Jesus

th1b.taylor · Oct 21, 2012

Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Mat 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

There is a gnostic view of the scriptures today that has entered into the Christian Churches that is, literally, sending people to Hell. The single verse above, 5:17, shows the truth of the matter but it is generally, just, not considered. About 144AD, mid Second Century, Marcion prompted the notion that the Old Testament and the New Testament were in disagreement, giving birth to the heretical Gnostic idea that the New Testament has, in some fashion, superseded the Old Testament.

In John 1:1-3 we find that nothing exists in the world that Jesus did not create or cause to be. And when we read Malachi, in the third chapter and the sixth verse we find God explaining that He never changes! What Jesus did for us, before the cross, was to teach us, not the letter of the Law, rather, He taught all that will listen, the heart of the Law. In the Law it is said that, Thou shalt not murder, if you do you will go to Hell. But Jesus taught us that if we hate our brother, we are guilty of murder, already!

Jesus taught Christianity from the Old Testament, the New was not even being written when He was teaching and if you never study the Old Testament, the light of what Jesus had recorded for us will never shine upon the New Testament as you read it. So, you need to ask yourself, “When I read the Old Testament, is it confusing?” If it is, and it was to me before the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, you might want to consider doing a Spiritual Inventory. I'm not trying to scare you into believing you're not saved but to find out if you've been quenching the Spirit. And if you can't find Him there, then you might want to think about why.

jiggyfly · Oct 21, 2012

Your misunderstanding the scriptures here.

19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.
Gal 3:19 (NLT)

Your interpretation conflicts with other scriptures. You may want to lay down any and all religious paradigms you have and ask HolySpirit to reveal His truth to you.

rand · Oct 25, 2012

yes, Jiggyfly. Grace and truth came thru Christ. The law came thru Moses.

The law came that the sin would abound. The law was given to expose our sin. The law was given to show us we need a savior. When Jesus was teaching the Jews who thought they were doing fine at keeping the law, He showed them that they are so far from close. He raised the standards to where God had originally placed it. Hate is same as murder, lust is same as adultry, and if you break even one of these commandments you are guilty of all. Jesus, by telling them this, is not telling them this is the standard for the new covenant. He is simply re-establishing the old covenant foundations, so they would know they need a savior. They had watered it down so much that it was easy. If it's easy, they don't need anyone to save them from it.

The only people who Jesus spoke harshly with are those insisting on the law. Grace, brought everyone else to repentance. The new covenant is so much better.

Axehead · Oct 26, 2012

However, though we do not walk our walk with God by using the Bible as a rule book and obeying the 600+ Mosaic laws there is still a law for us to fulfill, isn't there?

James writing to the Church.
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

So, the question remains, "What happens if we do not fulfill the royal law?" Does it prove that we don't have the Spirit of Christ? What happens if we don't have the Spirit of Christ?

Are we not to heed Jesus' words in Matthew 7:12? He boils down the law and the prophets for us.
Matt 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Need more proof from Jesus?
Matt 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Are we to ignore the "weightier matters of the law?" No, as born-again children of God, with a New Heart and joined to the Lord by His Spirit, we of all people should be walking in judgment, mercy and faith. And what will happen if we are not fulfilling "the weightier matters of the law?"

Matt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ so that we could fulfill the Royal Law as James exhorts us too.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Yes, keeping the law of works (of righteousness) is false teaching and subverts the souls of others, but there is no way to get around the first two commandments upon which "hang the law and the prophets" and that we are called to fulfill the Royal Law in James.
Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

We don't make void the law through our faith.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

It is clear that we are not under the Mosaic law.
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

The Law could not save us.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

But now it is fulfilled by those who walk after the Spirit. There is no other way to fulfill righteousness of the law.
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Paul tells us now how we fulfill the law.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

We see in many churches that the law is not being fulfilled as there is envy, strife, jealousy, pride, greed, unforgiveness, selfishness, coveting, impatience, slander, deceit, adultery, fornication, etc, etc. So, the Church is not fulfilling the law of God. This is the Great Falling Away. This is why God is sending people to sound an alarm to the Church to wake up out of their slumber.

1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

So, you see now that in this respect many are not fulfilling the law.

The original OP is correct in implying that many have been taught a law-less Gospel for there is much lawlessness in the Church, today. Who are all the warnings in the New Testament directed to and why?

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Axehead

jiggyfly · Oct 26, 2012

Axehead said:
However, though we do not walk our walk with God by using the Bible as a rule book and obeying the 600+ Mosaic laws there is still a law for us to fulfill, isn't there?

James writing to the Church.
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Axehead

In trying to keep things in line with scripture one correction to start must be made to your post.

You said "James writing to the Church" but scripture states differently.

