In John 15:10, Jesus used a parallel statement to equate his commandments with those of the Father, and in John 14:24, Jesus said that his teachings were not his own, but that of the Father, so he did not teach his own commandments. God's law is truth (Psalms 119:142), the sum of Gods word is truth (Psalms 119:160), Jesus is God's word made flesh (John 1:14), and Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), so his commandments are the same as those that are found in the sum of God's word, which is why the truth is not in those who do not obey them. Christ walked in sinless obedience to God's word, which is also why 1 John 2:6 says those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked. Christ did not hypocritically preach something other than what he practiced or say that we should do as he said, but not as he did, but rather we are told to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21-22).
What are his commandments?
- Thread starter LeeLoving
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
In Psalms 119:142, God's law is truth, and in John 8:31-36, it is sin in transgression of God's law that put us in bondage while it is the truth that sets us free.
In Jeremiah 31:33, the New Covenant involves God putting His law in our minds and writing it on our heart. Likewise, in Ezekiel 36:26-27, the New Covenant involves the Spirit leading us to obey God's law.
In Jeremiah 31:33, the New Covenant involves God putting His law in our minds and writing it on our heart. Likewise, in Ezekiel 36:26-27, the New Covenant involves the Spirit leading us to obey God's law.
-
1
-
1
- Show all
In Psalms 119:29, he wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law, so God does not teach us to obey His law in order to remind us of just how much grace we need, but rather that is how God is gracious to us. Likewise, in Exodus 33:13, Moses wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to walk in His way that he might know Him and Israel too, and in John 17:3, knowing God and Jesus is eternal life, which is also why he said that obedience to God's commands is the way to enter eternal life (Matthew 19:17, Luke 10:25-28). Knowing God refers to having an intimate relationship with Him and God's law is His instructions for how to have that experience, which is not legalistic. Nowhere does the Bible say that God's law was given to show us how us how unholy and unlike Christ we are, but rather it was given to teach us how to know Him and be like him (1 John 2:4, 1 John 3:4-6, Matthew 7:23).
-
1
- Show all
Paul spoke about multiple difference categories of law other than the Law of God, so it is important to correctly identify which law he was referring to use not be under so that we don't die to the wrong law. For example, in Romans 7:25-8:2, Paul contrasted the Law of God with the law of sin and contrasted the Law of the Spirit of Life with the law of sin and death, in Romans 3:27, he contrasted a law of works with a law of faith, and in Romans 3:31 and Galatians 3:10-12, he contrasted a law that our faith upholds with a law that is not of faith.
In Romans 6:14, Paul described the law that we are not under as being a law where sin had dominion over us, which does not describe the Law of God, which is a law where holiness, righteousness, and goodness have dominion over us (Romans 7:12), but rather it is the law of sin where sin had dominion over us. In Psalms 119:29, he wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey his law, so that is what it means to be under grace. Furthermore, Romans 6:15 says that being under grace does not mean that we are permitted to sin, and in Romans 3:20, it is by the Law of God that we have knowledge of sin, so we are still under the Law of God and obligated to obey it. Moreover, everything else in Romans 6 speaks in favor of obedience to the Law of God and against sin. So we need to die to the law of sin in order to be free to obey the Law of God, not the other way around.
If Gentiles have never been under the Law of God, then Gentiles are free to do what is reveals to be sin, have no need of salvation from sin, have no need to repent, no need of grace, have no need of the Spirit, have no need what Jesus accomplished through the cross.
In Romans 6:14, Paul described the law that we are not under as being a law where sin had dominion over us, which does not describe the Law of God, which is a law where holiness, righteousness, and goodness have dominion over us (Romans 7:12), but rather it is the law of sin where sin had dominion over us. In Psalms 119:29, he wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey his law, so that is what it means to be under grace. Furthermore, Romans 6:15 says that being under grace does not mean that we are permitted to sin, and in Romans 3:20, it is by the Law of God that we have knowledge of sin, so we are still under the Law of God and obligated to obey it. Moreover, everything else in Romans 6 speaks in favor of obedience to the Law of God and against sin. So we need to die to the law of sin in order to be free to obey the Law of God, not the other way around.
If Gentiles have never been under the Law of God, then Gentiles are free to do what is reveals to be sin, have no need of salvation from sin, have no need to repent, no need of grace, have no need of the Spirit, have no need what Jesus accomplished through the cross.
