SPIRITUAL ADULTERY: A DANGER TO THOSE WHO MISHANDLED AND MIXED UP THE TRUTH OF TODAY

By: Bishop Albert Gran

Romans 7:1-6

King James Version (KJV)

1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

³ So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

⁶ But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

This study was conceived as a matter of giving emphasis and consideration to the present reality which have had happened in the realm of Christianity of which majority are united in the stand of LIVING and ABIDING in the law of flesh, serving the flesh after the law which is the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER (Galatians 2:16).

It's interesting to note however that any believer of Christ had to recognize the power of God working in us today with the might brought by the gospel of Christ whereby we were made in Christ as His new creatures who had the strength to live, used the power of God and His might by the Spirit's tool which is the Word of God. Interestingly, it was expressed in accordance to the revelation of the mystery ( Eph. 2:10; Eph. 1:18-20; Eph 3:1-5; Eph 3:16).

Not just a thought but based on divine perspective in view of the revelation of the mystery, Paul from his pen through the Spirit gave us two major and distinct ways of living in this world. These two living way principles indeed were such realities obvious in the faith of every person regardless of his or her religion and denominational affiliation ( Romans 2:16). What are these two ways? Now, let's consider this fact.

A. LAW VS. GRACE

Romans 6:14

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not UNDER THE LAW, but under GRACE.

B. FAITH VS. WORKS OF THE LAW

Romans 9:31-33

King James Version (KJV)

³¹ But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

³² Wherefore? Because they sought it NOT BY FAITH, but as it were by the WORKS OFTHE LAW. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

³³ As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

C. WORKS VS. GRACE

Romans 11:5-7

King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

⁶ And IF BY GRACE, then is it NO MORE OF WORKS: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

⁷ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Although these are three sets of passages presented here, but in summary there were just two-fold distinct operation in matters of every persons kind of living which not only possibly but definitely working and operating in his life.

This study will pose self evaluation to determine what kind of spirit being you are who's living in this world of vanity, devastation, and or corruption. Are you craving towards meritorious act of self reliance to gain salvation and favor from God with that condemnation of hell, establishing own righteousness to gain men's approval only? Haven't not faith to the free gift of salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ has offered from the eternal condemnation of hell and such made you obtained the position as one NEW MAN in Christ with life classified as all triumphant and victorious in spite sufferings?

OUR LIVING IN GRACE IS FREEDOM

Our relationship with Christ in this dispensation of grace allegorically compared with the relationship of husband and wife.

Clearly, Paul addressed this instruction to those who KNOW THE LAW. Without doubt these are those who had given the law, specifically the people of Israel who were avid teachers and doers of the Law God preached by Moses for their obedience. Accordingly, we clearly understood the benefits which were gained and profited by Israelites in terms of THE LAW.

Romans 9

King James Version (KJV)

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of THE LAW, and the service of God, and the promises;

⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

In time past, God clearly mandated those covenanted people, the people of Israel who had received THE LAW. This is that which have had DOMINION AND RULE OVER THEM. The body of human flesh had no choice to oppose and ignore it. They had to live consistently to the mandate of God's COMMANDMENTS so anyone, being a Jew or Gentile proselyte could have had peaceful relationship with God and received fleshly blessings from the fruit of their labor and in the land as God caused them to do it in condition of one's performing action and obedience to it.

Another featuring account of God's dealing in time past is that those who will not live and abide by THE LAW were subjected to corresponding curses knowing it's a total missing the mark  (sin) of not submitting God's word because the LAW is the truth of God in time past.

In other words, this is a way to challenge God's justice and establish righteousness brought by His statutes and laws, thus made him execute his punishment and immediate judgement which is visible in the flesh.

Joshua 8:33-35

King James Version (KJV)

³³ And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

³⁴ And afterward he READ ALL THE WORDS OF THE LAW, THE BLESSINGS AND CURSINGS, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

³⁵ There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

Clearly, it's evident that to be in subjection under the law, there had been much significance in matters of CONDITIONAL DEALINGS which God himself instructed to His people through the mouth of His prophets.

Bible believers often thought these instructions in accord to the law seems the WAY or the SAME WAY God has dealt the church the Body of Christ with Paul as our apostle and minister in our time. Unknowingly, many remarkable attempts done by lots of preachers and church ministers today had viewed their services in application of the Mosaic law. Recent doctrines about the physical and fleshly manifestation of God in view of the conditions stated above were such thoughts believed to be the same principles operating in this dispensation of grace. However we found that those were just cliches and viewed traditional doctrines in accordance to the law. Those were things Paul says which are something corresponding the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER.

The OT LAW which was continued in the NT so-called four gospels correspond to the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER which Paul in the context the members of the Body of Christ are being delivered (verse 6).

WHY SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?

Please notice these verses:

Romans 7:1-6

1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

³ So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

As I wrote above, recipients of these verses speaks about the people of Israel that know the law, except those Gentiles today who believed they're called "SPIRITUAL JEWS" and became MOSAIC LAW ABIDERS. It's a fact nowadays that many Gentiles who were Christians held the doctrines in the Jewish religion, establishing righteousness which is of the law, doing services in accordance to the law.

