Results 1 - 10 of 10
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Where does your righteousness come from? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14384 | ||
Dear Steve, I did cite the scripture - Galatians 3:10. It was right there in the body of my post. We are perfect (spiritually - our standing before God). Look at Matthew 5:48. How perfect are we to be? As perfect as our Father in heaven. How are you going to get it? As a gift. Righteousness is received as a gift from God - the righteousness from God that is received by faith. I have a good understanding of law, grace, and mercy. People that mix law and grace do not understand them. Have you noticed that your Bible is divided into 2 sections? The Old Covenant and the New? Do you understand the difference between them? Look at Galatians 3:2,3 - Paul says, "This is the only thing I want to find our from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" How would you answer this question, Steve? Then, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (Mat 5:48) by the flesh (trying to establish your own righteousness apart from God's)?" How would you answer this question? Check verse 21 - "for is a law had been given which was able to impart life (it could not), then righteousness would indeed have been based on law." The whole thrust here, brother, is that righteousness, before salvation or after, NEVER comes from the law. Why? Because the law condemns. Only Christ imparts life. Righteousness is not based upon the law but upon Christ. Check verse 24,25 - the Law was given to lead us to Christ. If you have truly come to Christ as your ONLY righteousness, you are no longer under the law. Where are you? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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2 | Where does your righteousness come from? | Rom 7:4 | Searcher56 | 14387 | ||
Bill, you avoided the question on the Law, grace and mercy. Read what I have. Do you disagree? Answer the questions I posed. Define "the Law." … a rule that was parceled by God (authority) to give me direction, having positive or negative consequences. For the Jews, it is the Law of Moses. There are 613 laws. While some people want to categorize them, the Bible does not. For us gentiles, God still gives us laws, including those He gave Noah in Genesis 9 and the New Testament. Define "grace." … His willingness to provide us with His enablement to find favor in God's eyes (Gen 6:8). Grace does not overlook sin. Rather, it is grace that is needed to bring righteousness into action in our lives (Rom 5:20-21). Mercy forgives us of sin, but it is grace that enables us not to sin. What is the relationship between the two? ... For Christianity, the concept of grace has to do with God's willingness to overlook our breaking His law under the condition that we have accepted the atonement of Christ's death in our place. Without any law, there would be no need for grace. With law, there is need for grace. What is the purpose of the Law? ... To restrain sinfulness (Gal 3:19) ... To rebuke sin (Gal 3:22) ... To reveal our need for Christ (Gal 3:24) How does "the Law" or any law effect our lives, today? ... The bottom line is this: the end of the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments as a legal code, does not cancel or detract from our obligation to obey the eternal moral law of God. God's moral law is as eternal and as unchangeable as the character of God. Therefore, the abolition of the Mosaic Law code in no way leaves us in a state of lawlessness (Rom 6:1,14; 7:6). Are we told we don't have to follow "the Law"? ... Nowhere tells us gentiles that they are not to keep the covenant of God. Paul says that we should not expect atonement for sin based solely on obedience to some of the commandments. The law itself says blood sacrifice brings atonement. James wrote further, "Whoever keeps the whole law and yet offends (beaks) only one point (commandment), he is guilty of (breaking) the whole law." (Jam 2:10) He is saying, keeping the commandments cannot produce atonement even if it were permitted. At the same time he said "Faith without works is dead." (Jam 2:17). Our faith in God's laws cause us to receive the atonement of Christ's blood sacrifice atones for sin. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome," (1 John 5:3) People that mix law and grace do not understand them. Have you noticed that your Bible is divided into 2 sections? … Yes. It is there are two Testaments, not covenant. The Old Covenant and the New? … Did you know there are more than two? Do you understand the difference between them? … Yes, I understand the difference between them all. If you do, explain. Look at Galatians 3:2,3 - Paul says, "This is the only thing I want to find our from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" How would you answer this question, Steve? … By hearing with faith. Then, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (Mat 5:48) by the flesh (trying to establish your own righteousness apart from God's)?" How would you answer this question? … You mixed Scripture and changed what Matthew 5:48. I suggest you repent. It does not say "you now being perfected," but it is what I am to be - perfect. Read Eph 2:10 to see how works fits in. Answer my questions, since I answered yours. Steve |
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3 | How are you being perfected? Law? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14398 | ||
