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Monday Sermon – Do This and Live

  Jesus engaged a lawyer, who wanted to know the answer to perhaps the most important question. And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  He [Jesus] said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So…

 

grenville-phillips
Submitted by Grenville Phillips II

Jesus engaged a lawyer, who wanted to know the answer to perhaps the most important question.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  He [Jesus] said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

And He [Jesus] said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”  (Luke 10:25-28)

So, we are to love God and others.  Love is a verb, and requires action to be demonstrated.  Jesus said that we are to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.  What does this mean?

Jesus did not elaborate, but demonstrated this love in His life.  He chose to believe what God said and accept it as truth.  He chose to obey whatever God instructed Him to do, regardless of the consequences.  He chose to cultivate a relationship with God as His Father.

In loving your neighbour, Jesus gave the example of the Samaritan, who used his resources to help someone in desperate need who did not ask for help.  We may describe this as unsolicited kindness.

Jesus has already paid for our access to God, through His sacrificial action.  We should not scorn God’s invitation to know Him.  Yet many do.  It seems absurd to live a life disconnected from our Creator, when the way to Him is so easy.  Hear Jesus once again.

“do this and you will live.”  (Luke 10:28b)

Be blessed on your journey.

Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer.  He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com

26 responses to “Monday Sermon – Do This and Live”

  1. peace Avatar
    peace

    Nice message

  2. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    THE COMMANDMENTS WERE COMPILED INTO TWO GREAT PRINCIPLES, THE SECOND BEING TO LOVE OTHERS AS WE DO OURSELVES.

    We need to be Benevolent in giving someone a Hand Up; we do not need the Interference and Force that Socialist Government brings.

    COMPULSORY BENEVOLENCE IS NOT CHARITY IT IS ROBBERY!

    “They are People in Need of Help, and Charity is one of the Nobler Human Motives. The act of Reaching into One’s Pocket is Praiseworthy and Laudable. Reaching into someone Else Pocket is Deplorable and Worthy of Condemnation”.

    Jesus “wants the poor to be helped” but not at Gunpoint, which is essentially what Government Force is all about:

    Jesus was Not A Socialist… Neither were any of his Followers. He encouraged others to Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s. The Populace only paid a 10th from their surplus Caesar and that had nothing to do with their Tithe or the Law of Consecration…

    Remember in the Parable of the Good Samaritan when he came upon the man that was in Need he Did Not Call on the Government for Assistance he used his Own Means to do so. What we take away from this is that by following the Second Great Commandment to love others as we do ourselves, it Conveys that IN THE TIMES OF CHRIST it was first our Personal Obligation to Assist where possible.

    Failing that we can appeal to family and if they are unable to lend a helping hand then we may appeal to the Church and Community within.

    Nowadays so much is Extracted by way of Limitless Taxation’s that puts Tremendous Burdens on the Community that additionally to be Benevolent In helping others becomes added difficulty. Hence More people Look to the State as their Shepherd and Provider.

    Under the Banner of Socialism EXCESSIVE TAXATION IS THEFT at Gun Point with no end in Sight, while Tithing was and still is Voluntary…

    Keep This and You’ll Keep Them All… There is One Commandment that, if followed by all of humanity, would instantly create a peaceful world: DO NOT STEAL.

    Do you believe the 10th Commandment, You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s?

    Or do you believe in the Socialist Version of advocating using the Brute Force of Government to take from your neighbour to give to someone else or what Socialist describes as being Socially Equable by giving to those the Produce of others who Do Not Work but Love Freeness’s?

    Centrally Planned Economies Deprive the Human Spirit of Full Development. Socialism fails because it Kills and Destroys the Human Spirit–just ask the people leaving Cuba in homemade rafts and boats [and those waiting in long lines today in Venezuela struggling, and often failing, to buy food and other life Sustaining commodities].

    The Ideology Socialism/Communism is the Adversary’s Counterfeit of all God’s Commandments…

    https://providencemag.com/wp-content/uploads/849463109_orig.jpg

  3. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    THE LORD OUR GOD IS THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE LOOK TO HIM IN ALL THY WAYS AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIS GOODNESS…

    The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – Psalm 34

  4. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – Psalm 34

    https://youtu.be/DfW2mkkMTAg?list=RDwmqO4OMXzK8

  5. GP Avatar
    GP

    Let us begin with a note on the word lawyer— a person who sought to trap Jesus into an argument.

    Warren Wiersbe – It was expected that rabbis would discuss theological matters in public, and the question this scribe (lawyer) asked was one that was often debated by the Jews. It was a good question asked with a bad motive, because the lawyer hoped to trap our Lord. However, Jesus trapped the lawyer! (Bible Exposition Commentary)

    John MacArthur – Of all the questions that could be asked, none is more important than the one in this passage: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”That question’s significance is rooted in the reality that every human soul is immortal.

    This unnamed scribe had a rare privilege whose value is beyond estimation—having a conversation about eternal life with the One who is Himself eternal life (1 John 5:20). In a tragic example of missed opportunity that rivals Judas, the scribe, despite asking the right question of the right person and receiving the right answer, he turned away to face eternal death.

    Faith Life Study Bible – In this episode, an expert on the law tests Jesus about how to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ first answer speaks of loving God, while His second calls for loving people. After the lawyer questions Him further, Jesus illustrates the heart of His ministry through the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is unique to Luke’s Gospel.

    Criswell on lawyer – A “lawyer” was a Jewish expert in the Mosaic Law. The Greek term used here is probably a synonym for “scribe.”

    Phillips – The questioner was an expert in the Law, a man with letters after his name. This man and his kind, however, were jurists rather than theologians. This particular fellow doubtless hoped that Jesus would fail the test. He is the type of person, common enough in scholastic circles, who likes to trap people with subtle arguments. (Exploring the Gospel of Luke: An Expository Commentary)

    A lawyer (3544)(nomikos from nomos – law) means related to the law and generally refers to a legal scholar, an expert in the Mosaiac law, in interpreting Jewish law.

