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NASB | Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually--regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age." |
Bible Question:
Dear reformedreader, Thanks for a beautiful answer! By the way, this is not Chris, but charis, another nice fellow :-) You wrote, "They are set into the hearts of all believers in the respect they are the believers Christian duty and obedience from a loving heart for their Lord." I agree with this, that the loving heart is what makes our adherance acceptable to God. Might this 'natural ability to know right and wrong' be termed 'conscience,' as in that part of us which is created in the image of God? Do these commandments include many of the things that divide the church of Jesus? Indeed, many Christians are uncomfortable discussing such questions. Might it be that such questions would undermine traditions of men that divide the church into so many entities, often focusing on things that have nothing to do with a heart after God? Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
Bible Answer: charis, I apologize for the name exchange. My eyes must have been looking where my brain was not thinking. When you use the phrase "acceptable to God" be careful. I think I know what you mean but it can be misunderstood. Some might take that to mean God accepts us on the grounds of what we do. I know, I've had some to accuse me of implying that. However, much like the worship of the priests of the Old Testament, the worship of the priests of the New Testament must also be acceptable by God. This is very strange to many Christians who think worship is just doing something religious. God has not changed His standard for worship and ours must be done so as to be acceptable by God, otherwise, we worship in vain. Our prayers will be attended to by God only if we approach God in the same manner as the Old Testament priests. We must approach Him on the grounds of a clean heart, meaning our sins must be confessed. We must approach the throne of God in no less a manner of holiness than our Old Testament priest equivalents. Yes, I believe the term 'conscience' is a good word for the natural ability to know right from wrong. But don't forget, just because we all have a conscience doesn't mean we all come to salvation. "These Commandments", as you call them, need to be sharply defined. Antinomianism is rapant in most Arminian congregations, so laws, to some extent, would not mean anything to them. Do God's laws divide? You bet they do. They divide the obedient from the disobedient. They divide the learned from the unlearned. You are absolutely correct that many "law" questions would undermine the traditions of men. Antinomians would disagree with you as well as those that support New Covenant Theology. If you would like to discuss this further, these "laws" need to be defined so we can be called legalists and grace rejecters. (know what I mean) Sam Hughey |