Steve, Let's use yours (some of them contradict quite nicely). See my comments in :: Define "the Law." … a rule that was parceled by God (authority) to give me direction, having positive or negative consequences. ::You said in your prior post that you don't have to experience the consequences of not keeping the Law - no judgement:: For the Jews, it is the Law of Moses. There are 613 laws. While some people want to categorize them, the Bible does not ::true - so look up all the references that says that we, Christians, are no longer under law. Please let me know how many you find.:: For us gentiles, God still gives us laws, ::true, the law of Christ, not the laws of Moses:: including those He gave Noah in Genesis 9 ::Nope:: and the New Testament ::look up the greek for 'testament' - it is the same as covenant:: Define "grace." … His willingness to provide us with His enablement to find favor in God's eyes (Gen 6:8). Grace does not overlook sin ::Hold this thought - GRACE DOES NOT OVERLOOK SIN - your statement. Hebrews 10:17 says that God does:: Rather, it is grace that is needed to bring righteousness into action in our lives (Rom 5:20-21) ::These verse are describing what Christ has done-His actions, our actions, righteousness is imparted, then lived out::. Mercy forgives us of sin, but it is grace that enables us not to sin. ::true:: What is the relationship between the two? ... For Christianity, the concept of grace has to do with God's willingness to overlook our breaking His law under the condition that we have accepted the atonement of Christ's death in our place. ::OK, the thought I asked you to hold onto - GRACE DOES NOT OVERLOOK SIN - is contradicted right here. Now does it or doesn't it? You can't have it both ways.:: Without any law, there would be no need for grace. With law, there is need for grace. ::The question is, with grace, is there need for law? No. Why? Because we have something better. We have the indwelling Spirit of God to lead us. We are to be lead by the Spirit not the law.:: What is the purpose of the Law? ... To restrain sinfulness (Gal 3:19) ... To rebuke sin (Gal 3:22) ... To reveal our need for Christ (Gal 3:24) ::true, and, in my life, it has done that. It did reveal my need for Christ. I am now joined to Him, not the law (Romans 7 - first part):: How does "the Law" or any law effect our lives, today? ...Therefore, the abolition of the Mosaic Law code in no way leaves us in a state of lawlessness (Rom 6:1,14; 7:6). ::true, we are not left in a state of lawlessness. We are left with the Spirit of God - the law of Christ, a higher law - love, ruling in our hearts.:: Are we told we don't have to follow "the Law"? ... Nowhere tells us gentiles that they are not to keep the covenant of God. ::That is because the Gentiles were NEVER given the Law (Mosaic). Instead, Paul has to try to show the Jews, who were given the Law, that they are no longer under it.:: Paul says that we should not expect atonement for sin based solely on obedience to some of the commandments. The law itself says blood sacrifice brings atonement...Our faith in God's laws cause us to receive the atonement of Christ's blood sacrifice atones for sin. ::FALSE - our faith in the SACRIFICIAL DEATH OF CHRIST causes us to receive the forgiveness of sins. His death alone reconciled us to God. His death took sins away, NEVER atoned (covered) them. Try to find the word atonement used of Christ's sacrifice in the NT:: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome," (1 John 5:3) ::true, the law of Christ - love is never burdensome:: People that mix law and grace do not understand them. Have you noticed that your Bible is divided into 2 sections? … Yes. It is there are two Testaments, not covenant. ::Again, check the word:: The Old Covenant and the New? … Did you know there are more than two? Do you understand the difference between them? … Yes, I understand the difference between them all. ::Your position shows that, indeed, you do not. You mingled them together:: If you do, explain. ::I have been trying to:: Look at Galatians 3:2,3 … By hearing with faith. ::right, so...:: Then, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (Mat 5:48) by the flesh (trying to establish your own righteousness apart from God's)?" How would you answer this question? … You mixed Scripture and changed what Matthew 5:48. I suggest you repent. ::Already have:: Answer my questions, since I answered yours. ::Not my last one, are you being perfected (made complete, righteous in God's sight) by the flesh? Yes or No. Easy question.:: In Christ, Bill Mc |
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4 | How are you being perfected? Law? | Rom 7:4 | Searcher56 | 14402 | ||
I have been perfected, being perfected and will be made perfect (References previously cited). You can break any law you wish - I chose to try obey them ALL. Tho, I am free from being bound to the consequences. It is a struggle. BTW the ones Jesus gave were before the New Covenant, which was instituted after His death. Steve |
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5 | Will you enter God's rest? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14418 | ||
Dear Steve, I do understand what you are saying. I was bound for 30 years, as you say, 'trying to obey them ALL.' And, you're right, brother, it is a struggle. Always trying to keep short accounts with God, even though God had said that the account was 'paid in full - it is finished.' If you are being honest with yourself, you KNOW that you can't obey them all. No one ever has EXCEPT Christ. He fulfilled ALL of the Law. Then, He caused us, through our union with Him, to die to it. Why? Because we are now joined to Him. Brother, I love you in the Lord. I have been where you are now. You're right - under law, the Christian life is a struggle. But Christ said, "My yoke is EASY, My burden is LIGHT. Come to me and you will find REST (not struggle) for your soul." Would you describe your Christian life as easy, light, and restful? I couldn't. After 30 years, I felt no more 'perfected' than the day I began my walk with Christ. I could still think the same sinful thoughts and act out the same sinful patterns of my 'old man.' I was miserable. I, too, wanted to obey all the laws of God. I knew that they were