Four Levels of Compliance With Law

(as illustrated with the sixth commandment)
4 Perform Good Deeds - Help Your Neighbor
3 Substitute Good Attitudes - Love Your Neighbor
2 Eliminate Bad Attitudes - Don't Get Angry
1 Eliminate Bad Deeds - Don't Kill


Obedience to God is a matter of growth.

        The Rich Ruler thought that he was complying, because he did not kill, steal, or lie. (Matthew 19:18-20) However, as we can see from the chart above, he was complying with only the LOWEST level of the law - Eliminating the negative! Was that sufficient? Not if he wanted to be perfect! (Mt 19:21) ;He still had a long ways to go, and he found the challenge too great! (Matthew 19:22)
        Many months before this experience, Jesus had revealed the principles of the above chart - in His Sermon on the Mount. ''You have heard that you should not kill but I SAY that you must not even get angry!" (Matthew 5:21-22) By thus moving to a higher ' level, Jesus MAGNIFIED the law as had been predicted by the gospel prophet.( Isaiah 42:21)
        Jesus had already moved up to level 3, before the Young Ruler had even uttered his second question. (Matthew 19:20) ,"Not only must you eliminate bad deeds, but you
Must also substitute good attitudes"(Matthew 19:19) If this ruler had really loved his neighbor, he would have been fulfilling the law. (Romans 13:8).He SAID that he loved his neighbor as himself, (Matthew 19:19-20) But verbal claims do not prove anything. Our words must be translated into action. (1 John 3:17-18) That is the reason for compliance level # 4.
        Only one thing he lacked, . "but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. DA p 519 .
The final judgment deals with:
        A. Level # 1 of compliance (Revelation 22:12-15)
        B. However, that is not All that comes into judgment! God ALSO looks upon the heart (Levels2 &,3) (1 Samuel 16:7)
        C. And He considers the environment into which we were born. (Psalm 87:6)
        D. The ultimate judgment, however, deals with level # 4, as it did with the Young Ruler. "Sell what thou hast, and give to the poor." (Matthew 19:21) The sheep and goats were separated based upon their good deeds. (Matthew 25)
        The seal of God cannot be merely going to church on the proper day, for the seal must be experienced by everyone who expects to see God face to face. (Revelation 22:4) Those who are invited home to live with Jesus, will be those who have progressed to level #4, and are doing good deeds for others, motivated by love. (Matthew 25:35-36)
        Would you not like to hear the King say to you: ." Come ye blessed of My Father " Inherit the kingdom prepared for you!"