The Conversion of Obedience

[Copper25]

Acts 5:32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” This is what Christ said to the people and how much more does this apply to us today? So many claim to have the Spirit of God but they live carnal lives, lukewarm, and in the flesh; committing still such things that will not inherit the kingdom of God. Modern day Christianity has strayed from the principle of obedience that is the result of faith and which shows our love for God. People say I believe and think that is it, that they have salvation and are one in Christ, but sadly they are terribly mistaking! Can one of disobedience dwell in Christ? Can a child of disobedience inherit the kingdom of God, no. People have let the lukewarm mentality overrun their lives like they have nothing to lose and no consequences for their actions. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” is not an excuse but a warning because on our own, without the grace of God, we cannot live a life that is acceptable and pleasing to God no matter how hard we try. Sadly though, many are trying.“lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them”, “Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”, “Except a man be born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven”. “but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father”, now put it together, no one who has received the Holy Spirit lives in disobedience because a conversation happens where obedience is something that is reached for consciously, “his commandments are not grievous”: why, because we walk in them, “I will put my laws unto their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” As believers, it is our way of thinking that has changed, our mind set; unlike the carnal mind we are conscious and able to walk in the law, avoiding sin(though it be not easy at times, nevertheless endure temptation, as it written, “blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried: he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to them that love him“), and make and stride to keep is commandments, “here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” So this is the truth, conversion and a change in the way of thinking has to happen. People can claim Christ yet still be acting carnal which is death. We are justified by faith of the Lord but without obedience what does that faith constitute to or mean? “thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” We need to strengthen ourselves by leaning to God, obeying the doctrine of Christ our Lord, and certainly stride for holy living. “be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless”; now we are not perfect but has the blood of our Lord been shed on Calvary so that we can live in sin, live in that which because of the Lord’s sacrifice we are suppose to be dead to, and not dead in? I think not.

 

[RichardBurger]

Submitted for balance.(this was not written by me but I believe it to be true)Romans 3:31: Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.Those who preach law inevitably use this single verse at the end of the chapter of Romans 3 to try and prove that Christ is NOT the end of the law; that those who believe in Jesus Christ are still under the law; that even though people believe, they are still under the supervision of the law.The first mistake is surgically removing a single verse from its proper setting. This is a favorite technique of SDAs and others who preach law, and, indeed, most of the "unique" doctrines of SDAism are created using this "cut-and-paste" type of bibliology. Some verses of Scripture are, indeed, independent, and their meaning remains the same in our out of context--such as "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." This verse means the same thing in or out of context. But the 31st verse of Romans 3 cannot be separated from its context, or else it appears to take on a different meaning. But, unfortunately, it is used more often out of context than in. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. And those who quote it immediately set their own interpretation on what it means to "uphold the law," which is nearly always that we keep the law by faith.It should be a red flag for any serious student of the Scriptures when someone consistently offers only isolated proof texts without any consideration of the context. Sometimes only a few verses of context is required. Sometimes much more is needed. In this case, how can someone address what it means to "uphold" the law if one does not take into consideration what the purpose of the law actually is?Paul says this about using the law in I Timothy:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. So what is the "proper" use of the law? Let's look at this verse itself:We also know that the law is not made for the righteous..."This not only answers the question as to whether Jesus was subject to the law, but also those who trust in Him. Are we not "righteous through faith" when we believe in the salvation that He offers? Are we not accounted holy before God? This, I believe, is exactly what Paul meant when he wrote:Christ is the end of the law that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.Christ is the end of the law so that there MAY be righteousness for all who believe. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness because we are ALREADY righteous before God in Him, and the law was not made for the righteous.To place the believer back under the law is not a proper use of the law. It is also an abrogation of that faith which tells us that Christ is, indeed, the end of the law.In summary: 1. The law is good if it is used properly.2. The law was not made for the righteous. Those who are in Christ are righteous--by faith. 3. Thus, to place those who are righteous by faith under the law is an improper use of the law.4. One cannot "uphold" the law if one uses it improperly.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gospelchatRichard