05. The Discrimination Principle

CHAPTER FIVE The Discrimination Principle a. Definition.

1. That principle by which we should divide the Word of Truth, so as to make a distinction where God makes a difference.

2. Failure to do this leads to confusion. b. Divisions.

1. The difference between the creatures and the children of God.

(a) Failure to make this difference leads to error, and results in the preaching of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. All men are not brothers, and God is not father of all men.

(b) All men are the creatures of God, but all men are not the children of God.

(c) We became creatures of God at the creation of Adam, as the head of the race. The whole race was created in Adam. In creating Adam, God created each one of us. Every human being came from Adam.

(d) Men become children of God through regeneration, re-creation, or the new birth. We are not born Christians.

(e) Creaturehood goes back to creation, but childhood goes back to regeneration. The process is different. God created one man and gave him the power of propagation, but never has created a man since. Since Adam, men are born by the process of human propagation.

(f) A creature of God is under sin; in Adam all men fell and came under the power of death and came into ruin. This is true of each son of Adam; a sinful man cannot beget a sinless son or a sinless daughter.

He is sinful, disobedient, sensual, devilish, begotten of the flesh, having a mind at enmity to God.

(g) A child of God is the offspring of God, partaking of His nature; no longer linked to Adam of the natural race, but linked to Christ and the spiritual race. He is not under the wrath of God, hut under the favor of God.

(h) Adam was the head of all creation; Christ is the head of the new creation. When a creature of God believes in Christ, he becomes a child of God.

(i) God is the God of all men, but the Father only of saved men. He is the Creator of all men.

(j) Nicodemus called Christ a teacher, not recognizing His deity. Jesus did not answer his question but gave him what he needed, which was the gospel. In His conversation with Nicodemus, Christ was not talking about another natural birth, but about the new birth; and He expected Nicodemus to know about this, because it had been written in Ezekiel 36:25-27. As a teacher in Israel, Nicodemus should have known and understood.

(k) Man is not saved by church membership, nor by conduct, nor creed, nor character, nor by anything except through Christ, and faith in Him.

Titus 3:5 – "Not by human merit nor work nor any other thing." The only character which a man ever possesses is the godliness which comes from God. We can have fellowship with God only through the new nature, which He bestows upon us at the new birth; not through human merit, self-effort, or works.

John 3:16; Romans 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4. By nature we are creatures of God and members of a race that has gone away from God. Not one single thing man can do can make him a Christian.

(1) When a creature of God becomes a child of God, he becomes a member of a brotherhood – Galatians 6:10 – the household of faith. This is a spiritual brotherhood, and is the only real brotherhood on the face of the earth.

2. The difference between being accepted and being acceptable.

(a) In general.

(1) All believers are accepted by God, but all believers are not acceptable to God – Ephesians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Ephesians 1:6 refers to heavenly position – accepted in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:9 has reference to our daily walk or our condition – acceptable or well-pleasing in daily life.

(2) It is a difference between position and condition.

(b) Accepted in Christ – Ephesians 1:6.

(1) Representation – the beloved.

Christ is our Representative. He hung on the cross for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – He bore our sins for us. He represents us today before the face of God. He took our sins; we take on His glory and righteousness.

(2) Identification. His experiences are reckoned as ours – Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6; Romans 6:6 to Romans 8:11. We are to reckon the old man dead and make no provision for him.

Romans 6:4-5 – We are buried with Him.

Colossians 3:1 – We are raised with Him.

Ephesians 2:6 – We have ascended with Him and sit in heavenly places in Christ.

Romans 8:17; Romans 8:30 – We arc glorified with Him.

Christ is all in Christianity – the center and circumference. We see God in Christ; God sees us in Christ. Our position is perfect; our condition is not. Salvation is the way to perfect position and is through faith in Christ.

(3) Acceptability.

We are accepted in the beloved but we should live an acceptable life; it is our responsibility to do so.

We are accepted by faith, but we labor to be acceptable – 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Corinthians 5:9 (approved or accepted).

