The right thing to do

[B-A-C]

It seems the trend in many churches today, is to talk about what you "don't" have to do to become a Christian.

You don't have to get baptized in water.
You don't have to get baptized in the Holy Spirit.
You don't have to follow the teachings of Jesus.
You don't have to obey the 10 commandments.
You have to follow any of the law at all.

So even say you don't have to be "born again".
A even a few say that "You don't even have to believe everything the Bible says about Jesus".
It seems the entire theology of a few churches is about what you "don't" have to do.

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There have been dozens of debate threads about these things, and hundreds of scriptures given
to support these points of view (partial passages and half-verses) as well as long commentaries.

Often in the name of freedom. Freedom under grace, freedom from the law.

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But I have to wonder... what is the purpose in this? What is the message trying to be sent here?
That once you believe in Jesus anything goes? You can still do anything you want?

Some even say that if you're consciously trying to avoid things like lying, stealing, and adultery
that you're trying to be saved by works. There are even some that say obeying the 10 commandments
is equivalent to unbelief in Jesus.

Sometimes these things are said openly and blatantly, but many times they are hidden in the commentaries
in subtle phrases here and there.

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But even if all the things listed above really things we "don't" have to do.....
Does that really mean we shouldn't do them?
Does Jesus really want you to "not" get baptized in water?
Does God really "not" want you to obey the 10 commandments?
Does the Holy Spirit really "not" want you to love your neighbor?
Does the Father really "not" want you to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?

It seems some churches believe this.
... and they teach others, (even here on TJ) that obeying the commandments is simply
modern day Judaism. (It's funny Jesus didn't feel that way).

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It seems the more obedient to the commandments and Jesus's teachings you are, the less of a
Christian you are. Things are so twisted in some teachings now, that if you are trying to be
obedient to God in any way... you are simply trying to be saved by works.

But if we know what the Bible says, and we know what God commanded us to do.
and we know the teachings of Jesus... shouldn't we be doing them?
Even if these things aren't what we "have" to do. Shouldn't we be doing the right things?

 

[amadeus2]

@B-A-C

Point on, dear brother in Christ! What do we have to do?

"The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. " Matt 19:20-22

All of us come to the Lord with possessions of one kind or the other that keep us from walking closer to Him or even from walking with Him at all. Like that young man, it may be material riches [money] or it may our pride or our talent or any of many other things. It could even a certainty we have that baptism in water is unnecessary or that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is unnecessary or that the 10 commandment are unnecessary. etc.

One thing is certain! The hardness of our heart must go... or we will never be able to please Him!

When Jesus in His flesh wanted to avoid the pain and suffering which were in his cup, he prayed to the Father to remove that cup. Then added to that prayer this one... "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Does God ever ask us to do things that we do not believe are necessary? Should we listen to and obey ourselves... or Him?