    3544 is Strong’s number in his concordance which helps us differentiate the word used for lawyer from other words used for lawyer

    Vincent points out that “lawyer” is – “Not legal practioners, but interpreters and doctors of the Mosaic law.”
    Augustus Neander –points out that “He was one of the nomikoi (lawyers), who, as we have said,… differed from the Pharisees in occupying themselves more with the original writings of Scripture than with the traditions.”teachers of the law

    Lawyer (nomikos): a profession of laymen who studied, taught, interpreted, and dealt with the practical questions of Jewish law. They were a special group within the profession commonly called Scribes (see Mark 12:28). They functioned both in the court and synagogues (see Lu. 7:30; 10:25; 11:45, 46, 52; 14:3; Tit. 3:13). They apparently dealt more with the study and interpretation of the law.

    This lawyer was in breach of Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
    The lawyer was not seeking the truth. He was not really trying to discover the way to God. His purpose was to trip Jesus, to lead Jesus to discredit Himself by giving some unusual answer that would arouse the people against Him.

  6. GP Avatar
    GP

    Next let us look at the phrase Put to the test (1598)(ekpeirazo from ek = intensifies + peirazo = to test, tempt) means to test thoroughly, subject to test or proof. To test in order to understand the quality of something, including imperfections, faults or other qualities.

    The root verb Peirázō is predominantly used to try someone in order to show he is not approved of God but reprobate, in the hope that he will break down under the proof. Peirázō is also used for Satan’s solicitations (Matt. 4:1; 1 Cor. 7:5; Rev. 2:10). The spirit of this lawyer was evil. He wanted to entrap Jesus if possible.”

    Peirázō is used also to indicate that the lawyer meant to put Him to the test, refusing to believe Him or His Word until He has manifested His power.

    Peirázō is used also to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing. The idea is to entrap someone into giving information that will jeopardize the person.

    The OT offers many instances of human tempting of God. In Ex. 17:2 Moses asks why the complaining people are putting God to the test. Num. 14:22 contains God’s judgment on those who put him to the proof. To tempt God is to fail to accept his power or his will to save. It is to challenge him in doubt and unbelief. True love of God rules out the testing of God (Dt. 6:16-17 ). The strong tradition that one must not tempt God explains the reasoning of Ahaz in Is. 7:12, although in this case the prohibition does not apply, for God offers a sign…..Tempting God. In 1 Cor. 10:9 Paul uses an OT illustration to back up his warning that believers must not “test” or “challenge” God. Heb. 3:8-9 quotes Ps. 95 to the same effect. In Acts 5:9 Peter accuses Ananias and Sapphira of challenging the Spirit by their deceit, for the Spirit sees all things. In 15:10 Peter warns the assembly not to test God by imposing the law on Gentile believers, for by means of the vision God has shown that their freedom from the law is in accordance with his will.

    When Jesus was tempted by the devil as recorded in Mathew 4:7 and Luke 4:12, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 when he said to him, ” it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”

    In 1 Corinthians 10:9 Paul reminds us Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. (Referring to Nu 21:4-9, 5 “The people spoke against God and Moses”)
    So this lawyer in Luke 10:25 was out of order when he lawyer stood up seeking to and put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

    So now we have given the context to the text.

  7. GP Avatar
    GP

    The next word in our WORD STUDY OF THIS TEXT is Teacher (Luke’s equivalent of a Jewish Rabbi)(1320)(didaskalos from didasko = teach to shape the will of one being taught by content of what is taught
    The teacher is one who provides instruction or systematically imparts truth.

    The teacher teaches in such a way as to shape will of one being taught by content of what is taught. Someone else has said that “The great teacher is the one who turns our ears into eyes so that we can see the truth.” “A Bible teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops!”

    Didaskalos refers to Jesus (the Master Teacher) in 41 of 58 NT uses.

    Twice Jesus calls Himself Teacher (Mt 26:18, Jn 13:13-14). He is referred to as Teacher by His disciples (Mk 4:38; 9:38; 13:1; Lk 7:40; 21:7),
    by the Pharisees (Mt 8:19, 12:38),
    by Pharisees and Herodians (Mt 22:16);
    by Sadducees (Mk 12:19), a teacher of the law (Mk 12:32),
    byJewish deceivers (Lk 20:21);
    by the rich young ruler (Lk 18:18), by tax collectors (Lk 3:12) and by His friend Martha (Jn 11:28).

    Jesus’ teaching focused on shaping the hearers’ perception of God and God’s kingdom, and thus it dealt with the implications of a personal relationship with God. In John’s Gospel, much of Jesus’ public instruction focused on himself and his own place as Son of God.”

    Mounce makes the point that when the Jewish leaders called Jesus “Teacher”, they may not have been sincere as in this instance, in Lk 10:25 when this expert in the law comes to test Jesus and calls him didaskalos. However, attempts to expose him as a pretender to the title of teacher are unsuccessful

  8. GP Avatar
    GP

    The next phrase in the exegesis of this text is the question…….What shall I do to inherit eternal life? –
    It is really another way of asking how can I be saved? This means “Literally, “By doing what shall I inherit eternal life?” Note the emphasis on works or “doing” (poiēsas). The form of his question shows a wrong idea as to how to get it.”

    Compare the question in Mt 22:36 – “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” “Among ancient Jewish legal experts, there was an ongoing attempt to prioritize the commandments. Their debates considered which laws were “light” and which were “weighty.” In this case as is the case in Mt 22:35 of another lawyer), their goal was not to gain insight from Jesus but to induce Him to say something they could use to discredit Him.”

    The lawyer is really asking “
    what is the way to heaven by my own doings and merits?

