Make no Provision
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lust thereof, Rom13:14
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to 'take away' sin, not make provision for it. Provision is antithetical to the entirely of Scripture, because it circumvents covenant and mercy with satisfaction and wrath appeased, that's why it requires realms of explanation to explain away the obvious Commands of Christ and invent a Replacement theology that renders deeds of no value. It makes 'every Provision for the flesh in that the supposed convert under it is left powerless against sin in a state of limbo waiting for God to magically change them from naughty to nice. But The gospel and the covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ begins with the word REPENT and makes no attempt at Substitutional provision, but is active participation in the life of God, a life of faith, hope and love. It is a life that purifies and perfects the saints for the kingdom of heaven and has nothing to do with making provisions for the flesh. Thus, a willing participation to the terms of the covenant is mandatory. And no replacement is possible, no alternative is acceptable and no substitution to the active work of the Cross in the life of the believer can save.
Fundamental to the Salvation of mankind is an accurate understanding of the Atonement. Paul said 'Great is the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh' 1Tim3:16, and so today, for the most part, to professing Christendom it remains a 'Mystery. Since the very first days of the Reformation the Atonement has been misconstrued as a Substitutionary provision based on Satisfaction instead of a Covenant of mercy as expressed in the Bible:
Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deut7:9, Dan9:4
'He Keeps Covenant and Mercy!' Not Satisfaction and Payment.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the (New) Testament in His blood, (Mat26:28,
Lk22:20)
diathēkē
is a Covenant, Contract, disposition, Will, stating the Terms required by the
Testator to those willing to KEEP it in order to enjoy the benefits it
provides. The Bible says:
He takes away the
first that He may establish the Second, Heb10:10, making the first obsolete,
Heb8:13
The Principle of Christ's Covenant is liken to the marriage covenant. In joining
with Christ we become recipients of all the riches of His Kingdom in
righteousness, peace and joy (Rom14:17) in return we, after the death of our
self-centered rebellion in the Baptism of repentance, bequeath Him all our
heart, mind and soul. The two parties become One and share in each others
possessions. This is what Jesus prayed for in the Garden, in that He and the
Father were one, that also His followers by faithfulness to Him would become
one, John17:23, 'I in them, and You in Me; that they may
be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and
have loved them as You have loved Me.
In this dynamic relationship believer and Master are in unity, working
together, 'he who does what is Right is Righteous just as He is Righteous',
we share in all the riches of His Kingdom, Christ our Righteousness and the
promise of eternal life if we remain faithful to the covenant.
Jesus said 'he that is not with me (not in
Covenant) is against me, and he who does not gather with Me (into this covenant)
scattered abroad' Mat12:30. Gathering people under the principle of
Satisfaction and having them receive Christ as their Substitute, is no
relationship at all because its based on the false premise that His Covenant is
an unconditional entitlement program that gives everything to us free of charge
asking nothing in return. What this does is frustrates Grace (receives it in
vain) and leaves the convert powerless against sin. In this sense they have
re-written the TERMS of the Testament from Covenant and Mercy to Payment
and Satisfaction. Forgiveness granted in lieu of payment made and Wrath
satisfied, instead of repentance and faith proven by deeds. The Provision
(Christ's finished work on cross) serving as the alternative to coming clean and
adhering to the conditions set forth in the Covenant. So under their 'terms' God
accepts man's filthy rags and cheapened devotion to Christ, pronounces
them not guilty and bestowed upon them all the riches of the Kingdom with no
strings attached.
Here's the critical
mistake they have made:
Christ's Covenant made no provision for Payment of your sin debt, nor did He
stand in as a Substitute to be punished in your place in order to appease God's
Wrath. The Blood Justifies the Mercy extended to the sinner, that's why the
Covenant states: 'Repentance for Remission', should be Preached, not
Payment or Provision for remission. (Lk24:47) Wherein God will grant Mercy
to the sinner who forsakes their sins in repentance and return them to favor
because they have resolved to follow and obey Christ, trusting that His blood
remits and purges away their past life of sinful rebellion when they crucify
(put to death) their evil passions and self-indulgent lusts. This was the
Promise of the latter reign in Acts2:17-21, in that His Spirit would be poured
out on all flesh who would Repent and be Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,
Acts2:38, The Promise of Sin removed, blotted out and the times of
Refreshing would come from the presence of the Lord, Acts3:19. The
Kingdom established in the heart of man, the Millennial reign of Christ
beginning at Pentecost, gathering in His elect (those who would come) in the
gospel age of Grace. Its this 'Refreshing that is missing form the
Payment model, no quickening has taken place, just a forensic decree of status
change from sinner to 'sinner saved by grace. The sin remains, covered, but not
purged, confessed but not forsaken. The vicious cycle of ruin continues unabated
in 'works of rebellion they will not forsake.
