True Religion (3)
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10 ESV
Rodney Baker has contributed several TW’s on Religion while I am in South Africa.
Whole – This is a favourite proof text for those who would claim that the Law is no longer applicable to believers under the “new covenant.” “See? If you keep one part of the law, you have to keep ALL of it. Therefore, you shouldn’t even try to keep part of it, because we’re now under grace, not under law.”
If I had $1 for every time I’d heard that, I wouldn’t be exactly rich but I’d sure have enough to buy a meal. And a decent one at that. But that is not at all what James is saying (in my view, anyway). It is easy to take the verse out of context and make it say what we want it to say, but let’s consider the context. James has just finished reminding us of the “law of liberty” (not the law of bondage) which requires that we take care of the widow, the poor and the orphan. Now, no Christian that I know would disagree with that concept. By that logic, should they not then be keeping the “whole law” if they keep even that part of it?
At the beginning of Chapter 2, then James continues to give examples (obviously pertinent to the congregation(s) to which he was writing) about favouring one person over another because of their wealth or social status, (of course, we would never do that in our churches, now would we?) culminating in verse 8 and 9:
James 2:8-9 ESV – [8] If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. [9] But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
James’ point is that, even if you are keeping the law perfectly, if you break one part of it you are guilty of all. Just like today. If you have a perfect driving record, yet you are detected driving faster than the speed limit, you are guilty of breaking “the law” and will be subject to the penalty proscribed under the law. James gives an example in verse 11, and then goes on to say this:
James 2:12-13 ESV – [12] So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. [13] For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Did you get that? Speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. If you fail to show mercy, if you fail to look after those in need when you have the capacity to do so (and you do, because God does), you are guilty of transgressing the law. Show mercy to your brothers and sisters. Meet their needs. If you want to be shown mercy, you’d better be merciful. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant? I think James remembered that one. Oh, and that word, mercy? I think we’ve come across that one before. In the LXX it is eleos; in the Tanakh it is hesed.
It is not optional.
Topical Index: eleos, mercy, hesed, James 2:10, law, whole
Rodney Baker, Adelaide
The Pareto principle (also known as the 80–20 rule, the law of the vital few, and the principle of factor sparsity) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.[1][2]
Business-management consultant Joseph M. Juran suggested the principle and named it after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population; he developed the principle by observing that 20% of the pea pods in his garden contained 80% of the peas
Hmmm
When it comes to being faithful
At best, probably 20% are being faithful
BTW by “being faithful” I meant being faithful to the text, not to God or his Laws
Because IMO, as literature, the Bible is the most difficult text there is
~ The (Torah: direction, instruction,) Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple ~ (Psalm 19.7)
If I had $1 for every time I’ve heard this, I wouldn’t be exactly rich but I’d sure have enough to buy a meal. And a decent one at that.
Say, whose Law is it anyway?- Who is this giving us direction and instruction? Friends, it is the Law of the LORD. He wrote the words. His words from His heart to our hearts.
~ As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him ~ (2 Samuel 22:31)
~And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times ~ (Psalm 12.6)
Whose words are these? Not mine. His. The words of the LORD. The words of God.
One more time? Do we learn from spaced repetition?.. Let’s hear this again, for the first time..only this time, maybe we will (perhaps) pay attention, hearken, or heed this.. -for faith comes by hearing.. or so it has been said..
the Law of the LORD is perfect. (tamam) -to be complete or finished.
So what is wrong with the Law of the LORD? -nothing. Not one thing. The Law, the (holy) Law of the LORD, (continually) serves a purpose. It is our Schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, for He has said, (we do listen to Him,- right?)- “without Me, you (sir or m’am) can do nothing.”