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:1 (KJV)

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
James 1:1 (NLT)

1 James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ a servant, to the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion: Hail!
James 1:1 (YLT)

I think it is very clear here that James was not writing to the whole church or body of Christ, but rather he was specifically addressing Jewish believers.

Axehead · Oct 26, 2012

jiggyfly said:
In trying to keep things in line with scripture one correction to start must be made to your post.

You said "James writing to the Church" but scripture states differently.

[font=Verdana']1[/font] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:1 (KJV)

[font=Verdana']1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings![/font]
James 1:1 (NLT)

[font=Times New Roman']1[/font] James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ a servant, to the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion: Hail!
James 1:1 (YLT)

I think it is very clear here that James was not writing to the whole church or body of Christ, but rather he was specifically addressing Jewish believers.

So, his letter today is only for a part of the body of Christ? What part of the Body of Christ is his letter for?

What part of the Body of Christ does not have to fulfill the Royal Law?

I think he was writing to those in the 12 tribes that were IN CHRIST. NO?

Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Again, speaking to these SAME BRETHREN.

Jas 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

I think it is pretty clear James is speaking to the whole church, anyone that has faith in Jesus Christ.

So,

what is the implication if we do not fulfill the Royal Law.

Axehead

jiggyfly · Oct 26, 2012

No, we can all benefit from James' letter the same as we can benefit from the books of the old covenant. So should we not trim the side burns any longer? Should we take our disobedient child to the city gates to be stoned to death?

James clearly said his letter was to the twelve tribes scattered abroad and this should be a big consideration when gaining a proper understanding just as much as reading the book of Exodus IMO.

Axehead · Oct 26, 2012

jiggyfly said:
No, we can all benefit from James' letter the same as we can benefit from the books of the old covenant. So should we not trim the side burns any longer? Should we take our disobedient child to the city gates to be stoned to death?

James clearly said his letter was to the twelve tribes scattered abroad and this should be a big consideration when gaining a proper understanding just as much as reading the book of Exodus IMO.

Jiggy, you are going to extremes, now. You need to read his whole letter. I provided the verses that put into context that he is writing to the Church.

Is half of the letter addressed to non-believers and the other half addressed to believers?

Jas 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

jiggyfly · Oct 26, 2012

Axehead said:
Jiggy, you are going to extremes, now. You need to read his whole letter. I provided the verses that put into context that he is writing to the Church.

Is half of the letter addressed to non-believers and the other half addressed to believers?

Jas 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

How is it extreme?

Can you show the scriptures that show James is writing the whole body of Christ?

Axehead · Oct 26, 2012

jiggyfly said:
How is it extreme?

Can you show the scriptures that show James is writing the whole body of Christ?

Bless you, jiggy,

Axe

Rex · Oct 26, 2012

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony[sup][a][/sup] of God. [sup]2 [/sup]For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. [sup]3 [/sup]I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. [sup]4 [/sup]And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human[sup][b][/sup] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [sup]5 [/sup]that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Romans 8
[sup]3 [/sup]For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, [sup]4 [/sup]that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

[sup]9 [/sup]But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Romans 7
[sup]6 [/sup]But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

rand · Oct 26, 2012

Amen, Rex.

9 but we are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if the spirit of God dewells in you (us). Notice, no if's , and's or but's. If we have the Spirit of God inside of us, then we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. That does not mean our flesh won't still commit sin, but like Paul said, it's not I that do the things I don't want to do, its that sin nature that is still in my flesh. But my flesh does not discribe me anymore. I'm a new creature; a spiritual creature who, in God's eyes, am perfect just like Jesus so when that day of Judgment comes, we have nothing to fear. 1 John 4:17,

I do, however, believe way too many Christians--eventhough they are in the Spirit --walk according to the flesh. And by that I don't mean sin, but it's a big reason why they do sin, i mean that they walk by sight and not by faith.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light (truth) then He continually cleanses us from all unrighteousness. What is the truth? the truth is that we are forgiven and He will remember our sins no more:ever. The truth is that we are only righteous because of Christ's obiedience and not our own. If we walk in that truth we are constantly being cleansed. That's awesom. But way too much of the body of Christ thinks we are only cleansed if we keep the commandments. Not true! If we are doing such a good job of keeping the commandments, then what is He cleansing us from?

Isn't Grace awesome?

Rex · Oct 26, 2012

rand said:
Amen, Rex.

9 but we are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if the spirit of God dewells in you (us). Notice, no if's , and's or but's. If we have the Spirit of God inside of us,
Isn't Grace awesome?

A men rand you've found the hinge in which the whole DOOR MOVES.
John 10:9
Philippians 1:6

God HAS Blessed you

jiggyfly · Oct 27, 2012

Axehead said:
Bless you, jiggy,

Axe

Thanks Axehead, bless you too.

