Bible Question:
I was reading a note written by our dear Brother Hank, who now is with the Father the Son and Holy Spirit. Hank wrote this back in 2001, so his wisdon continues on. Hank suggested the person read Titus 3:9. Hank was in a dialogue about the LAW. Recent there has been some dialogue abouth this very subject. It pains me that those who believe the keeping of the LAW are so adamant that those who do not believe the way they do, are or as I understand their dialogue, not true believers. My question is keeping the LAW not more than just keeping the Ten Commandments? I believe there are many more rules besides the Ten Comandments, is this not so? I think Hebrews 6:4-6 addresses this, am I correct in this understanding of these verses. I know these are a good number of questions. I am seeking to see if my understanding of the above questions is correct or am I in error. Thank you for you time to answer my questions. justme |
Bible Answer: Dear justme, Your statement, "Recently there has been some dialogue about this very subject. It pains me that those who believe the keeping of the LAW are so adamant that those who do not believe the way they do, are or as I understand their dialogue, not true believers." Your statement is absolutely correct. Those who do this are those who believe in the "Law as a Rule of Life". And, like you, it pains me that so many new believers have been led down this erroneous path into a life of fear rather than a life of victory in Christ Jesus. I believe you'll benefit from the words written by William Kelly taken from "The Writings of William Kelly". The final paragraph is particularly enlightening. "Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us press on unto full growth." The new status of the Christian depends on Christ dead, risen, and in heaven. The infinite sacrifice is already offered and accepted; and only so has Christ taken His seat on the right hand of the Majesty on high. We cannot therefore go to elements before the cross for that which forms and fashions the Christian. We, if full-grown, need the corn of the land, now that it is no longer a question of raining manna in the wilderness. "For those that were once enlightened, and tasted the heavenly gift, and became partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted God's good word and powers of [an] age to come, and fell away, [it is] impossible to renew again unto repentance, crucifying for themselves as they do and putting to shame the Son of God. For land that drank the rain that often cometh upon it, and bringeth forth herbage meet for those for whose sake it is also tilled, partaketh of blessing from God; but Yielding thorns and thistles [it is] worthless and near a curse, the end of which [is] to be burned" (verses 4-8). It is observable that we read here of enlightenment, not of new birth or eternal life. Undoubtedly the heavenly gift comes before us; and so it is not earthly like the associations of the Messiah, but "heavenly" because of contrast with Canaan hopes. How great a boon that God is now revealing heavenly grace! Further, it is not the old and essential truth of the Holy Spirit quickening a soul by the word, still less of now sealing the believer and for ever dwelling in him. We must not forget that He was sent down also to constitute the assembly of God's habitation; so that all introduced therein were in a general way partakers of the Spirit. Whoever bowed to the gospel tasted God's word as good, and received it with joy as of far different savour from that law which was a ministration of death and condemnation. twlavista |