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PARABLE EXPLAINED
THIS PARABLE DEPICTS BIBLE SALVATION
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
The Man . . . . . . . . . Us
The Company . . . . . . Heaven
The Exam . . . . . . . . . God's Plan
The Monitor . . . . . . . Jesus Christ
What a shock for that man. Spending all that time struggling with
the exam only to find out that his best
was not good enough. Even worse was the discovery that the company was
willing to let someone else
take the exam in his place.
We are all required to pass the exam known as God's Law (Romans 3:19).
The problem is the standard
is too high (Romans 3:23). The law requires perfection (James 2:10,11)
and no one can pass by their own
power (Galatians 2:16). Yet, many try. If they were only honest
with themselves they would have to
admit that it is hopeless (Romans 7:14-20). Fortunately, God also knows
it is hopeless. That is why He
provided the other option which in reality is the only option.
--
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it
saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all
the world may become guilty before God." (Romans 3:19)
"(10)For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (11)For he that said, Do not
commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no
adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law."
(James 2:10-11)
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the
works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified." (Galatians 2:16)
"(14)For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am
carnal, sold under sin. (15)For that which I do I allow not: for what I
would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16)If then I do that
which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17)Now then
it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18)For I know
that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is
present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
(19)For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I
do. (20)Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but
sin that dwelleth in me." (Romans 7:14-20)
Jesus Christ is our option. Like the exam monitor in our
story, He is willing to fulfill the requirements
for us. He died in our place to satisfy the requirements of the law on
our behalf (Romans 8:1-4;
10:4,5). All we have to do is admit that we can't do it ourselves.
That means repenting of our pride and
sins and believing God when He says it has been settled by Christ. We
must put our trust in Him and not
in our own ability to satisfy God's law (Ephesians 1:12-14; Philippians 3:3-
9). Until we do this there is
no rest and no peace - only the feeling of taking an unreasonable exam for a
whole lifetime.
--
"(1)There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2)For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free
from the law of sin and death. (3)For what the law could not do, in
that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4)That the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-4)
"(4)For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness
to every one that believeth. (5)For Moses describeth the righteousness
which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by
them." (Romans 10:4-5)
"(12)That we should be to the praise of his glory, who
first trusted in Christ. (13)In whom ye also trusted, after that ye
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that
ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14)Which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:12-14)
"(3)For we are the circumcision, which worship God in
the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(4)Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any
other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
(5)Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
(6)Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which
is in the law, blameless. (7)But what things were gain to me, those I
counted loss for Christ. (8)Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ, (9)And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith:" (Philippians 3:3-9).
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