Axehead · Oct 27, 2012

God is to be expressed through our bodies. We have a God ordained responsibility to "Glorify God in our Bodies". And it is a command of the Lord spoken by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles to the Church.

God does not separate our body and the spirit. We are to glorify God in both. Let us distinguish between the "flesh nature/lusts" and our physical bodies. They are not the same.
1Co_6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Let not and Neither yield sound like "Denying" to me.

Denying one's self-ish life requires God's grace and Holy Spirit, otherwise it is human exerted religiousness. When your lusts want you to obey them you will obey them if you do not choose to deny them. We are to submit to the Holy Spirit which will deny the self_ish life. Our response should be to deny the lusts from our mortal body.

Otherwise, Jude 1:4 will be true of us. We will turn the grace of God into LASCIVIOUSNESS.

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

True holiness comes by letting God work out His good purpose in our lives. The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” God wants us to live lives that reflect true holiness that brings praise to His Holy Name, but we can only do that if we are obedient and pliable to His will.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, it says, “This is the will of God, your sanctification…” Sanctification is the work that God is doing in us in order to bring us into conformity to our Lord Jesus (Romans 8:28-19). While the standing of sanctification and righteousness may be instantaneous there is also a walk of righteousness and sanctification. We work out what God works in us and obedience is the key to submitting our wills to the will of God. Submitting our will to God's will is not legalism. Legalism cannot accomplish that because legalism is all about "I, ME, MY" and God is not part of the equation.

To walk in true holiness and righteousness, God has to be part of the equation (Holy Spirit) otherwise it is all just religious flesh.

It is God’s will and our obedience through grace, not legalism or license that will accomplish His purposes in us.

The emphasis today is "saved IN sin" rather than "saved FROM sin". One finds himself living in a two story house with no connecting stairway. On one floor there can be no sin, while on the other floor there is nothing but sin.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

So, the Scriptures say that we have been "made free from sin". Does your Bible say that? Are we saved IN SIN or set free from sin?

And Paul repeats the phrase so and makes the point that we are to have "fruit unto holiness" which results (to the end) in everlasting life.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members (your whole being) servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Christ is to magnified in our body (and our spirit). The body contains our mind, will and emotions and these "members" are to be yielded to God for righteousness.

Grace is awesome because it enables us to serve God "acceptably".

Heb_12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

This begs the question: Can one serve God unacceptably? Do we see examples of this in the Scriptures and in real life?

Axehead

dragonfly · Oct 27, 2012

Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Obviously, the only deeds of the body which are ripe for mortification, are the sinful deeds.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

To clarify further, here's another rendering of the same verse:
2 Corinthians 5:10 For all the ones of us must be manifested before the rostrum of Christ, that each should receive the [things] of the body, as [to] what he practised, whether good [or] whether bad. http://studybible.in...rlinear/2 Cor 5

This matter of what we practise, reminds me of the NASB's rendering of
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

We can see that not practising truth has an effect on our vulnerability to sin. This is most clear in Paul's analysis in Romans 1:18 '... the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness ... 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

In other words, the truth is held back from being properly and fully expressed, to the extent that they express unrighteousness instead - through their attitudes and their bodies - that combination of thought and action being known as volition: what they really 'want to do'.

Ephesians 2:3 '... we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But we're supposed to be different now; not just the new creatures in a spiritual way, to which rand alluded, but genuinely following Christ's teachings and example as real disciples in the everyday practicalities of being a worshipper of God first, wholly expressed through our real living.

According to Paul, this is how we get our minds renewed. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1 Then I exhort you, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies, living sacrifices, holy, well-pleasing [to] God, the rational service of yours. 2 And be not conformed [to] this eon, but be transformed in the renewal of your mind, in the trying of yourselves, in what [is] the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. http://studybible.in...erlinear/rom 12

What Paul is saying, is, that as we try the will of God for ourselves, we will find that it is good and well-pleasing and perfect (not only to God, but to us, too) and this discovery, leading to the practise of doing what is good, well-pleasing and perfect, is how our minds are renewed.

Maybe this seems rather far from the OP, but as I understand it, this practise of the truth is what 'grace' is for. 'Grace' enables us to do the new thing of presenting our bodies to Christ as our reasonable service - 'living sacrifices'. This is how we disown (deny) the flesh its previous imperative priority.

Mortification of the sinful deeds of the flesh is only part of the equation. Romans 12:1 covers all the rest. And it is supposed to be 'rest', as we co-operate with Him, to let Him live His life out through us Gal 2:20, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

The grace that saves us through faith, is the same grace that enables us to live out the life of Christ in our bodies.

