Love for God and Fulfilling the Law

[methinkshe]

I am brand new here, so please forgive me while I play "catch up" and chip away at threads such as this a little at a time...

I have a passion in my heart for topics such as this... as they are at the very core of exactly who a Christian is. Concerning some scripture quoted above:

1 John 3:6 says "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whoseover sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."

It's important to know exactly what sin is to properly understand this scripture. For the lost people (people that have not been born again), Jesus said in John 17 that sin was unbelief in Him.

For the "born again" Christian? :

"For while we were (A)in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were (B)aroused by the Law, were at work

[Vickilynn]

We are not "released from the Law", as much as we are released from the penalty of breaking the physical Law with its ramifications. Jesus paid the price for our debt. Yet, He also said the Law was not abolished. Now it is MORE, not less. It is written on our hearts and we not only obey outwardly, but INWARDLY. Not only are our actions to be G-dly, but our thoughts as well. We are to be MORE righteous than the Pharisees, not less.

We do this by G-d's grace.

Too many Christians throw out G-d's Law proclaiming we are "under grace, not the Law." Too many Christians see that as a license to follow the flesh. Because of G-d's grace, we are FREE to choose to obey Him and by the power of His Holy Spirit, we have the power and strength.

It does not save us.

It does not make us any better than anyone else.

It does not make us better in G-d's sight.

BUT, it is obedience to our King and Master.

Amen!!

So when you think about it, when we become part of the body of Christ, in God's eyes, we all have equal status.

No one is better, in any way, than another. This abolishes the pride factor and keeps out focus on God, not ourselves and our own abilities and accomplishments(which are visible outwardly).

We're all under the same grace of the cross.

Shalom None,

Yes, this is something that I guess needs to be said over and over. It shouldn't have to be I guess, but people assume differently. We are ALL equal at the foot of the Cross. This does not negate our INDIVIDUAL responsibility to walk according to the L-rd's ways. One does not affect the other. The reason I even brought it up in the context of this discussion is that is usually what people throw out ...("Oh, you think you're better than us, or you think G-d thinks better of you because you do so-and-so and we don't.") and nothing could be further from the truth. So, it needed to be out there before it could become an issue that diverts the topic.

[Guest]

Walking

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 8:34

Spirit Filled

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:16

Fruit Filled

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:3-5

Loving Children

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:1-2

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[Vickilynn]

I am a little confused when you say: "we are not released from the Law."

How then do you receive Romans 3:21.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

Shalom Ruth,

Very simple of you read my entire post, not just the one sentence that you picked out of context.

The answer to your question about that ONE sentence is in my post, please read the whole thing.

Our righteousness is not based on our works. Please, go back and read my entire post and let me know if I need to clarify something overall.

[Motivated By Grace]

I am a little confused when you say: "we are not released from the Law."

How then do you receive Romans 3:21.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

Shalom Ruth,

Very simple of you read my entire post, not just the one sentence that you picked out of context.

The answer to your question about that ONE sentence is in my post, please read the whole thing.

Our righteousness is not based on our works. Please, go back and read my entire post and let me know if I need to clarify something overall.

I think Ruth was confused, as was I, in your statement splitting the hair of "being released from the judgment of the Law" as opposed to "being released from the Law'. You said primarily that we are released from the "judgment of the Law", when scripture specifically said we are "released from the Law"...

I think we are all saying the same thing: That we are released from the Law (or judgment thereof), and are now to "live by the Spirit" (with God's Law written on our heart)...

May be one in the same? Just a tad confusing in drawing the fine lines necessary to prevent error.

[EricH]

There are 2 aspects of being released that need to be addressed. One aspect is being released form the consequences of breaking the law. The other is being released form being expected to obey. When we become Christians are we not only forgiven, but released from any expectation of obedience?

[Motivated By Grace]

There are 2 aspects of being released that need to be addressed. One aspect is being released form the consequences of breaking the law. The other is being released form being expected to obey. When we become Christians are we not only forgiven, but released from any expectation of obedience?

Oh no... We are expected to "learn" to obey... We will now obey because we "want" to (living by the spirit), not because we "have" to (living by the Law). God also already knows everytime we will fall short. Our entire lives, past, present and future, are known to God like history is known to us... In all things, He already knows and has "sealed" us eternally unto Himself...

Disobedience will result in hurt, pain and anguish for the born again Christian, and you can expect chastizement from our Lord, along with His guidance to help us learn to do better... For HIS Glory and Honor and will in our lives...

P.S. You can check out my siggy... It's the "roadmap to maturity in Christ". Or in other words, it provides our "motivation by Grace".

Edited June 1, 2007 by Motivated By Grace

[Vickilynn]

I think Ruth was confused, as was I, in your statement splitting the hair of "being released from the judgment of the Law" as opposed to "being released from the Law'. You said primarily that we are released from the "judgment of the Law", when scripture specifically said we are "released from the Law"...

