What is sin?

July 31, 2012

You (and I) need to be delivered from law, but instead many SDA place believers under law. That's heresy! That's placing believers under a yoke of bondage.

Why a yoke? If I'm never measuring up to the law then I'm never saved. It's a vicious circle....And finally, in total frustration, you abandon Christ. That's why it's heresy....It's a doctrine from hell.

Go to Acts 15:1

Some men (i.e., Judaizers) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."

I believe some Adventist would say, "unless you keep the Sabbath, according to the law, you cannot be saved." Well, back then circumcision was pushed.

2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees (i.e., the Judaizers) stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses (which includes the moral law)"

Now that sounds like some Adventists. We have to keep not only the Sabbath, but all of the commandments. If not, you will not be saved!

That's legalism....That's obey and live, disobey and die.

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

July 31, 2012

why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

So God's grace, through Jesus Christ, has delivered you from under the law that condemns you to the 2nd death. If not, then you keep the law and see if you can escape death. Go ahead a try!

Let me ask you a question. If you stand before the judgment seat of God today, and the law says to you, “Have you obeyed me?” What are you going to say?

“Well, we have been taught that the law no longer applies.”

And God will say, “Who told you that?”

“Well, some theologian with a Ph.D.”

And God will say, “Since when was he your Saviour?”

The Bible is the measuring stick of truth. And the Bible says [Heb. 9:22]:

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

On the cross, Jesus met the justice of the law. And, by His life, He met the positive demands of the law. And when I stand before the judgment seat of God, and the law of God says to me, “Have you obeyed me?” I will not say to the law, “Well, I did my best.”

The law says, “I did not ask that question.”

“Well, I kept most of the law.”

The law will say, “I did not ask you that question either. Have you obeyed me in every detail?”

“Well, I goofed up a few times.”

And the law says, “I’m sorry, you must die. Once is enough.”

But I thank God I will not answer the law that way. I will say, “Yes, I have obeyed you perfectly.”

The law will say, “When did you obey me perfectly?”

“When I was in Christ. Then I had perfect obedience.”

But the law will say, “You’re a sinner, you must die.”

And I will say to the law, “Well I have bad news for you, I have already died.”

The law will say, “When did you die?”

I will quote to the law Galatians 2:20:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live....

The law will say, “Well, if that’s your position, then you are free to live.”

And I will say to the law, “Thank you.”

Because, in Christ, the law has been established on behalf of you and me. That is what verse 31 says. God doesn’t bypass His law to justify us. God holds His integrity to His law when He justifies me through His Son Jesus Christ. Because, in His Son’s holy history, God has met every demand of the law for you and for me. That is the “good news” of the Gospel.

July 31, 2012

Quote:

Did you read it?

This is the problem. FOr the read only what supports their pet beliefs.

July 31, 2012

Bingo!

August 1, 2012

Bingo!

Can I have another Bingo for my corrected version?

"This is the problem. For they read only what supports their pet beliefs.

August 1, 2012

Bingo!!!

August 1, 2012

Mt 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mt 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.

Mt 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.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

August 1, 2012

Thanks Gibs for these passages of Scripture.

Like I said earlier we now have to reason with many of our fellow adventists as if they were from the other churches who have no understanding as far as how the law and the Gospel go hand in hand.

Let us take another listen from brother Jones:

1889 Sermon #5 on Righteousness by faith,

By A.T. Jones

2 Corinthians5: 17. We have seen how we are brought into Christ and how this says if any man is brought into Christ he is a new creature. Gal. 6:15; 5:6, nothing avails but this and faith that works by love of God, being made a new creature by faith. Romans 5:1,2,5; 1 John 5:3--then keeping the commandments comes in after we are new creatures, so then we must be made good, be made righteous, before we can do good or do righteousness; 1 Corinthians 7:19--that is the aim set before us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-10.

We are created unto good works; made new creatures in Him,

His righteousness counting for our unrighteousness. The good works God's creatures are created in Christ to do are the good works we could not do before. So a new creature will aim constantly to keep the commandments. James 2:1, 9. We do not have the faith of Christ with the transgression of the law.

Christ did not come to set us free for that, because if we turn from a single point of the law our faith will not avail. But our intent is accepted and ignorant sins are forgiven, yet willful refusal to accept points of truth presented will cause us to lose all the righteousness we ever had. This explains the fast growing evil in the popular churches of today. Years ago the churches were religious--even when the third angel's message started they were accepted of God but when they refused to comply with the requirements of the message, then they lost all the righteousness they had and have had to invent all manner of means by which to keep the congregations together, by entertainments. This is the philosophy of the degeneration of the churches. James 2:14.

No more does faith profit unless it is kept alive by these works God has provided, let us show our faith by our works. Faith is the anchor that holds the craft in the right place to work and the storms beat us nearer home. Verses 21, 23.