In Deuteronomy 4:2, it is a sin to add to or subtract from the law, so Jesus was not doing that. In order to know how to correctly obey the command to love our neighbor as ourselves we need to know how we should love ourselves and the answer to that is that we should love ourselves an Jesus loves us, which is therefore how we should love our neighbor. So Jesus was not violating Deuteronomy 4:2 by adding his own command, but rather he was fulfilling the law by teaching how to correctly obey the command to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Greek word used refers to newness with respect to quality, not to newness with respect to time, so it is not referring to a brand new command.
3501 /néos ("new on the scene") suggests something "new in time" – in contrast to its near-synonym (2537 /kainós, "new in quality")
Our salvation is from sin (Matthew 1:21) and sin is living in transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4), so while we are not required earn our salvation as the result of having first obeyed it, living in obedience to it through faith in Jesus is nevertheless intrinsically part of the concept of him saving us from not living in obedience to it. While the only way to become righteous is through faith apart from having first obeyed God's law, becoming righteous through faith means becoming someone who practices righteousness through faith, and it is contradictory to become someone who is righteous through faith apart from becoming someone who practices righteousness through faith, which is why the faith by which we are declared righteous does not abolish our need to practice righteousness sin obedience to God's law, but rather our faith upholds it (Romans 3:28-31).
God's law is His instructions for how to believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, or in other words, obeying God's word is the way to believe in God's word made flesh, which is why there are many verses that connect our belief in God with our obedience to Him, such as Romans 14:12, where those who kept faith in Jesus are the same as those who kept God's commandments. For example, doing good works in obedience to God's law is testifying about God's goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), which is also the way to express the believe that God is good, or in other words, it is the way to believe in His name. This is also why those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in he same way he walked (1 John 2:6), which was in obedience to God's law.
3501 /néos ("new on the scene") suggests something "new in time" – in contrast to its near-synonym (2537 /kainós, "new in quality")
Our salvation is from sin (Matthew 1:21) and sin is living in transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4), so while we are not required earn our salvation as the result of having first obeyed it, living in obedience to it through faith in Jesus is nevertheless intrinsically part of the concept of him saving us from not living in obedience to it. While the only way to become righteous is through faith apart from having first obeyed God's law, becoming righteous through faith means becoming someone who practices righteousness through faith, and it is contradictory to become someone who is righteous through faith apart from becoming someone who practices righteousness through faith, which is why the faith by which we are declared righteous does not abolish our need to practice righteousness sin obedience to God's law, but rather our faith upholds it (Romans 3:28-31).
God's law is His instructions for how to believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, or in other words, obeying God's word is the way to believe in God's word made flesh, which is why there are many verses that connect our belief in God with our obedience to Him, such as Romans 14:12, where those who kept faith in Jesus are the same as those who kept God's commandments. For example, doing good works in obedience to God's law is testifying about God's goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), which is also the way to express the believe that God is good, or in other words, it is the way to believe in His name. This is also why those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in he same way he walked (1 John 2:6), which was in obedience to God's law.
-
1
- Show all
The angel is acting as a guard to escort them on the way to life, not acting as an unforgiving angel.
Indeed, Jesus was one with the Father, so he was not in disagreement with what He commanded. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus said that justice, mercy, and faithfulness are weightier matters of God's law.
God's law requires both the man and woman accused of adultery be brought before a judge in order to do a thorough investigation into the matter, that no one is to be put to death without at least two or three witnesses, and that the witnesses are to throw the first stone, so Jesus was acting in accordance with the law, and if he had stoned her, then he would have been sinning in violation of it.
While God's law was delivered by angels, it was still what God instructed, which is why the Law of Moses is referred to as the Law of God in verses like Nehemiah 8:1-8, Ezra 7:6-12, and Luke 2:22-23. In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand and God's law was how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message and of the great commission.
Indeed, Jesus was one with the Father, so he was not in disagreement with what He commanded. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus said that justice, mercy, and faithfulness are weightier matters of God's law.
God's law requires both the man and woman accused of adultery be brought before a judge in order to do a thorough investigation into the matter, that no one is to be put to death without at least two or three witnesses, and that the witnesses are to throw the first stone, so Jesus was acting in accordance with the law, and if he had stoned her, then he would have been sinning in violation of it.
