“Keeping the Law”

[DHC]

Anyone who says murder, adultery, fornication, lying and stealing isn't a sin is preaching a false doctrine.

Hello BAC.

I do not understand your statement BAC.

Do you know of anyone that would actually state that murder was not a sin?

If it is a false doctrine then can you provide an example.

 

[eddieb]

In the OT keeping the law was the only way for eternal life

are you able to back that up with scripture?
Galatians 3:
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

edit: Jesus being a descendant of Abraham..we can see the promise was fulfilled and even in the case of Abraham it was faith in God which granted him a state of righteousness before God. There is no way we can ever be good enough to do anything "good" enough to save us.

 

[brakelite]

Hi BL - I like the fact that you always present significant and to the point inquiries. If you're referring to the law of the Jews, we were never responsible for following it. They couldn't obey it because of the "old man" (Rom 8:3 --old man = flesh). We need not to obey it because the "new man" doesn't need it (Gal 5:23), and I do not say this to spite your questions, but to provide honest answers.

Hi NC. Two things I would like to address in response to the above.
* First, the law of the Jews. Now by 'Jews' I presume you mean Israel. Let me say one thing to that, and to say it as loud, as clear, and as straight as I can on a keyboard. (Imagine fingers hammering sharply...) The law, that is the law which reveals sin, (Romans 4:15, i John 3:4, James 2:8-11) was not, I repeat, was not the law of the Jews...(or Israel). It was, it remains, and will always remain the law of God. Adam and Eve transgressed that law. Cain transgressed it. The antecedents of Noah transgressed it. So did the descendants of Noah transgress it. Even Abraham, who God testified as Ge 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws, transgressed the law, (for all have sinned). And note, before there was a Jew, God had laws, commandments, and statutes that required obedience.

* Second. You totally miss the reason for the new birth. As I said in my previous post. ....7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(Note that the carnal mind is not subject to God's laws...the carnal mind cannot obey God...it is in fact at war with God as I am sure you would agree...
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(But note the very next word).....
9 But ....BUT....ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Do you see this NC? Do you get the distinction between the carnal mind; the unsaved secular run-of-the-mill next-door-neighbour type person and the born again child of the living God???? One cannot obey God's laws NC, right? And in sharp contrast is the Christian...who can!!! And why is this? Well NC the reason we can obey God's laws, all of them, is the very reason you stated Jesus could obey them. Divinity!!
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

You add NC that the new man doesn't need to obey God's commandments. I could not disagree more. First, why would God bother to go to all the trouble of filling us with His Spirit if it weren't to give us power to obey? Second, Revelation 21:7,8 tells me that one must overcome to enter into life, and that sinners, that is adulterers murderers etc are locked out and destroyed in the lake of fire. NC, there is no such thing as a sinner entering into heaven, whether he confesses Christ or not. Anyone telling you that a Christian isn't sinning when married to anothers wife is a liar...the same if one would tell you that a Christian harboring unreasonable and angry and unforgiving resentment against an abusive father isn't sinning is also a liar. I am not speaking about one-off incidents of transgression. I refer to an ongoing practice. Jesus specifically tells us that if we cannot forgive, then we will not be forgiven. Yet NC, I am sure you would agree that there is enough power in God to change us that we will not only forgive those who have abused us, but to love them? Yes?? The new birth was specifically designed to enable us to overcome such practices.

The believer cannot stand in his own righteousness for acceptance; "this is said to be "fulfilled in us"; this is not fulfilled by us in our own persons, nor can it be; could it, where would be the weakness of the law (Rom 8:3)?

The weakness of the law is demonstrated only in the carnal man NC. The Spirit filled believer is another kettle of fish. As I said above. It canbe personally experienced because the divine life of Christ is imparted to us by the Spirit. The combination of divinity with the human makes all the difference NC.

man might then be justified by it, and so the grace of God, and the righteousness of Christ, must be set aside:

No. no. NC, we have already been justified....Christ died while we were yet sinners...it is after we are justified that we receive the power to obey!

We would have to be divine to fulfill it,

Yes!!! My point precisely. Although of course not our divinity, but Christ in us the hope of glory!

