Worship

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The word commandment means a command. It’s usual precept is that it refers to one of the ten moral laws. Who would have ever thought that one of the ten moral laws would ever be referred to as a carnal commandment! Well, you’re right this does not refer to any of the ten moral laws. But, a command that has been given is still referred to as a commandment.

The word carnal means fleshly, sensual and unspiritual. Since our world is a spiritual world, because God the creator is a spirit, we either live by His spirit, or we live carnally. Carnality is a state of being carnal and a carnalist is a sensualist or one that is worldly, being sensual. The term worldly pertains to the world, especially as distinguished from the world to come. One that is worldly is devoted to this life and its enjoyments and are bent on gain. One who is worldly minded has a mind set on the present world.

Jesus spoke, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence”. John 18:36. So, there we have it stated so plainly by our Lord and Saviour, He is not of this world and His kingdom is not of this world.
Any of mankind that would believe in the part and purpose of Jesus Christ would not and will not be of this world, for to be of this world would produce a character of carnality. The body of Christ is within the Kingdom. Again, Jesus stated it plainly, “My kingdom is not of this world”. If an individual claims to be part of the body of Christ, they would be of the kingdom and must not be of the world. If one is of the world they are operating in the flesh and are sensual to the promises of gain. If one is seeking the benefits of the world, they are carnal and not spiritual.

God’s people are given commandments. His people have received the ten moral commandments and they were given commands on what to believe and how to live their lives, allowing them to survive being in this carnal world but not of this world. Therefore, a carnal command could result upon any command which the Lord has given and man prefers not to obey and to remain fixed or attached to this world. Therefore, one can believe there are many carnal commandments because of the character of mankind and their self will. We will be dealing with just one of the carnal commandments, primarily because it was spoken directly about in the book of Hebrews Chapter 7, verse 16. Chapter seven discusses the transfer of the Levitical priesthood to Christ Jesus, to whom it belongs, through the superior priest-hood of Melchisedec, being the priest of the most high God.

The history of Melchisedec and his priesthood is very meaningful with the understanding of the bible together with the connections of the birth rights passed along from the time of Shem. It is noted in chapter 7 that Abraham paid a tenth part of the spoils he gained from the kings he conquered, to Melchesidec, known as the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace.

Consider how great this man Melchesidec was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. Melchesidec was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of day nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Heb. 7:3. Even without knowledge of his father , mother or descent, Abraham knew of the righteousness of this man and his priesthood and gave a tenth of the spoils. The chapter goes on to say without all contradiction the less [Abraham] is blessed of the better [Melchesidec]. We are learning through this that Melchesidec blesses the lesser, for he is made like the Son of God, whom abideth a priest continually. His priesthood was superior to all. The gifts that the lesser offer unto the lord are gifts of thanksgiving and sacrifice as a tribute to His honor. It also reflects a quivering and shacking do to the receipt of blessing in spite of unworthiness. The less receive of the better. We further learn v.5, the sons of Levi, who receive the office of priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham. Levi was born many years after the knowledge of Melchesidec, the great High Priest.

Now the Levites were Hebrews, having come out of the loins of Abraham. The Levites were brethren from among the children of Israel and given a priesthood of the tabernacle of witness. Now, the tribes of Israel were given different lands as an inheritance, but, the Levites were not given land, even though they were children of Israel. They, the priesthood, were given to Israel, as a gift from the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. These tabernacles were located in different cities of the Israelites. For their priesthood services, they were given various offerings from their brethren, the people of Israel. These offerings brought by the people included Heave offerings, Wave offerings, [check out that meaning] devoted ways. See Lev. 7:32, 6:19-30,7:30-31 and Numbers 18:26. These offerings were called the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offered as a heave offering unto the Lord., while the Lord gives them to the Levites to inherit. The Lord spoke to Moses telling him to speak unto the Levites; “When you, Levites, take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering [an offering of sacrifice as tribute] of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe”. Numbers 18:26.