~ But we know that The Written Law is good if a man will be led by it, according to The Written Law ~ (1 Timothy 1.8)
Where is this Law of the LORD to be found? How may any man know what these instructions/directions are? (helpful household hint: “it is written”)
~For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life ~ (Proverbs 6.23)
May it then be said, the Law of the LORD, (God’s Law, God’s instructions, God’s directions) are the way of life? And it this is true, (it is, -shall we doubt the words of God?)- what then, should we be doing?
~ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word ~ (Psalm 119.9)
Uhh… Whose word? Whose words are these.. anyway??- the words of God. Hmm.. I’m starting to sense a pattern here.
God speaks. He is the Teacher. He instructs. He guides. He directs. We are the listeners and the students and the learners. And we learn by doing. (amen!) His own mother, the mother of Yeshua said unto the servants (servants R us) “whatever He says unto you- do it”.
Trying hard to remember here.. what did occur when the servants did obey the Messiah? Did the servants see something? Did they witness (up close and personal- no one else saw it) the water transformed into wine? The ordinary transformed into the extraordinary? Yes, -they did. What happens when God’s people obey Him? What if, there were to be among us- an outbreak of obedience? yes. What if? ( if only!..)
Are there any who will testify as to the “results”, the fruit, the consequences of obedience to the instructions/directions of our Father? What is the end of obedience to our Father? May we consider the life of Christ? Who lived a life of “total obedience?” He invites us to do so.. as we have been “commanded” (did you know this?) ~ Be therefore perfect, just as your Father who is in Heaven is perfect ~ (Matthew 5.48)
Not a problem. (huhh?)
~Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy ~ (Leviticus 19.2)
Holiness is not the way to Christ,- the resurrected/living Christ (in you) is the Way of holiness.
God’s standard? Perfection. The Way of Life? Holiness. Do I need a Savior for this? A guide? A voice? a Teacher? A Book with written directions? What did He say? ~ Follow me ~ Remember me ~ and I AM with you,- even unto the end of the age.”
Now, for the nutshell. Only one word will do here. “shema.” Listen, and obey. Shema the Savior and avad ADONAI, amein.
His instructions? Found where? -In His Book? and what were/are His words?
~ you do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God ~
(Matthew 22.29)
~ He humbled you, and allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know; that He might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of YHWH does man live ~ (Deuteronomy 8.3)
~ Every word of God is tested and proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him ~ (Proverbs 30.5)
Every word? Starting with Genesis 1.1 all the way through Revelation 22.21, ~ The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ is with you all ~ Amen.
Hmmm
I just went out to my living room to see how my dog Max was doing
He instinctively started licking me with his big wet tongue
An act of love
Why do so many readily claim that we do not have to hold to the Law of the Lord. we know that Christ died for us once and for all, but He never done away with the law in his fullfilling the need for an atoning sacrifice.
We surely do need to be wise, in our claims!
Grace truly has set me free from the bondage of the law, but the desire to uphold them is borne from a desire and love of God. When i fail (as i do daily) to live according to all, i know that His sacrifice and Blood has set me free, He the Lord has forgiven ALL my trespasses! AMEN!!!
Another scripture to add to the mix is Rev 12 v 17 – Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring–those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. What then do these words tell us, if not that the church threw out the baby with the bath water!!! Shalom & many blessing’s in Yeshua’s mighty name. remember God is preparing His bride, check your lamps, let us not be found wanting, but let us all encourage one another in our understanding’s and be united in our love for His body.
Simon x Skip thank you for your teaching’s.
No one who reads the Bible with one grain of understanding would dare say we don’t need to obey God. No one who has experienced the second birth wants to disobey God. (Rom. 6: 1-15)
The debate is only and always about which laws apply to us, and why that is confusing to the body of Christ.
In the Holy of Holies, the Ark of the Covenant was covered by the Mercy Seat.
Don’t just read. Hear. “Mercy” covered the Old Covenant of the law!
Through the prophet, Jeremiah, God promised the New Covenant in Jer 31:31-34.
These are the days in which you and I live now.