His sacrifice and His earthly life of obedience are two separate works. His obedience gave Him the authority to be the sacrifice!

And I could put it in a similar fashion when it comes to us...Christ's sacrifice grants us the license by which we may become the children of God, (the lawful right), and His life imparted through the Spirit grants us the power. (John 1:12)

 

[brakelite]

I feel I need to add the following for clarity.
As Christians we are required to obey all God's commandments. As far as I am concerned that's a given. However, it is how we accomplish this seemingly impossible task that makes all the difference between the Jews of the OT and we of the NT. Let us not make the same mistake as did Israel of old. They made a rash promise at Sinai, one which they paid for throughout the ensuing history. After God gave the law, Israel pronounced: Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. It was this weak promise that is alluded to in the book of Hebrews, and which inspired the Lord to establish a new covenant based on 'better promises'. Israel attempted to obey in their own strength. They said we will do. In the NT God has promised that He will do. How? By writing His laws upon our hearts and minds. Thus we as Christians are not to go about our lives trying constantly to obey, no no. The just shall live by faith! It is as we abide in Christ...as we absorb the life giving power that comes through the vine....power that grows fruits of obedience....it is as we focus on our Savior Jesus, that our obedience to the laws of God become a living reality in our lives. And the key force, the key virtue that unlocks all of this is LOVE. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Love enables us to demonstrate the righteousness of Christ in our day-to-day living. It is love, the very nature and character of God imparted to our hearts and minds, bringing to us the image of our Savior, the very same character that Jesus demonstrated throughout His walk on earth, that fulfills every single requirement of the law. For when we love, we cannot be offending either God or man. This is why Jesus unto him, (the lawyer) Matt. 22:37Thou 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.

Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

The only thing that destroys God's ability to create in us His own righteousness...to make true obedient disciples...to make us experientially holy, righteous, virtuous, "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that we (the church) should be holy and without blemish." ......is our unbelief.

 

[NetChaplain]

You add NC that the new man doesn't need to obey God's commandments

I believe the law of sin came into effect when God commanded the first one to Adam (Gen 2:17), and since then it has been perpetuated because of the sinful nature of mankind, which God chose to teach us through and bring us to Him.

God's commandments concerning the Mosaic Law (Ten Commandments) contained within the Pentateuch. Which Law was against the unbelieving Jew in the OT. There is no law against those who are in Christ (Gal 5:23).

Though I appreciate your posts and replies, there is much we will disagree on concerning Biblical doctrine, but this need not prevent fellowship in the sharing of our beliefs concerning God's Word.

 

[RJ]

Hi NC. Two things I would like to address in response to the above.
* First, the law of the Jews. Now by 'Jews' I presume you mean Israel. Let me say one thing to that, and to say it as loud, as clear, and as straight as I can on a keyboard. (Imagine fingers hammering sharply...) The law, that is the law which reveals sin, (Romans 4:15, i John 3:4, James 2:8-11) was not, I repeat, was not the law of the Jews...(or Israel). It was, it remains, and will always remain the law of God. Adam and Eve transgressed that law. Cain transgressed it. The antecedents of Noah transgressed it. So did the descendants of Noah transgress it. Even Abraham, who God testified as Ge 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws, transgressed the law, (for all have sinned). And note, before there was a Jew, God had laws, commandments, and statutes that required obedience.

* Second. You totally miss the reason for the new birth. As I said in my previous post. ....7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(Note that the carnal mind is not subject to God's laws...the carnal mind cannot obey God...it is in fact at war with God as I am sure you would agree...
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(But note the very next word).....
9 But ....BUT....ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Do you see this NC? Do you get the distinction between the carnal mind; the unsaved secular run-of-the-mill next-door-neighbour type person and the born again child of the living God???? One cannot obey God's laws NC, right? And in sharp contrast is the Christian...who can!!! And why is this? Well NC the reason we can obey God's laws, all of them, is the very reason you stated Jesus could obey them. Divinity!!
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

