Glenn wrote: > The commandments have changed. What? Have you become a Mormon now? LOL.
Jesus taught that until heaven and earth passed away, there would be no change in the commandments. Mat 5:18 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. Mat 5:19 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. Now notice that verse 19 says that those who break one of these least commandments will still be "in the kingdom of heaven." So I'm not going to argue against the idea that one can break the commandments and still receive the kingdom of heaven. What does concern me is teaching men that they can break the commandments, and what is even worse is to contradict Jesus Christ and claim that the commandments have changed. To claim that the commandments have changed suggests that you believe that righteousness still comes by keeping the law, but by keeping the "NEW" commandments rather than the "OLD" ones. Either that, or you don't believe that there are any commandments at all, which would make you an anarchist. Either way, such understanding that the commandments have "changed" is departing from the doctrine of Christ. There is a right way to understand how the law has been done away, and that is in regard to how a person obtains righteousness. It has to do with our walk in the Lord. Let me give you an example. Suppose that when I drive my car, I am conscientious about being safe. Out of my concern and understanding that my car is a lethal weapon, I always drive within the posted speed limits, but without even looking at the speed limit signs. In such a situation, the laws have been done away with for me. I don't really pay attention to the posted laws because I abide by the laws without really paying attention to them. Now it might be fair for me to say that there has been a doing away with the laws concerning speeding in my life, but it is only with respect to my personal observance of them. I don't care about the speed limit laws per se. I only care about driving safely in such a way that I don't cause other people harm. As long as I abide within the speed limit, there will be no problem with my teaching others to walk in the same way, ignoring the letter of the law, but abiding in the spirit of the law. Nevertheless, the laws are still there and in force. If I were to violate them, I would be reminded that they are in force by a policeman pulling me over and writing me a ticket. The law then has application in my life if I become a transgressor, but if by nature I keep the law, then I am not a transgressor, even if I am ignorant of the law and don't even know what it says. "For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Rom 2:11-16) Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
