Posted on 07/10/2017 2:23:50 PM PDT by WhatNot
Whenever you see the practising of works based activities in relation to getting something from God, it's always going to cause those who perform it (or think they perform it), to boast about what they've done. God knows how men love to brag about themselves and that's why He had Paul make it clear "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
God takes the boasting right out of Bible Christianity. No one deserves what Christ has done for them, no one deserves life eternal, no one deserves His provision or any other blessing God has given them. The only thing you, I or anyone else deserves is hell fire and as hot as hell can get, that's what we deserve. The things we have were given to us by our loving, merciful and tender-hearted Father because of faith and trust in Him alone, not because of any work we've done.
Romans 2:21-22
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
In Romans Chapter two, we see Paul building his case against those who say they keep the law and those who boast about how superior they are compared to others. "Bless God, my wife and I have been married forty years and we've never run out on each other, why can't you be like us?" People boast on what they do but are silent when it comes to things they don't do right.
Romans 2:23-24
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
If you were to go to New York, Los Angeles or any other major city in America and ask people on the street, "In your opinion, what are the Christian preachers in America good for?" More than likely the answer you'll get back is, "They're good for nothing, they preach against gay marriage and yet go around having affairs, molesting children and get rich off their church members" Most people in this Country have been greatly soured by the church because "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you."
What's the world's common reply when inviting someone to church these days? "No thanks, I know all about you church people, you drink and cuss, you run around on your wives. Heck man the biggest drunks at the bar are some of you church members." The world is going to blaspheme God because of church members who made out like they're better than everybody else, condemning others for their sins, yet not repenting of their own.
Matthew 7:5
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Another side of the coin is those who criticize those who follow the Law as using works to get to Heaven. We are to follow Gods Law. That was the example that Jesus set. And you are accusing thy brother of boasting when that may not be the case. He is merely showing in Gods Word (the Bible) that we are still to follow His law. Faith is what saves but faith without works is useless (St. James).
James 2:10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
The only person in all of human history who's ever "kept the law" perfectly is Jesus Christ. And unless you keep the law perfectly, you don't keep the law at all. So where is boasting?
Boasting of having faith and not keeping the law doesn’t sound quite right either. Biblically, a faith that is alive is required. And faith without works is dead.
Only faith, but not dead faith.
Matthew 22:37-40
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
I've said before and I'll keep saying it. I don't believe in a works salvation, I just believe in a salvation that works. If the salvation you have hasn't made you a brand new person, if your sinful lifestyle has not changed, then you don't have the salvation of Biblical Christianity. Because the salvation that God provides through His Son Jesus Christ, will change a person and make that person a brand new creation.
New is different than old, if not then for the purposes of the English language, the Bible means nothing.
Who(m) is boasting? I am to keep the whole Law. I do my best to keep the whole Law. And in my deficiency His Grace suffices. But if I let Him control my thoughts and deeds I have kept the law to my ability. No boasting on my part.
Who is speaking? A Christian SHOCKED he is not going to the pearly gates.
Why? They didn't keep the Law. They didn't even try to keep the Law. They were on the free Jesus EBT salvation card that requires little on their part. They gambled. They lost. Their preacher deceived them. Their denomination deceived them. They followed the WIDE path into Hell.
Sorry, everyone In the meme I accidently wrote Acts 2:8 when I meant Ephesians 2:8-9, please excuse the error, sometimes I do this when I have many other things going on.
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29).
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (I Thessalonians 1:3).
Scripture interprets Scripture.
Matt. 5:17 . Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Do you believe His words that He did not come to abolish the Law?
I’m not sure you understand the gospel. You comment as one under the sway of 7th Day Adventism.
Then enlighten me. Chapter and verse please.
I linked something that might help you. I’m unwilling to argue with you or debate you. You are typically too combative for my taste.
Matthew 7:23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The difference between lawlessness and iniquity is that lawlessness is a lack of law and order, you can keep the law all you want (which of course you don't), but if you have not received the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins you still won't go to heaven. The law has only one purpose, to show you how much of a wicked, evil person you truly are and why you need Jesus Christ to save you.
On the other hand if you have received Christ and He lives His life through you, and His blood covers all your iniquity, all your wickedness then you will go to heaven.
Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
I refuse your link. This is a discussion thread not a linking contest.
Now you've conflated two different laws to support your side. That is where "when men change the word of God, confusion enters into the heart of man" comes into play. Do you not know the difference between the rites and ordinances (which were nailed to the cross) and Gods Ten Commandments? It's a simple question. Yes or no.
LOL. I’m not surprised. Maybe someone else will be blessed by that short explanation of the gospel. Here’s another link that would help someone, including you.
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/jesus-and-his-active-obedience/
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