You add NC that the new man doesn't need to obey God's commandments. I could not disagree more. First, why would God bother to go to all the trouble of filling us with His Spirit if it weren't to give us power to obey? Second, Revelation 21:7,8 tells me that one must overcome to enter into life, and that sinners, that is adulterers murderers etc are locked out and destroyed in the lake of fire. NC, there is no such thing as a sinner entering into heaven, whether he confesses Christ or not. Anyone telling you that a Christian isn't sinning when married to anothers wife is a liar...the same if one would tell you that a Christian harboring unreasonable and angry and unforgiving resentment against an abusive father isn't sinning is also a liar. I am not speaking about one-off incidents of transgression. I refer to an ongoing practice. Jesus specifically tells us that if we cannot forgive, then we will not be forgiven. Yet NC, I am sure you would agree that there is enough power in God to change us that we will not only forgive those who have abused us, but to love them? Yes?? The new birth was specifically designed to enable us to overcome such practices.

The weakness of the law is demonstrated only in the carnal man NC. The Spirit filled believer is another kettle of fish. As I said above. It canbe personally experienced because the divine life of Christ is imparted to us by the Spirit. The combination of divinity with the human makes all the difference NC.

No. no. NC, we have already been justified....Christ died while we were yet sinners...it is after we are justified that we receive the power to obey!
Yes!!! My point precisely. Although of course not our divinity, but Christ in us the hope of glory! And I could put it in a similar fashion when it comes to us...Christ's sacrifice grants us the license by which we may become the children of God, (the lawful right), and His life imparted through the Spirit grants us the power. (John 1:12)

brakelite,
In following this discussion, I have one question that I wish you would answer for me:
From the old covenant law, do you follow the original 10 commandments perfectly today, right now?

 

[B-A-C]

are you able to back that up with scripture?
Galatians 3:
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

edit: Jesus being a descendant of Abraham..we can see the promise was fulfilled and even in the case of Abraham it was faith in God which granted him a state of righteousness before God. There is no way we can ever be good enough to do anything "good" enough to save us.

In a way, you are right. Abraham came before Moses and the commandments.
The thing Abraham did "good" enough to save him was 'believe God'. ( Gal 3:6; Rom 4:3; )
Interestingly enough, Abraham's belief required certain actions in order to be counted as righteousness.

Jas 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
Jas 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Jas 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Jas 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

John 8:39; They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus *said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham.

We are not saved by works, but we are justified by them. ( Jas 2:21; Jas 2:24; Matt 12:37; Rom 2:13; Matt 25:32-46; Matt 19:17; 1 Jn 2:4; )

In a way, even Abraham was tested to see if he loved God with all his heart. He loved his son Isaac, but did he love him more than God? He had to prove his answer.
( Jas 2:21; Gen 22:9; Heb 11:17; ) In fact Hebrews 11 says Abraham only received the promise because of the act of being willing to sacrifice up Isaac.

Abraham also proved his faith again according to Heb 11:8-9; simply by obeying God.

 

[Shutterbug]

The laws and commandments meant that we are put on notice that there exists potential behavioural issues, both for us and within us. We have the power to do good. But, we can also decide what is best for us without regard to others. I really believe Abraham very much loved God and His ways. I also believe if there were any doubt, God's will came first as it always worked in the past although it may not have seemed that way at the time. Therefore, why question Him for the future?

Do we follow the laws of our land because we will be punished if we don't? Or, do we follow the laws of our land because we want to out of respect for those who made them and know what is best for us? And yet, can we legitimately claim to follow the guidelines of someone whom we cannot see or touch?

Cheers,
John

 

[Christ4Ever]

