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 ...
“I don’t know whether you are being facetious or satirical or are that deficient in the knowledge of the Bible.”
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Oh I think I know at least as much as you do...probably a lot more.
“For look, the Day is coming, glowing like a furnace. All the proud and all the evil-doers will be the stubble, and the Day,when it comes, will set them ablaze, says Yahweh Sabaoth, leaving them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the Sun of justice will rise with healing rays, and you will come out leaping like calves from the stall, and trample on the wicked, who will be like ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says the Yahweh Sabaoth.”
Malachi 3:19-21
Love and fear both play a part in the conversion process. When a man loves God, then he’ll do what God commands when he [the man] feels like it. When man truly fears God, then he does what God commands when God feels like it. If you think that God’s too nice to judge people harshly, well, I don’t know what to say. But taking God’s commandments lightly means that God might take you lightly at Judgement...just something for all people (not you in particular) to consider.
Anyone’s perception that they should go out and kill people will not stop because of the Ten Commandments.
They will find a way to weasel around it.
I guess you’re seeing some connection there that I’m missing because someone with that mindset is not born of God and the article is talking about Christians and whether or not we should obey God’s law.
In Acts 15 the Council at Jerusalem addressed the Judaizers contention that Christians must obey the Law.
The HOLY SPIRIT chimes in in that one.
Read the passage posted upthread from that chapter.
Only if you think love is a feeling.
And that's not even necessarily true even then.
A man may be tempted to cheat on his wife, but does not out of love for her, not because he doesn't feel like it or fears her wrath.
Love can command greater devotion and sacrifice than fear can.
AMEN!
“The pharisees kept the letter of the law and yet Jesus had some really harsh words for them.
The people you describe make life here more comfortable, but it’s about more than just having a nice, comfy, safe life here.
And God doesn’t feel that way.
Read some of the OT prophets about those who are outwardly religious and law keeping and what HE thinks about that.”
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There are more OT prophets who side with me than with you. You cannot be outwardly holy with any consistency unless you are inwardly holy. Jesus was attacking the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They did not truly fear God, for no one who fears true judgement would treat God’s Commandments with such contempt. This is a theme that runs through the entire OT. But let’s look at a NT passage that addresses false teachers:
“...Sodom and Gemorrah, too, and the neighboring towns, who with the same sexual immorality pursued unnatural lusts, are put before us as an example since they are paying the penalty of eternal fire.”
Jude v.7
Not following the Law in this instance is synonymous with “not having the Spirit”...you cannot distinguish between the two.
quote-The Sabbath was to commemorate Creation. The Sabbath points to God as The Creator. Did Adam not keep the Sabbath? Did Jesus keep the Sabbath? Did His Disciples keep it? Are you greater than these?
Bipolar, The Sabbath is important, as is all His 10 Commandments. He even discussed them, in code, with the foundational parable of the sower. That is the battle in Revelation 13 and 14..
But if I accept your premise about the Sabbath(and I do because of my journey in His Word)- let me ask some questions-
When did Christ die for our sins as the Lamb of God? Passover, according to scripture, or Good Friday, according to Rome? (this is a reference to the 1st importance of the gospel that Paul taught the Corinthians)
It is a fair question that most don’t think about. but there is reason why I asked- and it does pertain to the Sabbath and the Commandments.
Do you believe Friday is the 6th day, like Rome teaches, or do you believe Passover(14th day) is the 6th day, like the Father and Son teaches?
Do you believe Saturday is the 7th day sabbath, like Rome teaches, or do you believe Unleavened Bread(15th day) is the 7th day sabbath, like the Father and Son teaches?
Do you believe Sunday is the 1st day of the next week, like Rome teaches, or do you believe First Fruits (16th day) is the 1st day of the next week, like the Father and Son teaches?
Do you believe Christ died for our sins on Good Friday, according Rome, or Passover, according to scripture.
And if the answer is Passover- if Christ finished His work on the 6th Day, when Passover lands on a Roman Monday or Tiw’s Day (or any other day but Rome’s Friday), is that a problem for believer’s in Rome’s version of events or The Father’s version of events?
“A man may be tempted to cheat on his wife, but does not out of love for her, not because he doesn’t feel like it or fears her wrath.”
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Perhaps, he may also do it out of a sense of personal honor, or he may do it from fear of divine retribution.
“Love can command greater devotion and sacrifice than fear can.”
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It can also lead us to take our loved ones for granted. Ever heard the saying, “You always hurt the ones you love”. How many people take God’s Love for granted? Does any of us really know just how much God will tolerate? It is a dangerous game to play.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-19
It's certainly your prerogative to choose to be afraid of God if that's what floats your boat, but it's legalism, plain and simple to demand that others share in your opinion of what God is all about and bring them into the bondage of fear also.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Where do you go to offer the appropriate sacrifices to keep the feast days? What Temple do you use?
And what priestly intercessor do you use that has been ordained and commissioned by God to do it?
And, hey, today is Saturday. Why are you here posting on the Sabbath?
You do understand there is more than one law, do you not?
(1)The law of ordinances and ceremonies was spoken by Moses (Lev.1:1) and written by Moses (Deut. 31:9) and called the Law of Moses (the REAL Mal. 4:4). This law made nothing perfect(Heb. 7:19) was given in consequence of sin (Lev.3:7) and abolished by Christ(Eph2:15) and concerns material things meats, drinks, washings
Oh no, I feel I am being judged. :-)
The Law has been fulfilled in us when we are IN CHRIST.
Nobody is teaching Christians to BREAK the commandments.
Should we obey them?
Sure.
Do we have to to be saved?
No.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:16-23 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
YOU were being courtesy pinged.
Oh, in that case, thank you and have a blessed Sabbath.:-)
**Paul said Christians are dead to the law and discharged from it.**
But Christ said to follow the Commandments — especially the two that summarize the others.
“Well, if you want to serve a vengeful, intolerant, impatient God who you never know what you are going to push to far, go right ahead.”
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You mean the God who said this, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
....yeah, I think I’ll fear and serve Him.
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