Matt. 26: 28 “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
Ways the new covenant is better: it is absolute not conditional, spiritual not carnal, universal not local, eternal not temporal, individual not national, internal not external.
Christ’s ministry is far superior and infinitely better than the ministry of the Aaronic priests. He offered Himself, not an animal. He presented the value of His own blood, not the blood of bulls and goats. He put away sins, not merely covered them. He gave believers a perfect conscience, not an annual reminder of sins. He opened the way for us to enter into the presence of God, not to stand outside at a distance. He promised to live in us, — Moses surely couldn’t say that.
Some may find these links interesting:
http://preceptaustin.org/covenant_abrahamic_vs_mosaic.htm
http://epicenterconference.com/media/videoPlayer/epicenter_2012_dr._norm_geisler
http://epicenterconference.com/media/videoPlayer/epicenter_2012_dr._michael_rydelnik
* I contacted qotquestions.org about being linked to a teaching site that calls others “haters”
and they said they had intended to remove all traces of those links long ago. Good.
I apologize to all that were offended by my posting of that link last week or so.
“The debate is only and always about which laws apply to us,…”.
This is probably a big reason people come here to read and comment, however, perhaps a better question is “How should we approach obedience to God’s Law”. I believe the woman with the issue of blood, is a great example. She was unclean, and THE WAY she approached Yeshua is a lesson for us all.
Why does scripture emphasize that she reached for and touched the “border of His garment”? I always thought the emphasis was on the overwhelming power of Yeshua, that even a slight brush with Jesus can heal. It’s was always a super-power thing in my mind. But,… what about Deuteronomy 22:12:
“You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself.”
Or, Numbers 15:38-40:
“38 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.
39 “It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot,
40 so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.
Luke 8:43-48
43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”
47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
I think the story teaches us how to appoach God’s law,… Yeshua’s law. In my uncleanliness, I need to desperately reach out for obedience unto healing. Of course, replacement theology can still be read into the story – i.e. she reached out and accepted Yeshua’s obedience in her place, hence, He fulfilled God’s law completely, and now we are released from the burdensome details of the Mosaic dispensation. But, this still leaves a schizophrenic approach to Christian behavior and God’s law – whereas, the other paradigm helps us understand why Jesus and the Apostle Paul seem to both denigrate an uplift “The Law”.
I’m still not very articulate on some of this, but hopefully you get the gist.
looks like I put my reply in the wrong place. ? if so, its still posted
Got it, thanks.
I read every word, and I appreciate the thoughtful (and time consuming) response. 🙂
The Devil in Mr. Marx
Andy Merrifield June 22, 2000 | This article appeared in the July 10, 2000 edition of The Nation.
Recommended by 0
At a quarter to 3 in the afternoon on March 14, 1883, one of the world’s brainiest men, Karl Marx, ceased to think. He passed away peacefully in his favorite armchair. Three days later, a few miles up the road, the man was buried, a citizenless émigré, in London’s Highgate Cemetery. At the graveside, eleven mourners paid homage to the “Old Moor.”
They listened to Marx’s longtime comrade and benefactor, Friedrich Engels–“The General”–remember his dear departed friend: “An immeasurable loss has been sustained both by the militant proletariat of Europe and America, and by historical science, in the death of this man.
The gap that has been left by the departure of this mighty spirit will soon enough make itself felt.” His name, Engels predicted, “will endure through the ages, and so also will his work!”
“The gap that has been left by the departure of this mighty spirit will soon enough make itself felt.”
Hmmm
I came across this article this morning when I was trying to figure out what to do with all my books
Most of them have been in boxes for about thirty years, but now I have no space for them
I have book cases in my condo but they are full of contemporary stuff, C++ for Dummies, etc
As I began unpacking my books this morning, the first five were the following:
– From Rousseau to Lenin by Lucio Colletti
– Signs and Meaning in the Cinema, by Peter Wollen
– Gargantua & Pantagruel by Rabelais
– Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
– The Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 by Karl Marx
I realized that I can’t get rid of these books because they are part of who I am
And IMO Karl Marx was a Jew who like Paul was trying to bridge the “gap”
Between those who have and those who have not
You did good explaining yourself, Gabe.