I feel I need to add the following for clarity.
As Christians we are required to obey all God's commandments. As far as I am concerned that's a given. However, it is how we accomplish this seemingly impossible task that makes all the difference between the Jews of the OT and we of the NT. Let us not make the same mistake as did Israel of old. They made a rash promise at Sinai, one which they paid for throughout the ensuing history. After God gave the law, Israel pronounced: Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. It was this weak promise that is alluded to in the book of Hebrews, and which inspired the Lord to establish a new covenant based on 'better promises'. Israel attempted to obey in their own strength. They said we will do. In the NT God has promised that He will do. How? By writing His laws upon our hearts and minds. Thus we as Christians are not to go about our lives trying constantly to obey, no no. The just shall live by faith! It is as we abide in Christ...as we absorb the life giving power that comes through the vine....power that grows fruits of obedience....it is as we focus on our Savior Jesus, that our obedience to the laws of God become a living reality in our lives. And the key force, the key virtue that unlocks all of this is LOVE. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Love enables us to demonstrate the righteousness of Christ in our day-to-day living. It is love, the very nature and character of God imparted to our hearts and minds, bringing to us the image of our Savior, the very same character that Jesus demonstrated throughout His walk on earth, that fulfills every single requirement of the law. For when we love, we cannot be offending either God or man. This is why Jesus unto him, (the lawyer) Matt 22:37Thou 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.

Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

The only thing that destroys God's ability to create in us His own righteousness...to make true obedient disciples...to make us experientially holy, righteous, virtuous, "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that we (the church) should be holy and without blemish." ......is our unbelief.

Well said brother.
I do believe the issue is that when people (believers) say that man is unable to follow the law or required to follow it as written they are correct, for they are not looking at the law through the eyes of one who loves. For if they did, they would realize, if unwitingly that they do follow it daily by the very virtue that they as difficult as it is sometimes is to live, reflect, the very love that God has for us. Less we forget, God does reside in our heart!

Those that find it difficult to love unconditionally, normally are the ones who can readily point to specific aspects of the law in which they fail, and for those who do reflect this love, they should readily see that have nothing to fear from the law. I know, to admit to this accountability "law/love" is very hard because it confuses (devil) us into believing that it is the law that we are trying to chain ourselves to, instead of seeing it in the light of God's love which is freeing.

May we always remember that the change we are undergoing is a process, and a yet to be completed one!

As always a joy reading your postings.

YBIC
C4E
<><
Praying that our God may daily ever shine more brightly in the lives of those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.

My love and prayers to you and yours my brother.

 

[brakelite]

brakelite,
In following this discussion, I have one question that I wish you would answer for me:
From the old covenant law, do you follow the original 10 commandments perfectly today, right now?

I will answer you when you define 'perfectly'.

 

[RJ]

I will answer you when you define 'perfectly'.

Sure my pleasure: Precisely without failure: James 2:10

 

[rodd]

God never intended for man to keep the Law, it was His way of revealing to man, not only His requirement for fellowship, but also the inability (even if desiring to) of the creature to do so. Perfect obedience to His will cannot be accomplished in the creature (man), in who dwells the sin nature (old man), even in regeneration.

Perfect obedience to God will be the walk of the Christian in eternity because of the absence of the sin nature, which will involve the absence of all hindrances to man’s ability to obey Him perfectly—in the Spirit. Jesus was the only human who could keep the law perfectly because it required, not only an uninterruptence (even in thought) of outward compliance of actions (impossibility with a sin nature—Jam 2:10), but an inward holiness of intentions in all things (performed only out of divinity—Jesus). The outward keeping of the law could be keep by any human—but not perfectly—and that was the point.

Jesus’ Law keeping was not so that His obedience would be accredited to the believer, but for Himself—for the qualifying of a perfect sacrifice, and it is the result of this atonement which is accredited (imputed) to the believer. Now, the believer’s obedience is in the life of Christ (Col 3:4) by the Spirit, and this is why godliness is imputed (not imparted due to the sin nature).

-NC

Jesus needed to over come sin in the flesh to redeem us in the flesh who were the fallen of Adam's race. (spiritually dead)... He died because as God he had cursed mankind, but now having overcome sin in the body (Jesus) he then overcame His obligation to His law, "the soul that sins must die", which his curse had placed us under.
That law was annulled through his death causing a change in the law, which was essential if God was to redeem us from his prior curse.

There was a change in his divine priesthood from law to grace. This gave God the freedom to save sinners. Praise God!

 

[eddieb]

In a way, you are right. Abraham came before Moses and the commandments.
The thing Abraham did "good" enough to save him was 'believe God'. ( Gal 3:6; Rom 4:3; )
Interestingly enough, Abraham's belief required certain actions in order to be counted as righteousness.

