-----Original Message-----
From: David Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 09:06:26 -0400
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Re:John 16:13,14
John wrote: > I should have said it this way: the law is no longer > the standard by which we are judged. The Spirit is > that standard in Christ. We are judged in Christ. I agree with Judy that Scripture does not appear to support this viewpoint, but even if you were right, where are you going with this? Are you thinking that the standard of the Spirit is lower than than the standard of the law? I have the perspective that the standard of the Spirit is higher than the standard of the law when I read Mat. 5.
I really do not know how to get this across to you. I believe that the faith by which we are saved
is my attachment in faith to the faith of Jesus Christ and this faith (His faith) is exchanged or
"reckoned" as if I were righteous (righteousness = compliance to the Law of God). The Sermon on the
Mount is an impossible declaration of righteous endeavor(in places) and Christ is making just that very point
IMO. I do not believe that He expected anyone hearing his message to cut a hand off or pluck an eyeout of socket. Neither is He being critical of the law, presenting legal extension where none existed before. Rather, He is laying the foundation for salvation by grace while, at t he same time,
presenting some very good lessons on life, spiritual well being and effective community.
John wrote:
> This passage [John 12:48] cannot be used
> to mean the re establishment of the rule of law.
You presume that the law has been done away with when you use the word
"re-establish." Where does the Bible teach that the law has been
"unestablished" or "abolished"?"Fulfillment" is the vehicle for the ending of the Law as a judgment factor in our lives. we are
in (eis - into) Christ and are judged in Him -- happy is the man to whom sin is not accounted !!
John wrote:
> Why? there is just so much in scripture
> that opposes such a conclusion.
Then it should be easy for you to post just one passage of Scripture that
would be your strongest argument to say that John 12:48 has been done away
with and is no longer true.I believe that John 12:48 tells us that those who reject Christ are judged by the law. I am in
Christ. I am not a subject of that judgment. John wrote: > If we are to be judged by law, there would > be no point in the coming of Christ. The point would be what we read in Romans 2:5-16, that those in Christ will walk as Christ, who kept the law. They will be as Paul describes, "when
Gentiles who do not have the law do instinctively the things of the Law ... they show the work of the Law written in their hearts..." (Rom. 2:14-15 NASB).
I believe the salvation of the saints is a done deal - there is no question as to whether I am
saved or not. I think you agree. The Gentiles in Romans 2 are not Christian disciples. Their
salvation is not a done deal - "his conscience either excusing or accusing him on the day when God
judges the secrets of men through Jesus Christ." I do not face judgment day hoping that my
conscience will be the appeal needed for my salvation. On judgment day, I will appear to God
IN CHRIST AND AS AN ADOPTED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY OF GOD. Judgment day will not be the time
when I am saved -- God making that
decision at that t ime based upon whether I am fully obedient or not. Judgment day will be the day
I receive (in the fullest sense) my salvation BUT I AM ALREADY SAVED. Gentiles who instinctively keep the law because it is written on their hearts have nothing to fear about being judged by anything in the law.
MOST ASSUREDLY THEY DO HAVE SOMETHING TO FEAR - their salvation (v 15) is a maybe thing. Outside
of Christ, there is no other kind of salvation.
We are actually judged by a man, Christ Jesus, rather than a book of laws, but that book of laws helps us understand the standard by which Jesus Christ will judge us.
If we are saved before the judgment day, then our salvation cannot possibly be based upon the
keeping of the law; our life is not over -- our walk "in the law" is not completed - yet we are
saved. What is complete is our adoptions as sons and daughters and we have a seal or guarantee
(the Spirit) of that very fact!!! Judgment Day is not a surprise to those who have this guarantee. John wrote: > ... we should always guard against becoming > puff up because of what we know. And the > "truth" we know, I think will "puff" us up > quicker than anything because such knowledge > actually works !! A worthwhile caveat that all students of Scripture need to keep before them. This is another example of those many areas in which we agree completely. 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.