I do not do so well, –I guess I’d have to write more than I have time for.
My position still remains I live in AD (the year of the LORD) and the laws given to Moses was finished by Jesus, and I obey God by belief in Jesus. Shortest way I can say it. Of course, that means, just like from Exodus, I do not envy, or murder, or steal, –but I do not abstain from those things by the letter of the law, but by the changed heart God has put inside me. Because my heart has His laws written on it, all those things are an abomination to me. Just like they are to Him! Oh, JOY, what has happened?? He has given me His mind. I guarantee you I see/feel the difference, –that is NOT how I used to think in my heart.
But also must say that if I do lie or steal or whatever, I have an advocate with the Father.
1 Jn 1: 9. No one could or can keep the law perfectly and no man could or can become righteous by it. Jesus in mercy came and obeyed for us!
Sorry my choice of wording was confusing.
I in no way meant the 613, in fact, I believe all the law is boiled down to “love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.” That’s it. That is the whole law.
I am not perfect (sure I don’t need to tell you) but my heart loves God for all its worth. I have searched the corners and crevices and invited Him to shine His light in there, and yup, all clean. Don’t love anything else. He’s welcome to use the scourge to drive out anything in there ‘mooing’ around and disturbing pure worship to Him.
He has healed me, –and He has healed others I have been privileged to pray for, –by prayer and anointing with oil. (It was the request, and his mercy and goodness, it wasn’t even the oil.)
I wish I could tell you the whole story of these healings I am remembering. It would take too long for this space. But, like the woman who reached for Jesus, my prayer was short, and healing power arrived and blessed the receiver.
So–to clarify–the Law of Moses was for an interim time. God started out being pleased by Abrahams’ faith and . . . Abram believed in Jehovah and He reckoned it to him as righteousness
Gal. 3: 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
Abram believed in Jehovah and He reckoned it to him as righteousness and that was a long time before the law was given thru Moses. And by the law we see we need Christ. I’m glad, with all my heart to enbrace/believe Jesus and it is accounted to me for righteousness forever. Nothing left to even chide me for, Jesus took care of full payment. Thank You, LORD. There is none like YOU.
I suppose what I’m trying to convince you of is this:
I have defined for myself,… for far too long, what it means to “love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.”. And considering:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
… I NEED some checks and balances against my own capacity for self-deception, so as David did (Psalms 119), I recognize that this includes a study of His Torah AND a thorough dependence on Him to clarify and teach me what these precepts mean. This does not EARN me anything, but because His laws were not arbitrary — it helps me to understand better HOW to love God and my neighbor.
Your approach seems to allow for a passive historical curiosity towards Torah and the dispensations of Moses and Abraham, but not a serious application.
You mention Abraham’s faith, well, if we add precept upon precept – then we should add
“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
“because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Genesis 26:5
Both of these verses have to do with the same promise. Then we add Yeshua’s statements:
38 “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.
“39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
John 5:39,46-47
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” Deuteronomy 6:5-6
“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. ” Leviticus 19:18
“36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law ?”
37 And He said to him, ” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
Matthew 22:36-39
From all of this we can see that Jesus accused the Pharisees of NOT keeping the law, he states that they are NOT following Moses, and that the law was ALWAYS supposed to be kept “abiding in you’ or ‘in our hearts’, and that Jesus QUOTED TORAH in explaining how Torah should be kept.
So which laws were “finished by Jesus”? I assume you still think the 10 commandments are still a valid ideal for Christians to pursue [NOT for justification, but for sanctification], and you are obviously a big fan of Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5-6. Is everything else finished?
