can't have anyone else do this for you. There's no tribute out there to do the work and you get the praise. Your flesh wants to draw you away from the word, the walk, the body of believers and be subject to it's base functions of sin.

        11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

        Without the Holy Ghost, you aren't going to learn a lot. You can gain knowledge from reading scripture but you have so much more when walking in the spirit. Our flesh is busy trying to pass things off on other people.

        13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

        14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

        There are people who think they are spiritual but they operate in senses and emotions. They are faulty and often hit or miss. They will suck the joy and life from you if let them.

        15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man,

        16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

        How many of us have told God what to do in our prayers? Be honest with your answer. Pray for others without your personal opinion of them and then you may be considered a prayer warrior. We're supposed to have the mind of Christ? Are you able to finish his sentences or know his thoughts? Are you that close?

        Study the parable of the light being hidden under the bushel for next Sunday, Don't get a self righteous attitude about your walk with God. We all make mistakes and falter but each one of us is different.