John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

What I like about this verse is that there are no conditions placed on the command. Jesus said sanctify them, he did not say “Sanctify them if they….” So much of the Old Testament is conditioned upon action. “If you will…. I will.” In this man failed God, not God failing men.

Even in the New Testament salvation only comes to those who believe by faith. While salvation is offered to all, only those who believe by faith receive it. A small condition in comparison to the reward, but a condition none the less.

Once that choice has been made, once we ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives, a new covenant appears. I like to see it like this; “You are mine and this is yours.” All God’s promises in Christ are yes and amen. While our understanding of what those promises are might be imperfect, His Word is truth. He will not deny you His promises just because you have not yet reached perfection. There are no conditions, not for the promises.

There will be a group of individuals that will at this time declare, “But you must…” There always were and forever will be people who put conditions upon themselves.

Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Does it matter that a religious rule be an old one or one conveniently created today if the truth of the gospel is not followed? We live a life of faith not law. Does man compel you or does the Holy Spirit convict you?