The Bible calls Christ's teachings commandments and laws. But Christ's teachings are just that, and we are his followers. He is our example of morality.
We practice being good and avoiding evil. But we fail at times. It is not so easy as you claim to be good. We have been cleansed, we do wear Christ's righteousness, but our flesh gets in the way.
You really think it is easy to LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF?
OR DI YOU RHINK IT IS EASY TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES?
So what gets your suit dirty? I am condoning that it is not that hard to keep it white.
Oh, our spiritual suit remains white, but the spirit wars against the flesh and vice versa.
Some times I wonder how people apply Christianity in their lives. It is one thing to have issues with not understanding good. But the Bible will in general tell us what is good to do and what is bad to do. It is not that difficult.
Okay. We are to obey Christ right ... and you claim it's not that difficult for you?
Obey Christ then:
"The young man said to Him, 'All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?'
Jesus said to him, '
If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matt. 19:20-22
So Mr. GOOD, if you want to be Mr. PERFECT, sell all your possessions, your house, empty your bank account and give to the poor and follow Jesus!
Oh, wait ... do you feel that tug against your spirit, the flesh is aroused now in you ... there's a resistance ... your flesh gets annoyed by this prospect, it actually angers you ... puts you up against the wall and challenges you ... you are uncomfortable now. What to do? Immediately you protest, I can't do that ... I won't do that!" So you dismiss this command of Jesus. Of course you will. You will make up an excuse: "I'm not rich". Yes you are if you live in the USA, even the poorest of us are richer than most of the world. You might say, "Well, Jesus was'nt talking to me personally, I'm already saved, that man was not." Maybe so. Jesus knew his heart, knew he could not part with his wealth. He was not saved ... but no one was at that time either. Maybe later, he removed everything off the camel so it could fit through the eye of the needle? We all .ake excuses for not kkving iur neighbor as ourselves don't we?
Feeling better? Did your flesh win. Yes it did, you found an excuse not to. You will refuse to sell all you have and give it away because ... just because you don't really ... be honest, you don't really love your neighbor as yourself. You put yourself and your family first and give a little ... what's left over.
It is said that most Christian's average charitible giving is about 2-3 %. Not everyone gives 10% even. And some give more. My Pastor used to tell us that 20% of the congregation give the majority of the tithes/free will offerings. And he would still stress, "give and it shall be given to you". It is a leap of faith. "Test God", he said, and He will show you. He would regularly bring up saints who did just that and gave their testimonies of what God gave them back, God's blessings in return. It works! Give and it shall be given to you. But many of us are atill reluctant and unwilling to test that principle. Certainly few will sell everything and give it to the poor. I guess we will just wait to be really good and perfect in heaven... won't we Grailhunter?