I think we are all saying the same thing: That we are released from the Law (or judgment thereof), and are now to "live by the Spirit" (with God's Law written on our heart)...

May be one in the same? Just a tad confusing in drawing the fine lines necessary to prevent error.

Shalom Motivated,

I am not splitting hairs, I am making a distinction that I find necessary to make. I hear this all the time...""We're under grace so we don't have to ____________ (fill in the blank with your favorite thing not to adhere to in the Bible).

I am saying that the LAW is G-d's Word. We are not released from obeying His Word. We are however, released from the Law as our Master, now that Jesus is our Master. But, I'll say this again to clarify:

We are not "released from the Law", as much as we are released from the penalty of breaking the physical Law with its ramifications. Jesus paid the price for our debt. Yet, He also said the Law was not abolished. Now it is MORE, not less. It is written on our hearts and we not only obey outwardly, but INWARDLY. Not only are our actions to be G-dly, but our thoughts as well. We are to be MORE righteous than the Pharisees, not less.

[EricH]

I think Ruth was confused, as was I, in your statement splitting the hair of "being released from the judgment of the Law" as opposed to "being released from the Law'. You said primarily that we are released from the "judgment of the Law", when scripture specifically said we are "released from the Law"...

I think we are all saying the same thing: That we are released from the Law (or judgment thereof), and are now to "live by the Spirit" (with God's Law written on our heart)...

May be one in the same? Just a tad confusing in drawing the fine lines necessary to prevent error.

Shalom Motivated,

I am not splitting hairs, I am making a distinction that I find necessary to make. I hear this all the time...""We're under grace so we don't have to ____________ (fill in the blank with your favorite thing not to adhere to in the Bible).

I am saying that the LAW is G-d's Word. We are not released from obeying His Word. We are however, released from the Law as our Master, now that Jesus is our Master. But, I'll say this again to clarify:

We are not "released from the Law", as much as we are released from the penalty of breaking the physical Law with its ramifications. Jesus paid the price for our debt. Yet, He also said the Law was not abolished. Now it is MORE, not less. It is written on our hearts and we not only obey outwardly, but INWARDLY. Not only are our actions to be G-dly, but our thoughts as well. We are to be MORE righteous than the Pharisees, not less.

We are also released from trying to obey under our own power (external obedience). We have now been given thre resources to obey from the heart. We can be truly spiritually transformed, so that we not only try and copy what Jesus did, we actually become like Jesus. This the doing now comes out of being.

Many times I think we assume that we use the most grace when we are forgiven. But I think we actually use more when on a daily basis, we allow the Spirit of God to transform us into His likeness, so that obedience flows out of a changed nature.

[methinkshe]

I think Ruth was confused, as was I, in your statement splitting the hair of "being released from the judgment of the Law" as opposed to "being released from the Law'. You said primarily that we are released from the "judgment of the Law", when scripture specifically said we are "released from the Law"...

I think we are all saying the same thing: That we are released from the Law (or judgment thereof), and are now to "live by the Spirit" (with God's Law written on our heart)...

May be one in the same? Just a tad confusing in drawing the fine lines necessary to prevent error.

Shalom Motivated,

I am not splitting hairs, I am making a distinction that I find necessary to make. I hear this all the time...""We're under grace so we don't have to ____________ (fill in the blank with your favorite thing not to adhere to in the Bible).

I am saying that the LAW is G-d's Word. We are not released from obeying His Word. We are however, released from the Law as our Master, now that Jesus is our Master. But, I'll say this again to clarify:

We are not "released from the Law", as much as we are released from the penalty of breaking the physical Law with its ramifications. Jesus paid the price for our debt. Yet, He also said the Law was not abolished. Now it is MORE, not less. It is written on our hearts and we not only obey outwardly, but INWARDLY. Not only are our actions to be G-dly, but our thoughts as well. We are to be MORE righteous than the Pharisees, not less.

We are also released from trying to obey under our own power (external obedience). We have now been given thre resources to obey from the heart. We can be truly spiritually transformed, so that we not only try and copy what Jesus did, we actually become like Jesus. This the doing now comes out of being.

Many times I think we assume that we use the most grace when we are forgiven. But I think we actually use more when on a daily basis, we allow the Spirit of God to transform us into His likeness, so that obedience flows out of a changed nature.

Yes, we are born again, are new creations IN CHRIST. In that new creation in Christ we are 100% righteous otherwise we could never "boldly approach the eternal throne". That we still have existence in the flesh means that temptation will continue to beset us, and that in the flesh we will continue to sin. But we are to count the flesh as dead. In our spirit, our new creation in Jesus, we are clothed in HIS righteousness. It's Jesus all the way. And if Jesus is acceptable to the Father and we are IN Jesus, then we, too are acceptable to the Father. That's what grace is all about. None of me, ALL of Jesus.

In Jesus,

Ruth