Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4, NIV). Note also 1 John 3:8; Rom 5:12.

“...and where there is no law there is no transgression” (Rom 4:15, NIV).

“...Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’ ” (Rom 7:7, ESV).

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne [God’s rule]...” (Ps 89:14, NIV). Note also Rev 11:19.

“ ‘But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped’ ” (Luke 16:17).

“Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws [this was before Mount Sinai]” (Gen 26:5, ESV).

“On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, and they found none [manna]. The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and instructions? See! The Lord has given you the sabbath [the fourth commandment], therefore on the sixth day He gives you food for two days; each of you stay where you are; do not leave your place on the seventh day.’ So the people rested on the seventh day [all this occurred before Mount Sinai]” (Ex 16:27-30).

“...For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles [the Ten Commandments] of God [the Jews were the guardians of God’s Law]” (Rom 3:2).

“Do we then overthrow [make void] the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Rom 3:31, ESV). Note also Rom 7:22.

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commandments is what counts” (1 Cor 7:19, NIV).

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead” (James 2:24,26). Note also James 2:20; John 14:15.

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17, ESV).

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after  receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Heb 10:26,27, ESV).

“For whoever keeps the whole law [the entire Ten Commandments] but fails in one point [such as the fourth commandment] has become accountable for all of it [one violation would be sufficient to show the basic disposition of the heart. A basic question of loyalty to authority]. For the one who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty [a clear reference to the same Ten Commandments given to Moses]” (James 2:10-12).

“The law of God is perfect, converting the soul…[that is, the heart. God would hardly do away with a perfect law (Matt 5:17)]” (Ps 19:7). Note also Rom 7:12; Heb 8:10.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing [obedience to law is liberty]” (James 1:25, ESV). Note also Acts 24:14.

“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet’, and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Rom 13:9).

“ ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang [depend, are based, are inherent in] all the law [the entire ‘ten’] and the prophets’ ” (Matt 22:36-40). Note 1 John 5:3; Eccl 12:13.

“ ‘Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven...’ ” (Matt 5:19). Note also John 15:10.

“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day [Christ’s Second Coming] will not come unless the rebellion [apostasy] comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God” (2 Thess 2:3,4).

“ ‘He [the religious/political power] shall... attempt to change...the law’ ” (Dan 7:25). Note also Rev chap 13.

“And He said to them, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commandments of God in order to observe your own traditions!’ ” (Mark 7:9, NIV).

“Then the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman [the Christian church], and went to make war [persecute] with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God...” (Rev 12:17, KJV).

“And it [the new power] was allowed to give breath to the image [copy] of the beast [past power] so that the image of the beast could even speak [through its laws and enactment’s] and cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Rev 13:15). Note John 16:2.

“Here is a call for the endurance [faithfulness] of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God…” (Rev 14:12, ESV).

“And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath [plagues, Rev chap 18]..’ ” (Rev 14:9,10, ESV).

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city [Heaven] (Rev 22:14, NKJV).

God's Law

Part One

The Scriptures call sin “lawlessness” — therefore, law has clearly always been,
'Cause the old devil, when up in Heaven, had to something contravene.
You see, Satan could not have sinned if there hadn't been a law to break,
And therefore he would not be deserving of the coming fiery lake.

And Adam and Eve too, when in Eden, had to something contravene,
For they also, could not have sinned, if some law in Eden hadn’t been.
God doesn’t pronounce judgment on anyone who hasn’t acted wrong,
Therefore, if Adam and Eve hadn’t sinned, guilt to them would not belong.

God's Word informs us that righteousness and justice are the "foundation”
Of that Holy realm of God Almighty, from which He rules creation.
For love knows that law is clearly needed, as should lawlessness prevail,
Anarchy would soon rule the day, and peace and harmony thereby fail.

'Though folk might say God’s love is unconditional, not so salvation,
For it is here that faith and works must have a very close relation.
There has always been a standard that God expects each one to uphold,
And that such is His Ten Commandments, in His Word we are clearly told.

You see, God’s freely given mercy is hardly for pardoning sin,
But just those repentant sinners who're no longer wanting sin within.
For it was never our God’s intention that His grace should cover sin,
But that through the Spirit's enabling, victory over sin we’d win.

Scripture says that Abraham, despite being saved by faith, still kept God’s Law,
And that Moses, well before Mount Sinai, God’s Commandments oversaw.
Therefore, it is clear that faithful ancients had passed down throughout the years
A sound knowledge of God’s Law, and other things that brought both joy and tears.

At Mount Sinai, God simply reminded the Israelites of this Law,
For they, when they were enslaved in Egypt, didn’t keep it like before.
Thus at Mount Sinai, midst an awesome scene, God impressed upon their minds 
That this Law is very important, as Christian conduct it defines.

