Wayne C. Sedlak, Ph.D. (Part 1 in the series – “Two Kingdoms”)
- A True Story – Don’t let this be YOU!For a Downloadable PDF of this post Click HERE
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. – Matt. 6:24
Joseph Brant was a Mohawk Chief who fought for the British in our War for Independence. Born in 1742 (d. 1807), he came to Christ prior to the War. He and his Tory co-leader Walter Butler, descended upon Cherry Valley in an attack upon the Americans. Butler was not a man to quibble over “slaughtering” innocent people. A contemporary eyewitness describes the massacres:
… the devastations at Cherry Valley are marked with Such scenes of Cruelty as surmount any attempt of the kind during the War… between 30 & 40 Women & Children butchered in the most unheard of manner…an Anecdote of the famous Brant …which deserves to be made public & if true reflects immortal infamy upon the Tory rabble. It is Said when this party Came out, their Orders were read by young Butler upon which Brant turned himself round & wept and then recovering himself told Butler; that he was going to make war …but not to murder and Butcher; that he was an Enemy from principle but he would never have a hand in Massacring the Defenseless Inhabitants upon which the bloody department was committed – J.H. Livingston Letter to his brother, 23 Nov 1778[1]
The “Principle” upon which Brant acted included his church’s view of Romans 13. As an Anglican (Church of England) church member, he was taught the colonists were opposed to God’s Will because they resisted King George and Parliament. It was a costly decision based upon faulty interpretation. Romans 13 is dependent upon context. He would regret his choice of “sides” in the War.
- Righteousness: A Word Needing “REVIVAL” in the Churches
At stake is the Scriptural understanding of Righteousness. Brant meant well. But people were cruelly massacred because, at times, ALL HE COULD DO WAS WEEP! Christ is called the King of Righteousness (cf. Jeremiah 23:6). That Righteousness characterizes the Word (Scripture) of the Logos[2] (Jesus Christ). That Righteousness is what Christ taught and applied in His earthly Ministry. That Righteousness is IMPUTED in a Justifying Faith (Gospel) unto Salvation, cf. Romans 4-5. That Righteousness was known to the Old Testament saints: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. – Romans 4:3.
AND… that Righteousness is the MIRACULOUS CONTENT of the Law of the Lord for our walk:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled ((Gr: πληρόω -plarao filled to the brim, matured)[3] in us, WHO WALK not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. – Romans 8: 4
For the carnal mind is enmity with God… [the carnal mind] IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN IT BE. – Romans 8:7
The Gospel trains the heart in Righteousness. Such Righteousness IS Christ’s Character. Such Righteousness pervades all of Scripture. Such Righteousness IS the character of the Law because it is Christ’s Law. It flows from Him (cf. Galatians 6:2). It shows His LOVE,[4] goodness,[5] and justice.[6] No one may deprecate the Law of the Lord safely. Thus, rulers have ONLY derived authority. They and we…are subject to the Law of the Lord directly.
Shall the Throne of iniquity have FELLOWSHIP with Thee; those who frame perversity by a law. – Psalm 94: 20
Because of their Unrighteousness, God breaks fellowship with wicked Rulers… just as He has no fellowship with unrighteous individuals. If God breaks fellowship (support, aid, help, encouragement, comfort), we, as Christians, MAY NOT fellowship with unrighteousness. Does that mean we can resort to unrighteous conduct toward them? μὴ γένοιτο – May it never be![7] But that is NOT one-sided. We may not act pragmatically (anarchy). We may NOT act to give evil rulers aid, comfort or support, either. Government is a gift of God. (But not everyone IN government is a gift of God). We must Testify and teach people about evil…and God’s Law. Righteousness must find a LAWFUL way to replace wicked rulers (judiciary, legislation, public persuasion/restraint), or drive them from office (Recall,[8] Impeachment,[9] Criminal Suit,[10] 2nd Amendment restraint[11]).
Righteousness, which is at issue IN ALL MATTERS, includes civil magistrates like Brant, or King George, or the governors of the USA. The Law is used repeatedly in Romans 13.[12] Note vss. 3-4:
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore [Greek: διό – deo: “therefore” “in consequence”] you must needs be subject, not only for wrath,[13] but also for conscience sake.