Christ was always well-pleasing to God. This should be a constant effort on the part of the believer, not spasmodic. We should try with all our hearts to be well-pleasing by the lives we live.

(4) Some warnings.

[a] It is possible to be saved and yet suffer great loss – 1 Corinthians 3:14-15. We are accepted in the Beloved. That does not mean that we can do just as the old nature desires, but we are to live and serve in a way well-pleasing to Him.

[b] It is possible to be saved and yet become a "castaway" – 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Castaway – disapproved. A servant who does not run the race well, or fight the battle well may be set aside or thrown on the rubbish-heap. We must exercise diligence.

[c] It is possible to be saved and still receive chastisement – Colossians 3:25.

[d] It is possible for a Christian to so live as to receive back in himself the results of his wrong living – Galatians 6:7-8.

(5) Our acceptance is once for all; it is finished and instantaneous. Many people live for years without being acceptable to God. Acceptance is forever; but how few are the moments of our acceptability.

3. Difference between faith and works.

(a) Both are of divine appointment, and both are needful to the true believer. Without faith one is not a believer. Without works there is no evidence of faith. Both are found in the life of the true believer.

(b) Faith means belief, or dependence upon Jesus Christ and the truth written in God’s Word, for salvation.

Faith includes the idea of receiving a testimony, which God gives concerning His Son.

Ephesians 2:8-10 – created in Christ Jesus unto good works. verse 8 – by Christ we are saved. verse 9 – not of works. verse 10 – unto good works.

Faith holds the supreme place in the Christian life; it is the means and ca use of the victorious life and Christian experience.

Difference between Christian religion and other religions, which are man-made. Man-made religious works and then salvation. The religion of God says salvation, and then works – Titus 3:5; Titus 2:14.

(c) Summary of Scriptures concerning faith.

(1) It is absolutely needful. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

(2) Faith is believing God, or taking Him at His word.

Saving faith is the faith that receives the testimony concerning God’s Son.

(3) Faith is the means of spiritual life and every spiritual blessing. There is not a blessing that God has for man that is not bestowed upon this foundation of faith.

(d) Summary of Scripture concerning works.

Man is not saved by works, but faith – Ephesians 2:9; Titus 3:5.

Man is not justified by the deeds of the law, but by faith – Romans 3:20; Romans 5:1. The law can give the knowledge of sin, but cannot save from sin; it has no love, brings no grace and brings no life.

It condemns man in sin; but cannot save.

Good works belong to a saved man, and give evidence of his salvation – Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8.

Good works will be rewarded when our Lord comes – 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:8.

4. Difference between salvation and rewards.

(a) This might be called Present Blessing and Future Blessing. The sinner is saved, and the believer is rewarded. The sinner is never rewarded. Salvation to the sinner, and rewards to the saint. There is no reward for the sinner, for God will not recognize the sinner’s works. Nothing awaits him except judgment, condemnation, and death.

(b) Salvation means emancipation from sin and from the wrath of God.

(c) Rewards are compensation for faithfulness, for labor, and for suffering.

(d) Salvation is a gift bestowed by God. Rewards are earned.

Salvation is a present gift, and rewards are a future attainment.

(e) Summary of Scripture concerning salvation.

(1) It is wholly of the Lord.

God is the source of salvation.

Jesus Christ is the Saviour.

(2) Salvation is all of God’s grace, love, and mercy – Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11.

(3) Salvation is received by faith – Acts 16:31; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:8-9.

(4) Salvation is a present possession – something the believer has now – John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:47; 2 Timothy 1:9.

(f) Summary of Scriptures concerning rewards.

(1) Rewards are earned by works and by faithful service – 1 Corinthians 3:11-13; 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

(2) Rewards may be forfeited through carelessness, faithlessness, and compromise – 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

(3) Rewards will be given when Christ returns.

(4) Rewards are promised by God as a means of inspiration and encouragement.

(5) Rewards are promised that the believer might be weaned from the pursuit of earthly riches and pleasures, and kept interested in the things of heaven.

[a] Are to inspire us to a loving ministry, encourage us when in suffering and persecution, and to incite us to faithfulness in duty – Colossians 3:17-25; 2 Timothy 4:8.

