"For we are not under the Law, but under Grace." (Romans 6:14)
Many Christians use this verse to say that we cannot use the Law to correct the behavior of fellow Christians. I differ (I do not beg).
On the contrary, in the same Letter, the Apostle Paul writes, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Furthermore, Jesus agreed with the man who said, "there is one God; and there is none other but He: and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. "
Jesus Himself said, "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.'--This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. "
So if our definition of love does not include the message of the Law and the Prophets, then we lack the kind of love that Jesus wants us to have for Him and for one another. That's pretty serious.
The point of Paul's statement is that we no longer need to fear the punishment due us for breaking God's Law. But in no way is he suggesting another set of standards for Christians to live by than God's Holiness, which is revealed by His Law. That's why he comes back to it in the later passage. God wants us to follow His Commandments, not because He'll punish us if we don't (though He will chastise us for disobedience, Hebrews 12:1-11), but because He has been so gracious to save us, that we will do anything for Him (1 John 4:19; John 14:15, 24).
Every New Testament command has its roots in the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets. To call them obselete is to abuse one verse of Scripture in trying to create a whole doctrine.
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20 comments:
Despite all the crap comments you publish - still no one comments your blog. Why do you think that is Josh?
I don't understand what you mean. People do react to what they see here. They may be a bit angry about it, so most of them are not very articulate. Some do appreciate what I'm saying. Some don't. That's every blog.
Hi Josh!
You were looking for some music and i thought you might like to check out this artist from Korn. He was saved and found God. I really admire his music style and looking forward to his Christian CD
http://headtochrist.com/
You can really see the Lord's glow about him, now.
Blessings to you in 2007
Really wish I knew who that was that posted that statement.
I did look up that website. I'm not on board with his image that he is trying to portray, but I watched the story that CNN did with him, so I think he's sincere. I haven't listened to his lyrics, so judge for yourself whether you should like them or not.
Joshua, please explain how if the Old Testament allows me to sell my daughter into slavery it can act as the basis for modern life? Jesus says nothing about honoring the prophets, but says to love one another and love God. Like many Christian zealots, you distort the Bible and quote it to fit your thesis. It is a remarkably complex text, and if divinely-inspired, then evidence of a God with a serious personality defect or perhaps even cosmic malevolence. And lest your readers (however many or few there are) think I'm not a believer, I have been a deacon and an elder in TWO churches.
You tell me, Tom. Actually, I think Jesus already said what needed to be said about the Old Testament. Why don't you listen to His words, O wise one?
It's okay to be opininated but giving an opinion when it is not asked for or warranted does not help people see things the way you think they should see them. Matter of fact it does the exact opposite. Until you are nailed to a cross for my benefit you have no right to judge me or anyone else.
Joshua
i have my vision of wat Jesus wants
u have yours
lets not fight
If you disapprove of a journal, I suggest that you stop reading it, rather than hanging around there for long enough to post insults and moral judgements based on your belief in your favourite invisible friend.
Your morality very quickly becomes offensive when you try to inflict it on those who live to a different code. Interestingly, you rarely see non-religious people being rude enough to harass religious people unprovoked, but you often see it in the other direction.
Consider the value of tolerance. And indeed, of simple politeness. That means not just 'no cursing', but also no forcing your opinions upon those who clearly will not be interested in them. Contribute positively to the world, not negatively.
My post was about how to obtain eternal life: what could possibly be more positive than that?
Emma, I judge no one. Jesus will judge everyone by a standard that He has already made plain. I want people to know what that is so that they can make an informed decision about eternity. That's not judging, that's love.
Saby, I'm not fighting with anyone. Jesus is the same Person, whether you like what He actually teaches or not.
I'm not fighting anyone but the devil. It is his desire through the deceitfulness of sin to drag all of your souls to Hell. It is God's desire and my desire to have you repent of your sins so that you may go to Heaven. Heaven is better than hell, don't you agree?
Joshua. Seriously. Maybe you should spend more time talking to Him than blog hopping and leaving people unwelcomed messages.
Emma, I respect your opinion, but I don't think Paul would have agreed with you, nor Stephen, nor Peter, and especially not Jesus. I talk to Him while I'm "posting unwelcome comments on other people's blogs."
Those people are going to Hell because of their sin. Unless they learn of the Remedy, they have no way out. I cannot cease to tell them just because they get angry. That would not be loving at all.
Saint Augustine said that the Old Testament was the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old revealed.
Here is a question for those who say that the law is totally done away with, and now our only standard is the New Testament.
Is it immoral to have sexual relations with animals in the today?
If you answer yes I want you to show me from the New Testament where God forbids this.
If you take us to passages that speak of sexual immorality you still need to prove that beastiality is under this definition.
We are whole bible Christians, we need to follow God's word as God reveals, defines and interprets.
Do we follow all of the law exactly the way the Old Test speaks of? Of course not.
Jesus can to fulfill the law and the profits, not destroy them.
We no longer bring a sheep to the High Priest in the temple because Jesus was the once for all sacrifice, He is the great High Priest,and He is the true Temple.
We have much learning to do, may God give us the grace to rightly divide His word of truth.
Thank you very much, Dave.
Steve, you "comment" was way too long. It was at least three times longer than any comment I've published so far. Please reduce it, and I would gladly publish it for discussion. Even though I disagree with your statement wholeheartedly.
Look, God's love is demonstrated to us, in that, Christ died for the ungodly. We were not worthy of His time, but He loved us beyond measure and sought to redeem us from the curse of death. We who reject His grace will die in our sins. Not a good condition to be in on Judgment Day. And sexual sins are not the only ones that will condemn you--see the post directly below this one, called "Law and Gospel."
Hi Josh - sorry if I sounded rude - please do keep writing and stuff - its not up to me to agree or to like everything you say - but the world would be a poorer place without your stuff! My blog is just for laughs.
I love the Lord with all my heart.
Thanking Him for the Law.
if what you say sparks a discussion, then it was worth saying.....don't listen to the idiots....if it makes them angry, it also makes them think, and maybe talk and only in discussion will people learn.
keep blogging
Kat, I'd appreciate it if you would not call people idiots. That is a very serious sin in the eyes of Almighty God (see Matthew 5:21-22).
By the way, did you read the post beneath this one? I'm sure you'd find it very interesting.
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