Good and evil are NOT relative in the Bible. If we know anything about Scripture, it is NOT ambiguous about the definition of Good and Evil. Such precepts are precisely defined in the Law of God (cf. Romans 7:7. The context is NOT a call to OBEY just any Hitler wanna-be. It is a pointed call to be subject in conscience to rulers who apply God’s definition of good behavior and punish criminal behavior.
But, here’s the rub, as they say. How do we define what is good and evil? We need a Standard that defines “good” and “evil.” Joseph Brant was NOT taught the Law of the Lord. He acted in ignorance and became “filled” with the cruelties surrounding him, which finally broke him emotionally. “Bad company (STILL) ruins good morals.” If the Law of the Lord is not guiding us to DEFINE good/evil (cf. Rom. 7:7), we risk vexation, confusion, becoming mired in the filth of identifying evil as “good.”
It is a very serious thing for “Two Kingdom” (abbreviated herein “2K” for convenience) theorists to teach that the raison d’être of the Church is to preach the Gospel ONLY and to interpret away the Law. That is, the Church is primarily directed in leading us to heaven. But, questions arise: “What is preaching the Gospel? It is Preaching the Need for Righteousness… which brings Repentance AND teaches the soul the character of God. How extensive is that Righteousness… does it include civil government, economics, science, medicine, media, the arts, etc.? Put differently, can men and women SIN in those fields? If so, then if they REPENT, can they change those areas of life? The Law says Yes to both questions.
Wilberforce plundered Satan’s kingdom when he brought the tragedy of slavery to an end in the British Empire. With over 100,000 people we reach in Africa (2019), my African brothers and sisters (indigenous population) are plundering Satan’s kingdom as they turn Christ… and turn others in the back country. Their homes, marriages, lifestyle and callings are a mountain rising!
Additionally, without the Law, we will not know HOW to build righteousness in character and discernment. That goes to Kingdom promises.[14]
Key: The Law of the Lord takes away interpretative chaos, Standardizing Interpretation across all Scripture (examples below): Note our Lord’s answer to a desperate NEED to interpret aright:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. – Lk. 16:28- 31
In Exodus 17:6, Moses is instructed to strike the Rock and water flowed out. But later in time, he was told to speak to the Rock. He was impatiently angry with Israel and he presumed to Strike the Rock again. God sanctions him and he loses the right to enter Canaan later. Why the apparent double standard? Commentaries miss it. But, Exodus (2nd book of the Law) and Numbers (4th Book of Law) do not explain… therein. But, they are consistently laying a foundation for doctrine later explained: Christ is defined as the Rock (Cf. Deut. 32:4; I Corinthians 10:4). The reason Moses was judged and sanctioned was due to the fact that Christ is to be struck ONCE (on the Cross). The Law set up the Picture of that Theology. Striking Him a second time is an abomination and idolatrous! (cf. Hebrews 9: 28). The Law pointed to the later development built upon it!
- The Law of the Lord… Lost in the Church
There is a set of passages which, when mentioned, invariably gets a surprised look… a questioning reply… and a bewildered “That doesn’t fit with what I’ve been taught.” It is the Apostle Paul’s expression, found in Romans 7, the very last verse:
…So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. – Rom.7: 25
Our Apostle “serves” – with his mind – the law of the Lord. (Gr: ἐγὼ τῷ μὲν νοῒ δουλεύω νόμῳ θεοῦ). Equally surprising, the contrast here is NOT Law v. Grace. It is service of the Law of the Lord v. service to law of SIN in his flesh. This passage invariably catches Christian people off guard. They are often stunned. Then pressing the context, they find Paul expressing his delight in the Law of the Lord just three verses beforehand:
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man – Romans 7: 22
And again the contrast here is the Law of God v. sin in his body (Romans 7:23), by which a struggle ensues of the one against the other…a struggle EVERY true Christian knows, but has not been taught to more fully identify…WITHIN us and life.
