Do we have to keep all the New Testament commands?

[philadelphos]

There are certain binary states that are expressions, manifestations of a certain situation.

For God/Against God
Selfless living/Selfish living
Gathering/Scattering

Obviously those who are delivered manifest all the positive attributes.

How does following the law do this?

Good question. -- I don't know entirely, but perhaps I can answer in part. The short answer is living in harmony with God, in timing, thinking, behaviour, practices, principles, rituals, conversation, etc.

"Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Pet. 1:16)

"And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. ...I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. ...And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." (Lev. 20)

In the context of 2019, society at is present extremely individualistic, reflecting a selfish nature and the binary pov you refer to to credit oneself. To do or not do what is right. It's evident on the news all around the world with people walking past, ignoring, and stepping over people who are dying on the street, stabbed in robberies, or in serious car accidents, etc, and whimpering and or crying for help.

It's a problem with collective communal responsibility, social morals, ethics, and righteous behaviour as a human race, all being the children of God, all made in the image of God, all being citizens on the Lord's Earth, and the Lord's property. -- And in that sense, all situations share a sense of sameness, in the eyes of God. Where all have gone astray. No one is righteous not one.

The Lord's parable of the Good Samaritan demonstrates how one is expected to go above and beyond in helping a stranger who is in clear need, obvious to by-passers bar religious hypocrites. Those who pray publicly (to broadcast their religiosity and piety to the world), but behind closed doors are horrible people. Hence, the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6 is behind closed doors, private and secluded, a terse doxology and petition to the Lord alone, not broadcasted to the world. It's also a summary of all the Jewish blessings.

Hence, Scripture outlines traits that are intrinsic, essential, qualitative, and elaborate, connoting time, energy, effort, and resources invested, all being summarised under the word 'love'. Traits such as longsuffering (2 Pet. 3:9), forbearing one another in love (Eph. 4:2), riches of his goodness and forebearance and longsuffering (Rom. 2:4), and going the extra mile for others (Mt. 5:41), and all things work together for the good of them that love God (Rom. 8:28).

NT are premised on the Torah, being parallel in many ways.

"Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again." (Deu. 22:1-4)

Working for our older brother Jesus Christ, first born from the dead of many brethren (Hebrews 2:11; Romans 8:29; Mark 3:34)

This is good stewardship, being a good neighbour, a good brother, and at the same time loving God, having taken care of his property. One meets the law through such loving behaviour, learned through the law.

Hence, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Ps. 1:1-3)

I hope that helps.

Blessings

 

[bekkilyn]

Well, going to church is loving God, obeys a New Testament command to not neglect the assembly of saints, without any element that distinguishes it to be a neighbour loving act, and it is picking up a cross, deprives a believer of resources and time otherwise better spent in hoarding and protecting life preserving supplies, yet when God saves counter to worldly wisdom, blesses in tangible ways, souls are motivated to follow God.

So that's an example of loving God without directly expressing neighborly love, and still being righteous.

So someone who goes to church while hating their neighbors is still loving God? See, I strongly disagree that it's possible to love God while holding contempt for one's neighbors, or even simply disregarding them. It's just not possible to turn the Great Commandment into two different commandments to love God OR love neighbor. It's ONE commandment, not two. They go together and cannot be separated. If there is no love for the people who God loves (everyone), then there is no love for God.

 

[MikeinSeattle]

Abraham and all believers did not need the law, but naturally fulfilled it through the Two Great Commandments of love for God and people written on their hearts.

This sounds right to me in theory. But then why do we have:

1,050 New Testament Commands | Christian Assemblies International

And what should our relationship be to these commands?

I ask because it seems that there are times that love for God would require breaking one of these.

For example Eph 4:25.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.

So is it loving God and neighbor when you have Jews hiding in your attic and Nazis at your door to tell the truth or to lie?

Would it be a sin to lie in that moment? And pleasing to God at the same time? Or would God in that moment be completely pleased with you disregarding Eph 4:25 and lying? Jesus told people on multiple occasions "sin no more". Therefore it seems clear that He does expect us to follow some standard of morality of some kind. How do we know what commands in the bible are breakable and which are not? It would seem that love for God and neighbor are unbreakable. Are there any others? How do we know?

 

[timothyu]

Would it be a sin to lie in that moment?

Depends on whether the motive was selfish or selfless. One is the will of man, the other the will of God.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I was surprised to not find any articles on google addressing this question. There is plenty on the question of whether or not the Old Testament commands are binding but not the New Testament commands.