While God's law was delivered by angels, it was still what God instructed, which is why the Law of Moses is referred to as the Law of God in verses like Nehemiah 8:1-8, Ezra 7:6-12, and Luke 2:22-23. In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand and God's law was how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message and of the great commission.
Here are a few,
5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
.
68» 1Cor 6:1-6 . . If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it
before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not
know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world,
are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will
judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
. . .Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges
even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it
possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute
between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another-and
this in front of unbelievers!
Apparently some of the Christians in the church at Corinth let the Sermon
On The Mount go in one ear and out the other.
● Matt 5:39-40 . . But I say unto you: That ye resist not evil; but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any
man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak
also.
● Luke 12:57-59 . .Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? As you
are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to
him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you
over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will
not get out until you have paid the last penny.
The Lord began his teaching in Luke with the words "Why don't you judge
for yourselves what is right?" In other words; if someone threatens to take
you to court over a tort matter, and you know good and well he's in the
right; don't force him to go to law. Instead, admit to your wrong and settle
out of court. According to The Lord, it’s unrighteous to tie up the courts
when you know your own self that you are the one who's in the wrong.
There's just simply no righteous reason why Christian defendants and
plaintiffs can't be their own judge and jury in tort matters.
● 1Cor 6:7-8 . . Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because
ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye
not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and
defraud, and that your brethren.
The Greek word translated "defraud" is an ambiguous word with more than
one meaning, and more than one application. The meaning that seems
appropriate in this instance is "deprive".
It works like this: Were I to trip and fall because of a crack in the walk
leading up to the front door of the home of one of my kin; I wouldn't haul
them into court over it because we're related; viz: any injury I might incur
by tripping and falling because of a crack in their walk would be a family
matter rather than a legal matter; and they have a right to be treated by me
as family rather than foes. Were I to sue them for tripping and falling due to
a crack in their walk; I would be depriving them of the lenience that kin
have a right to expect from one another.
● 1John 3:14-16 . .We know that we have passed out of death into life,
because we love the brethren. . . We know love by this, that He laid down
His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
I think it's safe to say that if somebody is comfortable taking a fellow
Christian to court; then they certainly are not prepared to lay down their life
for the brethren.
It's sad to see relatives suing each other in court; but it happens all the
time. When the world does it; well, that's to be expected; but when
Christians sue each other; that's dysfunctional.
_
68» 1Cor 6:1-6 . . If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it
before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not
know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world,
are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will
judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
. . .Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges
even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it
possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute
between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another-and
this in front of unbelievers!
Apparently some of the Christians in the church at Corinth let the Sermon
On The Mount go in one ear and out the other.
● Matt 5:39-40 . . But I say unto you: That ye resist not evil; but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any
man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak
also.
● Luke 12:57-59 . .Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? As you
are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to
him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you
over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will
not get out until you have paid the last penny.
The Lord began his teaching in Luke with the words "Why don't you judge
for yourselves what is right?" In other words; if someone threatens to take
you to court over a tort matter, and you know good and well he's in the
right; don't force him to go to law. Instead, admit to your wrong and settle
out of court. According to The Lord, it’s unrighteous to tie up the courts
when you know your own self that you are the one who's in the wrong.
There's just simply no righteous reason why Christian defendants and
plaintiffs can't be their own judge and jury in tort matters.
● 1Cor 6:7-8 . . Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because
ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye
not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and
defraud, and that your brethren.
The Greek word translated "defraud" is an ambiguous word with more than
one meaning, and more than one application. The meaning that seems
appropriate in this instance is "deprive".
It works like this: Were I to trip and fall because of a crack in the walk
leading up to the front door of the home of one of my kin; I wouldn't haul
them into court over it because we're related; viz: any injury I might incur
by tripping and falling because of a crack in their walk would be a family
matter rather than a legal matter; and they have a right to be treated by me
as family rather than foes. Were I to sue them for tripping and falling due to
a crack in their walk; I would be depriving them of the lenience that kin
have a right to expect from one another.
● 1John 3:14-16 . .We know that we have passed out of death into life,
because we love the brethren. . . We know love by this, that He laid down
His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
I think it's safe to say that if somebody is comfortable taking a fellow
Christian to court; then they certainly are not prepared to lay down their life
for the brethren.
It's sad to see relatives suing each other in court; but it happens all the
time. When the world does it; well, that's to be expected; but when
Christians sue each other; that's dysfunctional.
_
.