What about he sexual laws? How are we to define Paul’s exortations towards sexual purity? Would he be concerned about ol’ school definitions of sexual purity? Animals and close family members are now okay? Of course not. I don’t know many Christians who seriously think those laws were “finished by Jesus’?
No. EVERY Christian I talk to who thinks the “Old Testament” laws have been done away with — has their own list of the ones that should still be followed…. even ones which ARE NOT explicitly restated in the “New Testament”.
In reality, the only “Old Testament” laws that people really get uncomfortable with are the ones they are uncomfortable with. There hearts tell them that seeking THIS set is “seeking to be closer to Jesus”, but that seeking THAT set is “seeking self-righteousness” (i.e. legalistic).
No, your response just makes me want to say “no”. Makes no sense, I guess. lol
I’ll try another way. We have about worn out the other words and perhaps we cannot use them to put thoughts across any longer.
I know my own heart searching doesn’t cut it. The Holy Spirit does the only job of that worth doing. He is not shy about convicting me. The washing I need comes thru the Word.
Just MAYBE our discussion has an answer for those on the other post seeking/wondering about how to have an abundant life.
There is a rest for those in Jesus. It is more abundant than living on the edge of our seat, never sure if we are meeting God’s requirements. Almost like savages live in jungles (missionary stories I’ve read) the natives are afraid to step on certain leaves, etc. they might offend a god or a spirit and displease him. They never were sure and lived in a round the clock terror. They had life–but not an abundant life of rest and peace and assurance. Blessed assurance! someone wrote a song about that. smile.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). That’s it! That’s the goal of the Christian life! That’s what we are living for–it comes from relationship with Jesus. – that we may live our life in such a way that we see God. If we see God, that will open up the treasure trove of all the blessings, not only for eternity, but also for life here and now. And the key to open that treasure trove is a pure heart!
You cannot be poor in spirit without having a pure heart. You cannot mourn for the things that displease God without having a pure heart. You cannot be meek, you cannot hunger and thirst for righteousness, you cannot be merciful, you cannot be a peacemaker or be prepared to stand persecution for the name of Christ without having a pure heart. It is is one of the most central principles of the Christian life. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
Like “eternal life”. It means MORE. A vampire (if they were real, just saying) would have eternal life — one that just goes on and on — but eternal life with God and all that He is, is, I guarantee you, not going to be boring! More awaits than we can imagine. I’m sooo excited talking about it!
We aren’t on the same page. I don’t have “the list” you think I do. I follow the Spirit. (with His blessed help)
Sorry, I’ve tried to put too much in one post. I can also sense that you are tired of the debate, and those of us who just don’t seem to get it.
However, I must stress that there is a big difference between desperately seeking God for healing (by finding practical advice in the Torah), and being “like savages in the jungles” afraid to step on a leaf. I really wish you would see the difference,… and that you could allows this experience in others without judging it as “works based”.
Perhaps I just don’t know what you mean by “laws given to Moses [that were] finished by Jesus.” I can name several “finished” laws that Paul kept, and stressed, to his churches. If a man were to really really to love his step-mother, why would Paul disallow it? Why did he say to establish things with two or more witnesses? Why such strict treatment of widows in 1 Timothy 5? The answer is in the Torah.
As for what was ‘done away with’, this is something that has been dealt with verse by verse in this very forum.
Hello all.. interesting post we have going here.. ~ but the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
~ there is therefore now “no condemnation” to those who are in Christ Jesus..~ If I may, and with your permission, the big question here is (and it is “the big one!”) is- are you (now) in Christ Jesus? – I believe we’ve covered this ground before, but it absolutely is “location, location, location- “in Christ” is the key here.