Abraham was counted righteous when he believed and without works, the other righteousness came in twenty-five years after, so he was not counted righteous by works, that scripture was spoken when he believed and more than twenty-five years after James says the scripture was fulfilled. If he had refused to offer Isaac, his former righteousness would have disappeared, so the obedience of his faith completed his righteousness that he had by faith. Then our keeping of the commandments is not to become righteous, but because we are righteous. Romans 8:26 shows that we cannot even pray aright, but the spirit does it for us, so our prayers are acceptable only through the intercession of Christ and the merits of His blood. Rev.8 :3, 4.

Here is the intercession in the sanctuary making intercession for us and God looks upon Christ, his wounds and his sacrifice and accepts them. Christ was perfect before he came to earth, and his absence makes our prayers acceptable, God imputing his prayer for us to us. How is his righteousness imputed to us? Are our acts righteous as far as they go and is his righteousness applied to finish out the work? No. Christ's righteousness starts at the beginning and makes the action what it ought to be. Romans1:16. Is not our faith greater than when we came here? Do we not see more of his righteousness than we did? How is it we have more faith and see more of his righteousness? Why our faith has grown. So it is day by day. We came daily for greater supply of faith. And we finally have so much of Christ's divine nature in us that we can draw the bow strongly enough to hit the mark, and then we will be keeping the commandments of God. Then is it not Christ's work from the beginning and all his divine power? Where, then, do our works come in? Nowhere. Why then do we strive so hard to keep the commandments, if it avails not? It is only by faith in Christ that we can say we are Christians. It is only through being one with him that we can be Christians, and only through Christ within us that we keep the commandments--it being all by faith in Christ that we do and say these things. When the day comes that we actually keep the commandments of God, we will never die, because keeping the commandments is righteousness, and righteousness and life are inseparable--so, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus," and what is the result? These people are translated.

Life, then, and keeping the commandments go together. If we die now, Christ's righteousness will be imputed to us and we will be raised, but those who live to the end are made sinless before He comes, having so much of Christ's being in them that they "hit the mark" every time, and stand blameless without an intercessor, because Christ leaves the sanctuary sometime before he comes to earth. Now some say, "I will live better; I will try to build myself up into that place where God can accept me." If a child tries to do something to build up himself that you may think more of him, and falls, you say it was selfishness and pride,and serves him right; but if a child tries to do something simply to please you, even though bunglingly done, you commend him and praise him. So with us, if we strive to please our God, no matter how bunglingly we do it, he is so glad to put Christ's righteousness upon us and all heaven rejoices over it. How often a child tries to help mother and she lets it go on, although mother has to do it all over again--yet she delights in the effort of the child to please her. Now like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

So then we can say with David: "I delight to do thy law, oh, my God." Why? Because the love of God was shed abroad in his heart. Now let me read a few texts about pleasing God: Hebrews 11:6. The aim of faith is to please God, because he is so good. Romans 8:8. Again 2 Cor. 5:14. The love of Christ draws us and we get that love through faith. But can we love God if we cannot keep the commandments of God? No. We can do neither until we become new creatures.1 John 3:21-22. Now let us read Col. 1:9-10. We should be able to walk pleasingly before him. 1 Thess. 4:1. This then is the root and motive in keeping the commandments--to please God, and not to make ourselves righteous. God makes and keeps us righteous and then we keep the commandment to please God who has done so much for us. As then it is the power of Christ through which we keep the commandments now, and it will be his power through which we shall live forever in the new earth. His name to us is what? Jeremiah says it is "the Lord our Righteousness. " Jer.23:5-6.

August 1, 2012

Mt 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mt 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.

Mt 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.

New covenant commandments revolve around faith and love not old covenant legalistic law-keeping.

Why didn’t you quote the next verse, it adds so much more –

‘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.’ Matt 5:20

This is a picture of a performance based religion which is worth nothing in God’s eyes.

The new covenant is the fulfillment of the old and has new laws and commandments. The new law is ‘agape’ and the new commandments are to have faith and love which are not things that we can even do. They are the gift of God. Isn’t it time to start looking at Jesus instead of your sinful self.

August 1, 2012

August 1, 2012

Mt 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.

And He sums it up in verse 48: "You therefore must be perfect, (how perfect?) just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Are you as perfect as God?

Ellen White: He who says, “I am holy, I am sinless,” is self-deceived. Some have said this, and some even dare to say, “I am Christ.” To entertain such a thought is blasphemy. Not to see the marked contrast between Christ and ourselves is not to know ourselves. He who does not abhor himself can not understand the meaning of redemption. RH Sep 25, 1900

Okay, was Christ joking? No. Let's look at the context - shall we?

Matt 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

And here's where Christs ends His sermon:

Mat 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The Jewish people were heavily indoctrinated by the Scribes & Pharisees. These teaching was basic: If you want heaven you must keep the law! Sounds pretty easy, huh?

You see the Old Covenant was given for a purpose: God knew the people couldn't keep their promises - the problem is they didn't know! So God gave the law to expose their pride that they may turn to Christ and be justified by faith.

