The Strand Study Bible

GENESIS

127

GENESIS

the same Greek word that is translated “ covet . ” Some would argue, “Doesn’t Law #7 also warn against lusting?” The answer is “No.” Law #7 warns against adultery, which locates its root in lust. Law #10 warns against lusting. So, the question remains – if the key to avoiding adultery is to stay away from lust, what is the key to avoiding lust? The key to avoiding lust, according to Law #7, is to avoid the “bait” that releases the urge to lust. However, in order to avoid the wrong kind of “bait,” the Bible suggests that we replace the wrong kind of “bait” with the right kind of “bait” ( I Pet 1:15 ). NOTE - In order to master this tenth law ( Thou shalt not covet, i.e., lust), we are going to have to learn to lust after the right things (I Pet 1:13-15). According to the Bible, Christians are admonished to lust after: * The things of Christ (Mt 13:16-17) – Learn to covet the things of Christ and you’ll learn to curb your lust for the things of the world (Titus 2:11-12). * The things of the Spirit (Gal 5:17) – Learn to covet the things of the Spirit and you’ll learn to curb your lust for the things of the Devil (Jn 8:44). * Spiritual things (Lk 22:14-15) – Learn to covet spiritual things and you’ll learn to curb your lust for ungodly things (Jude 17-19). * The things that accompany salvation (I Pet 1:10-12) – Learn to covet things that accompany salvation and you’ll learn to curb your lust that accompanies sin (I Cor 10:1-6). * The things that minister to others (Heb 6:9-11) – Learn to covet things that minister to others and you’ll learn to curb your lust for the flesh (I Pet 2:11 and II Pet 2:17-18). 11. Do not misrepresent Christ and salvation - Gen 3:15,21 & 4:1-7 & 8:20 & 22:1-8 & 35:14, Job 1:5 and Exo 12 & 18:12 (Lev 1-7) Seeing CHRIST had not come yet (Mt 1:23-25), how did Adam (Gen 3:15,21), Abel (Gen 4:1-7), Noah (Gen 8:20), Abraham (Gen 22:1-8), Jacob (Gen 35:14), Job (Job Job 1:5) and Moses (Exo 12 & 18:12 and Lev 1-7) know Him? The answer is simple. The Word of God and truths concerning CHRIST was written on their hearts (Rom 2:12-15), and they had not seared their conscience (I Tim 4:2) as others did (Gen 13:13). Whether it was a burnt offering (Job 1:5 & 42:8), a peace offering, a meal offering, a sin offering or a trespass offering, every OT offering pointed forward to and was a type of the sacrifice of CHRIST ( Lev 1:2 and Jn 1:29 a,b ). According to the clear testimony of Scripture, salvation is in every aspect a work of God on behalf of man, and is in no sense a work of man on behalf of God ( Exo 14:13,30-31 , Jonah 2:9 and Eph 2:8-9 ). Thus, God warns us throughout Scripture not to tamper with the two ingredients that make up salvation: His Word and His Spirit (I Pet 1:22-23, II Thess 2:13, Ezk 37:1-10, Titus 3:5 b and Jn 3:5 ), both of which are symbolized by water (Eph 5:26 and Jn 7:38-39), as is salvation itself (Jn 4:14). Learn about water and you will learn about salvation. Interestingly enough, water is not an element, but a combination of two elements (or, gases): hydrogen and oxygen. Separate the two elements (or, gases) found in water and you have an explosive situation on your hands. Whereas hydrogen is the most flammable gas known to science, oxygen is responsible for all combustion. Which means, the two ingredients that make up water (hydrogen and oxygen), if separated, become highly explosive and combustible. Like water, you don’t want to separate the two ingredients found in salvation. To do so is sure to end in fire. However, the beauty of combining these two gases to form water is that, together, the two gases become a fluid that puts fires out instead of starts them. Separate the ingredients in salvation and instead of avoiding a fire, you’ll be headed to one (Hell). Don’t mess with God’s plan of salvation (Rev 22:17-19). NOTE - In order to master this eleventh law (and not misrepresent CHRIST and salvation), we are going to have to study thoroughly the doctrine of the OT MESSIAH (who He is, what He did, and what He is going to do - Lk 24:13-27 and PSALMS “MINI” SERIES). 12. Support the ministry (i.e., work) of God - Gen 14:17-20 & 28:18-22 (Exo 22:29-30) According to the Scriptures, tithing is the means whereby we support the work of God. The work of God, however, has nothing to do with property and everything to do with people. God doesn’t save buildings; God saves believers. Therefore, our tithes ought to go to support those who are in God’s business of saving people. It is interesting to note that Abraham supported God’s ministry by supporting God’s minister: And he (Abraham) gave him (Melchizedek, the minister of God) tithes of all.” According to Numbers 18:20-24, the tithe was never established so as to finance building programs. God commanded the people of God to tithe for the sole purpose of meeting the physical needs of those who minister for God ( Mal 3:8 and I Cor 9:6,14 ). Offerings, not tithes, were used to build buildings ( Exo 35:5 ). According to the Scriptures: * Tithing was practiced by the people of God long before there was ever a Bible to instruct them to do so (Gen 14:17-20). * Tithing meant giving 10% of your income to God (Gen 28:22). * Tithing is not something we wait to do (Exo 22:29-30). God said, “ Thou shalt not delay .” * Tithing meant giving 10% of our earned income to God (Exo 23:16). * Tithing meant bringing our tithe to the house of the Lord (Exo 23:19). * Tithing meant the first of our earnings ought to go to God (Exo 34:26). In other words, the first thing we ought to do is tithe. * Tithing is not something we give, but something we owe (Lev 27:30-34). God said, “ the tithe...is the Lord’s...these are the commandments. ” * Tithing is God’s way of caring for His ministers (Num 18:20). God said, “ I am thy part and thine inheritance. ” * Tithing is not our decision, but God’s decision (Num 18:21). God said, “ I have given. ”