Replies

I suppose that means we actively advocate breaking the 10 commandments.

As I recall, you and I had a series of debates not so long ago in which you not only said that the fourth commandment was no longer valid, but also claimed that Yeshua Himself had violated it. And in post #444 on this thread, you say:

Let's suppose there was an 11th commandment against fish. Then, guess what would happen. More than likely, sometime during my life as hard as I would try, I would eat fish on Friday. I would have transgressed the law. And the wages for my sin is death. The commandment isn't void-fish on Friday is a bad thing according to the 11th commandment. But Christ has freed me that if, on the most like possibility that I stumble and eat fish, He has taken away my sin. It doesn't excuse my actions. It only corrects my behavior before God. The trouble is, there is no 11th commandment about fish on Friday just as there are no commandments against dietary laws-unless you're willing to say everyone here is transgressing the law of God.
Let's suppose there is another reason for me giving up fish. If I give up fish on Friday to the Lord, what does that buy me? Do you think God would be extra pleased with my "sacrifice"? Do you think that I will "feel" a greater sense of spirituality by my sacrifice or an extra "closeness" to God than someone who doesn't give up fish? If I go to McDonald's with a group of my friends and they order a fish fillet and I order a hamburger because it's Friday, do you think this is a great testimony?
It buys you absolutely nothing and one has to wonder what precisely is the point?

You have therefore put yourself in the position of teaching men not to follow commandments unless they can see a clear benefit to themselves or to God. So, yes, I'm accusing you of attempting to discourage people from obeying the whole Torah, since you have made pragmatism, not God's Word, the basis of your walk with God.

Our reward for our efforts, unlike xzins, will be that we shall be "called the least in the kingdom of heaven."

I quoted Yeshua. If you have a problem with His sovereign right to determine position in the Kingdom of Heaven based on what a man practices and teaches (and I do believe that it is teaching men not to obey God's commands which is at issue here, cf. Jas. 3:1) on earth, take it up with Him.

Never mind that God has written His laws upon our hearts to walk in His statues and obey His ordinances.

Then go do so. But don't try to teach that I shouldn't follow a command that is plainly written in God's Word, or that obedience to the Scriptures--which have the Torah as their firstfruits--is pointless.

You have therefore put yourself in the position of teaching men not to follow commandments unless they can see a clear benefit to themselves or to God. So, yes, I'm accusing you of attempting to discourage people from obeying the whole Torah, since you have made pragmatism, not God's Word, the basis of your walk with God.

I've rarely read a more specious post (except for maybe your last one...and the one before that.)

You have therefore put yourself in the position of teaching men not to follow commandments unless they can see a clear benefit to themselves or to God. So, yes, I'm accusing you of attempting to discourage people from obeying the whole Torah

From my example do you believe...

Either of these situation is wrong. Christ must work in us to help us to obey the commandments of God. Left to our own devices we are rebellious children. Always have been. Always will be until the resurrection.

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:5

For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they boast in your flesh. Gal 6:13

However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "He who practices them shall live by them." Gal 3:12

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Gal 5:18

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Gal 5:6

That is the truth of the Torah.