[b] The crowns promised in God’s Word are symbols of spiritual blessings.

[1] Crown of rejoicing – for soul winners – 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

[2] Incorruptible crown – for one who keeps his body under (temperate in all things) – 1 Corinthians 9:25.

[3] Crown of righteousness – telling of His coming – 2 Timothy 4:8.

[4] Crown of glory – faithfulness in ministering – 1 Peter 5:2-4.

[5] Crown of life – enduring testing – James 1:12.

5. Difference between the believer’s position and walk.

There is nothing that will add more joy to the Christian life and service than the realization of the truth concerning the position one has in Christ, and the relationship of that position to his walk.

(a) The believer’s position or standing in the sight of God is one of absolute perfection in Christ. We are accepted in the Beloved. Nothing can be added to, and nothing can be taken away from our position. No matter how holy a life a man may live, he cannot add to his perfect position in Christ. It is unchangeable, unreversible, permanent, continuous, and eternal. When God looks upon us, He sees us in Christ, and sees all the perfection in Christ as ours.

We see God in Christ, and God sees us in Christ.

It is not our perfection, but the perfection of Christ.

Ephesians 1:4 – Holy, without blame, before God.

Realization of this fact will work in you mightily, encouraging a desire to be perfect in the sight of men as well as in the sight of God, and it will cause you to pay more attention to your walk.

(b) The walk of the believer.

Positionally there is no difference between believers, but there may be a great difference in the walk of the various believers. The walk of a Christian is the result of his spiritual state. If he is controlled by the flesh, he will be carnal, and will not enjoy full communion with Christ. The position of the believer is the result of the work of Christ.

(c) Summary of truth given in the Word of God concerning the way we ought to walk.

(1) Walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:25. .

(2) Walk in newness of life-Romans 6:4.

[a] To cast off the former sinful habits and walk in Christ’s resurrection power so that the spiritual nature will show in the daily walk.

[b] Know, reckon, yield – Romans 6:6; Romans 6:11; Romans 6:13.

[1] KNOW all about your position in Christ.

[2] Following that knowledge, RECKON yourselves to be dead to sin.

[3) YIELD all your members to the One Who dwelleth in you, not to the old man.

(3) Walk circumspectly (accurately) – Ephesians 5:15.

(4) Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing – Colossians 1:10.

Walk so as not to bring reproach upon the name of the Lord, or bring the contempt of the ungodly on Him.

(5) Walk in love – Ephesians 5:2. To be ruled and controlled by love to both God and man. When we love God supremely, we love our fellowmen.

(6) Walk in wisdom and prudence – Colossians 4:5. To walk tactfully, so as not to cause any unsaved person to stumble.

We should never do those things which will keep men away from Christ. We ought to make Christ attractive to people by our lives. We ought to be samples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(7) Walk in Truth – 3 John 1:4.

Walk according to the principles of God’s Word, not according to the world or sentiment.

(8) Walk in Christ – Colossians 2:6.

We are to walk as He walked – 1 John 2:6.

If you talk, walk. If you don’t walk, don’t talk.

Walk as He walked. God-dependent.

(9) Walk with God – Genesis 5:24; Genesis 6:9.

Means separations – we cannot walk with God and walk with the crowd.

Agreement – Two do not walk together except they be agreed. Two who are not in agreement will not walk together – Amos 3:3.

Fellowship means that our minds are on each other. He loves you, and you love Him. He thinks of you, and you think of Him. You long to do something for Him; He longs to do all things for you.

(10) Walk before God – Genesis 17:1; Genesis 24:40.

El Shaddai means almighty and all-sufficient God. If we long enough for a perfect life, we will find our sufficiency in Him. We are to walk as if God were behind us and looking at us continually. We are to do all things in His sight – "Thou, O God, seest me."

(11) Walk after God – Deuteronomy 13:4.

Means to walk after God, to do His will, to enjoy His way, to walk in His footsteps, to keep our eyes upon Him. He’s our example.

