Who have the ability to please God?
(Deut. 28:1-2; Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Gal. 3:9-14) Blog Jan. 8-14, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: From the very beginning God has lavishly supplied for the needs of all he has made. As his creatures our response should be one of gratitude and loving management of the gifts he has given us.
God’s Covenant
1. How has God chosen to relate with his people? God only relates with his people on the basis of a covenant (Amos 3:3).
2. What is a covenant? A covenant is a legal agreement between two parties that binds them together (Gen. 17:7-9).
3. What part of a covenant binds the parties together? The stated obligations & privileges of a covenant are what bind the parties together (Ex. 19:5).
4. What was the first covenant God made with his people? God’s first covenant with his people was made in Eden when he told Adam that he could eat of every tree of the garden, but one, & that death would be the result of disobedience (Gen, 2:16-17).
5. How might God’s first covenant with his people be summarized? God’s covenant with Adam may be summarized as “Obey and Live” (Lev. 18:5; Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:12).
6. Were Adam and Eve entirely capable of obeying God’s Edenic covenant? Yes, they were free moral agents endowed with physical, mental, and moral vigor having no propensity to sin (Gen. 1:26, 31; Eccl. 7:29).
7. Did God change his requirement for perfect obedience after the fall of man? No, God who does not change, still requires perfect obedience of all his creatures (Lev. 19:2; Mal. 3:6; Matt. 5:48; Rom. 2:13).
8. How can we who are evil and have a propensity to sin relate to a covenant God who requires perfection? We must find in Jesus the perfect fulfillment of God’s covenant & by faith present his life & death to God as our covenant Substitute (Isa. 53:12; Jer. 23:5-6; Col. 2:10; 1 John 5:13).
9. When we accept Jesus as our righteousness what does God give us together with him? Together with the gift of the Son, God freely gives us all things (Rom. 8:32).
Our Participation
10. If by faith alone in Jesus we are accepted by God and become his people, is there any place for human effort in the Christian life? Yes, those who are justified by faith are given God’s Holy Spirit who empowers them to live in harmony with God’s Law. Thus, they put forth human effort in living to God’s glory (Rom. 5:1, 5; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 3:13-14; Tit. 2:11-12).
11. Who alone have the freedom and ability to choose to do what pleases God? Only those who have been freed from the control of their carnal natures have the ability & freedom to choose & do what is right (Rom. 6:3-6, 17-18).
12. What does God promise to those who obey his commands? God promises blessings to those who obey him (Deut. 11:27; 28:1-2).
13. If Jesus perfectly obeyed the Ten Commandments for us, why should we obey them? The very fact that Jesus left heaven & humbled himself to take our place in living a perfect life & dying an atoning death for us is the reason that we should respond in loving appreciation of this great salvation. If we love him, we will desire to keep his commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 4:10-11).
Reasons to Obey
14. Besides the fact that God is our Creator and Sustainer what added incentives do we have for serving him? For those who believe in him, God is a loving Father who feeds & clothes us; Jesus gave his life for us in blood, sweat, & tears; & the Holy Spirit is a constant companion that helps, encourages, & directs us. These facts should be more than enough to inspire continual obedience to God (John 3:14-17; 4:14; 14:16-17).
15. In the ultimate sense who is responsible for every blessing we receive from God? Every blessing we receive from God is the purchase of Jesus for us. Apart from his infinite sacrifice all we deserve is the curse of God & eternal death (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13-14; Rev. 5:12).
16. What can we know about anyone who does not strive to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord? Together with Paul, all true Christians stive to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:12-15; 2 Tim. 2:4-5).
17. What does God promise to those who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? For those who stive to be part of God’s kingdom & righteousness, God promises to provide their food, clothing, & other necessities of life (Matt. 6:25-33).