Those who have Put on the Lord Jesus
Christ make no provision for the flesh (lust, self-indulgence) because
there is NO Provision! Making one or seeking after one would violate the
terms of the Covenant, break the contract and forfeit any benefits it provided
had the agreement been kept, because: 'How can we who have died to sin
live any longer in it!' Rom6:2, if you have indeed entered into this
Covenant with Christ through baptism into His death, having died to sin and been
raised to Newness of life, then sin is not 'Covered but 'done away,
the bondage broken, the Covenant has RANSOMED you from darkness to light
form the Power of Satan to God! Acts26:18. In this the sinner is Washed,
Renewed and Regenerated, which works a radical renovation of your character
and behavior, Titus3:5, 2Pet1:3-4, Acts26:18-21, ALL within the
Stated Terms of Christ's Covenant:
Full / free Remission of past sins granted to the repentant sinner on virtue of
the shed blood of Christ providing an actual release from Bondage by purging the
conscience, purifying the heart and a cleansing for present service, Heb9:14,
12:28. Trusting in a Satisfaction or Payment made cannot provide this because
fidelity is not required, how could a marital covenant be maintained if only
one party was faithful and the other constantly defiling it with betrayal!
Impossible because the contract would be nullified. This is why the New Covenant
of Christ is said to be:
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Heb8:6
More excellent, better, far superior to the first; that could not 'take
away' sin or purge it out of the heart of the believer, or even provides a means
by which willful sin could be atoned, but an exceeding great and precious
Promise that by entering into Christ we can Partake of the Divine Nature and
escape the corruption that is the world through lust! 2Pet1:3-4.
ALL things that pertain to life and godliness have been freely given to
those who will take up active participation in this better Covenant. It is a
'synergistic' agreement
in which the rewards are granted to those who comply with the
Conditions. When Christ took away the first and established the second He
confirmed this as its Seal: 'Let anyone who names the name of Christ
Depart from iniquity!' 2Tim2:19 Those who believe that the Covenant is
unconditional will not depart from iniquity or make any attempt to clear
themselves of wrong doing to be found Worthy of Christ, because they're accepted
'as is, no change required. They frustrate His Grace and make it of no effect in
their lives, thinking their filthy rags will be accepted in the Kingdom, cloaked
in His righteousness. But His Covenant is to the betterment of BOTH
parties involved, in that we offer Him our full devotion (living sacrifice,
Rom12:1-2) and He sends us the Comforter to guide us into all truth and bring
all things to our remembrance. So the scripture speaks of this 'Better promise
thus: let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the
confession of our hope without wavering, for He who
promised is faithful Heb10:22-23
His faithfulness is without question, ours is
dependent on steadfast endurance to the end.
And having been
perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
Heb5:9
Covenant and Mercy requires obedience and devotion, whereas Substitution and Satisfaction genders complacency and apathy. Those who have not departed from iniquity are not partakers of Christ and will only inherit indignation and Wrath in the end because they failed in patient continuance in doing well as required to inherit eternal life. Rom2:7-8. Many will be defrauded of this reward by taking delight in empty promises trusting in Provisions instead of taking an active part in Christ’s Covenant by crucifying their flesh and becoming an heir of His Kingdom. Sin hardens and defiles the heart, that’s why it must be purged out in repentance once for all, with the understanding that in Christ you are as one betrothed with the responsibility of keeping yourself Pure, spotless and blameless until His coming. 2Pet3:14, 17-18. Defilement and error violates the contract, just as it would in a marriage relationship, and forfeits the birthright. The Holy Spirit is given as 'earnest arrabōn, down payment, pledge, NOT a guarantee (as translated in many newer versions, Eph1:13-14, deposit in 2Cor1:22) The Covenant gives converts the HOPE of eternal life, based on the promises: 'that having been justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Tit3:7, said to be in the age to come, yet to be reaped, Gal6:7-9, we do not possess eternal life in our mortal coil, only the hope of it. Rom4:18, 5:2,4, 8:24-25, Gal5:5, Eph1:18, 4:4, Col1:5, 23, 27, 1Thes5:8, 1Tim1:1, Heb3:6, 11, 19, 1Pet1:3, 13, Many times stated as such:
Those who by Patient Continuance in doing good, inherit eternal life, Rom2:7-8, The Bride who made herself Ready, spotless and pure is joined with Him in the Kingdom, Rev19:7-8, the good and faithful Servant, Ma25:21. 23, Lk19:17, Those who wisely trim their lamps and eagerly await their Bridegroom Mat25:1-13, Those who Walk the Narrow Way, Call Him Lord and KEEP His Commandments Mat7:13-14, Lk6:46. The Purpose of His Covenant is to prepare a Special People, a chosen generation, a holy nation to proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light! 1Pet2:9. This requires active participation on part of the called (ecclesia, call out ones) who holding fast the word of life may rejoice in the Day of Christ that their race was not run in vain, Phil2:16, 2Tim4:7. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Heb3:14
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
For you have need of
endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the
promise: For
yet a little while,
And
He
who is coming
will come and will not tarry. Now the
just shall live
by faith; But if
anyone draws
back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
Heb10:36-38
Aberrance to the Covenant is the means by which we are returned
to Favor with God (Reconciliation) In Repentance the works of rebellion are
forsaken and purged form the heart by uniting with Christ's death and
resurrection, in this the bondage to sin is broken, Rom6:4-6. Ceasing form our
own works and entering into His rest is illustrative of our 'dying to sin and
living for righteousness' in fully identifying with Christ, 1Pet2:21-24,
'To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example that you should FOLLOW in His steps! Christ is our Sabbath rest,
in Him our Moral conscience (knowledge of right and wrong, Jh1:9) is inscribed
in Newness of life. The Righteousness of the law is engraved into our spirit.