It is interesting to note that God’s moral Law was placed within
The Ark of the Covenant, and clearly in rightful recognition.
Whereas, the ceremonial law, simply for the Jewish nation, 
Sat outside and beside this Ark, befitting common legislation.

But not so God's Law, hardly ceremonial, nor just for the Jews,
But instead, a Law for everyone, one that we should never abuse.
Yes, a Law that all are judged by, and we're told that such means the whole Ten,
Each one written by God’s finger, and not by the hands of fallen men.

This Holy Law was not rescinded when on Calvary Jesus died,
As had it been removed then, we would see evidence that Christ had lied.
How so? Well, Christ when here on earth, said that far easier it would be
For heaven and earth to pass away, than for this Law that's called “Holy.”

Oh yes, on a cruel cross at Calvary, the Father’s only Son died,
Knowing that this unchangeable moral Law could not be set aside.
It's the standard of righteousness, and the written copy of God’s will,
Which also reveals His character — and therefore, our hearts it should fill.

This moral Law is what we are judged by, for though we are saved by grace,
Grace is hardly a substitute for obedience’s rightful place.
Though our God knows that only grace can release us from our sorry plight,
He never intended that His grace let us off from doing what's right.

Thus, those who're saying that they’ve come to know God, yet, His Law aren't keeping,
The Bible says are liars, who eternal death will soon be reaping.
For we’re told that the truth’s not in them, as they have chosen to ignore
Those sound principles that God has revealed via His Holy moral Law.

Hence why it clearly states in Scripture that if God’s Law isn’t obeyed
We will simply nullify His grace and the penalty that He paid.
Not because obedience can save us, but because it is the fruit
Showing that it's His will we do, and never just what ourselves will suit.

The devil has tried to change God’s Law, rearrange it and make it void,
And is it any wonder, given that it will soon see him destroyed.
For after all, the devil broke it, and condemned by it he now stands,
As he is far from repentant, and his fiery fate well understands.

And hence why we are told that the devil hates all those who keep God’s Law;
A Law that convicts of sin — yes, a Law with love at its very core.
Thus, Satan’s made them his target, especially those who keep all ten,
Those who keep them as they are laid down, and not as modified by men.

The devil hates all law-keepers, but what makes him even madder still,
Is all those who are faithfully keeping the Lord’s clearly stated will.
For he knows that God has stated that He wants us to keep the whole Ten
And exactly as He gave them, and never as modified by men.

You see, an historic power has tampered with our God's Holy Law,
Altering His Commandments, and exactly the way that God foresaw.
And Daniel, when shown this in vision, recorded it within God’s Word,
And earth’s history affirms that what he wrote actually occurred.

Oh yes, our God has made it very clear that no one must change His Law,
But this very clear instruction Satan had that past power ignore.
Therefore, the devil's most unhappy with those who're pointing this fact out,
And nasty measures that’ll restrict them, he will soon be bringing about.  

Thus the devil will use a “beast” power to attempt to seal their fate,
Via acts of legislation — in other words, we're talking Church and State.
Therefore, a counter Reformation he has since engineered to aid 
The rise of this new power — a "false prophet" — that’ll see his plans obeyed.

The “beast” power — "image" — is religious, we learn in Revelation,
As we are told that it is guilty of committing fornication.
 A worldly power it’s not, 'cause by nature, they’re corrupt already,
No, this one is extremely pious, and success has made it heady.

What's seen here is an unholy  fusion, a wrongful combination,
Religion that is wielding power via secular legislation.
Yes, a power that resorts to force to achieve what it thinks is right,
One that is creeping around this earth with total power in its sight.

Ironically so, this power behaves as though it keeps God’s Law,
But it’s way of keeping our God's Law, our God can only but abhor.
For of these Ten Commandments that Jesus still wants us to keep today,
He has said that we must keep the whole Ten, and always keep them His way. 

And hence why there is a call in Scripture to correctly keep God’s Law,
For the followers of the “beast” will receive “plagues” that God will soon “pour.”
And hence why before this old earth ends, the main focus of attention
Will be on God’s Ten Commandments, and chiefly the fourth, I must mention.

By Lance Landall


Note: Any government will stand only as long as it has laws (Ps 89:14). Clearly there was law in Heaven otherwise Satan could not have sinned (Rev 12:7-9, 12; Ezk 28:14-16; Isa 14:12-14; 1 John 3:4, 8). No law, no sin. After the transgression of Adam (Rom 5:12, 19) the principles of God's law would not have been changed but would have been arranged and expressed to meet humans in their fallen condition, and would have been passed on from father to son.

See also diagrams under the poem "God's Gift of Grace".

Regarding the old and new covenants, the three laws moral, ceremonial and civil and a sampling of texts (with answers), that many wrongly use in an attempt to prove that God’s Law, the Ten Commandments, was done away with at the cross,
visit my page Things About God's Law That We Need To Know. This page can be accessed via a purple box with the same title, Christian section.