So how does one become “in Christ?” This is not only the starting place, but the abiding place- the hiding place-as well.. “in Christ”- or because of Christ. As the scriptures state- and it is all about “what God says” all the scriptures (all of them) testify concerning the Christ, the Chosen One, the Messenger, the Messiah- Christ , God in human flesh reveals the central message, the heart of our Father to us- in human flesh. Here is another “big one!”- God became a man. The Creator became the creature- He humbled Himself- no small task, in and of itself! The infinite becomes the finite. ~ Never a man spoke like this man!~ Why? Because this man, this second Adam, was no ordinary man, even though He spent over thirty years on this planet as a man, living among us and working in a carpenter’s shop.
Another interesting, yet vital thing about our Savior is the fact (very encouraging to us!) He defeated Hasatan as a man. He didn’t “pull- rank,” even though He certainly could have- remember the Creator is greater than anything that is created and this fallen angel is nothing but part of the original creation! And how did he defeat this creature? The same way you and I can today.. “it is written.” We (also) do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. ~ How shall a young man (or any man) cleanse his way?- By taking heed to Your word. Listening attentively.
Maybe our focus is all wrong. IDK. We are so consumed with the blue tassels on our garments, we forget we (all) now have access to the very heart of God, into the holy of holies, and into the very presence of our ABBA Father, for our Intercessor, the LORD Jesus, has opened the Way and given (all) access to the God who hears.
My focus, (personally)- these days is prayer. Prayer both personal (have mercy on me!) and in intercessory prayer for others. One things for sure!- we’ll never run out of things to pray about or over!
But I have found, with this “new heart” of mine, I absolutely love to pray! I enjoy prayer and praying. -does this offend anyone? I hope you have found the joy of spending time, quality time with Him. He has promised, -if we draw near to Him, – He will draw near to us, and if we seek Him with all our hearts, He will be found by us. God is not out to hide Himself from those who are seeking intimate fellowship with Him, but He also does business with those who mean business, – “God don’t play!”
Two words to help “crankstart the motorcycle..”- Sovereignty and Providence. Is God Sovereign? Absolutely. Does God provide? always- and on time. Do you (also) have a history with God? Wonderful.- ~ For He who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus ~
I’m not forming any Tassel Police Squads, but I am definitely serious about seeking and finding out what true worship is. My preliminary investigation has already shown me case after case were I have substituted tradition and traditional interpretation for the truth. However, if my investigation turns up anything too Jewish about Jesus or Paul — and God help me if I share it with anyone — I am immediately warned by all good grace-loving Christians that I am only saved by grace, that Christ did away with the law, and that I can not earn my salvation. Well, that’s strange — I haven’t changed my convictions on any of that. I was, I am, and I will always be a sinner save solely by God’s grace. And when I was trying to quit smoking, NO ONE warned me about trying to earn my salvation, that we are saved by grace, ect. I can seek to live a better life in that way, but not by keeping the Sabbath or anything else too Torah taboo.
So how is considering a blue tassel different from seeking “the very heart of God”? God seems to have said it served that very purpose (Numbers 15:38-39). What is adultery, or following our own hearts (as warned in Numbers 15) — if it is not departing or rejecting Him.
Only by choosing to put the tassel in the category of “done away with”, does it become a sign of ‘righteousness by works’. People put it in the ‘done away with’ category, but scripture does not. I know, wearing a tassel seems ridiculous, it’s Jewish, it’s what the Messiah-deniers wear, so WE decide to substitute other things as forms of worship and obedience. We’ll just bring carrots, instead of a lamb to sacrifice – God will know our hearts, right?
My husband and myself we were having a conversation yesterday
about this subject
He believe that Christ fulfil the law. That no works is required, that salvation its by Grace alone.
Calvin And Luther Doctrine.
So I mention to him, What then will you do with the book of James?
Do we ignored it all together. In James 2: verse 14,17,21-26
It mention that” faith without works is dead”
Why not try reading the many entries on this topic on my web site before you assume that Calvin and Luther were right. They both adopt a Roman view of law, completely the opposite of the Hebrew-biblical view and their interpretation of “fulfill” is neither Hebraic nor biblical.
I think the comment that I made was misunderstood.
Please read my comment again.