How Algebra teaches our duty to God

[Janette]

(Copied from an email - This makes a nice exercise for a high school or higher level sunday school class)

In mathematics the logic is supposed to flow from one step to the next in an obvious way that no one can really argue against.

So here is a simple example

If 2+6 = 8, then 8 = 2+6.

Seems pretty straightforward right? All we did was swap stuff around the equals sign. But whether we say "two and six" or "eight" we still mean that we have 8 things laying around total.

The actual rule is called the "Reflexive Property" because the numbers on each side of the equals sign "reflect" the same meaning.

Using that rule, we can prove that 2 + 6 = 1 + 7.

2+6 = 8 (basic math)
1+7 = 8 (also basic math)
And we also know that 8 = 1+7 (swapping sides using Reflexive Property)

So if 2+6 = 8 and 8 = 1+7, then it just makes sense that all the statements equal each other and that

2+6 = 1+7 (it's actually called the Transitive Property)

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I told you all of that to show you this:

If something experiences "death" then it is said to be "dead."

Therefore, it is relatively fair to say that "death" pretty much equals "dead." So we get

Death = Dead

You could argue that it's not exact, but even if you mention that after Death is the Afterlife with the Lord ... you are still (at least to the folks back on Earth) ... dead.

Our Bible teaches us that Faith without Works is Dead. (James 2:20)

Faith - Works = Dead

Our Bible also teaches that the wages of Sin is Death. (Romans 6:23)

Sin = Death

And we can swap this to say Death = Sin

So...

Faith-Works = Dead and Dead = Death and Death = Sin

So they are all basically the same and you learn that

Faith - Works = SIN.

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Works will never bring you Salvation - only Christ can do that.

But the lack of works for the Lord can bring sin into even a saved Christian life.

Pray for others, sing in the chior, praise God, be helpful, pick SOME way to be truly *involved* in the care and nurture of this world over which our Father has trusted us with Stewardship.

In the end, the goal is not just to die safely saved, but to die having done well.

 

[stephen]

How Algebra teaches our duty to God

I would have never thought so, but I see, I think I see, understand, tut tut, what you are saying.

God Bless You Janette, and thanks for the info.

 

[Janette]

Hee.

I didn't write the original. I got it in one of those "forwarded a million times" emails. I'm not sure who the original author is.

It reminds me of something Jesse Duplantis said once:

The heart of God is the Father.
The face of God is the Son.
the voice of God is the Holy Spirit...

But the hands of God...are us.

 

[jiggyfly]

So they are all basically the same and you learn that

Faith - Works = SIN.

------

Works will never bring you Salvation - only Christ can do that.

But the lack of works for the Lord can bring sin into even a saved Christian life.

Pray for others, sing in the chior, praise God, be helpful, pick SOME way to be truly *involved* in the care and nurture of this world over which our Father has trusted us with Stewardship.

In the end, the goal is not just to die safely saved, but to die having done well.

The problem I see with this concept or analogy is in the little word for (which I bolded) when it should be "of" the Lord. The problem with "works for the Lord" it still promotes the work of self which = self righteousness. Bottom line is dead people don't sin but if your not quite dead, well every sin and I repeat every sin has already been dealt with by the blood of Christ on the cross, at least as far as Father is concerned.

Faith and works referred to by James are not of human or natural origin but rather supernatural and spiritual origin and more precisely from God Himself.
As a brother of mine once said, "not I that lives but Christ lives in me".

 

[Property Of God]

I like this, cute and easy!
thank you for the post.

 

[Janette]

Yeah ok

The problem I see with this concept or analogy is in the little word for (which I bolded) when it should be "of" the Lord. The problem with "works for the Lord" it still promotes the work of self which = self righteousness. Bottom line is dead people don't sin but if your not quite dead, well every sin and I repeat every sin has already been dealt with by the blood of Christ on the cross, at least as far as Father is concerned.

Faith and works referred to by James are not of human or natural origin but rather supernatural and spiritual origin and more precisely from God Himself.
As a brother of mine once said, "not I that lives but Christ lives in me".

You're right - it should be "of" and not "for" since the credit isn't ours.