    There is a similar question from a ruler in the 3 synoptic Gospels but in each case it does not appear to have an evil motive – Luke 18:18ff, Mt 19:16–22, Mk 10:17–22, but there is still the emphasis on what the person must DO! Jesus is interesting in BEING not DOING, for we could never do enough to save ourselves. This principle has some application to believers who are so busy doing things for Jesus (usually in their own fleshly power – see the result of such doing in Jn 15:5) rather than “being” (see Mary and Martha below – Lk 10:38-42).

    Observe the account of Paul and the jailer at Phiippi in Acts 16”

    30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
    31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
    32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
    NOTICE SALVATION IS OBTAINED BY BELIEVING NOT BY DOING
    THIS IS THE CLEAR TEACHING THROUGHOUT THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

    sEE ALSO ROMANS 10:8-13

    8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

    9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

    10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

    11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

    12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

    13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

  9. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    (Quote):
    So, we are to love God and others. Love is a verb, and requires action to be demonstrated. Jesus said that we are to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. What does this mean? (Unquote):
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Yet you have the unmitigated (bitter) gall of the god ‘Bes’ to come on the BU pages and refer to some bloggers as “Haters”!

    Haters of what or whom? Certainly not you!

    Why not just refer to them with the same mindset of concern and spirit of pity as Donna refers to you?

    Why not just refer to them- in the most magnanimous of terms- as those who have not yet seen the Light and be like your sweet Jesus?

    “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.

  10. GP Avatar
    GP

    the idea of ETERNAL life by believing, IS ONE OF THE FOREMOST ideas which run through the book of John,AND IS John’s main purpose (20:31).

     ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH BELIEVING

 John gives his practical purpose as "That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that  believing ye might have life" (20:31).

    That word “believe” occurs in its several forms ninety-eight times; the words “life” (zoe) and “live (zao) fifty-five times.

    When we pick out the principal references to eternal life (1:4, 3:14-16, 3:36, 4:10-14, 5:24-29, 6:35-55, 8:12, 10:28,29, 11:25,26, 17:3, etc.), we discover an unmistakable progress of doctrine. Each new reference reveals a further truth in such wise that to transpose any would spoil the order. Here we see the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostle John in the writing of this Gospel.

          We start with chapter 1:4 - So the first thing is that this life is in the Son and that its first action upon the soul is to  give light, the light which reveals spiritual realities, which "shineth in the darkness," revealing human sin and Divine  truth.

    Second, in chapter 3:14-16 – Here we learn that the life is imparted to us through faith in the Calvary work of the Savior-Son, and that it is eternal. NOTE THE WORD BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16

          Next, in chapter 3:36 - It is that word "hath" which leaps to the eye here, telling us that this eternal life is the  present possession of the believer. There is nothing doubtful; it does not say "may have." Nor is it only future; for the word is "hath," meaning here and now. 

      Again, in chapter 4:14 - Here the life is not only a present possession but an inward satisfaction. We drink, and  the life-giving drought becomes a very fountain within the soul, ever springing, ever satisfying.

      And now comes chapter 5:24 - The word "condemnation" here is krisis (judgment) and refers to the final judgment of Mankind, as shown in verse 29. The possession of eternal life through faith in the Savior gives exemption from  judgment. There has been a pass-over from "death" in sin to "life" in Christ.

    Once for all, Jesus bore the penalty due to the believer’s sin; and once for all, therefore, eternal life in Him delivers from penal judgment. This brings us to chapter 6:35-55(40) – In His great discourse here our Lord is the Bread of Life. He becomes so by giving His flesh and blood (verses 51,53).He also indicates that feeding upon Him is believing, and that the sustenance is spiritual (verses 35,56,63). But the remarkable addition, which occurs like a refrain, is: “And I will raise him up at the last day” (verses 39,40,44,54).

          Next, in chapter 8:12 - That the Christian walk is to be a walk of confident assurance, because he has the "light of  life." 
      Our next reference is chapter 10:27-29 - This picture of our Lord's saved ones being held secure in the  interlocked grasp of both the Son and the Father is the strongest possible assurance that eternal life means eternal preservation. 

      Now we encounter chapter 11:25,26 - Let us first see what Jesus is saying here. Martha has just said: "I know that he [Lazarus] shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Our Lord uses an aorist subjunctive in reply: "He  that believeth in Me, though he may have died [i.e. at "the last day"], yet shall he live [for I am the resurrection]; and whosoever is [then] living and believing in Me shall never die [for I am the life]." So all the possessors of eternal life  in Christ are to share in this promised age-end transfiguration. 

      Finally, in chapter 17:3 - To possess Jesus Christ and be possessed li Him is to find GOD - and the true life. All who accept Christ are drawn to Him by the Father. Those who through faith responding is the Father's gift to the  Son (seven times Jesus says so in this chapter). Verse 2 says that the Son imparts eternal life to "as many as" the Father has "given Him"; and this is crowned by verse 24. So the eternal life which believers posses through the  Savior is to be consummated in a heavenly glorification. 

 Thus we see a progression of disclosure: 

      First we see that this life is in the Son, and is an exposure-light on sin and darkness. 
      Next we see that the life is received by faith on the Calvary Sin-bearer. 
      Then, successively, it is a present possession, an inward satisfaction,  an exemption from judgment, 
      an assurance and preservation , it awaits age-end transfiguration, and is to be consummated in heavenly glorification. 

 John has all this in mind when he writes at the end of his Gospel: 

      "These are written that ye night believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing
      ye might have life through His Name." 

 Oh, how simple is the way into eternal life -"BELIEVE."

    ETERNAL LIFE IS OBTAINED BY FAITH BY BELIEVING IN CHRIST………NOT BY DOING

    SEE IT IN TITUS 3 ALSO

    5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

    6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

    7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

    SEE IT AGAIN IN ROMANS 4

    4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

    2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

    3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

    4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

    5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

  11. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    RE…ETERNAL LIFE IS OBTAINED BY FAITH BY BELIEVING IN CHRIST………NOT BY DOING

    BIBLE TEACHINGS:

    DILIGENCE, PATIENCE, AND ENDURING TO THE END IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE OUR SALVATION:

    2 Peter 1:4-10; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Heb. 12:1,7,14,15; Heb. 10:36; James 1:12; Mark 13:13; Heb. 6:15; Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:7,10,11; Col. 1:22-29; James 5:7-12; 1 John 2:24-25.

    WHY? Rom. 8:16-18; Rev. 3:19-21; Rev. 21:7; Heb.12:9,10; Acts 17:28,29

    THE WORDS OF CHRIST HIMSELF:

    HIS TEACHINGS SHOW THAT OBEDIENCE IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE; THERE IS NO HINT OF “ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED” OR INSTANT SALVATION WITHOUT WORKS:

    Matt. 19: 16-23 (POINT BLANK: TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS); see also Mark 10:17-30; Luke 18:18-30

    Luke 10:25-28 (AGAIN: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS TO BE SAVED)

    Mark 12: 28-34 (CHRIST TEACHES THE TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS, AND TELLS ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THEM THAT HE IS “NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD”)

    Luke 11:28 (BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO THE WORD OF GOD)

    SERMON ON THE MOUNT

    Matt. chapters 5 to 7 (FOCUSES ON WORKS, BEHAVIOR)
    Matt. 5:19-21 (MUST KEEP COMMANDMENTS)
    Matt 5:48 (MUST SEEK TO BE PERFECT)
    Matt. 7:13,14 (THE GATE IS STRAIGHT AND NARROW)
    Matt. 7:21-23 (MUST DO GOD’S WILL; CHRISTIANS WHO DID EVIL WILL NOT GO TO HEAVEN)
    Matt. 7:24-28 (THOSE WHO DO WHAT CHRIST SAYS ARE BUILT ON A SURE FOUNDATION)
    Matt. 24:13 (ENDURE TO THE END TO BE SAVED) – see also Matt. 10:22 and Mark 13:13
    Matt. 12:35-37 (WILL BE JUDGED BY OUR WORDS, TO BE CONDEMNED OR JUSTIFIED)
    Matt. 16:24-27 (WE’LL BE JUDGED BY OUR WORKS)
    John 8:31-32 (WE MUST CONTINUE IN THE WORD OF CHRIST)
    Luke 21:19 (PATIENCE IS REQUIRED TO PRESERVE OUR SOULS)
    Luke 21:34-36 (BE CAUTIOUS, AVOID SIN, TO BE COUNTED WORTHY TO STAND BEFORE GOD)
    Mark 11:25-26 (WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS TO BE FORGIVEN OURSELVES)
    John 5: 28,29 (THOSE THAT DO GOOD OBTAIN LIFE)
    John 14:15,21,23 (CHRIST TEACHES US TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS)
    John 15: 1-14 (WE MUST BEAR FRUIT, KEEP COMMANDMENTS)
    Matt. 13:3-23 (PARABLE OF THE SOWER: HE WARNS THAT SOME RECEIVE THE WORD AND BELIEVE, BUT DO NOT ENDURE: WILL THEY BE IN GOD’S KINGDOM? See Luke 9:24-26)
    Matt. 12:50 (MUST DO HIS WILL TO HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST)
    Matt. 13:40-43 (PARABLE OF THE TARES: THOSE IN HIS KINGDOM WHO DO EVIL ARE DAMNED)
    John 12:50 (THE FATHER’S COMMANDMENT IS LIFE EVERLASTING)
    See also Luke 21: 19,34-36; Matt. 25 (esp. v. 31-46); John 3:5

    JUDGED BY WORKS:
    Rom. 2: 4-11; Rev. 20: 12-15; Matt. 16:27; Gal. 6: 7-9; Rev. 22:12-14; 2 Cor. 5:9,10; Col. 3:24-25; John 5:28,29; Eccl. 12:13,14; 1 Peter 1:17; Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12; Rev. 2:23; 1 Peter 4:17-19.

    REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE ARE REQUIRED FOR SALVATION:
    Acts 2:37-38; Matt. 4:17; Acts 17:30,31; 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Cor. 7:9-11; Ezekiel 18:4,5,9,20-27,30-32; Ezekiel 33:11-20; Acts 26:20; Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47; Heb. 5:8,9; Rom. 2: 4-11; Prov. 4:4; Prov. 19:16; Deut. 6:17; Eccl. 12:13,14; Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3; 1 Sam. 15:22; Jerem. 7:23; 2 Cor. 10:5,6; Exo. 19:5; Deut. 29:9-15; John 7:17; Rom. 6:16; James 4:6-10; 2 Thess. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Matt. 5:48; Lev. 11:45; Lev. 19:2; Lev. 20:7,26; Matt. 5:19-20; Rev. 3:5,19-21; Joel 2:12,13; 2 Cor. 10:5,6; 2 Cor. 7:15; Phil. 2:8.

    SAVED BY GRACE – BUT WE ACCESS THAT GRACE BY OBEDIENCE:
    Eph. 2:8; Rev. 22:12-14; Philippians 3:12-14; Heb. 5:8,9; Exodus 20:6; James 4:6-10; Matt. 5:7; 1 Peter 1:13-22.

    WE MUST DO, NOT JUST BELIEVE:
    James, Chapters 1 and 2; 1 John 3:18,19; Matt. 7:21-27; Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:9,10; Titus 2; 1 Peter 1:22; Matt. 12:50; 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

    CHRISTIANS CAN FALL FROM GRACE, SO BE CAUTIOUS:
    Heb. 12:15; 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Pet. 1:4-10; Heb. 3: 12-14; Heb. 4:1,11; Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 21:34-36; Phil. 2:12; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26-31; 2 Cor. 6:1; Jude 1:3-13; Col. 1:23; James 5:12,19,20.

    SIN CAN KEEP YOU OUT OF HEAVEN:
    1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 5:3-7; 1 Thess. 4:1-7; Col. 3:5-25; Jude 1:14-25; Heb. 12:1-17; James 4:4; Matt. 5:22; Matt. 25: 31-46; Ezek. 18.

    WE MUST GROW AND PROGRESS THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO BE SAVED:
    2 Peter 1:3-10 (heavy!); 1 John 2:4,5; Phil. 3:12-15.

    http://gracereignsbiblebelievers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/psx_20190822_102632-016154700526633470472.jpeg

  12. GP Avatar
    GP

    Now let us look at verse 26
    And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” or
    In the law what has been written and is on record? In what way do you read it?

    Jesus frequently answered question with His own question. Jesus turned the tables on the lawyer by asking 2 questons. He then complimented the lawyer on correctly citing Lev. 19:18 and Deut. 6:5.

    What is written in the Law? – Written is grapho in the perfect tense signifying it stands written and speaks of the permanence of the Word of God. It is here referring to the Law of Moses. How fitting that the lawyer was sent back to the Law! Jesus knew that no one was saved by keeping the Law, but presumably He sought to drive this lawyer to see the impossibility of keeping the Law. Paul explains the purpose of the Law

    But the Scripture has shut up (enclosed, encircled) everyone under (subject to the power and penalty of) sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Gal 3:22-24)

    How does it read to you?” How do you understand it?” (NET) “How do you read it?” (NIV, ESV, CSB, NLT) “What is your reading of it?’ (NJB) “As a lawyer it was his business to know the facts in the law and the proper interpretation of the law….The rabbis had a formula, “What readest thou?”

    Jesus Christ never treated the Old Testament lightly but some of us imagine that we have got beyond the Old Testament, and therefore hardly ever turn to its ancient pages. Believe me, the testaments are one: as the day is one—the twilight and the noon-tide, as the year is one—so are the testaments of God one. And no man can profoundly interpret the New Testament who is not profoundly conversant with the Old.”

    Jesus’s question was a most appropriate answer to a lawyer. “ You ask me what you should do; well, you profess to be a teacher of the law, you ought, therefore, to know what is written in the law.”

    Do any of you want to live by the law? There is the law. Does any man here pretend that he has kept it? Let me ask any man here who would justify himself by his own works, have you thought of God today? How much time have you spent with God? or yesterday, how much of your time did you give him ¾how many minutes? Would you venture to say that you spent a quarter of an hour in prayer? No, perhaps, if it comes to the truth, you did not spend five minutes.

    Now, if you loved God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength, and all your mind, do you think that five minutes would satisfy such a love as that? Oh, no, sirs, you that are unconverted give God no love at all, and how can you think therefore, that you are keeping his law which puts it so strongly, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart? and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself”? Have you ever done that? Neither the first nor the second table of the law have you kept intact.

  13. GP Avatar
    GP

    Luke 10:28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.
    Wuest – And He said to him, You answered correctly. Be doing this and you shall live.
    He said to him – Once again quoting from the OT, this time from Lev 18:5
    ‘So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD. (Lev 18:5).
    See also (Ezek 20:11, also in Ezek 20:13, 21)

    I gave them My statutes and informed them of My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live. You have answered correctly – (You have responded with discretion) –
    There was only one problem with the lawyer’s answer. No one ever did or ever can perfectly “DO” what the law requires towards God and man. To slip once is to fail. As James 2:10 explained ” whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”
    Leviticus 18:5-note says
    “So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them (which of course no man could do but Jesus); I am the LORD.”

    The answer was correct so far as the words went. In the paralel passage in Mark 12:34 Jesus commends the scribe for agreeing to his interpretation of the first and the second commandments. That scribe was “not far from the kingdom of God,” but this lawyer was “tempting” Jesus.

    Jesus affirms that the man has answered correctly (orthos, “right,” “properly,” from which our word “orthodox” is derived). This does not mean that the inquirer has grasped the full meaning of the law, nor does it support the idea held by many Pharisees that by keeping the law, as some kind of contract with God, a person can earn eternal life.
    Recall that the lawyer had asked what shall I DO, so here Jesus tosses the “DO” back to him!

    Don’t misunderstand — Jesus is not teaching a works based way to inherit eternal life, but He is saying in essence if you do this perfectly, without one sin, then you will attain eternal life.

    Of course what Jesus was commanding the lawyer to do was literally impossible and should have served to make him drop to his knees and beg for mercy. Instead, the stubborn, prideful lawyer sought vainly to justify himself or show himself to be righteous, which is exactly what every religion other than Christianity futilely tries to accomplish. They are all unwilling to believe the only work that the Father accepts is the finished work of His Son on the Cross, where He paid the price in full for men’s sins (cp Jn 19:30-note).

    At first, it might appear that the Lord was teaching salvation by law-keeping. Such was not the case. God never intended that anyone should ever be saved by keeping the law. The purpose of the law is not to save from sin, but to produce the knowledge of sin. The function of the law is to show man what a guilty sinner he is.”

    When Jesus tells the man to “do this and you will live,” He is not saying, you can get to heaven by being perfect. He is using the man’s statement and saying, “Assuming it is true for the sake of argument, do it and you will live.” Jesus is just holding up a mirror so the man can see his sin. He makes an accommodating statement – to accommodate the man’s understanding and help him see the truth. Jesus knew the man could never do it. He wanted the man to see it too. You’ve heard the statement – “You’ve got to get them lost before you can get them saved.” That is what is going on here. Jesus is trying to make the man see his need for salvation.

    DO (this is hypothetical because it was impossible) – present imperative = command to continually practice sacrificial, unconditional love. “Keep on doing this forever.”

    Note that “DOING WORKS” does not save anyone. On the contrary, doing this “work” of loving God first and foremost and also loving your neighbor sacrificially shows that one has a new heart and a new Spirit within causing him to walk in God’s holy statutes (Ezek 36:27-note).

    There was only one trouble with the lawyer’s answer. No one ever did or ever can “do” what the law lays down towards God and man always. To slip once is to fail. So Jesus put the problem squarely up to the lawyer who wanted to know by doing what. Of course, if he kept the law perfectly always, he would inherit eternal life.

    If the lawyer could do this from birth to death, he would not need salvation. He would not be lost. But even then, his reward would only be long life on earth, not eternal life in heaven. As long as he lived sinlessly, he would go on living. Eternal life is only for sinners who acknowledge their lost condition and who are saved by God’s grace

    There we have the gospel of good works, the theology of the man who says, “I’m doing the best I can.” The Lord overlooked the flaw in this clever lawyer’s original question—”What shall I do to inherit?” Usually, an inheritance is received, not earned. In any case, we cannot do anything to gain eternal life for the simple reason that we are incapable of doing anything good enough for God (Rom. 3:9-20).

    The two passages that the lawyer quoted prove man’s incompetence to produce anything good enough for God. No one but Jesus ever loved God with all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength. No one but Jesus ever loved his neighbor as himself. Nobody has ever done the best he could. People who imagine that works is the way to heaven stand condemned by their own religion

    Jesus’ quotation of Lv 18:5—do this and you will live (Lk 10:28b)—brought home the devastating point that perfect obedience to the law was not possible. At this point the lawyer should have realized the inherent error of “works righteousness” implied in his opening question.

    The lawyer was not ready to give up and so wishing to justify himself (Lk 10:29a) he evasively asked another question—And who is my neighbor? (Lk 10:29b).

    In Mk 12:34 Jesus commends the scribe for agreeing to his interpretation of the first and the second commandments. That scribe was “not far from the kingdom of God,” but this lawyer was “testing” Jesus (Lu 10:25).

  14. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    ROMANS 3:28 IS OFTEN CITED TO SUGGEST THAT NO ACTIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SAVED: “a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” But I think Paul is describing the dead works of the law of Moses, which the Jews simply called “the law.” (See John 1:17: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”) His next words make it clear that he referred to the unique law of the Jews, for he asks “Is he the God of the Jews only?” Then, in verse 30, he says that God will justify both the circumcised and the uncircumcised through faith. The old law, the law of Moses, which included circumcision and sacrifices, had been fulfilled by the Atonement of Christ and was no longer needed (Galatians 3:24-27), though many new converts still clung to that tradition. Paul and others worked hard to show the new Christians (including the converted Jews in Rome, to whom Paul wrote the book of Romans) that their old tradition, the law, was dead. Now the critical thing was faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, accepting His grace and His infinite sacrifice. But it is incorrect to say that no actions are now needed to accept that grace. Christ invites us into a covenant relationship in which He pays our debts, forgives our sins, makes us new creatures and gives us eternal life – but we must do our part. In Hebrews 6:1-2, Paul taught that we must have faith in Christ, repent, be baptized for the remission of sins, and receive the Holy Ghost. Likewise, Christ taught that we must be baptized to enter into heaven (John 3:3-5; Mark 16:16), as taught Paul (Titus 3:5; Romans 6:3-8; cf. Gal. 3:27), Peter (1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:37-41), and others.

    Paul also warned many times that sin could lead believers to fall from grace (1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3: 12-14, Heb. 2:1-3; Heb. 4:1-11) and said that salvation requires that we “hold the beginnings of our confidence stedfast unto the end” (Heb. 3:14) and that we “labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall” (Heb. 4:11). Indeed, he urged us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) and to seek eternal life “by patient continuance in well doing” (Rom. 2:7) since God “will render to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6). In 2 Cor. 5:9,10, he said that Christians labor to be accepted of God since we will all be judged for the deeds we do in the flesh. Again, it is not works or baptism or any act of ours that saves us, but Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, we must accept His free gift by following and obeying Him who, in the words of Paul, is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). If we are cautious and take heed to learn God’s doctrine and continue in it (obeying Him), then, as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:16, we will be saved and can help save those that hear us.

    https://biblepic.com/53/29764.jpg

  15. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    FAITH INCLUDES WORKS –

    By isolating certain passages of scripture and regarding them as though they are complete in themselves some readers have assumed inconsistency if not contradiction to exist. Paul has been misrepresented as a proponent of the sufficiency of faith without works, and James has been cited in opposition. Compare Rom. 4:25; 9:11; Gal. 2:16; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5, with James 1:22, 23; 2:14-26. Paul specifies the outward forms and ceremonies of the Mosaic law, which had been superseded by the higher requirements of the Gospel, as unessential works. James speaks of actual effort and effective deeds as the works that result from true faith in God and His requirements. But after all, the apparent differences lie in the words and not in the spirit or the fact. The following note by Elder J.M. Sjodahl of the Church Historian’s Office is instructive and in point: “If we comprehend fully the meaning in which the authors of the scriptures use the word ‘faith’ we shall see that there is no difference in meaning between true faith and works of faith. In the Bible the two terms mean the same thing. James does not contradict Paul. For, to ‘believe’ is to live by the laws of the gospel.

    In spite of Paul’s much-quoted teachings on grace and the abolition of the law (often meaning the Law of Moses), Paul understood and taught that we must be obedient and strive to “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), as was demonstrated in many passages in the main discourse above (e.g., Heb. 5:8,9 and many others). A final example of this concept comes from Romans 6:15-16:

    15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

    16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

    In other words, we must yield ourselves to obey Christ and become his servants, with our obedience leading to righteousness – through the grace of Christ. AGAIN, THERE IS AN ALL-IMPORTANT INTERACTION BETWEEN GOD’S GRACE AND OUR FREE AGENCY. He does not force us toward salvation or damnation, but we are free to choose to obey him, to yield to him, and to become his servants who then enjoy the blessings of his grace. Without that gift, without his mercy, all our obedience would count for nothing because we would still be stained by our inevitable sins and we would be unclean and unable to dwell in his presence.

    https://i.pinimg.com/originals/39/2e/8c/392e8c8c7603c1097d07a5bcf0826b85.jpg

  16. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE HARDLY EXISTED AS A DOCTRINE UNTIL INTRODUCED BY AUGUSTINE, WHO WAS SORELY TROUBLED BY HIS WICKED PAST.

    Until Luther, that doctrine was not accepted by the majority of Christians who continued to believe that good works were required for salvation.

    Luther’s views are not supported by early Christian documents such as the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. It is surprising that many modern Christians would deny the Christian status of anyone who does not accept a doctrinal position that hardly existed before the sixteenth century. (In addition to the quotations of early Christians on this page, you may wish to read the work of an evangelical Christian, David W. Bercot, Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up: A New Look at Today’s Evangelical Church in the Light of Early Christianity, 3rd. edition (Tyler, Texas: Scroll Publishing, 1999), especially pages 56-68. Excerpts from Bercot can be read on pages by Stephen Jones and Marc Schindler.)

    As to the relation of Luther’s views to the Bible, Luther had great difficulty with many writers other than Paul – and even Paul does not support him. The Sermon on the Mount, for example, gives no hint of salvation without works, but focuses on standards for human behavior, on sacrifice, of love, service, endurance, and teaches that such works are essential to salvation. Luther, however, said that the Sermon on the Mount was “a masterpiece of the devil,” for he felt that Satan had done much harm by “misusing” the confusing teachings in it to suggest that works were needed. Luther also distrusted James and several other books that did not agree with his philosophy.

    We should remember, of course, that the Apostle Peter was concerned about misunderstandings that might arise from the writings of Paul, as Peter explained in a passage that exhorts us to be diligent, to endure, to grow, and to beware lest we fall (2 Peter 3:14-18):

    14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
    15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
    16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
    17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
    18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

    Peter’s concerns were justified, for many have misunderstood Paul’s writings and have failed to understand our need to endure and to be diligent in obeying Christ. Many have misunderstood the role of works and keeping the commandments of God. Fortunately, many Christians have known and obeyed the truth written in their hearts.

    https://biblicalbeginningsblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/img_4823.jpg?w=364&h=364

  17. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ Grenville II
    Good Monday Sermon.
    I particularly love the phrase: ” He chose to…..” which you wrote three times. We Christians have to choose to implement the commandments /advice. God has given us the freedom. I wonder why many expect God to enforce.

  18. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    GP,

    Let us keep it in teaching mode! A great way of showing the importance of CONTEXT and how it can lead us to a completely different place. This is indeed how I was taught by those who do not just dabble in the Bible but who have dedicated their lives to its study. And your conclusion is indeed how they have presented it. Grenville’s sermon places the burden on us as though we are able to carry it. We will therefore become frustrated each time we fail. Your version tells us that God knows we will fail and must look to the only one who can carry it for us. Therefore though we fail we will not become discouraged and even angry that God seems to have set us an impossible task.

    Your presentation is, as usual, quite thorough and therefore longer than the average person’s attention span in today’s world. If delivered by spoken word, it would not seem as long. But this is BU so…….

    Could you summarise the main points for those who need that?

    PS. I hope it’s not too late to respond to your Valentine’s greetings and wish that you and your wife have an extended celebration.

  19. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST AND THE GRACE HE OFFERS US IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE COULD EVER KNOW.

    It is the core of the Gospel, and should be at the core of our lives. We must likewise know how He offers us the riches of his grace, and what we must DO to accept and partake of that grace. And therein lies the confusion that clouds much of the popular theology of today, a confusion that sadly clouds the thinking of some Christians.

    NO EFFORT REQUIRED? CONSIDER THE WORDS OF CHRIST IN LUKE 9:23-24:

    23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
    24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

    THE SCRIPTURES TO CLARIFY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GRACE, WORKS, AND SALVATION IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE, they are two major misconceptions that have led to much confusion and error. THE FIRST MISCONCEPTION, which in ignorance has been taught by a few Christians, is that we earn our way to heaven by keeping commandments. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE. As we will see in a moment, it is completely inconsistent with the scriptures. WITHOUT THE GRACE OF CHRIST, NOTHING WE DID IN THIS LIFE WOULD HAVE ANY ETERNAL VALUE. All the obedience in the world cannot cleanse one of sin or conquer death – only the grace of Christ gives us such hope.

    THE SECOND MISCONCEPTION, one that has become surprisingly common among Christian churches, is that we are saved by grace without any effort on our part, that once we are saved we are guaranteed salvation without the need to keep the commandments of Christ. Now the meaning of this phrase, “KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS,” is that we strive to obey and follow Christ, but not that we must fulfill every letter perfectly, for none can do that. BUT CHRIST ASKS US TO FOLLOW HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART, AND WE DO THAT BY STRIVING TO OBEY AND HONOUR HIM. Our failure to be perfect is made up by His grace, for His grace is sufficient to cover our failings and imperfections if we truly strive to accept Him.

    https://image1.slideserve.com/3024270/slide1-n.jpg

  20. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    GOD’S WILL TO SAVE ONLY A FEW?

    Paul taught that God “will have [wants] all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Further, 2 Peter 3:9 teaches that God wants none to perish but wants all men to repent (see also Acts 17:30 and 2 Cor. 7:10). And Christ taught that “it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt. 18:14).

    Many popular teachings about grace and works derive from Martin Luther’s teaching of justification by faith alone, the idea that nothing we can do – other than believe – can have any impact on our eternal relationship with Christ. This doctrine, which is tied to Luther’s views on human free will and predestination. For now, let me just point out that salvation by “faith alone” or “faith only” is not a biblical doctrine. Such terminology occurs only once that I am aware of in the Bible, in a verse many Protestants may not hear very often over the pulpit, for that verse, James 2:24, explicitly teaches that faith alone is NOT sufficient for salvation: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” The Greek phrase  means “not by faith alone.” This is what the Bible teaches: salvation by “faith alone” directly and explicitly contradicts the New Testament, which says that salvation is NOT by faith alone. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17), and if dead, it is clearly not sufficient for salvation. In fact, even Paul states that even if he had “all faith” but lacked charity, he would be nothing (1 Cor. 13:3), and concludes that among faith, hope, and charity, charity is the greatest (1 Cor. 13:13). The idea that faith alone is sufficient is simply not what the Bible teaches.

    Further, as to demonstrate in the review of Biblical teachings below, THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE WITHOUT ANY REQUIREMENT FOR OBEDIENCE IS NOT TRULY CONSISTENT WITH BIBLICAL TEACHINGS ON SALVATION, ON JUDGMENT, ON FREE WILL, AND ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAITH, AND WORKS. The intent, is to clarify the truth about salvation and grace.

    The truth is that we are saved by the grace of Christ which is offered to us through a covenant, a two-way contract: if we accept Christ and do our part, following and obeying him, then Christ does everything else, forgiving us, cleansing us, healing us, and giving us power to return to the presence of the Father – not because we earned it, but because we accepted the terms upon which he offers his infinite grace and mercy. EVEN IN THE DAYS OF MOSES, THE LORD PROCLAIMED THAT GOD “SHOWS MERCY TO THOSE THAT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS” (DEUT. 5:10), A PRINCIPLE THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.

    https://dailybiblememe.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/1corinthians13-13.jpg

  21. GP Avatar
    GP

    DONNA
    wHEREAS it’s not too late to respond to your Valentine’s greetings ETC, IT IS MUCH TOO LATE FOR GPII TO RECOVER FROM THE FOLLY OF HIS WAYS

    IN INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE IT IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE WORDS USED, THEIR CONTEXT, AND TO COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN ONE FAILING TO GET THE CORRECT COUNSEL OF GOD.

    SCRIPTURE, ESPECIALLY ROMANS 3 ASSERTS THAT MAN COULD NOT KEEP THE MOSAIC LAW. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT ALONG WITH THE LAW, GOD GAVE THE JEWS SEVERAL OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES THEY COULD BRING TO GOD AS SIN OR TRESPASS OFFERINGS

    AFTER CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS THE FOCUS IS NOT FOR US TO KEEP THE LAW AND BRING TO GOD AS SIN OR TRESPASS OFFERINGS

    WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE DISPENSATION OF THE LAW BUT UNDER THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

    WE ARE TOLD TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST FOR SALVATION, AND TO CONTINUE IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE

  22. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    MERCY AND FORGIVENESS FROM GOD IS A GIFT, BUT WE MUST MEET THE CONDITIONS GOD HAS GIVEN TO RECEIVE THAT GIFT. WE MUST REPENT AND HUMBLY FOLLOW CHRIST.

    We can recognise of the Falseness of the Societies that we have built we just need to correct our ways and life will be better. The same way if we were to embark on a Journey it starts with a single step. To correct the Fallacy that we follow we need to start by changing our ways at least one at a time. In the Scriptures it is called Repentance. Turning everything Upside-down because you recognise the Falsities, all it gives is an Upside-down world and confusion. So you have to start with One Step, that One Step is Usually or should be our own self.

    Now you may begin to Realise you are like the Prophets of Old, speaking out against the waywardness of the community entertaining False Doctrines and Practices being led away in their Understanding of the Plain Simpleness of the Way by those Steeped in Tradition as the Pharisees and Sadducee’s, much like the one spouting here that others are beyond God’s Saving Grace. Because of Pride they had the Christ put to death because they risked loosing their Position. Such were those of old who Vilified and Killed Prophets. Isaiah was sawed in half, John the Baptist had his head cut off to name only two and they all spoke of Repentance. We need to Repent also.

    Even Unbelievers can recognise the importance of Repentance in themselves first, Saving a Nation starts with the first Individual, Oneself. When we are well on the way our Vision will be Clearer. It is only if we are on higher ground in our Understanding can we Extend a Hand Up to Another. That is why the Scriptures say he that is greater among you let him serve.

    So those who are have a better understanding can Serve those who are of a lesser Understanding that we may all come to a Unity of the Faith. Our Nobel and Great Calling is to Teach each other with Diligence and God’s Grace will attend us. Teach words of Wisdom out of the Best Books and Seek to Learn by Study and also by Faith.

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D0iIxJ9XcAEqNCe.jpg

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzM0MvlXQAE-Yy6.jpg

  23. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    The God(s) seem to be like Marvel Superheroes comic books stories.

  24. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    BY THE LAW NO FLESH IS JUSTIFIED….

    Redemption comes in and through the Holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth. He offered himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A BROKEN HEART AND A CONTRITE SPIRIT; and UNTO NONE ELSE CAN THE ENDS OF THE LAW BE ANSWERED…No flesh…can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through THE MERITS, AND MERCY, AND GRACE OF THE HOLY MESSIAH, who lay down his life according to the flesh, and took it again by the power of the Spirit…

    After we have gotten into this strait and narrow path [referring to faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost], I would ask if all is done? I say unto you, NO; for you have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

    Therefore, we must press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Therefore if we press forwards, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, You shall have eternal life.

    https://dailyverses.net/images/en/kjv/1-corinthians-15-58-3.jpg

  25. Rock33 Avatar
    Rock33

    @ Grenville Phillips.
    @ GP.

    https://youtu.be/QqFtpV4i4zs

  26. Rock33 Avatar
    Rock33

    @ GP & Grenville

    https://youtu.be/SOTYUWLiAbw

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