I definitely agree with Mr.. Smith that God want's every believer completely, but he is definitely twisting the word in Malachi--Malachi 3 is a prophecy for the latter days and is to be interpreted as so-- God spoke clearly-- and when Mr.. Smith implies "is that what God really said? Will you indeed be cursed with a curse" Reminded of Satan speaking to Eve in the Garden CREATING DOUBT IN THE HEART OF EVE, causing Eve to sin bringing DEATH to the whole world. . . .Mr.. Smith is wrong in his interpretation of Malachi 3. And it was definitely God speaking to Israel, not Israel speaking to itself or to God. And because of what the blood of Jesus did on the cross we have indeed become the seed of Abraham (Israel) and heirs to the promise when we are BORN AGAIN. .

 

People need to understand what it really means to no longer be under the law.

 

What does it mean to no longer be under the Law?

 

It means that we are in a new dispensation, a new time period which is the age of Grace. So what does that mean?

 

A believer is under the New Covenant.

 

So what is the New Covenant?

 

In a nut shell God did a NEW thing. . .

 

Because we could not keep His law and the Old Covenant was flawed. . .

God decided to make a New Covenant

this Covenant was the sacrifice of Jesus His son, who never sinned

So, through the atoning Blood of Jesus which starts the process of being born again, 

--when we believe and accept the gift of Jesus blood--

God supernaturally writes His LAW in our Hearts(spirit) and Mind (soul) so we won't sin against Him . We CHANGE, we become a new creature. . .our desire to obey Him becomes strong. . .we still battle with the flesh because we are still in it, but through the Power of the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus we can overcome the flesh and it's will. . .

 

we now have the power to overcome sin and OBEY the LAW! The Israelites did NOT have this same power

 

The New Covenant also means that Jesus paid the price for my sin. And if I sin, and I repent (turn away from sin) God will forgive me because the blood of Jesus paid the price for my sins. Being conformed into the image of the Son --is a process--

 

To be under the New Covenant also means I won't be immediately stoned, or thrown out of the camp if I sin. . .I have a chance to repent (and if you have the Spirit of God living in you, you are miserable until you do repent)

 

Being under the New Covenant also means we have an advocate because grace and mercy have been given to us as a gift from Jesus. I have a chance to get it right after I have sinned. . .to go and sin no more (through the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of the redemptive work of the Blood of Jesus that changes us). It's the same power that will change us from mortal to immortal on the Last Day!

 

So what is sin?

Sin is anything that is contrary to the law or will of God. For example:  If you do what God has forbidden, then you have sinned. In addition, if you do not do what God has commanded, you sin (James 4:17). Either way, the result is eternal separation from God (Isaiah 59:2). Sin is lawlessness (1 John 1:3) and unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). Sin leads to bondage (Rom. 6:14-20) and death (Rom. 6:23). ...

 

Again Giving and tithing is not a voluntary option. . .to say that the only requirement when you give "is to give cheerfully" is. . .is directly twisting the Word of God. Giving is a command and apart of the Law and for our own good, it is not a request, it also comes with great blessing if we do it the way God says to do it.

 

Satan has been so clever in making people sin (by not giving) and at the same time making them feel comfortable in it for they think they have this wonderful excuse! i.e. Tele-evangelist, charlatans getting rich off the unsuspecting . . .

 

We must turn the T.V.'s off and open our bibles and do what the Lord tells us to do. . .

 

Jesus is our High Priest-- when we give our tithes and offerings, we are to give it to Him-- so how do we do that? Jesus said, When you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto me. . .missions, outreach, your church, prison ministries, food ministries, there are so many. . .this is not difficult to understand.

 

Why a tenth? Because He said so. . .

 

Peace and blessing,

 

Cindy Busch