(12) Walk in the light – 1 John 1:7. To walk in the knowledge of His will. To seek and understand what is His will and to walk in it.

(13) Walk in good works – Ephesians 2:10.

Means that as we walk through this life, we are constantly to be doing good deeds. – After salvation.

(14) Walk honestly – Romans 13:13.

Always walk and do that which pertains to the day.

(15) Walk by faith – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Walk by faith and not by sight, in utter repudiation of self-thought and self-judgment.

(16) Walk worthy of the vocation to which we are called – Ephesians 4:1.

6. Difference between Q possessor and mere professor. This is a difference between the man who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the man who merely makes a profession and knows nothing of the indwelling of Christ. There are many children of God who are unsettled and who are robbed of their assurance and happiness because they do not understand the Scriptures. As a result of this, they do not know whether or not they have eternal safety. They are in doubt and fear. All this trouble comes from the fact that they do not make a distinction where God makes a difference.

(a) In interpreting Scripture, never take a doubtful passage and use it to contradict clear and positive passages. There are no contradictions in the Bible.

(1) Passages may seem to be dark, and may seem paradoxical, but they do not contradict.

(2) Illustration – Hebrews 6:4-8. This is a favorite passage with the Arminians. They believe that a man may be saved one day, lost the next, and saved again.

[a] This was written to the Jews at a time when many, because of persecution, were giving up the Christian faith and returning to the old Judaistic faith.

[b] It was written to the Jews when the temple worship was still going on. Judaism crucified Him. These Jewish believers who were going back to Judaism were crucifying Him afresh. It says nothing about being lost.

(3) Illustration – Php 2:12 – "work out your own salvation."

God works salvation in and then we must work it out.

[1] Some may say there are those in the church who give every evidence of being saved, and then turn away and become deniers.

[2] We are not to judge the Word of God by the experiences of man, but to judge man’s experience in the light of God’s Word.

[3] Eternal life never can be lost; if it could be lost then it would not be eternal. God’s Word is true. When He says a man is saved, then he is saved.

(b) The difference between a possessor and a mere professor is a difference in character.

(c) Scriptures concerning a true believer.

(1) He is saved – Ephesians 2:8-10.

(2) He has eternal life – John 10:28.

(3) He is free from judgment for sin – John 5:24.

(4) He is saved from wrath through Christ – Romans 5:9.

(5) He is a child of God – Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:15.

(6) He is identified with Christ – Romans 6:4-6.

(7) He is under God’s favor – Romans 5:1-2.

(d) The mere professor or imitator.

(1) Is a religious hypocrite.

(2) Is one who has been brought under the influence of the truth and Christianity, and being brought under that influence has assumed a religious appearance, but lacks true Christianity.

(3) He may be an apparently successful Christian worker, but he does not bow to God’s will – Matthew 7:21-23. He may do marvelous things, may proclaim the name of God, yet after it is all done, in that day when he stands before the throne, the Lord will say, "I never knew you."

(4) A mere professor may be intellectually reformed, but not saved.

(5) A mere professor in the church is just as truly lost as the greatest sinner in the world. The man who is a mere professor does not like to be told he is a sinner. (Every sinner is a sinner in the sight of God, and one is no more lost than the other).

(6) The trouble with the church is too much unreality.

There are many hypocrites and there is unreality. This unreality is demonstrated in our worship. Worship is adoration and contemplation of God because God has done something for us – Psalms 107. There is unreality in testimony. There should be reality in testifying of Christ if it is to impress others.

There is unreality in prayer; contrast the length of private and public prayer.

7. The difference between law and grace.

(a) Present-day religion is a kind of mixture of law and grace, although they really can not be mixed any more than oil and water. When you introduce law, you do away with grace, and vice-versa. They are in opposition to each other.

(1) Law is that system instituted by God on Mt. Sinai through Moses, the mediator. It is the law of the covenant, a legal system.

(2) Grace is an expression of God’s kindness and favor, under the New Covenant, with Jesus Christ as Mediator.

[a] It is unlimited and unmerited favor. It is bestowed by divine favor apart from any human merit or effort.