holy, good, and righteous. But I couldn't find LIFE there. Scripture says that no law was ever given which could IMPART LIFE or righteousness. All the Law could do was show me my sinfulness. I was like Paul in Romans 7. I wanted to obey with all my heart but I always, somewhere, fell short. No matter how much I repented and confessed my sins, no matter how much I attended church, no matter how much I prayed, no matter how much I tithed, no matter how much I witnessed, no matter how many times I rededicated myself (I wore my rededicator out), I NEVER felt like I measured up to the Christian I ought to be. In frustration, I was ready to bail out, and I cried, "What a wretch I am!" Then, through a series of events, and the help of some wonderful Christians, I began to understand my identity in Christ. Christ, my brother, is the ONLY one who can ever live the Christian life as it is meant to be lived. He alone is acceptable to God. Through are spiritual union with Him, we are MADE acceptable and righteous before God. At our deepest level of being, our spirit has been joined to Christ's Spirit. That is how the scripture can say we HAVE BEEN (past tense) perfected. As I now live by His Spirit (remember, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me), I am BEING perfected (present tense) in my soul (my behavior). And, one day I WILL BE perfected (future tense) COMPLETELY, spirit, soul, and body, when I inherit my redeemed body. But, Steve, my identity, who I am at the spirit level is a new creation in Christ. My spirit IS perfect before God. Why? Because it is joined with His Spirit. How could it be otherwise? That is where I rest. Yes, I still commit sins, my behavior (soul) is not perfect. But that is not who I am. As Paul says in Romans 7, sin dwells in my body, but it is NOT ME. I am a new creation created to, yes, do good works. But why? Look at Christ's life, Steve. Did He do good works to be made righteous? No, He did good works because He WAS righteous. He did do good works to be made acceptable to His Father? No, God said that He was acceptable BEFORE Christ ever started His public ministry (remember, 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.') Christ was righteous, holy, acceptable because He and His Father were one. There were united. Jesus said, "I only do what the Father tells Me to do. I only say what the Father tells Me to say." Are you united with Him, dear brother? The Bible says you are. Then how can your identity (not your performance) be anything less than what He IS. Your performance will catch up (become sanctified) as you live out of your new identity with Him. He wants you to live out of a vital, pulsating, life-filled, abundant relationship with Him, not rules. Steve, this is the only place I know where there is rest. There is no rest under the Law. But, "there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God (that's you, brother). For the one who has entered (past tense) His rest has himself also rested from his works (before salvation or after), as God did from His. Therefore let us be deligent to enter that rest..." - Hebrews 4:9-11 You must rest from YOUR works. Let God do the good works through you. He predestined them, He will be faithful to do them. He ALONE will finish the good work He has begun in you. Trust Him, Steve. I pray, dear brother, you will enter HIS rest and there find YOUR OWN. In Christ, Bill Mc BTW, Yes, Jesus did proclaim the New Covenant (remember His blood at the Lord's Supper?) but, you're right, it did not go into effect until He died.) |
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6 | Will you enter God's rest? | Rom 7:4 | Searcher56 | 14426 | ||
Bill Mc, I am in His rest. My point of the New Covenant is that it did not happen at the start of Matthew 1:1, as some teach. Steve |
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7 | What are the provisions of the NC? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14429 | ||
That's true. Unfortunately our Bibles put the NEW TESTAMENT heading before the gospels when it should be before Acts. Christ taught under the Old Covenant (law) but proclaimed that the New was coming. (No, all other readers, this does not affect the inerrancy of the Bible) Steve, do you know what the provisions of the New Covenant are? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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8 | What are the provisions of the NC? | Rom 7:4 | Searcher56 | 14430 | ||
The New Covenant is with the Church. He built His church with His own blood, all the fury of hell would never destory it and He would perfect all the members of His church (Mat 16:18, 26:28; Luk 22:20; 1Co 11:25; Heb 13:20-21). | ||||||
9 | What are the provisions of the NC? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14434 | ||
Steve, I agree, the New Covenant is with His Church, which is made up of born-again Jews and Gentiles. But where did the gospel first go? To the Jew, who (as a nation) rejected it. So it was then taken to the Gentiles. And the main provisions for this New Covenant are found in Hebrews 10:16-18 - God writes His laws (plural) not Law (Mosaic) upon our hearts and minds. And He remembers on sins no more. Also, reitterated in Hebrews 8:12-13 - He is merciful to our sins, and He remembers them no more. Verse 13 says that the first covenant (Mosaic) has been made obsolete. We are no longer under that Old Covenant. And, when Christ returns, the nation of Israel will recognize Him as Messiah and the New Covenant will then be brought to fruition. If you are resting in this Covenant, Steve, then your standing before God should not be a struggle. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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10 | What are the provisions of the NC? | Rom 7:4 | Searcher56 | 14441 | ||
I pray with Paul for the Jews to come to their Messiah. | ||||||