Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. |
Bible Question (short): I do agree with most of your post, but.. |
Question (full): Dear schwartkm, I agree with most of your post. But I am not a Paulian. I am a Christian. The same Jesus that walked the face of the earth appeared to Paul and reveal the gospel to him. The same Spirit that indwelt Christ indwelt Paul to the extent that Paul said, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." And I am in no way trying to nullify all the teachings of Christ. But, as even you have stated, there is a progressive revelation in scripture. Why do you think Peter was so relunctant to hang out with the Gentiles. The disciples were amazed that the Gentiles could come to God through Christ. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I disagree with your definition of a Christian. Please hear me out on this. A Christian is not one who follows the teachings of Christ. It is much deeper than our futile attempts to mimic the Son of God. No one has EVER completely followed the teachings of Christ. Christ said, "Be perfect. How perfect? As perfect as your Father in heaven." Has anyone 'followed' this teaching? I think not. God's standard is perfection, our attempts to follow are insufficient. By that definition, Christians are those who follow the teachings of Christ, we are never completely Christians for none of us can do it perfectly. A Christian is one who has Christ living IN THEM - Romans 8:9-11. This is the essence of Christianity, Christ IN you, the hope of glory. Merely trying to follow Christ's teachings is not true Christianity because our 'trying' will always fall short. Being a Christian is a change of identity. It is anologous to a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. No matter how hard the caterpillar reads the flight manuals or follows the butterfly's teaching, he cannot do what the butterfly does (fly) because his nature is still a caterpillar. He can try to fly all he wants but he will always fall short. But, through a miracle, the caterpillar is changed into a butterfly. Only then can he do what butterflies are designed to do. Until we see that we are, indeed, new creations in Christ, we will be forever trying to follow the teachings of our Lord and failing. When we do come to realize that 'old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new', Christ Spirit inside us will fulfill God's own requirements through us. He who began a good work in you WILL BE faithful to complete it. It is God at work IN you to do His will. Please don't take this as a rebuke, schwartkm. It is not intended that way. It is intended as a clarification of the truth that you stated. In Christ, Bill Mc |