How Do We Know?

[phkrause]

Matthew 5:17

(17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The Law points to the character of Christ and since the Law is truth then any one or denomination that does not teach all God's Law does not teach all the truth and do not teach all that Christ is.

[Robert]

Quote:

It is blasphemy to infer we can be justified by the deeds of the law, period!

"You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Works of faith prove our faith, not our righteousness. Justification by law proves our righteousness. However, "there's none righteous".

Our works of faith proves our faith in God. James gives to examples, both which technically break the law.

1] Abraham was willing to kill his son because God had promised him that his descendents would number the stars in the sky. Abraham believed that God kept his promise, so he was willing to kill Issac knowing God would have to raise him from the dead to keep His promise. That's a faith that works....

2] Rahab, who a prostitute living in sin, believed in God. The evidence of her belief? She lied to those looking for the Israeli spies.

In both cases they actually broke the letter of the law....

[Robert]

The saved person is "already saved"

Saved from what?

[BobRyan]

Saved from the penalty of sin.

Saved from slavery to sin.

and adopted into the family of God.

What we might call "the New Covenant".

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

Bob,

Who are the "wicked" who do not receive eternal life? Are they those who come to Jesus as they are; and cast their entire hope on Jesus' love, sacrifice, and grace as the basis for salvation; and partner with the Holy Spirit to work on sins with which they still struggle?

Here is how the Bible describes the lost.

In Romans 8 we are reminded of Paul’s teaching about the lost vs the saved –

Romans 8

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.God.

The lost person is not under the Gospel - just under the condemnation of the Law.

The saved Person is under the New Covenant with the "Law written on the mind and on the heart" Hebrews 8, Jer 31:31-33. Thus as Paul says in Rom 3:31 "Do we then make void the Law of God by our faith? God forbid! In fact we ESTABLISH the LAW of God" Rom 3:31

The heart of the lost person is in rebellion against the Law of God - it does not submit to the Law of God - "neither indeed can it".

More on the lost person's perspective on the Law of God and sin - according to the Bible.

The problem for the lost according to the Bible.

Rom 3:

9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better ? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.''

13 "" THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,'' "" THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS'';

14 "" WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS'';

15 "" THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,

16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,

17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.''

18 "" THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.''

Rom 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Rom 3:23...for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God

1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us

Romans 8

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1Cor 6

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,

10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5

17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 2

4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Romans 3 and Galatians 3 agree - that lost are lost. No amount of obedience on the part of the lost - can save them.

The lost person has only one solution - the Gospel with its forgiveness, and new birth, and new heart and freedom from the penalty of sin - and freedom from slavery to sin.

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

Quote:

The New Covenant - Gospel

Masterful presentation. The gospel for both those who will be saved in the city of Light and for those who will sadly, never experience eternal life in Christ. Thank you for your patience and insights, Bob.

I am confident that the "new covenant" you reference is only part of the everlasting gospel revealed in both the old testament and the new, being more fully discovered as one serves Jesus as a Friend, as well as the sacrificial Lamb Whose blood was shed for all equally.

Thank you for those kind words.

I agree that the Gospel is an infinite and unfolding doctrine/truth/concept that reveals a lot about God to those who are willing to meditate upon it.

in Christ,

Bob

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Works of faith prove our faith, not our righteousness.

You are absolutely correct. The righteousness that is being worked out in our lives and that which others can now see being done in the believer, is visual proof of the covering of the robe of Jesus' righteousness as the enabling power of the Holy Spirit is received.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."Philippians 4:13 NKJV

"For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”"Galatians 2:19-21 NKJV

God blesses!