69» 1Cor 6:18 . . Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the
body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
The Greek word for "fornication" is porneia (por-ni'-ah) which doesn't
especially mean pornography; it means harlotry; a term that Webster's
defines as sexual profligacy. Porneia would include things like prostitution
(a.k.a. trafficking) adultery, promiscuity, date sex, free love, shacking up,
one-night stands, swingers, wife swapping, and that sort of thing.
The command is not to walk away from fornication; but to run away from it
as if your very life depends upon putting distance between you and it. The
same Greek word is used at Matt 2:13 where an angel instructed Joseph to
flee into Egypt in order to save his little boy's life.
Fleeing is different than shunning. I think what we're talking about here are
the times when a golden opportunity comes along to mess around with
somebody who is absolutely irresistible. Some people would call that getting
lucky; but in God's estimation, it's getting stupid if you play along and see
what happens.
The phrase "sins against his own body" is sort of the same wording as at
1Cor 11:27 where it's said "whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of The
Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and
blood of The Lord."
Some Christians construe 1Cor 11:27 as murder. Well if so, then sinning
against one's own body would be suicide. But actually, what we're talking
about here is gross contempt and disrespect, i.e. sacrilege. In other words;
Christian fornicators are treating their body like a chamber pot instead of a
holy vessel; and all the while dragging God's Spirit into situations that He
finds extremely unsavory.
● 1Cor 6:19 . . Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
● Eph 4:30 . . Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.
They're also dragging Christ into shame and disgrace too.
● 1Cor 6:14-16 . . Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ
himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with an
harlot? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with an harlot is
one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." (cf. Gen
2:18-24)
_
69» 1Cor 6:18 . . Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the
body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
The Greek word for "fornication" is porneia (por-ni'-ah) which doesn't
especially mean pornography; it means harlotry; a term that Webster's
defines as sexual profligacy. Porneia would include things like prostitution
(a.k.a. trafficking) adultery, promiscuity, date sex, free love, shacking up,
one-night stands, swingers, wife swapping, and that sort of thing.
The command is not to walk away from fornication; but to run away from it
as if your very life depends upon putting distance between you and it. The
same Greek word is used at Matt 2:13 where an angel instructed Joseph to
flee into Egypt in order to save his little boy's life.
Fleeing is different than shunning. I think what we're talking about here are
the times when a golden opportunity comes along to mess around with
somebody who is absolutely irresistible. Some people would call that getting
lucky; but in God's estimation, it's getting stupid if you play along and see
what happens.
The phrase "sins against his own body" is sort of the same wording as at
1Cor 11:27 where it's said "whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of The
Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and
blood of The Lord."
Some Christians construe 1Cor 11:27 as murder. Well if so, then sinning
against one's own body would be suicide. But actually, what we're talking
about here is gross contempt and disrespect, i.e. sacrilege. In other words;
Christian fornicators are treating their body like a chamber pot instead of a
holy vessel; and all the while dragging God's Spirit into situations that He
finds extremely unsavory.
● 1Cor 6:19 . . Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
● Eph 4:30 . . Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.
They're also dragging Christ into shame and disgrace too.
● 1Cor 6:14-16 . . Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ
himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with an
harlot? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with an harlot is
one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." (cf. Gen
2:18-24)
_
.
70» Re: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have received from God?"
People in the Old Testament weren't sealed with God's spirit so He was at
liberty to get away from them whenever their conduct became grossly
unbecoming; hence David's prayer in Psalm 51:11 which says:
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
Two notable examples of the Spirit's liberty to shun folks are king Saul
(1Sam 16:14) and Samson (Judg 16:20)
But not so with Jesus' believing followers. The Spirit is stuck with them;
● John 14:16-17 . . And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but you know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
● Eph 1:13-14 . . In him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed
with the Holy Spirit of promise.
So for the sake of the Spirit's peace of mind; I strongly urge minding our Ps
& Qs.
_
70» Re: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have received from God?"
People in the Old Testament weren't sealed with God's spirit so He was at
liberty to get away from them whenever their conduct became grossly
unbecoming; hence David's prayer in Psalm 51:11 which says:
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
Two notable examples of the Spirit's liberty to shun folks are king Saul
(1Sam 16:14) and Samson (Judg 16:20)
But not so with Jesus' believing followers. The Spirit is stuck with them;
● John 14:16-17 . . And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but you know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
● Eph 1:13-14 . . In him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed
with the Holy Spirit of promise.