We rightfully call it “Grace” as opposed to our sin, in the process called “Sanctification.” And, indeed it is “grace” … for the Law is too weak (by itself) to effect change. Christ sends the Spirit of the Lord to bring us the help. That should be no surprise to pastors… The Hebrew word, indicating the miraculous Presence and power of the Lord in His work in us, is the word Pala’. Study the word Pala’ (“wondrous”/miraculous) in Psalm 119: 18:
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things [Hbr: Pala’] out of thy law.
Notice the Grace of the Lord twice: He must “Open the eyes” (understanding) of David, and God must create Miraculous things out of His own Law. Grace must open the understanding and hearts to discern powerfully hidden applications of the Law of the Lord. Question: When was the last time you heard that set of Truths, vis à vie, “Grace”?
Returning to Romans 7: Paul surprises us again in the context immediately following these passages. He shocks Christians with the direct challenge to all they have ever heard about the Law of the Lord:
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. -Romans 8: 5-8
The carnal mind is opposed to the Law of God. The Spirit of the Lord USES the clarity of the Law of the Lord to teach the Christian’s mind, but the POWER to believe it and act upon it, exposing sin, and understanding Righteousness, is supplied ONLY by the Spirit of God! Otherwise, carnality results!
- You Supply the Ellipsis: Authority or Condemnation?
This study is REALLY introducing a key issue crippling the Church today: the “2K” theory. 2K advocates TEND to deprecate the Law of the Lord (except maybe the Decalogue). Here’s how:
You may be asking, “Didn’t Paul tell us ‘we are not under the Law, but under Grace’?” Can Paul intelligently write that in Chapter 6 and then write AFTERWARDS “With my mind I serve the Law of God?” (cf. Rom.7:25)
There is a Figure of Speech called an Ellipsis. Ironically, it is a silent figure of speech because it represents words OMITTED but meant to be understood. For example, if I say “Go” and I am pointing in a direction, you understand I meant “Go, in that direction.” I just didn’t say all that. Usage, style, redundancy, effectiveness are all reasons for Figures of speech, including Ellipsis. Paul says either one of two things: We are not under THE AUTHORITY of the law” or “We are not under THE CONDEMNATION of the Law.” Which is it? If he meant “Not under the authority of the Law” then a host of theological problems develop now tormenting the interpretations of the churches. Most therefore ignore (or don’t know!) the Apostle’s “With my mind I SERVE the Law of God… – Romans 7: 25. Contradiction! You cannot SERVE the Law of God without being under its AUTHORITY. Additionally, you will die someday. Why? Because the Law of God tells us all: “The soul that sins, it shall die.” (cf. Ezekiel 18:4). We are ALL under its condemnation IF… and UNTIL… we come to Christ.
The context of Romans 6 is Justification and Sanctification. So, we (as Christians) are “…not under THE CONDEMNATION of the Law…” and this interpretation fills the ellipsis without contradiction. The Christian is delivered from the CONDEMNATION of death… though he/she will die someday.
- “Two Kingdoms”: Losing the Gospel
There are Two Kingdoms presented in Scripture: Satan’s usurped, rebellious kingdom (cf. Luke 4: 5) and God’s Kingdom (cf. Isa. 2: 1- 5/Micah 4:1 – rising in the “last days; Dan. 2:44- the Kingdom towers over ALL kingdoms on earth; Matt.13 – the Gospel calls forth the Kingdom OUT OF THE DARKNESS of Satan’s kingdom). The Law introduces the Kingdom for us (cf. Exodus 19: 6; cf. I Peter 2:9).
That said, let us NOT forget “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world and all they that dwell therein.” (Psa.24:1). Two kingdoms, yet God owns the whole world and ALL THEY that dwell therein (Hbr: תֵּבֵל וְיֹשְׁבֵי בָֽהּ – “the inhabitable world and those who dwell in it”). Upon such a basis Christians are given authority to go into all the world (Great Commission) because their presence and influence is to overcome Satan’s kingdom which creates captives, enslaving men. Christ takes Captivity captive! He captures hearts, makes them “His,” and blesses with CALLINGS.[15] So why the unwillingness or incapacity of the churches to discern the underlying nature of evil (cf. Psalm 18:15)?