 
DISPENSATIONAL UNDERSTANDING IN THIS ALLEGORICAL MARRIAGE TYPE RELATIONSHIP

Folks, there is deeper wisdom in light with this passage that the Lord through Paul would want us to convey.

Many verses in Scriptures helped us understand that Christ 's relationship to Israel is a type of marriage bond and or husband-wife relationship. I believed he used an allegorical illustration for the church the Body of Christ in these set of passages found in Romans 7.

I perceived that Christ through Paul had in mind about his dealings in comparison between them who knew the law (the people of Israel in time past) and WE(v.6) who were DELIVERED FROM THE LAW AND SERVED IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT.

MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP IN THE DISPENSATION OF LAW

In time past account, God gave the law to Moses to be His words for the people of Israel to obey. He indeed established conditions of SET BLESSINGS in physical nature and CURSINGS in view of physical afflictions such as plagues, nature disaster which God Himself caused against evil doers may it His own people who disobeyed Him.

God's dealing to the people of Israel is purely a commonwealth of Israel whereby the WORD OF GOD AND THE TRUTH were big issues FOUND IN THE LAW ( Eph. 2:11-12). THE LAW is a view type of relationship in the allegorical marriage of God to the NATION ISRAEL.

The people of Israel had to stick to be obedient to the law of her husband as long as he lives. This is the clear indication of which a MAN WHO IS CALLED A JEW should keep and observe THE LAW because this is the condition current in the time wherein her husband (speaking of Israel) was yet alive. Even the time prior Christ's death, the ACCOUNT OF THE LAW was still in view to be established when someone wants to find the truth about the God of Israel.

OLD TESTAMENT

Proverbs 3:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

1 My son, FORGET NOT MY LAW; but let thine heart KEEP MY COMANDMENTS:

² For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

³ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

NEW TESTAMENT

John 14:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

¹⁵ If ye love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

In these verses in view of comparison, THE LAW and COMMANDMENT KEEPERS have to implore in based on THE LAW. Even in the truths and doctrines communicated by John and the 12 apostles, such were truths in view of the law and the commandments. Every man who is called JEW must show love to God and render services to Him in view of KEEPING COMMANDMENTS.

To sum it up, it's the condition in the so-called four gospel account how a man implore the commandments pertinent to the kingdom and about the kingdom to be established ON EARTH in consonance TO THE MOSAIC LAW.

It's observable therefore how God in time past prior the ushering of this dispensation of grace became deeply jealous when His people associated another god or gods for worship of which instant punishment was executed among the violators. Along this notion is the verdict to call his people an adulteress or someone committed a SPRITUAL ADULTERY due to recognizing small gods in behalf of the ALMIGHTY GOD IN HEAVEN. In other words, that's an ultimate violation of the moral law which is: "Thou shall not have other gods before me".

Exodus 20:4-6

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ THOU SHALL NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a JEALOUS GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

A SUDDEN DEATH OF HER HUSBAND

This is today's current allegorical relationship with Christ and of God TO SERVE IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT under the dispensation of grace. This relationship has to be preserved and not to be stained again with THE YOKE OF BONDAGE, THE LAW for doing such is an indication of committing SPIRITUAL ADULTERY when going back to the law.

Christ had already put an end OF THE LAW at the cross of Calvary ( Romans 10:4, Col. 2:13-15). Now, Paul proclaimed that our justification should not be by the law but by the faith of Christ's blood (Rom. 3:24-25). It's His offering of grace which made us enjoy the assurance of salvation and fellowship with one another in the fellowship of the mystery (Tit. 2:11, Eph. 3:9).

An allegory of the BOC's current marriage relationship is something must not BE ADULTERATED BY LIVING UNDER THE LAW AND MIXING DOCTRINES WITH THAT OF THE REVIVED MOSAIC LAW as in the case of the churches of Galatia wherein many perverted the gospel of Christ and went back to establish works for righteousness ( Romans 6:14, 2 Cor. 4:2).

A CALL TO LIVE BY GRACE

Romans 7:4-5

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Romans 6:6-10

King James Version (KJV)

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

After knowing the Church's present relationship, our services to God must be akin to SERVE IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT AND NOT IN THE OLDNESS OF THE LETTER. What if many today served the OLDNESS OF THE LETTER instead having services in THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT?

 
Paul was very emphatic by saying that "ye also are BECOME DEAD TO LAW BY THE BODY OF CHRIST" ( Romans 7:4). So why revived the law in our present service in the dispensation of grace? Would you like to commit a spiritual adultery after knowing your standing in the present relationship you had with Christ?

Since we were already dead to the law what does it imply? It implies to LIVE IN ACCORDANCE TO GRACE .

Folks, don't ever wish for yourself to LIVE UNDER THE LAW IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL after knowing that the present relationship with Jesus Christ to the Church, the Body of Christ is the WAY OF GRACE when THE LAW WAS PUT TO DEATH ON THAT CROSS AND NO LESS THE KIND OF SERVICE WE HAVE TO MANIFEST BEFORE HIM.

If you want to commit spiritual adultery then preach and teach MIXED UP TRUTHS.

Grace and Peace,