So for the sake of the Spirit's peace of mind; I strongly urge minding our Ps
& Qs.
_
.
71» 1Cor 6:20 . . For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in
your body.
Christ's crucifixion and resurrection ransomed his followers from facing
justice and the second death in the scene depicted at Rev 20:11-15. That
was a mighty big favor, and I should think it earns him the right to expect a
favor in return. All things considered; conducting ourselves in ways that
honor God is really not too much to ask seeing as how it was He who
donated His heir apparent's life to pay the price for people's ransom. (1Pet
1:18-19)
_
71» 1Cor 6:20 . . For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in
your body.
Christ's crucifixion and resurrection ransomed his followers from facing
justice and the second death in the scene depicted at Rev 20:11-15. That
was a mighty big favor, and I should think it earns him the right to expect a
favor in return. All things considered; conducting ourselves in ways that
honor God is really not too much to ask seeing as how it was He who
donated His heir apparent's life to pay the price for people's ransom. (1Pet
1:18-19)
_
-
1
- Show all
.
72» 1Cor 7:2 . . To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and
let every woman have her own husband.
The above is especially pertinent in 2023 America. Fornication is
everywhere: on a pandemic scale. It's in our music, in our schools, in the
White House, in our offices, on our televisions, in our movies, in our novels,
and in our conversations. People are even sleeping together on their very
first dates.
Even Congressmen, Senators, and US Presidents are indulging in forbidden
love. A previous Governor in my State of Oregon was openly shacking up with
a girlfriend.
According to the 2020 World Almanac and Book of Facts, there was a total of
3,855,500 live births in 2017. Of those, 1,534,000 were illegitimate (a.k.a.
out of wedlock) which means that nearly 40% of 2017's live births were the
result of immoral activity. Back in 1970, the ratio was only 10%.
This country is in a state of moral decadence, and steadily becoming more
and more like the ancient city of Pompeii just prior to its destruction by the
volcanism of Mt. Vesuvius.
It's important to note that 1Cor 7:2 makes it okay to marry for pleasure. My
childhood religion taught me that it's a sin to marry for any other reason
except procreation and that couples who decide to remain childless are living
in sin. They get that from Genesis 1:28 where it's says: "God blessed them;
and God said to them: Be fruitful and multiply". But that is clearly a blessing
rather than a law; and it's always best to regard blessings as benefits and/or
empowerment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
* The original purpose of marriage was neither pleasure nor procreation; it was
companionship. (Gen 2:18)
_
72» 1Cor 7:2 . . To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and
let every woman have her own husband.
The above is especially pertinent in 2023 America. Fornication is
everywhere: on a pandemic scale. It's in our music, in our schools, in the
White House, in our offices, on our televisions, in our movies, in our novels,
and in our conversations. People are even sleeping together on their very
first dates.
Even Congressmen, Senators, and US Presidents are indulging in forbidden
love. A previous Governor in my State of Oregon was openly shacking up with
a girlfriend.
According to the 2020 World Almanac and Book of Facts, there was a total of
3,855,500 live births in 2017. Of those, 1,534,000 were illegitimate (a.k.a.
out of wedlock) which means that nearly 40% of 2017's live births were the
result of immoral activity. Back in 1970, the ratio was only 10%.
This country is in a state of moral decadence, and steadily becoming more
and more like the ancient city of Pompeii just prior to its destruction by the
volcanism of Mt. Vesuvius.
It's important to note that 1Cor 7:2 makes it okay to marry for pleasure. My
childhood religion taught me that it's a sin to marry for any other reason
except procreation and that couples who decide to remain childless are living
in sin. They get that from Genesis 1:28 where it's says: "God blessed them;
and God said to them: Be fruitful and multiply". But that is clearly a blessing
rather than a law; and it's always best to regard blessings as benefits and/or
empowerment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
* The original purpose of marriage was neither pleasure nor procreation; it was
companionship. (Gen 2:18)
_
.
73» 1Cor 7:3-4 . . Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence:
and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not authority of
her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not
authority of his own body, but the wife.
What we're talking about in that verse is the principle of private property in
marriage that was established right from the get-go.
● Gen 2:23-24 . . And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones, and flesh
of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto
his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
There are no specific Hebrew words for "wife". The word for wife in that
passage comes from the very same word as woman-- 'ishshah. The
possessive pronoun "his" identifies an 'ishshah as somebody's wife. The
same grammar works for husbands too, for example:
● Gen 30:20 . . And Leah said: God hath endued me with a good dowry;
now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons.
The Hebrew word for "husband" in that verse is 'iysh which is a nondescript
word for males. The possessive pronoun "my" identifies a male as
somebody's husband.
So Eve became Adam's woman; and Adam of course became Eve's man.
They quite literally owned each other: consequently they had a right to all
that a conjugal relationship with each other implies.
_
73» 1Cor 7:3-4 . . Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence:
and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not authority of
her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not
authority of his own body, but the wife.
What we're talking about in that verse is the principle of private property in
marriage that was established right from the get-go.
● Gen 2:23-24 . . And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones, and flesh
of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto
his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
There are no specific Hebrew words for "wife". The word for wife in that
passage comes from the very same word as woman-- 'ishshah. The
possessive pronoun "his" identifies an 'ishshah as somebody's wife. The
same grammar works for husbands too, for example:
● Gen 30:20 . . And Leah said: God hath endued me with a good dowry;
now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons.
The Hebrew word for "husband" in that verse is 'iysh which is a nondescript
word for males. The possessive pronoun "my" identifies a male as
somebody's husband.
So Eve became Adam's woman; and Adam of course became Eve's man.
They quite literally owned each other: consequently they had a right to all
that a conjugal relationship with each other implies.
_
While we live under the grace through Jesus on the cross, God been telling me to bring back his festivals. He specifically said feast of tabernacles and then festival of booths. I looked them and tried to participate at local Jewish temples but man, you cannot say the word Jesus there! So on the last day I was going to go to the temple again and God said the ushpizin can’t go into a temple that doesn’t accept the poor or needy. Still don’t know what an ushpizin is but they didn’t allow the poor and needy so I didn’t go back. I pray instead for the day when the streets are filled with celebrations for Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. All glory belongs to God, we should want to Honor God, we should want to decorate our houses and sidewalks with messages of His word. I wish y’all could see what I see, one day it’s gonna be awesome but it’s gotta start somewhere
.
74» 1Cor 7:5 . . Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for
a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come
together again, that Satan not tempt you by means of your lack of self
control.
I think it goes without saying that spouses have an inalienable right to
expect their need for companionship to be satisfied in marriage; and if one,
or both, is feeling lonely and/or marginalized at home, then they're being
deprived their privileges and will be vulnerable to unfaithfulness when
someone comes along with whom they click.
I heard a story some time ago about a rather conniving Christian woman
who wanted a divorce from her Christian husband; but seeing as how God
only allows death or adultery to dissolve the marital bond; she began
deliberately avoiding her husband in order to force him to think about
finding an alternative; and when he did; she proceeded to divorce him on
the grounds of infidelity. That way, in her mind's eye, she was the victim
and he the villain. (chuckle) What people won't do to circumvent the laws of
God.
_
74» 1Cor 7:5 . . Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for
a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come
together again, that Satan not tempt you by means of your lack of self
control.
I think it goes without saying that spouses have an inalienable right to
expect their need for companionship to be satisfied in marriage; and if one,
or both, is feeling lonely and/or marginalized at home, then they're being
deprived their privileges and will be vulnerable to unfaithfulness when
someone comes along with whom they click.
I heard a story some time ago about a rather conniving Christian woman
who wanted a divorce from her Christian husband; but seeing as how God
only allows death or adultery to dissolve the marital bond; she began
deliberately avoiding her husband in order to force him to think about
finding an alternative; and when he did; she proceeded to divorce him on
the grounds of infidelity. That way, in her mind's eye, she was the victim
and he the villain. (chuckle) What people won't do to circumvent the laws of
God.
_
-
1
- Show all
.
75» 1Cor 7:8-9 . . Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for
them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they
should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn.
Paul said it's good to remain single; but he didn't say it's best.
The Greek word translated "burn" basically means to kindle, to ignite, to
glow, and/or to be inflamed. I seriously doubt Paul meant to convey the
thought that the believers who lacked self control at Corinth were in grave
danger of the flames of Hell since he had already assured them in 1Cor 6:9
11 that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of The Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Paul was one of those kinds of men with a very low-powered libido. But not
everyone is like him; nor is everyone cut out to live alone.
Webster's defines "celibacy" as (1) the state of not being married, (2)
abstention from sexual intercourse, and (3) abstention by vow from
marriage. Celibacy then, isn't limited to zero carnal activity; it includes zero
marriage; even platonic unions.
Not long ago, a Catholic priest here in Oregon quit the priesthood after
serving more than 30 years in order to get married because he couldn't
stand being alone anymore. He wasn't especially looking to get naked with
somebody, he just wanted a companion; which is exactly how normal guys
are designed.
"The Lord God said: It's not good for Adam to be solitary" (Gen 2:18)
The problem with a vow of celibacy is that although it may hinder a priest
from getting married, it does nothing to prevent him from pining for a
female companion. 1Cor 7:9 should suffice to silence the mouths of ascetics
who preach it's holy to abstain from every form of earthly pleasure; and also
the mouths of those who preach it's a sin to marry solely to obtain someone
to sleep with.
NOTE: Typical wedding vows are unconditional, i.e. couples, as a rule, don't
promise to love each other in proportion to the amount of love they get from
the other. It would be educational for couples to review their vows now and
again to see just how conscientious they've been in complying with the
unconditional portions of their vows.
_
75» 1Cor 7:8-9 . . Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for
them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they
should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn.
Paul said it's good to remain single; but he didn't say it's best.
The Greek word translated "burn" basically means to kindle, to ignite, to
glow, and/or to be inflamed. I seriously doubt Paul meant to convey the
thought that the believers who lacked self control at Corinth were in grave
danger of the flames of Hell since he had already assured them in 1Cor 6:9
11 that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of The Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Paul was one of those kinds of men with a very low-powered libido. But not
everyone is like him; nor is everyone cut out to live alone.
Webster's defines "celibacy" as (1) the state of not being married, (2)
abstention from sexual intercourse, and (3) abstention by vow from
marriage. Celibacy then, isn't limited to zero carnal activity; it includes zero
marriage; even platonic unions.
Not long ago, a Catholic priest here in Oregon quit the priesthood after
serving more than 30 years in order to get married because he couldn't
stand being alone anymore. He wasn't especially looking to get naked with
somebody, he just wanted a companion; which is exactly how normal guys
are designed.
"The Lord God said: It's not good for Adam to be solitary" (Gen 2:18)
The problem with a vow of celibacy is that although it may hinder a priest
from getting married, it does nothing to prevent him from pining for a
female companion. 1Cor 7:9 should suffice to silence the mouths of ascetics
who preach it's holy to abstain from every form of earthly pleasure; and also
the mouths of those who preach it's a sin to marry solely to obtain someone
to sleep with.
NOTE: Typical wedding vows are unconditional, i.e. couples, as a rule, don't
promise to love each other in proportion to the amount of love they get from
the other. It would be educational for couples to review their vows now and
again to see just how conscientious they've been in complying with the
unconditional portions of their vows.
_
.
76» 1Cor 7:10-11a . . Unto the married I command-- yet not I, but The Lord
--let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her
remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband.
Divorcing a spouse for any cause other than infidelity is unacceptable. (Mat
5:32) However, separation is a different issue and is sometimes essential for
the safety and welfare of abused women.
● 1Cor 7:11b . . And let not the husband put away his wife.
I think we may assume the above comments apply to husbands as well as to
their wives.
You know, we really can't expect a man to continue living with a woman who
routinely slams the poor guy with demeaning ridicule and denigrating
remarks and/or constantly rakes him over the coals with relentless fault
finding and cruel sarcasm, and maybe even pours scalding water on her
husband while he's sleeping or burns his face with a steam iron.
_
76» 1Cor 7:10-11a . . Unto the married I command-- yet not I, but The Lord
--let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her
remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband.
Divorcing a spouse for any cause other than infidelity is unacceptable. (Mat
5:32) However, separation is a different issue and is sometimes essential for
the safety and welfare of abused women.
● 1Cor 7:11b . . And let not the husband put away his wife.
I think we may assume the above comments apply to husbands as well as to
their wives.
You know, we really can't expect a man to continue living with a woman who
routinely slams the poor guy with demeaning ridicule and denigrating
remarks and/or constantly rakes him over the coals with relentless fault
finding and cruel sarcasm, and maybe even pours scalding water on her
husband while he's sleeping or burns his face with a steam iron.
_
They are One... and yet they are 3 at the same time.
We are created in God's Image and we too are one, but 3 at the same time....
1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are created in God's Image and we too are one, but 3 at the same time....
1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.