The Value of God's Mercy - BOOK 5

This fifth book deals with the misunderstanding that God has discarded the Ten Commandments. Of course, no one really believes that. What they wish to believe is that He discarded the Seventh Day Sabbath. The presence of lawless behavior in the Body of believers, known today as THE CHURCH is evidence that this false teaching is widely accepted. It is also widely believed that Old Covenant believers were saved by obedience to the Law, while New Covenant believers are saved by GRACE through FAITH. The idea that God meant the Law, i.e. the Ten Commandments ONLY for Israel is clearly refuted by several scriptures. The problem that faces the Body of Christ is that most believers are too busy to study diligently and to research the Word of God to find answers for such controversial issues. That God always had Gentile nations in His plan of redemption is also clearly exposed and defended by many scriptures. This is evidenced by His compassion, missionary endeavors among the heathen nations, and the fact that in the lineage of several of His saints, prophets and great leaders of His people the Gentile connection was always there. Not to mention that the prophets spoke out clearly of His reaching out to bring the heathen in. Before His passion, Jesus Himself referred to the other sheep He had which were not of the Jewish flock He was leading. God's inclusion of foreigners and eunuchs is a classic example of the wideness of God's mercy to those who are lost. Paul, the apostle's examples of images of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob only emphasizes the fact that God had structured a plan to bring the heathen nations into His program of redemption for the entire human race. He proceeds also to demonstrate from an agricultural image the way in which God has grafted in those from heathen nations that have trusted in Christ, and to make it clear that they are not inferior to Jewish believers. The life of Christ has demonstrated adequately that it is possible for human beings to obey God's commandments, but only if they give themselves in complete surrender to the operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The book climaxes on the important theme of FAITH. Everyone, Jew Gentile, rich or poor, despite economic position comes into the kingdom of God ty trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross with the understanding that human effort plays no part in an individual's deliverance from the power and kingdom of Satan. In the final statements of the book God demands holiness from His people. That high calling can only be achieved by spending quality time with Him to know His laws and His ways.