In the opening chapter of Luke’s gospel account, he wrote of “those things which are most surely believed among us.” He was saying that what he was about to relate the early church believed wholeheartedly. (Luke 1:1). He then went on to say that he “had perfect understanding of ALL things from the very first,” and spoke of “the certainty of those things.” (Luke 1:3-4). Having laid that sure foundation, Luke then wrote of how the parents of John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elisabeth, “were both righteous before God, walking in ALL the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6). And what does the Bible identify as sin? “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law, FOR SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW. (I John 3:4). Sin is NOT “missing the mark.” That is man’s definition of sin. God’s plain, clear definition of sin is the breaking of His holy law.
So, is Luke saying Zacharias and Elisabeth were without sin and, therefore, didn’t need a Savior? Not at all. Before achieving the walk of moral perfection the parents of John the Baptist sinned to one degree or another time and again. But these righteous servants of the Lord grew in knowledge and grace to such a degree that it could be honestly said of them in their later years “they were both righteous before God (who looks on the heart), walking in ALL the commandments and ordinances of the Lord BLAMELESS!” It is a patently satanic argument that says it is impossible to keep God’s commandments and ordinances as a daily lifestyle. Those who sin every day are spiritual rebels and know nothing of living by the faith only God can give. They are servants of sin and the flesh and will someday weep tears of bitter regret before the feet of their sovereign Lord. To be continued…..
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley