Jesus Himself redefined the "work" or "test" of the believer. When asked what works God requires, Jesus did not point to the Decalogue or Ten Commandments; He pointed to Himself. "Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent'" (John 6:29).
Our loyalty does not lie in a legal code engraved in stone or in dietary laws. As Romans 14:17 (KJ21) says, the Kingdom of God is not about 'meat and drink,' but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This highlights that spiritual life is about inner change, not just following external rules. Instead, to the Person of Jesus Christ. To focus on the Law as the primary test is to miss the One to whom the Law was pointing. "The real 'Test of Loyalty' is faith in Christ, rather than being under the jurisdiction of law-keeping."
"Obedience to every specification of the law" as the way to reveal God’s character. This creates a "probationary" atmosphere of fear.
The New Covenant teaches that our standing before God is based on Christ’s perfect obedience, not our own. Romans 10:4: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." The "Test of Loyalty" was passed by Jesus on our behalf. Our "loyalty" is evidenced by resting in His finished work at the cross, not by trying to achieve "perfect obedience to the written code or dietary laws" to prove we are "loyal children."
“Christ died so man might have another probation." Salvation is not a "second chance" to try and keep the Law better this time. It is a total rescue from the system of Law. "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).
"A person on 'probation' is essentially still on trial. This logic underpins the belief in the Investigative Judgment—a doctrine that finds no support in the Bible. Consequently, many adherents lack assurance of salvation, believing they must achieve perfect obedience to the Ten Commandments before their destiny is secured.".
A person in Christ is "justified" (declared righteous) in Romans 3:24. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. These two states are legally incompatible.
"Blessed is the one who listens to the truth. True obedience is not the forced climb up Mount Sinai to reach perfect adherence to the Law, but rather the acceptance of and abiding in the finished work of Jesus at Calvary.
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