The Spirit and the Law

[tsth]

This is to follow Scripture in the understanding of the Law.

I find it interesting that we cannot as Christians discuss "the Law", without contention. I think we are trying to say the same things in terms of the Spirit, but....we "regard" the Law differently.

Correct me if I am wrong, but some of us, "embrace" the embodiment of the Law, and some say it is no longer existent?

I think this is where we part ways.

[Timothy]

I know of no Christians who disregard the Spirit of the Ten Commandments. The question of "Sabbath-keeping" is usually what these (numerous) threads boil down to.

[tsth]

Forgive me Timothy, but isn't that "one" of them?

James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest InHisLove]

Suzanne, I agree wholeheartedly with you in this thread and your statements.

[Timothy]

Yes, it is "one of them" Suzanne. Like I said, the one that these threads boil down to. Murdering, lying, stealing, coveting, etc., aren't usually debated among believers.

In your opinion, how is the commandment of the Sabbath to be kept by us, and secondly, are we wrong to partake in the cause of others breaking this commandment?

[tsth]

In the way that God says.  We must learn to make right judgments.  If on the Sabbath, we put another at work to serve us, when the opportunity to go to church is present, what has that done to our brother?  If on the Sabbath, we do not give another rest, because of our "desires and wants", what does that do to our brothers?  If as masters over workers, we do not afford them the freedom to worship on the given day of worship, what does that do to our brothers?

If on the Sabbath, we are asking others to "serve" us, rather than serving and feeding them, "the Word", is that a right judgment?  I find that the heart of the matter is very simple.  Are we keeping our brothers from attending church, by our actions and desires?  Can we really feel that is is ok, to have another person working on the day that believers gather to worship?

Now, in regard to the Sabbath and our relationship with the Lord, He has told us that the Sabbath was made for mankind.  It is good for us.  It is good for us to take a day of rest combined with worship of God the Creator.  If you have not done so, I would suggest you try it and see.  It is a blessing to reserve one day that is wholly for mankind to show honor to God, by refraining from communing with the things of the world.  (It has occurred to me in writing this, that this is what I cherish the most.  I have one day that I do not participate in the rat-race  :: of the world.  I do not go out into "the material world", we fellowship with others, at our home, at their homes, we do the things that are exemplary of our Lord.  We rest and abide in fellowship and any work of the Lord.

John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

John 7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? 20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

(The works of God are always right, especially on the Sabbath!, but not the work of mankind.)  This does not imply that any of mans work is to break the Sabbath, it only implies that God's work does not!  He is Lord of the Sabbath!  We must learn to make righteous judgments, especially in love toward our brothers and God.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[wordsower]

Suzanne,  I hesitate to go here.

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

What law is this?  As Christians, are you then going to say that we should not follow the 10 Commandments anymore?

The righteous requirement of the law is love.

Love God, love your neighbor.

Jesus said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Why did He do that?  What about the love God one?

If we have truly known the love of Jesus we can't help but love God.  So go and show that love to your neighbor.

I'm not going there with whether or not I should go out to eat on Sunday.  I can't find anything in the Bible that says Sunday is holy.  Maybe those people working in the restaurant are Saturday worshippers, or maybe they are aeitheist, buddist, muslims, who knows?  Maybe my visit with them will show them Jesus.  They have a choice on rather or not to be working, if they wanted to be in church, they'd be there.  

If you feel led to not do it, then that is fine too.

[tsth]

I'm not going there with whether or not I should go out to eat on Sunday.

[wordsower]

one more thing:

John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

In the OT God commands staying in your place, not traveling on the Sabbath. Exodus 16:9.

And not carrying a load on Sabbath. Jer. 17:27, Neh. 13:15.

But Jesus chooses the Sabbath to heal this man, tells him to

pick up his bed and walk

Why did he do that?  Why didn't He heal him another day? why didn't He tell him to tell him to leave his bed there until sunset or heal him at home?

He stirred up a lot of contraversy with the Pharisees because He told the man to do what God had already commanded Israel not to do on the Sabbath, why?

[tsth]

I'm sorry wordsower, but I am feeling as though you're not even reading my posts?

I already addressed that particular Scripture verse, before you asked the question.  Please read "all" of my post, before you make a judgment.  The answer is in one of my above posts.

I guess we were posting at the same time, because I posted something before yours above.

In His Love,

Suzanne