Terry wrote: > I am not one of the children of Isreal (Lev.27:34). > I am not under the law, but grace. I have never even > sacrificed a calf.
You do not have to be a child of Israel to be under law. Being under law is a state of mind. Most Christians are under law, even those who declare that the law of Moses has been annulled. Terry wrote: > As for Romans 7, I have read it, but never really studied it. > Please tell me what you think it says in terms a three year > old could understand. Maybe I can benefit from your insight. Sorry, but I can't get on a 3 year old's level concerning Romans 7. A 3 year old has no ability to comprehend such things. Romans 7 describes the condemnation that comes from living under law. Living under law means that you receive knowledge of something being wrong (such as coveting), then you try not to do it (not covet), yet you find yourself doing it anyway. This is what you seem to describe when you talk about knowing something is wrong yet still doing it. Terry wrote: > I gather from Hebrews, seventh chapter, that the > law was annuled even for those once under it, > because of its weakness and unprofitableness. > I would also appreciate your comments on this > chapter if you feel that I am in error. As a covenant, those seeking to be righteous must annul their covenant of law because righteousness cannot come through it. Neverthless, this does not mean that the law is no longer in existence anymore than one would say that marriage is no longer an institution just because some people have their marriages annulled. Matthew 5 makes it clear that the law would not be destroyed until heaven and earth passes away. Even common sense tells us that the law continues, for which of us would vote to get rid of laws in our nation such as, "thou shalt not commit murder" or "thou shalt not steal"? What Hebrews 7 talks about is another priesthood and change in covenant with God whereby we become righteous. We put away the old priesthood and the old law in that it was part of a different covenant. Terry wrote: > At what point between 35 and 80 does this > change from an infraction to a sin? >From a civil standpoint, when someone's life is endangered or a policeman decides you are endangering others and so he charges you with a crime in addition to or instead of speeding. >From a moral standpoint, a sin is simply when you are not walking in love. Slipping 1 mile over the speed limit does not in itself qualify for that. However, when you recklessly endanger others, that would qualify. Speed limits change all the time. Remember when they had that 55 mph cap? Now you can go 70 on most interstates. It use to be that way before also. So was 56 mph a "sin" during the time when the law said 55 but now it is not? Terry wrote: > Does something have to be a crime to be > a sin, or can little infractions qualify under > certain conditions? I was just trying to point out that even our community recognizes the difference between speeding and a criminal offense. Generally speaking, a sin is a crime and a crime is a sin. Of course, our laws are a little goofed up and some sins are not crimes or infractions anymore (e.g., adultery, homosexuality). Terry wrote: > ... the first instinct in this feeble mind is to consider > the offender a jerk. This is usually followed by > immediate repentance, Realizing that I am not > behaving as I should, but the thought has been thunk! Yup, sounds like you are under law to me. The New Covenant changes you on the inside, in your heart. Under faith, we renew our minds in the Holy Ghost so that our reaction is more along the lines of hoping for the best for the other person. When we are under law, we know in our heads what we should do, but we don't always find the ability in our heart to do it. Read Romans 7. In Christ, we are transformed to walk in the Spirit so was no longer walk in this kind of condemnation. Read Romans 8. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida USA ---------- "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.
