Bible Discussion Thread

Jesus Christ came to FULFILL the Law, not to do away with it. Many will say "Lord, Lord" (the workers of iniquity, or lawlessness) on the last day who will miss that key point.

If indeed the Law of God is still in force & binding upon the Christian, what in your understanding, is the design & objective of the New Covenant which comes through the Blood of Christ? In other words, do you see any conflict arising between the Covenants when a believer tries to syncretize the two?

Adam, thanks for your comment. Yes, we daily have the choice whom we are going to serve: SIN, expressed thru our carnal nature, or the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ thru the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ, provided by Christ's death and blood sacrifice. There is a world-loving, carnal church imploding all around us today who by their works and teachings have denied Christ and His Cross, and are leading their followers unto the Broad way that leads to destruction. The Doorway to Eternal life is thru the Cross, as we take His Cross, and make it our own. ( Galatians 2:20).

Thanks for your reply. The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled ALL the requirements of the Law for believers by His death on the Cross. Believers are justified by GRACE thru Faith in Christ alone. Believers are under a new law: the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.( Romans 8:2). Those who continue to SIN, without repenting, ("workers of iniquity") lose out with God, fall from Grace, and bring themselves back under the authority of the Law of SIN and death. Hope that clears up what I meant in the 1st post.

Thank you Andy - well written. However, as Christians & by virtue that that title implies, we're no longer under the Old Covenant but under the New, that which Christ has instigated for us. So many believers place themselves under the Old when claiming to be obedient to the Spirit's Law written on their hearts. I can't fathom how that can possibly work as the annulment of the Old was necessary before the New could take effect ( Hebrews 7:18,19). So the great question is: can a believer depend entirely on the Spirit's Voice to his heart, or His reminders of the 'higher' Law that exceeded that which was written on stone, and also have spiritual discernment to what is sin for him that may not be sin for another?

And then another question that comes to mind: can a believer who has truly been saved through Christ's Blood & have the indwelling Spirit to be his constant Guide & Strengthener, ever fall into such spiritual disrepair, where "the flesh needs be given up for destruction so that the spirit might be saved in the day of Christ?"( 1 Corinthians 5:5). Again, believers are divided on this issue, & we ought not to be, if we understand the saving Grace of God that comes without measure & without flaw. I detect that often the Gospel we preach is done with such zeal for the sinner's soul, that we fail to make it a more serious matter requiring deep introspection & conviction. Without being affected by the depth of our sin & certain everlasting judgement, the sinner's response to receive Christ might well be superficial, resembling the seed that did not fall into 'good ground'.

Many Churches are filled with such, even in the pulpit, & so I valued the time I had with older Sunday School children, teaching them from a very well titled workbook: "So, you think you are a Christian!" Every lesson was a challenge to both teacher & student to maintain great vigilance of the soul, being introspective & knowing the full significance of Christ's great Sacrifice.

I agree with what you said.

I personally believe that Christianity is an active religion. It literally means a Christ-follower and following is an activity, not a passive or stationary thing. Many are taught that believing in Jesus gives them a get out of jail (hell) free card like Monopoly. That they have zero obligations, don't have to worry about sin, can even enjoy sinning, and can continue their lifestyle following the world with no consequence. I don't believe that. I know they have a few cherrypicked supporting verses which frames that view, but one has to ignore the mountain of other verses that Jesus said himself. So much of what Jesus said was to his followers to avoid sin. So, when all those Bible verses in context are put together I get an understanding that if we're following Jesus actively, like driving on a highway, we can have confidence in grace that we're saved. However, if we metaphorically exit off then turn around and start travelling the opposite direction- the direction of evil, and following the world, then I believe that Christian is no longer saved. I believe Christians still have free will, that they're not forced to be sinless. Even angels in heaven itself still had the freewill to sin and did, so I don't think it's a stretch to think that a Christian still has 100% freewill to sin after becoming a Christian. We must actively try to avoid sin and follow Jesus. God bless...

Lord forbid you might have such a low opinion of our Good Shepherd to think he could lose even one of his sheep.

Dear Bendito, please be respectful to others who interpret scripture different than you. You projected an assumption on someone you don't know by claiming that person has a 'low opinion' of Jesus. That's false and not very nice to say that to a Christian.

People could use the same logical fallacy against such an argument. For example: Matthew 7:21 clearly says not everyone who claims they are a follower of Jesus (a Christian) will enter heaven. So, for one who doesn't believe this verse, another could possibly assume such a person is calling Jesus a liar. That would probably seem unfair, wouldn't it?

There's many other places where Jesus warns Christians to obey and avoid sin. Some find this quite inconvenient and are quite motivated to make the verses say and mean something else. Why not dig deeper in the Bible and pray to God for understanding. God bless.

Thank you for your thoughtful post, Chris. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the SIN of the world, is able to save to the UTTERMOST those who come unto God by Him, for He ever lives to make intercession for them. Salvation is all about a PERSONAL relationship with the Savior. He has even provided for us, by His FINISHED work on the Cross, the works for us to enter into. ( Ephesians 2:8-10). Many will say "Lord, Lord" to Jesus on the last day, and point to THEIR works as proof of a relationship (which was non-existent) with Him, when there is only ONE work God will accept for our Salvation and redemption: the BLOOD of a sinless, spotless Lamb offered at Calvary. The Apostle Paul knew there is ONE way to KNOW Christ: thru His Cross, His death, and His sufferings ( Philippians 3:7-11). There is a world-loving, sensual church today that has completely walked away from the meaning of the Cross: which is DIE to self, and become united with Christ in His Cross and partake of the Power of His Resurrection that flows from His Cross, which is the power of God and the Wisdom of God ( 1st Corinthians 1:23-24).