[b] Grace is divine help for the helpless, apart from any and all human effort. Nothing you have ever done or can do, helped to give you salvation.

[c] Grace means everything for nothing.

All the poor sinner needs for eternity is bestowed upon him, by God, as a gift.

(b) We must never get a wrong view of the Law.

(1) Law is not a great enemy, but the greatest friend we have. It is holy, just, and good – Romans 7:12; Psalms 19:7-8.

If a man is going to be holy, just, perfect, and good, he must obey the law. The law therefore tells men they are unholy, imperfect, and evil. Law was designed to show man what he should be and do. It shows man what he really is. It proves that he is carnal, has evil tendencies, and is utterly unable to do what he knows is right. The law was added because of transgressions – Galatians 3:19. Where no law is, there is no transgression – Romans 4:15; Romans 5:20; Romans 7:7; Romans 7:13. The law was added that sin might have the character of transgression. There was sin in the world before the law was given, but the law was given that man might be made conscious of that sin. Under law, sin became transgression.

(2) The law shows man that he is a natural sinner, not a cultivated sinner.

Everyone has told lies, and we did not have to go to school or be educated in lying. Neither did our mothers teach us to lie. We do not take a course in lying; it is natural.

(3) Law shows man that all men are sinners. The Seventh Day Adventists say that if you keep the law it proves you are holy. If the Seventh Day Adventists would put themselves under the law, the law would prove them sinners. We say a man is a sinner because he does something wrong. Law says he does wrong because he is a sinner. That is the difference between man and God. Man says, ’This man did something wrong, and that makes him a sinner." God says, "He is a sinner and he will do something wrong." Wrong-doing is an expression of sin.

(4) The Law reveals the heart of man; Grace reveals the heart of God. Law reveals the heart of man with all its sin; Grace reveals the heart of God with all His love.

(5) Law shows how crooked we are; Grace makes us straight. Law reveals the dirt, but Grace makes us clean. Law was given that the offense might abound. In the last few verses of Romans 5 we find the source of Sin and the source of Grace. Offense means Adam’s sin.

(6) Grace came to save us from our sin, and to save believers from a life of sin. Abiding in Jesus and resting in the Spirit, we are to Jive godly and not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

(7) Law was given that sin might be revealed.

How can the Law being good, bring death? If you declare that the law brings death, you speak without knowledge. Sin brings death, and Law merely shows sin in its true light. Sin is rebellion against the authority of God, and so the condemnation is declared to be just. Since the Law is already perfect and good, then Sin is against all that is perfect and good.

(8) Grace can make the exceedingly great sinner white as snow; Law makes nothing perfect. Law has the power to say, "Be perfect,” but has not the power to make him a man perfect.

(9) Moses was probably a man as nearly perfect as a man could be. Twenty-one times it is said of Moses that he was faithful, yet he was unfaithful once, which showed that he was a sinner. Law could not make him perfect; he failed once and this shows that he was imperfect.

(10) Law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. The law of God, which reveals sin and leads to Christ, is the best friend a man may have.

Galatians 3:23-27. If a man will not be taught by this schoolmaster, then he will come under condemnation; if he is willing, he can be taught.

(11) A believer is not under Law but under Grace – Romans 6:14. A believer is not to live a life of obedience, and continue in sin. We are to abide in Christ and to walk as He walked – to live lives that will bring evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, and to bear one another’s burdens. Against the fruit of the Spirit there is no law. If everybody loved everybody else, then we would need no law.

(12) God wants the righteousness of the Law fulfilled in us. We fill (fulfill) it through love. What we need to do is to walk in dependence up on the Spirit of God and in yieldedness to Him. Then the righteousness of the law will be fulfilled in us. God wants us to live in perfection.

(13) The Jew, in order to live a perfect life, looked at the Law. We should look at Christ and if we look at Him we will be bound to fulfill the law.

(14) We are not under the Law. So far as we are concerned, God should be able to abolish the Law. "I am not under the Law, and I object to anyone putting me under the Law." But I am not lawless. I am not going to do those things to which God says, "No."

