Page 41 - Laying Down the Law

In each telling of this encounter, the writer reveals that Christ told the young
man who had kept the Law that he still was lacking. Christ said, “IF YOU WANT TO
BE PERFECT” there is something further you must do. The word translated as
“perfect” here is the Greek word “teleios.” It means, “perfect, entire, lacking in
nothing.” To become “teleios” Christ told the young man that he must go beyond the
Law, and “take up the cross and follow Me.”
How does one follow Christ? They receive the Spirit of Christ and surrender to
be guided by it in all things in the same way that Yahshua did. The Spirit will lead all
men to a cross. Those who are guided by the Law are able to make a good showing in
the flesh while avoiding the cross.
Those of you who read this writing, I declare to you that if you cling to the Law
as your guide for living, you will be able to make a good showing in the flesh. Men will
applaud you for your righteous appearance, but you will fall short of becoming
“perfect, entire and lacking in nothing.” If you surrender to be led of the Spirit in all
things, you too may be required to sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor.”
Men will not applaud you for this. Family members will tell you that you are
misguided. Religious people, and lovers of money, will tell you that you need to hold
onto your possessions that the world might see that obedience to God results in
prosperity. Yet, Christ, speaking through the inspiration of the Spirit of His Father
revealed this to be the will of God for this young man. If he would be perfect, he must
go beyond the Law to a life fully surrendered to the Spirit.
Christ declares that this is a cost that ALL disciples must accept. Everything you
possess must be yielded to the Spirit to be used as He directs.
Consider now why the Law is so attractive to men and women today. Embracing
the Law delivers them from suffering while permitting them to make a good showing
in the flesh.
Those who are concerned that my teaching in this series will lead to lawlessness,
now know the truth. It is an adherence to the Law that leads one away from full
submission to the will of God and prevents men from coming to spiritual maturity.
I ask you to consider this matter in your own life. Is it not easier for you to give
Yahweh a tithe of your increase than to submit all you possess to Him for His
disposal? Does it not strike fear into your heart to consider what a full surrender to
the Spirit in this realm might result in?
If you have embraced the Law as your guide, you can console yourself with the
thought that you have done well in giving to God a tithe. You can avoid asking God
if He would have you to give everything. If this is your experience, the Law has
severed you from the Spirit of Christ. The Law has usurped the role of the Spirit as
Yahweh’s voice to disclose His full and perfect will to you.

Galatians 5:4
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law...

Is not the fear of suffering a powerful motivator? Many, not discerning the