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 ...
The most difficult one to keep is to Love The Lord Thy God with all thy heart, mind, etc.
This is a topic that comes up regularly on the RF.
It’s something many Christians try to balance, obeying God without becoming legalistic about it and keeping obeying the commandments in perspective.
I work on two. Love God. Love your neighbor. Keep it simple.
The most difficult one to keep is to Love The Lord Thy God with all thy heart, mind, etc.
I wish that politicians would just keep their oath to God that they take when the enter office.
It is.
The lure of the flesh is very strong.
We are creatures bound in this material world and often the spiritual reality around us doesn’t seem to real as it doesn’t press on our senses as the physical world with its demands does.
I think about human relationships where, when you’re in love for example, you enjoy the other person’s company so much, you just want to be in their presence all the time. You are consumed with love for them and a desire to be with them and please them.
I think one of the problems we have is not having an accurate concept of who God is. I think particularly in viewing God as hrash, demanding, judgmental, intolerant, ready to zap you in a heartbeat for doing wrong, that your salvation is hanging on by a thread that is rapidly fraying because of your behavior and ability (or inability) to avoid sin.
I think if we got a really good glimpse at the heart of God, all that would vanish.
We should be madly in love with Him as we can be with people.
And He deserves it.
“””Religion says, “I have to follow rules.” A relationship with Christ says, “I want to follow His plan for my life.”””
What if your perception is that the plan is for you to kill people who don’t agree with you? Wouldn’t the Ten Commandments help you to understand that your perception is wrong?
39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Matt 22:36-40 NASB
We do these two and we've covered it all.
Notice in His answer He goes beyond the 10 Commandments...He includes the entire Law.
Nine of the ten are reiterated in the New Testament. The only one not commanded in the New Covenant regards the sabbath, which is why I’m not a sabbatarian. Christians find our true rest in Christ. That said, I am a faithful church attendee, but not because it’s a required duty or because it was commanded as a pattern for Israel in the Old Testament.
Of course it would.
It would reveal to you that what you think you heard from God is not from Him at all.
But that isn’t the topic of the thread.
There’s a world of difference between obeying the Law because you have to and because you want to.
Religion says you have to or else.
Relationship says I want to because it pleases God who saved me and I love Him and want to please Him.
The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ, and it also aids us in discernment, knowing what is from Him or not.
No, you choose not to obey Gods Commandment. I understand that it is easier not to do that. It makes going along with the world a lot easier instead of being peculiar. Jesus kept the Sabbath, His Disciples kept the Sabbath and it will kept in Heaven.
I think we agree. I merely believe we are not subject to the Hebraic law. I believe Christians today are under the law of Christ instead. In other words, I’m neither Dispensational nor an adherent to traditional Covenant Theology. I’m still studying this and sanctification is a process, so my view may change :)
Either in thought, word or deed you’re going to blow it. That’s why we have Yeshua.
Which version?
Yes, yes and yes.
Bob, do you “remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day” (Dt. 5.15)? With respect, I doubt you do. If you don’t, you’re not keeping the commandments as they were given regarding the sabbath.
Jesus was under the Law of Moses. Are you? His disciples were also under the Law of Moses. Are you? Christians were dead to the law (Rom. 7.4), and Jew who became Christians were discharged from it (Rom. 7.6). Gentile Christians were never under it.
Thanks for reading and considering
Thanks for reading and considering
(1) As physically conceived and born, sinfulness is in one's nature, and no matter how hard one tries, the human being is without the ability to overcome disobedience to The God, and thus fails.
(2) When one has elected to accept God's promise to receive a new nature by Spiritual rebirth, the human receives the ability to overcome sin, thus has no excuse for disobeying God's Will, which is to execute correct response to His commandments.
(3) Knowing God's commandments and success in obeying them is the gauge by which the Spiritually reborn one perceives by experience that he/she can and does love and please God.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.