Gal 3:19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions (it was added to expose sin)...For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

So God gave the law to expose sin. Now the problem is that Jewish leaders had convinced their people that salvation was theirs if they kept the rules. So Christ expands on the law. He begins by saying,

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law" (Matt 5:17) In fact, "your righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, or you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (verse 20)

You see the Scribes & Pharisees were full time law keepers. And you had a people that were somewhat satisfied with their own righteousness. Well, Christ - using the law - sets out to break them of their pride:

Matt 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago (the Jews at Mount Sinai), 'Do not murder', and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.

That's a quote from the law given at Sinai, right?

Now Jesus expands on this command:

"I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder."(MSG)

Christ continues up to verse 48 where He sums the law up: "You must be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect"

Christ was trying to open up the eyes of the Jews. He needed to expose their inability to keep the law for their ticket to heaven.

August 1, 2012

None but God can subdue the pride of man’s heart. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot regenerate ourselves. In the heavenly courts there will be no song sung, To me that loved myself, and washed myself, redeemed myself, unto me be glory and honor, blessing and praise. But this is the keynote of the song that is sung by many here in this world. They do not know what it means to be meek and lowly in heart; and they do not mean to know this, if they can avoid it. The whole gospel is comprised in learning of Christ, His meekness and lowliness. TM 456.2

What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself.—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, Series A, 9:61 (1897). TM 456.3

So the law was given, not as a means of salvation, but in order to take the pride of man and place it in the dust of the ground.

August 1, 2012

"The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sins; it means taking away our sins and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin." C.O.L.420.

August 1, 2012

Those of us here who believe the Testimonies will be the last ones to say "I am holy," or "I am sinless," or "I am saved."

Here is what we have been advocating:

"A healthy man, who is able to attend to the vocations of life and goes forth day after day to his labor with buoyant spirits and with a healthy current of blood flowing through his veins, does not call the attention of every one he meets to the soundness of body. Health and vigor are the natural conditions of his life, and therefore he is scarcely conscious that he is in the enjoyment of such a boon. Thus it is with the truly righteous man. He is unconscious of his goodness and piety. Religious principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits of the Spirit as for the fig tree to bear figs or for the rosebush to yield roses." E.G. White, The Sanctified Life, 12,13.

This being the case, how could such a man walk around saying "I am holy" or "I am sinless" if he is unconscious of being righteous. The same man will not even dare say, "I am saved" let alone "I am holy," "I am sinless."

A righteous man is one who is conscious of his utterly helpless condition and who hangs his helpless soul upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour that He may do for him that which it is not in his power to do for himself. (T.M.456)

"No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work." C.O.L.159.

In other words, "Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness. This the sinner owes to the law but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ." Faith & Works,101.

So as the helpless sinner brings to God the merits of Christ and consents for Christ to empty him of self and to fill the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit, he may go on from grace to grace and from victory to victory. (F.W.101)

Hence we read, "The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our sins and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin." C.O.L.419,420.

When God finally has a people in this condition, "The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity will bring Heaven so near to men that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Saviour dwells. Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. And in currents of praise and thanksgiving from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow back to the great Giver." Ibid,420.

sky

August 2, 2012

Amen, Sky, and again, AMEN!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

August 2, 2012

Originally Posted By: Gibs

Mt 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.

And He sums it up in verse 48: "You therefore must be perfect, (how perfect?) just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Are you as perfect as God?

Ellen White: He who says, “I am holy, I am sinless,” is self-deceived. Some have said this, and some even dare to say, “I am Christ.” To entertain such a thought is blasphemy. Not to see the marked contrast between Christ and ourselves is not to know ourselves. He who does not abhor himself can not understand the meaning of redemption. RH Sep 25, 1900

Okay, was Christ joking? No. Let's look at the context - shall we?

Matt 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

And here's where Christs ends His sermon:

Mat 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The Jewish people were heavily indoctrinated by the Scribes & Pharisees. These teaching was basic: If you want heaven you must keep the law! Sounds pretty easy, huh?

You see the Old Covenant was given for a purpose: God knew the people couldn't keep their promises - the problem is they didn't know! So God gave the law to expose their pride that they may turn to Christ and be justified by faith.

Gal 3:19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions (it was added to expose sin)...For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

So God gave the law to expose sin. Now the problem is that Jewish leaders had convinced their people that salvation was theirs if they kept the rules. So Christ expands on the law. He begins by saying,

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law" (Matt 5:17) In fact, "your righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, or you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (verse 20)

You see the Scribes & Pharisees were full time law keepers. And you had a people that were somewhat satisfied with their own righteousness. Well, Christ - using the law - sets out to break them of their pride:

Matt 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago (the Jews at Mount Sinai), 'Do not murder', and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.

That's a quote from the law given at Sinai, right?

Now Jesus expands on this command:

"I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder."(MSG)

Christ continues up to verse 48 where He sums the law up: "You must be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect"

Christ was trying to open up the eyes of the Jews. He needed to expose their inability to keep the law for their ticket to heaven.

Thanks Rob - EXCELLENT.

AMEN and Amen.

August 2, 2012