So, we have the establishment of tithe in the old testament being under the law. The Lord provided an inheritance to the children of Israel and spoke unto the people of Israel to provide offerings to the Levites, as they shall have no inheritance. These orders were a command from the Lord, thus being a commandment.

The Levitical priesthood was through man. As they grew older and died their sons would take up the priesthood, for it was by descent. The priesthood of Melchesidec was different for it was by oath and was eternal. Verse 8 states men that die receive tithes, but there he [Melchesidec] received them, [an offering of tribute from Abraham] of whom it is witnessed that he liveth continually. So, the Levites were under a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law. The priesthood of the Levites had not performed with perfection and therefore it became necessary there was further need that another priest should rise after the order of Mechesidec . With the priesthood being changed, it was also necessary to change the law. Mathew Henry states it as follows; The change is due to the virtue of the priesthood. The former was weak and unprofitable and made nothing perfect. The latter brought in a better hope, by which we draw near to God. The Levitical priesthood brought nothing to perfection. It could not justify men’s persons from guilt, nor could it sanctify them from inward pollution. It could not cleanse the consciences of the worshippers from dead works. All it could do was to lead them to the antitype. But the priesthood of Christ carries with it and brings with it a better hope, shows us a true foundation of all the hope we have towards God for pardon and salvation. It more clearly discovers the great objects of our hope and tends to work in us a more strong and lively hope of acceptance with God. It is yet far more evident that after the similitude of Melchesidec there ariseth another priest, who is made “not after” the law of the carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Verse 15,16.

So, we have learned (1.) that the sons of Levi, who were given the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law. V-5. Tithing was a commandment of the law. (2.) Men that die, receive tithes V-8. (3.) The priesthood after the order of Melchesidec, being Christ, was eternal. V-15. (4.) The arising of the new priest after the order of Melchesidec is made “Not After” the law of the carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. V-16.

So, the establishment of the new priest who replaces the Levitical priesthood does not take effect under a carnal law, but after the order of Melchesidec. This clearly states that the carnal commandment according to the law will not pass with or in or through the new priesthood of Christ. Verse 18 confirms, for there is verily a disannulling of the carnal commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

The priesthood of the Levites was weak and carnal. The giving of tithes as an inheritance to the priesthoods was unprofitable. Verily [truly] a disannulling [abolishment] of the commandment going before [what commandment? The one going before, the only one mentioned in chapter 7, the commandment to take tithes] it is abolished forever.

The Lord swears with an oath, he will forever be a priest after the order of Melchesidec and will not repent ( change the order of Melchesidec.). Tithing was under the law, was weak, unprofitable and received by a priesthood of men that die. The Melchesidec priesthood came by an oath, not law.

It appears that it is safe to say that the carnal commandment [tithe] will never be reinstituted. Verse 22-24 Jesus is by surety a better testament. He is the New Testament. The Levitical priesthood could not continue because it was fleshly and suffered death, whereas Jesus’ priesthood is eternal and unchangeable. He is the high priest eternal.

Galatians 5:4- Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law
ye are fallen from grace.

What it is that Christians are waiting for: it is the hope of righteousness, by which we are chiefly to understand the happiness of the other land. How they hope to obtain this happiness is by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, not the works of the law, only receiving and relying upon Him as the Lord our righteousness. They are waiting for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit and not the works of the law.

As tithing turned into the carnal commandment:1 Cor. 3:3 states, for ye are yet carnal, for there is among you envying, strife and divisions; are ye not carnal and walk as men.

Many churches have turned into money making businesses. Television evangelists are becoming very rich “selling” the story of tithing for blessings. But, let the truth be made known; the less receive from the better.

We are to give unto the Lord gifts of sacrifice and tribute for His righteousness and divinity. What we give unto the Lord must come from our hearts and reflect through our actions. To give is to apply the will of God. A giver is one who bestows, to put by and confer and applies the works of the spirit being within the temple. Giving and believing shows the worth or worthiness to stand beside God. The end is near, no, the end is here. Learn the truths of the bible, for they are very easy to understand when one has given themselves as a sacrifice unto God.

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