Sorry, should I take the surprise as a negative? I didn't realize this was some sort of contest.....I did say that what I had was only a few of many. Are mine any less accurate or true dear brother. Aside from that, I thought all of scripture was God inspired and much more wouldn't Paul be speaking on Jesus behalf?
There is no contest brother? The discussion was started with an open mind, I still have an open mind but, Jesus' Words, His Commands are so clear. More on that later.
Yes brother ALL scripture is God inspired...
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
And , as far as the law not being applicable perhaps to me...I have always been under the contention, by God, that the law was holy, righteous and blameless and worthy of striving toward but, I would not be so foolish as not know that my salvation comes by way of grace and not the law! And because of grace and not the law, when I mess up I have this to fall back on: Romans8:1
:thumbsup:
What you quote brother we agree, the law is (not was) Holy, Righteous, Blameless and worthy of striving towards. In fact as stated Jesus says we should obey His Commandments, and He has come to fulfil the Law not otherwise.
One more caveat: Matthew 5:17 ....Jesus fulfills the law by getting inside us. He is the law and it is his righteousness, holiness and blamelessness in an through us, not from ourselves.....he gets all the glory and we have none!!!!
Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law, we agree brother
Matthew 5:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
The law is an unbearable yoke. (
Acts 15:10)
The law reveals sin but cannot fix it. (
Romans 3:20)
If the law worked then faith would be irrelevant. (
Romans 4:14)
The law brings wrath upon those who follow it. (
Romans 4:15)
Christians are not under the law. (
Romans 6:14)
There are many, many more!
Paul wrote his letter to the Romans before ever visiting Rome, yet his heartfelt concern was for the believers there and this is clearly evident throughout this Epistle.
Paul’s name stands alone here (except for the Holy Spirit’s guidance)—no Silas, Timothy or other brother with him. For Paul is Christ’s apostle unto the Gentiles, the declarer, as here in Romans, of the gospel for this dispensation.
The essential doctrines and directions, of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead.
Paul was an Apostle of God, he was writing to the Christians (ex-Jews) in Rome, so he also had the Jews in mind.
First, he told how wonderful it is to be a Christian. Our justification is not simply a guarantee of heaven, as thrilling as that is, but it is also the source of tremendous blessings that we enjoy here and now.
Second, he assured his readers/including us that justification is a lasting thing. His Jewish readers in particular would ask, "Can this spiritual experience last if it does not require obedience to the Law? What about the trials and sufferings of life? What about the coming judgment?" When God declared us righteous in Jesus Christ, He gave to us seven spiritual blessings that assure us that we cannot be lost.
The gospel of the New Testament is the
same good news of God which was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus Christ is the Subject and the Author of the gospel, but the gospel
began long before the birth of Jesus. The gospel began long, long ago in the
mind and plan of God, and God foretold the coming of the gospel (His Son) through the prophets of old.
There is an amazing amount of information and direction in Romans. The Gospel the Power of God, Justification by Faith: Peace With God, a Standing in Grace, Sure Hope of Coming Glory, Patience, Joy in God, etc, etc.
All in all Paul was balancing what he wrote to suit his audience, Gentiles, New Christians, ex-Jews, Jewish thought and knowledge, whilst at the same time aiming to revealing the heavenly character, calling, and destiny of the Church as the Body and Bride of Christ, and as God’s House.
So it appears in this discussion we have two statements in scripture, that may on the face of them appear to possibly conflict, but nothing conflicts in scripture there has to be a reason, there is always a reason why we read what we read. Jesus statement in Matthew 5:17-18 and Pauls in Romans 6:14 to name just one verse from each view seem to conflict but do they?
Keeping an open mind this is how I see/read these scriptures, I confirm I remain open minded and any thoughts I have now are based on how I understand scripture now. When ever there are verses ‘that appear’ to say different things we should always have open minds and search out what is actually said and what is actually meant from what is said.
What is clear to me at this stage is Jesus teaching is so precise, there should be no way this could be misinterpreted.
Matthew 5:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Obey my commandments etc.
Paul on the other hand in Romans is aiming to set out the truth, but is trying to balance what he says to suit his audience.
Jesus is God's One and Only Son, God Himself said...
Matthew 17:5 (NIV2011)
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Paul's writings require a lot more attention and investigation due to the content. He as an Apostle, called by God, what he has written will no doubt mean the same as what Jesus says but, his writings need to be read in context, first the passages, then the chapters, then the New Testament, then the Bible as a whole. Quoting single verses in Romans I think is not recommended and something I try avoid due to the amount of information and direction Paul includes.
Bless you brother :thumbsup: