Unless a person has been asleep for the last couple of months, there is no way that they could not have heard the term, “quid pro quo”, as the circus in Washington has hit its fever pitch with all three rings occupied. Elephants and Asses, alike, can be seen acting out their orchestrated parts. The hypocrisy of all of these “politicians” is on full display as each side accuses the other of dastardly deeds in the quest to gain power. Each side will do whatever they can to maintain or expand their own seats of influence. This term itself, is a Latin phrase which literally means “this for that”. There is no political operative in the world who does not daily practice “quid pro quo”, although they would like for us to think that they all just act out of a benevolent and altruistic heart which yearns to “do the right thing”.
Nebuchadnezzar was given a knowledge of those whom the LORD is pleased to put in places of power, when his understanding returned unto him after eating grass like an ox. The LORD taught HIM of HIS purpose in raising up, deposing, and restoring him to the throne, “to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Dan 4:17) Those who occupy seats of government would like for us to admire them for their integrity and sense of duty, as “statesmen” of the highest character, yet the scriptures paint a more accurate picture. There are, no doubt, some exceptions to this rule, but, according to my observations, very few. It is needful that human governments be presided over by sinners since their subjects are of the same character, and it takes one to know one. “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons” (1Tim 1:9-10)
The term, “quid pro quo” is the very basis of the principle of “law”. Whenever you see the word “if” used, then a “quid pro quo” is usually not far behind. The very first time that “if” is found in the scriptures is when the LORD confronted Cain for his anger at the LORD and his jealousy of Abel. “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Gen 4:7) This is an incontrovertible principle of the law which the LORD established. If a man walks in righteousness he will be blessed, and if he sins, he will die. Religious men take delight in this principle, but those who know themselves to be sinners tremble before it.
The LORD demonstrated both the power and the weakness of the Law as HE gave to Moses (and to the children of Israel) a law written in tables of stone. This is a law which held out great promise to those who kept it and destruction and death to those who did not. HE made unto them this promise based on an if, “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them” (Lev 26:3); followed by “Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. -- ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land.” (Lev 26:4-7) The power of the law was in the hand of GOD, yet the Law could not provide these benefits because men could not keep it due to their natural rebellion. In this they demonstrated the weakness of the Law, “in that it was weak through the flesh” (Rom 8:3). “For by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Rom 3:20) “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”(Gal 3:21)
The “quid pro quo” of the law must minister condemnation to those who are under it. The soul that sinneth shall die, for the wages of sin is death. By its very nature as the decree of GOD it cannot be ignored, set aside, or changed; but must be fulfilled according to the good pleasure of HIM who gave it. Thus, the law must be satisfied, or all who are under it, shall face the consequence of a broken commandment.
This is a dire and frightful dilemma which no man has the power to resolve. He must keep the law or die in his sin. Yet GOD who is rich in mercy has demonstrated his power and grace: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” (Rom 8:3) “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Rom 3:25-26) The “quid pro quo” is not seen by substituting faith for obedience, but rather by JESUS CHRIST entering in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for those HE came to save. HE made an atonement for their sin and has satisfied the law in their behalf. This is no general work done with a hopeful expectation that some may believe and receive it, but rather it is a purchase price paid for a specific number of sins committed by a specific number of people. It is a “this” (i.e.; the blood of CHRIST), for “that” (i.e.; the eternal redemption of a people whose names are written upon HIS breast, whom HE has loved from the beginning).
The LORD has exceeded all expectations in the behalf of those whom HE has loved with an everlasting love. For HE has not only satisfied the claims of the law which were against that people which HE chose in CHRIST, but HE has set them free from the law of sin and death, which had them bound, and does administer HIS grace to them not on the “ifs” of that law, but on the promises of the Law of the SPIRIT of LIFE in CHRIST JESUS.
All law does indeed have a “quid pro quo” but CHRIST is the PERFORMER of all requirements and does bring peace to the sons of GOD by that which HE has undertaken for them. “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” (Heb 7:18-19) Under this law there is no penalty, for it is a law of promise and life, due to the exercise of the SPIRIT of CHRIST who works in the sons of GOD both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure. It is not a “conditional covenant” (like that given to Moses), but is established upon HIM who has the power of an endless life.
We read about this covenant in the second Psalm, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” (Psa 2:6-9)
We find that this covenant actually preceded that given to Moses, though it pleased the LORD to keep it hidden until the times of the restitution of all things. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” (Gal 3:16-17) How wondrous to consider the “quid pro quo” which is found in CHRIST alone. HE is the SAVIOR. CHRIST is ALL.
mam