Terry wrote: > No one could be perfect under the law. > We agree on that I think, because all have > sinned and come short.
Yes. Terry wrote: > The picture remains the same in the new testament > with one important exception. We can be considered > perfect because of a perfect sacrifice that was made in > our behalf. Never because we are able to do all that > the Lord commands, or because we can refrain from > doing all that He has forbidden. We all have sinned and > come short, and hard as we try to live the perfect life, > we ain't gonna do it if you define sin the way it was meant > to be defined. We try, and as time goes on, we get better > at it, but I cannot name one who has arrived at perfection, > including the apostle Paul. What you are teaching here is contrary to the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Please read Matthew 5 again. The whole chapter. Read it several times. Pay attention to the following part as you read it: Matthew 5:17-20 (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. Notice that in verse 19, Jesus identifies some men who DO the least commandments and TEACH THEM. Jesus calls these people great in the kingdom of heaven. In this same verse, he also identifies some who do not keep the least commandments and who teach others that they cannot or should not be kept. BOTH ARE IN THE KINGDOM. Now read the rest of the chapter and notice how Jesus gets to the root of sin. Hatred leads to murder, so what does Jesus teach? DO NOT HATE. DO NOT CALL YOUR BROTHER A MORAN. Lust leads to adultery, so what is the message to us? DO NOT LUST. Jesus teaches a love in this chapter that goes beyond courtesy. If someone sues you and takes away your shirt give him your coat too. Please don't tell me that Jesus was teaching us that we cannot love our neighbor no matter how much faith we have in him to accomplish this in us. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "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.