Jas 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
Jas 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Jas 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Jas 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

John 8:39; They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus *said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham.

We are not saved by works, but we are justified by them. ( Jas 2:21; Jas 2:24; Matt 12:37; Rom 2:13; Matt 25:32-46; Matt 19:17; 1 Jn 2:4; )

In a way, even Abraham was tested to see if he loved God with all his heart. He loved his son Isaac, but did he love him more than God? He had to prove his answer.
( Jas 2:21; Gen 22:9; Heb 11:17; ) In fact Hebrews 11 says Abraham only received the promise because of the act of being willing to sacrifice up Isaac.

Abraham also proved his faith again according to Heb 11:8-9; simply by obeying God.

yea, Faith without works is dead. works is evidence of faith. However I am not sure that Abraham's actions of attempting to sacrifice his son was as you put it... "keeping the law was the only way for eternal life". My point was faith was still back then in OT days of much importance, just as important as today. in the passage you quoted from James if you look a little bit before that from verse 15-17
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

I believe the emphasis on this passage is on instructing believers who are not doing the works to put their faith to work, Not in keeping the law. Works is the by-product of faith. Abraham whould not have done the things he did without faith. I guess what I was really trying to point out is that ever since Adam and eve, man has been born into a fallen state and our very best is still as filthy rags to God. And also that keeping the law does not produce faith. its quite the opposite faith produces the ability to obey.
Having said all that, obedience is very very important, and if you search thru some of my other posts on this forum it will be clear I promote highly obedience and even more claim the only way to overcome sin is to walk in the spirit, which is had by constant communion with God, and even that is originally accessed by faith.

 

[DHC]

Hello Brakelite.

Long time no see.

You stated "As Christians we are required to obey all God's commandments".

The scripture nowhere states that Gentiles are under the law or God's commandments
as you call them. The only way one can arrive at the legalism position is by inference.
For the legalist there is a very annoying absence of the specific instruction that Gentiles are under
the ten commandments within the scripture itself. It is this absence of the specific divine instruction
that creates a very serious issue for the legalism theology.

Inference is the main tool in the interpretive toolbox of the legalist.

 

[NetChaplain]

Jesus needed to over come sin in the flesh to redeem us

Hi Rodd - I like your point--redemption is the goal of it all! The “righteousness of the law” (Rom 8:4) or the righteous requirement of the law was contained in “the law of sin” (8:2), which was “the soul that sins, it shall die,” or sinning required death (Eze 18:4). Since Jesus “knew no sin” His death was for sacrifice, not for disobedience. Therefore it was in His sacrifice, and not His obedience that procured our redemption.

 

[rodd]

Hello Brakelite.

Long time no see.

You stated "As Christians we are required to obey all God's commandments".

The scripture nowhere states that Gentiles are under the law or God's commandments
as you call them. The only way one can arrive at the legalism position is by inference.
For the legalist there is a very annoying absence of the specific instruction that Gentiles are under
the ten commandments within the scripture itself. It is this absence of the specific divine instruction
that creates a very serious issue for the legalism theology.

Inference is the main tool in the interpretive toolbox of the legalist.

Yes, I've found when certain people want to enforce a rule or law, they seem to always use the word "principle," it sounds so right and inoffensive.

 

[petrosmyers]

Jesus brings us freedom. When we really love Jesus we do what we want, but what we want is in His will.
That is the ideal, and no, I'm nowhere near there yet.
I think St Augustine presented the image of being free in His will as a fish swims freely in a river.

 

[rodd]

Hi Rodd - I like your point--redemption is the goal of it all! The “righteousness of the law” (Rom 8:4) or the righteous requirement of the law was contained in “the law of sin” (8:2), which was “the soul that sins, it shall die,” or sinning required death (Eze 18:4). Since Jesus “knew no sin” His death was for sacrifice, not for disobedience. Therefore it was in His sacrifice, and not His obedience that procured our redemption.

Since he knew no sin his death was for the sole purpose of sacrifice!..........Gee I like that, that is magnificent, I'm writing that in my bible now!
There is the issue of Gods' righteousness being upheld in the matter of pardoning the guilty, Christ was innocent but we are not.