(15) No one can say, "Thou shalt not," to the believers. The Scripture says, "Let no man judge thee in any of these things."

(16) Don’t let the devil trip you up. There are many temptations for a preacher to lie.

(17) Peter recognized the inability of man to keep the law, when he said (at the meeting in Jerusalem), "Our fathers were never able to keep the law, why should we expect the Gentile Christians to do so?"

(c) The abundance of the grace of God.

If grace is almost undefinable, then abundance is inexpressible and inconceivable.

(1) Riches of grace – Ephesians 1:7-8. This is a wealth that has no limit.

(2) Abounding grace – Romans 5:15.

(3) Exceeding grace – 2 Corinthians 9:14.

(4) Manifold grace – 1 Peter 4:10.

(5) Exceeding riches – Ephesians 2:7.

(6) Unsearchable riches – Ephesians 3:8.

(7) Exceeding abundant – 1 Timothy 1:14.

(d) Summary People are inclined to look upon the Law as an enemy. To the disobedient man the Law is condemnation and death. This is true of the unsaved man particularly. A lawless man hates law. When we become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, then through love for Christ we learn to love the Law. There is blessing for us through the Law.

We need to understand that the Law is often misinterpreted and misapplied. For the unbeliever to try to be saved through Law is only a means of that unbeliever becoming deeper in condemnation. Attempting to keep the Law demonstrates a knowledge of the standard by which he is convicted. If the believer thinks that by keeping the Law he can be pleasing to God, he is demonstrating a knowledge of the divine standard, by which he is judged, and is putting himself under the law. Trying to keep the Law is adding condemnation to condemnation. Victory over sin never came through keeping the Law. The believer who puts himself under the Law, thinking to have victor y, is putting himself under sin. In trying to keep the letter of the Law, he is forgetting and ignoring the spirit of the Law. He will try to have things all right on the outside, but he may have everything all wrong on the inside, 8. The difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God.

(a) The word "Kingdom," as used in the Scriptures, really means sovereignty rather than territory. It refers to a sphere, rather than extent – Kingdom – the King’s dominion. You will find in Scripture the two terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God."

(1) The Kingdom of Heaven is from heaven and under the heavens upon the earth, and the Kingdom of God is in heaven over the earth, existed eternally and extends to the whole universe.

(2) The Kingdom of Heaven has the Messiah for its king.

(The personal, millennial, earth-rule of Christ set up at His second coming.) The kingdom of God has God for its ruler, and is the all-embracing rule of God over every being, subject to the will of God in every place and tongue.

(3) The Kingdom of Heaven is political in its sphere; the Kingdom of God is spiritual in its sphere.

(4) The Kingdom of Heaven is Jewish, the kingdom which God promised to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, and is a literal kingdom with a literal king upon a literal throne.

[a] The kingdom of God is inclusive in character, including:

[1] All who in any period believed God.

[2] The seed of Abraham,

[3] The Church, [4] All who believe after the tribulation.

[b] The kingdom of God is from the beginning. Abel, Noah, Abraham and David were in the kingdom of God.

[c] When the Lord Jesus gives up the Kingdom into the hands of God, then the Kingdom will be supreme.

(5) The Kingdom of Heaven is national in its aspect; the Kingdom of God is universal in its aspect.

(6) The Kingdom of Heaven is limited in its scope to the earth; the Kingdom of God is unlimited.

(7) The Kingdom of Heaven is dispensational in its duration, being limited to a time of 1000 years. The Kingdom of God is eternal and not dispensational, and will never come to an end.

(8) Summary, God has but one Kingdom – the Kingdom of God.

There are different phases of this one Kingdom. In the beginning of the Bible we have the Kingdom of Jehovah – that is one phase of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Israel shows the people in close relation to God and is a part of the Kingdom of God. During that time, Israel was the only way of access to God. In Daniel we have mention of the Kingdom of Heaven which is a phase of the Kingdom of God. Today it is the Kingdom of the Son of His love – another phase of the Kingdom of God – Colossians 1:13.