In “Two Kingdoms” theory there is Satan’s kingdom and God’s kingdom. In the latter, we preach the Gospel to bring people to Christ, so they are justified by faith (cf. Rom. 4) and on their way to heaven. But Satan’s kingdom exists and, according to “2K” theorists, we are not to expect any victory over it until Jesus comes again.[16]
God’s Law is specially designed to teach us the nature of evil AND solutions to overcome such evils by God’s Gracious hand.
“…I glory in tribulations…” – Rom.5:3 “With my mind I serve the Law of God…” -Rom. 7: 25 “Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law.” – Psa. 119: 18
It is clearly revealed by God that we are called to “overcome evil” (cf. Romans 12: 21; See: Psa. 3: 1-7; 5: 4-10). We are to spoil and defeat Satan’s kingdom, Jesus said (cf. Matt. 16:18; Matthew 12:29). The Law introduces us to HOW and what means we are allowed to employ, to do that. The Remainder of the Scriptures develop these truths more robustly.
- Law of the Lord. So What?
And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again…saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah … saying, Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. – II Kings 22: 8-13
Before we comment here: Kings and rulers do not establish Nineveh-like Reformations, but they figure prominently in them (cf. Psa. 2; Isa. 4Josiah was an upright king and man of God. But the terrible judgments which fell upon Israel (as II Chron. 6 and 7 warns) confused him. It seemed there was no relief from God’s Judgments – despite worship, singing, praise, prayer, or the well-doing of some of the people – until Shaphan rediscovered the Law of the Lord (Deuteronomy) hidden within the House of the Lord.
Though God had not utterly abandoned His people, He nonetheless had been judging a people untaught in the Law of the Lord. That means so many of the people were carnal (see Romans 8:7) and most, in some manner, were compromised in their understanding.
We should remember in the Temptation by Satan of Christ upon the Mount of Temptation for 40 days, our Lord resisted every temptation by citing the Book of Deuteronomy EVERY TIME! Christ thereby was showing His people that to resist the Devil, we must use the Law of the Lord in our conduct, as well as pray for understanding in the use of that Law of the Lord.
When Josiah learned about the Law of the Lord, he wept before the Lord and called the people to repentance for their sins, which, in turn, were bringing judgment upon the people. He then moved forward to lead the people in a nation-wide Reformation of their land and lives… as II Chron. 7:14 promises!
For the Sermon on two Kingdoms Click Here
[1]J. H. Livingston Letter of November 23, 1778 to [–] Livingston, posted Albany, New York. New York State Library, Albany, New York, Mss #40. Accessed and archived online, 20/26/2020: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Butler_(Loyalist)
[2] This author believes in the Inspired, inerrant nature of ALL Scripture, from Genesis 1:1 – Rev. 22:21 inclusive.
[3] It is a clumsy “Americanism” that moves people to assume that fulfilled means “bring to an end.” It means to bring to maturity. Christ MATURED the ceremonial laws of lamb sacrifice. Such sacrifices were inspired, yet immature (awaiting further development) until Christ came. We don’t sacrifice lambs BECAUSE Christ had always been the intended perfection of the laws of lamb sacrifices.
[4] Matt. 22:37
[5] Rom. 7:12
[6] Rom. 7:12
[7] In KJV “God forbid” is the translation, but the word “God” is not actually in the text.
[8] Cf. Deuteronomy 1:13ff with Prov. 14:28
[9] Cf. I Sam. 15: 26
[10] Cf. I Sam. 8:7ff
[11] Cf. Lk. 22:36
[12] See this author’s “Romans 13: Schizophrenic Apostle? Did Paul Really Curse the Ruler?”
[13] Though Paul teaches us this is the wrath of the civil authority, it is an example of God’s wrath, where God acts through us (or a just magistrate) as opposed to just acting FOR us.
[14] This is Part I in the Series. Two Kingdoms series will address God’s Call to build HIS Kingdom “…on earth as it is in heaven.”
[15] “Calling” is a neglected issue in today’s preaching. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” Eph. 2:10
[16] Dr. Michael S. Horton. A Tale of Two Kingdoms. First Published in Tabletalk Magazine, Ligonier Ministries, Sept.1, 2008; accessed and archived online, 7/15/2020: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/tale-two-kingdoms/
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