This is the Covenant He made with those who would follow Him;
'I will PUT My laws into their mind and write them on their hearts'
(Heb8:10, Jer31:33) meaning in the Washing and Regeneration of the human soul,
He 'gives, supplies, furnishes ALL things necessary for us to live
soberly, righteously and godly in this present age
looking for the
blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave Himself for
us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for
Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus2:11-14.
To Professed Christendom the Covenant/Ransom model of Reconciliation and
Redemption is a radical departure form the 'receive, trust in Jesus routine
based on Substitution and Satisfaction. They focus on Debt Paid and Wrath
appeased done in their place, as the theoretic Proxy arrangement that guarantees
their eternal salvation apart from anything they do or don't do. It's what's
been DONE that secures their outcome, not meeting any conditions on their
part. They admire Christ for what they imagine took place on the Cross, but do
not take an active part in His life, death and resurrection as their daily walk.
That's why there's no dying to sin and living for Righteousness going on in the
establishment Churches; because the moral to the story is always Jesus did it
for you, so its nice if you try, but He has you Covered and its HIS work
(already done) that matters in the end, not yours. As long as you believe your
final salvation is not dependent on remaining faithful to Christ, it’s highly
doubtful your one of His to begin with. You cannot be genuinely
betrothed
to someone and treat them as though your behavior doesn’t matter and neither can
you be a genuine disciple of Christ without doing your part in His Covenant.
Jesus came to Destroy the works of the devil and Release (Ransom) man from his bondage, but by accepting a modified version the Atonement, religious man has essentially disqualified himself from participation in the Covenant and Mercy with God by his failure to comply with the terms of Love and Obedience set forth from
the foundation of the
world, 'the
faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations
with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Deut7:9, Dan9:4,
Sadly Satisfaction and Payment serves as man's Substitute for NOT
meeting God's requirements and has therefore made Redemption
unworkable; because the whole Purpose of it is to bring about a cessation of sin
and the Power by which to overcome it by faithfulness to Christ. There cannot be
a defiled Bride at the Wedding feast, dressed in filthy rags with a divided
heart;
Let
us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has
come, and His wife has made herself ready. And
to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the
fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Rev19:7-8
Without the proper wedding garment you will be cast away into outer darkness,
Mat22:11, as you are now you will be then, no magic change from naughty to nice,
when the time is at hand: 'He
who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy
still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him
be holy still.
Man cannot be joined together with God by any form of Substitutionary atonement, under such a scheme he would always be alienated from partaking in the life of God by the proxy arrangement of Christ taking his punishment and ‘exchanging His Virtue for their sinfulness. God would always have to ‘look the other way’ (so to speak) and pretend they are acceptable by crediting His Son’s righteousness to them by a ‘barley faith that He must count as devotion enough because He wasn’t able to remove the sin, just cover it. Covenant however removes the alienation of sin entirely by purging it away through the blood and re-establishing fellowship with man by returning him to favor through the dynamic of repentance and faith proven by deeds. Both parties are involved in the reconciliation actively participating in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (the Savoir) to remove the enmity (sin) and restore the originally intended purity through a faith working by love and diligently obeying the truth. No pretense of Righteousness involved or some mysterious imputation as a fictionist cloak, but genuine fidelity of a fruit producing life that serves God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. And No Provision is made for fleshly indulgence.