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NASB | 1 John 2:3 ¶ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:3 ¶ And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). |
Subject: abide |
Bible Note: Thanks John, I do understand that you stand by the "moral law" which is found within the Mosaic Law. But you do say you believe the "ceremonial law" is "nailed to the cross" and that is also a part of the Mosaic Law. In that view, you are placing a "part" (though not all) of the Mosaic Law on the same grounds as philosophy "according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." This is my main problem with your view of Col 2:14. No part, not even one small command from God can be placed in the flow of Paul’s argument in-as-much-as nailing it to the cross. Let me try to explain more clearly. Let us assume that God said through Paul, “You are no longer bound by nor required to participate in the ceremonial laws such as food, festivals, Sabbath, new moons.” Now, I think such a statement would violate the very law spoken of (Deut. 12:32), but I realize you don’t share that understanding. So lets assume he does this…cuts out and removes certain commands found in the covenant. Okay, fine. We stop following those commands. But, (and this is my point), would God ever have His Spirit speak through Paul and say, “That part of the law is based on human tradition and empty philosophies of this world?” Would he ever declare that these parts of the law are “against you?” Or, the same as “the elemental spirits of this world?” May it never be! If I were you, and I once was in thought, I’d say Paul was speaking against empty teachings (whether from Jews or Greeks it makes not difference) which are opposed to God’s Law which is the Law of Christ. Stop looking to this world for “special knowledge and spiritual esoteric encounters.” Jesus lived in a fleshly body and died and rose again in a fleshly body. He put to death these empty principles and triumphed over them by the cross. Therefore, since you were called to live a special king of life within God’s Kingdom, stop judging one another on disputable matters. One follows the Sabbath and one does not. Live in unity and remain in Jesus, but by all means stay away from those empty teachings based on human dogma. Does that make since? That at least holds God’s teaching found in Deuteronomy with respect, while still providing an option that God’s Law can be divided up into parts, some we follow, and some we do not. Eagerly looking forward to your response. This is helping me think these passages out again in some more depth. MJH |