 

[NetChaplain]

we do what we want, but what we want is in His will.

Hi Petro - A very applicable truth you've indicated concerning the believer, because the Father continually causes in us the desire to do His will (Phl 2:13). Thanks for the reply.

 

[Brighthouse]

This seems to be a most active topic for so many. I enjoyed reading them all! Without speaking out to harshly one way or the other,remembering grace!! hehe Let me show you a few things in the Bible to help us all out on this very emotional subject! First consider this,what is a command? You shall go do something for me. I am not asking you,i am telling you! Does that sound much like love to you? Before Exodus 19:8 note the three big words WE WILL DO! I am not much into the study of Hebrew,but the Lord had me look close at these three words.

From the Hebrew text it is very long and drawn out,so I will just hit the highlights for us on this. We will do, means that the people decided that God's grace was no longer needed for them in there lives,they wished a works based God to judge them on there works rather then upon his grace,as he did so often before this verse.Notice if you will what happens to the relationship between God and his children after this statement! Now the Lord comes into a thick cloud to Moses and now the people cannot get to the Lord on there own!verses 12-25 Then!!! Chapter 20 The Ten Commandments!

Thou shalt,not in love, but rather in great anger! T.V. presents the Ten Commandments as some sort of gift from the Lord. The gift God, in all his perfection was giving, was showing his people, first there sins,and the need for a savior to free them from the bondage of the law itself! ( rom 3:19-20 and rom 5:20!) The law came to increase sin!! Not help those under it! The law, was to put man to an end to himself,and depend upon the Lord as was done before the law. Jesus came to end the law, all 615 laws which yes includes the Ten Commandment( rom 10:4) as spoken here in Hebrews 8:9 this is the Ten Commandments.

Many would say but if Jesus did away with them, what came into its place? answer John 13:34 which covers all ten! Our love has limits to it,God's love( 1 cor 13:4-8) this love does not! God's love cannot fail! So why would we look to replace his love with ours? I know many of you will not agree,that is fine, I understand! For many, many years I was counted among such saints as you all! I use to guard the law of God,perfect in every way except in one area!! Perfect, from a perfect God yes! But no man could ever keep it all either!

The law first given was never for the gentile,why they were not even allowed in the temple! So what about them? The law was written for the stiff necked children of God! Do good,get good,do bad get bad! No one on this earth is more thankful then I am for Jesus Christ! ( or course you should disagree with me on this point!! LOL)( your name should be there in my place!!) Notice this final point. If you cannot believe this,that in Exodus 19:8 means this, check this out for further proof!( Galatians 5:4!!) Which if you are interested brought up a huge debate in Acts the 15th chapter! 15:10!) Please notice this as well.

In Ecclesiastes 3 we notice a time and season for all things except one!! There is never a time or season to ever go backwards in our walk! Interesting is it not? Jesus is to be followed,and we cannot follow our Jesus looking back,for what lies behind us is only a mere shadow!( heb 10:1!) And 2 cor 3:4-18!!) To those who are young in our Jesus,I wish to give you some most wonderful news!! ( rom 8:1!!) and Rom 4:8!! The key to remain established in our Jesus is to know Jesus is leading us,not us him! My brothers and sisters this lesson was a very hard one for me to learn!

So I fully understand how many can become angry! I know I was! LOL But when you look at all the scriptures on what Jesus and Jesus alone could only fulfill,the blood of Jesus covered all sin and all condemnation under the law we look so hard to keep.Fear comes when we do not know the Word,same as worry.( luke 1:74,2 tim 1:7, and my favorite!! matt 6:25-34) The face of fear can have many expressions,but it all the same face! If we look back,we are no longer fit for the Kingdom of God!!( luke 9:62!!) I encourage us all to press forward as Paul did!( philippians 3:12-14!!) Do this and you believe,do it not, and the pillar of salt becomes ones resting place.( gen 19:26) Let us all move forward in, and through, and by our most precious Jesus!! amen!( psalm 27:13!!) just believe! Blessing all!