Axehead · Oct 27, 2012

dragonfly said:
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Obviously, the only deeds of the body which are ripe for mortification, are the sinful deeds.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

To clarify further, here's another rendering of the same verse:
2 Corinthians 5:10 For all the ones of us must be manifested before the rostrum of Christ, that each should receive the [things] of the body, as [to] what he practised, whether good [or] whether bad. http://studybible.in...rlinear/2 Cor 5

This matter of what we practise, reminds me of the NASB's rendering of
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

We can see that not practising truth has an effect on our vulnerability to sin. This is most clear in Paul's analysis in Romans 1:18 '... the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness ... 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

In other words, the truth is held back from being properly and fully expressed, to the extent that they express unrighteousness instead - through their attitudes and their bodies - that combination of thought and action being known as volition: what they really 'want to do'.

Ephesians 2:3 '... we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But we're supposed to be different now; not just the new creatures in a spiritual way, to which rand alluded, but genuinely following Christ's teachings and example as real disciples in the everyday practicalities of being a worshipper of God first, wholly expressed through our real living.

According to Paul, this is how we get our minds renewed. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1 Then I exhort you, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies, living sacrifices, holy, well-pleasing [to] God, the rational service of yours. 2 And be not conformed [to] this eon, but be transformed in the renewal of your mind, in the trying of yourselves, in what [is] the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. http://studybible.in...erlinear/rom 12

What Paul is saying, is, that as we try the will of God for ourselves, we will find that it is good and well-pleasing and perfect (not only to God, but to us, too) and this discovery, leading to the practise of doing what is good, well-pleasing and perfect, is how our minds are renewed.

Maybe this seems rather far from the OP, but as I understand it, this practise of the truth is what 'grace' is for. 'Grace' enables us to do the new thing of presenting our bodies to Christ as our reasonable service - 'living sacrifices'. This is how we disown (deny) the flesh its previous imperative priority.

Mortification of the sinful deeds of the flesh is only part of the equation. Romans 12:1 covers all the rest. And it is supposed to be 'rest', as we co-operate with Him, to let Him live His life out through us Gal 2:20, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

The grace that saves us through faith, is the same grace that enables us to live out the life of Christ in our bodies.

Well, Amen dragonfly. That is what the Holy Spirit has taught me, also.

"The grace that saves us through faith, is the same grace that enables us to live out the life of Christ in our bodies."

Getting back to the original OP.
If the "Law of God" today, is to love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves then that coheres quite nicely with Jame' epistle and the Church today in many cases is breaking the law of God.

This is one reason why the Holy Spirit warns the Church through the Apostle's writings to "Awake" out of her slumber, "Do not be deceived", and so on. Jesus' letters to the seven churches is also about reminding the Church that His grace is for living holy lives not lives of lasciviousness.

I like what the Holy Spirit wrote through Paul, here. It speaks of one breaking the law of the God and one that keeps the law of God (the first 2 commandments which fulfill the law).

Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; (However, some have learned Christ differently, as we witness in the church, today)
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

This is what breaks the law of God (the commandments of Christ, James' Royal Law)
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

This is what fulfills the law of God (the commandments of Christ, James' Royal Law)
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Is this person below, fulfilling the law of God?

Is this person, breaking the Law of God?

If we are breaking the law of God, Jesus Christ is our provision.

The way to VICTORY is to:

[background=rgb(252, 252, 252)]Come to the Lord Jesus with your whole heart and do not be joined to anything else in your heart but Him.[/background]

[background=rgb(252, 252, 252)]Axehead[/background]

Rex · Oct 27, 2012

dragonfly said:
The grace that saves us through faith, is the same grace that enables us to live out the life of Christ in our bodies.

Very true, so we should continue into maturity.

Hebrews 6

New King James Version (NKJV)
The Peril of Not Progressing

6 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, [sup]2 [/sup]of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [sup]3 [/sup]And this we will[sup][a][/sup] do if God permits.
[sup]4 [/sup]For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, [sup]5 [/sup]and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, [sup]6 [/sup]if they fall away,[sup][b][/sup] to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
[sup]7 [/sup]For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; [sup]8 [/sup]but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

Again the hinge on which the door moves is always the same.
What happens if we fail after receiving the Spirit? We put God to shame. Think about that for a moment.
Ephesians 1:13-14
John 6:27
2 Corinthians 1:22-24

Now finally my kinsmen
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Matthew 12:31

But rather bear fruit worthy of repentance.

[sup]7 [/sup]Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [sup]8 [/sup]Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. [sup]9 [/sup]And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Axehead · Oct 27, 2012

Amen, Rex. If we name the name of Christ we do have many responsibilities that go along with carrying HIM (in us) and His name.

Jesus

Active Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Similar threads