Posted on 03/18/2017 7:11:14 AM PDT by metmom
Should We Still Keep The Commandments?
If you are skeptical because of past experiences with religion, understand that religion is not the answer—a relationship with Christ is. There is a clear difference.
Religion says, “I have to follow rules.” A relationship with Christ says, “I want to follow His plan for my life.”
Religion says, “I have to go to church.” A relationship with Christ says, “I want to position myself to learn more, worship Him and benefit from fellowship.”
Religion offers a set of rituals; a relationship with Jesus offers a guiding light.
Religion is man’s attempt to find God; relationship assures us of His presence.
Many lose sight of purpose because they have “religion” and not a true relationship with Christ. They may know Scripture but they often do not apply it to their lives. As a result, their relationship with God is cold and distant.
A fatal statement, yet so common is, “I know what God’s Word says, but…” For example: I know that I shouldn’t watch certain movies or television programs, but I enjoy then. I know that I shouldn’t date her, but she’s very attractive. I know that I shouldn’t go there, but everyone is doing it. I know what the Bible says, but it doesn’t apply now. I know that I need to go to church, pray, and read God’s Word, but I’m too busy.
(Excerpt) Read more at westsidechristianfellowship.org ...
Where is the LAW stating the first day of the week must be kept holy?
Rom 14:5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.
Passover was an exact rehearsal of the Crucifixion, down to exact times and days of the month in which each occurs - very much unlike the current Christian observance of today. Therefore, a correct observance of Christ's burial and resurrection would overlap Passover precisely. But then THAT would make people realize the inescapable Divinity of each - something the dark forces of this world prefer to to be known.
Christianity is a branch of Judaism. Does not that which affects the root, and whole trunk, not affect the branches as well?
So then tell me what you do with this. Or is God a liar? How are you going to reconcile this?
Rom 14:5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.
Hence the root difference between David and Saul's misadventures.
The "I should be able to get away with x" or "Here is why I should get away with y" crowd uses God's grace as if it were an EBT card. The type of entitled folks who use the cards to buy filet mignon and expensive organic snacks, having zero thought, respect or regard for the ones who are actually paying the bill.
The parasitic class will be shocked, confused, and outraged when their cards go dead. *Especially* when card of the young mother (who is grateful for the sustenance after being abandoned by her husband), continues to work just fine.
Spiritual concepts really do sit right out in the open and manifest plainly. Somewhere along the way, the spirit of the law became conflated with the letter of the law, so when some people see "Law" they have a strong, negative visceral reaction. Mindfulness (thoughtful observance and respect) became a "work", thus "not necessary" for salvation.
The word "Christ" is not a nebulous doctrinal concept, just as the phrase "son of David" is not a mere genealogical detail. Without interacting with him personally (physically), people have the volume of documentation in the text of all who he is and how he does things.
Moses described him (e.g. Deu 6:5-9), and David also, and many others. People either believe God's word (written evidence), or not.
Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Really?
Then one must conclude 1 Peter 4:8 is a lie?
1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
Likewise, what's that "Judgement Day" thing all about then?
Proverbs 10:11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions. 13On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.…
Part of the confusion is the misplaced belief by many members of churchanity is that they're the only ones going to heaven. Study Romans 2 VERY carefully:
...because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Simply put, this applies to every human being, of every denomination, of every religion, from every walk of life.
Be mindful though that Christ set aside something special for those in Him, who among such, some will not even know physical death as they will be transformed when he comes for them, and even those already dead, will arise first.
Don't confuse those in Christ with everyone else, and likewise, don't confuse everyone else with those in Christ - as I see so many do.
The main point however, is that EVERYONE will be judged and rewarded accordingly (at some point), some to everlasting life, some to everlasting shame.
The Prayer is a condensation of the Hebrew Amidah. It speaks universally, but states nothing specifically Christian.
It does however, concern Deuteronomy 4:19 and Malachi 1:11 directly.
Well said. WE get so hung up on the letters, we miss the meaning of the WORD; forest for the trees, and all that...;)
Why don’t you start a thread on it if you want to discuss that topic?
Yup, the first time we sin damns us and we need redemption.
All we need is one.
Those gnashing teeth their teeth on the Day of Judgement are the ones who thought they were in Him, but evidently were not, along with "those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil".
All we need is one.
And "persistence in doing good"...;)
I pray more realize this...and from studying the richness of our inheritance, solidify their faith, and better lead others to Him.
Say that's funny. Love the irony. Letters are the building blocks of language, communication. Letters creates angels because angels are messengers. Words deliver messages, hence letters create angels (messengers of the messages).
The spirit is the operating principle (law). The intents of the heart. As the saying goes, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
Don’t mean so much to challenge as to set certain aspects straight.
In order to understand the New Testament one should have a fairly good understanding of the Old.
Should we?
Yes. That’s God’s plan for mankind for our benefit.
MUST we? No.
We never could to begin with and it doesn’t or wouldn’t save us if we did.
The commandments are given so that we’d recognize sin. It reveals our failure to live out the first two commandments, the greatest ones that Jesus gave.
If we loved our neighbors as ourselves, we would automatically live them.
The problem is that we humans are capable of obeying the letter of the law without having the heart for it and if everyone did obey the Law, we’d certainly by far have a better life in this world, but could still be as far from God as ever.
If our focus is on law keeping, we’ve taken our eyes off Christ.
I don’t think we should be obsessing over law keeping.
Don’t forget the verdict handed down at the Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 and their conclusion in the matter.
Oh, OK.
I didn’t see the connection.
Acts 15 was concerned with the material things of Mosaic law such as circumcision, meats, washings . . . That law was abolished at the cross.
MUST we? No.
If that were the case then we are free to sin. Feel like some adultery? Indulge your self. See that new purse you've been longing for? Slip it under your coat. How much sin is too much for God?
The problem is that we humans are capable of obeying the letter of the law without having the heart for it
That doesn't sound like a defect in the Law to me.
If our focus is on law keeping, we’ve taken our eyes off Christ.
You make them sound incongruous. They are not. If we love Jesus we will love His Law. The Law is perfect. If you hate the Law you hate God. Matthew 5:48 states "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." That doesn't sound like the Commandments are optional to me. How much sinning do you think is allowed in Heaven?
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