More specifically my question is this:

In light of the fact that there are something like 1000 commands/exhortations/instruction in the New Testament. Do we have to keep all of them all the time in order to live blamelessly before God as Christians today? Ie. Acts 24:16, Phil 2:15, 1 Tim 6:14.

In other words, is it possible to regularly do things(or fail to do things) that we are instructed not to do in the NT without actually sinning against God?

I realize that there are some things that are obviously of paramount importance, (Like believing the Gospel). But what about all those nitty gritty instruction on how to live, how to do church etc. Are all of those binding on us? (as in we have to do them all, all the time) If so why? Romans 13:8 says "the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." That would lead me to believe that as long as you truly are loving your neighbor as yourself there could be ten thousand ways that you could knowingly and purposefully disregard a NT command without displeasing God at all. Is this logic faulty? Where does the bible say that we have to do everything written in the NT perfectly all the time in order to keep from sinning against God?

To answer the "Thread Title Question" that says:

"Do we have to keep all the New Testament commands?"

I believe we have to keep all of the New Testament commands that apply to us today, .... "yes." But not all NT commands apply to us today, but some were for the early church and it's time period. One example would be,

"Greet one another [the brethren] with
an holy kiss [on the cheek]."​

This is obviously for that time period or for a culture where this is considered socially acceptable. It is not a universal one for all command for all people through out all of time.

Note:

The brackets in blue are my commentary added to the text for added clarity.

 

[philadelphos]

This sounds right to me in theory. But then why do we have:



And what should our relationship be to these commands?

I ask because it seems that there are times that love for God would require breaking one of these.

For example Eph 4:25.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor.

So is it loving God and neighbor when you have Jews hiding in your attic and Nazis at your door to tell the truth or to lie?

Would it be a sin to lie in that moment? And pleasing to God at the same time? Or would God in that moment be completely pleased with you disregarding Eph 4:25 and lying? Jesus told people on multiple occasions "sin no more". Therefore it seems clear that He does expect us to follow some standard of morality of some kind. How do we know what commands in the bible are breakable and which are not? It would seem that love for God and neighbor are unbreakable. Are there any others? How do we know?

It depends on situation and precedence.

See the use sheqer' (שֶׁקֶר) which can mean "falsehood (injurious in testimony)", Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

And match that with the case of Saul vs Abimelech and the execution of the priests of Nod, in 1 Sam. 21-22, Bible Gateway passage: 1 Samuel 21-31 - King James Version

See Doeg's role, DOEG - JewishEncyclopedia.com

Doeg being the proverbial 'talebearer', remembered in history for mis-using his education and training to the detriment of all parties involved, Saul, Ahimelech, the Priests, and David... "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." (Pro. 26:20)

Sometimes, prudence and wisdom is required to keep a shut mouth.

 

[philadelphos]

"Greet one another [the brethren] with an holy kiss [on the cheek]." This is obviously for that time period or for a culture where this is considered socially acceptable. It is not a universal one for all command for all people through out all of time.

Interesting. Maybe not though, since 'holy kiss' or filimati agapes / agio filimati (φιλήματι ἀγάπης / ἁγίῳ φιλήματι) is both cultural and a sign of affection. Why do we kiss our loved ones ? The kiss may also relate to the Judas kiss, as an identifier for Christ.

Details:

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

“…as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians… Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; it is also called φίλημα ἀγάπης, 1 Peter 5:14. Cf. Kahle, De osculo sancto (Regiom. 1867); (B. D., under the word Kiss; also Dict. of Christ. Antiq. under the word Kiss).”


1 Peter 5:14

· Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity (φιλήματι ἀγάπης). Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

· ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἀγάπης εἰρήνη ὑμῖν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἀμὴν

Luke 7:45, 47 – Saints must love, simply and presently.

· Thou gavest me no kiss (φίλημά φίλημα philēma): but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

· φίλημά μοι οὐκ ἔδωκας αὕτη δὲ ἀφ᾽ ἡς εἰσῆλθον οὐ διέλιπεν καταφιλοῦσά μου τοὺς πόδας

· v. 47: Her sins which are many are FORGIVEN (ἀφέωνται ἀφίημι, PERFECT Passive Indicative – i.e. completed and continuing forgiveness from the Lord) for SHE LOVED (ἠγάπησεν ἀγαπάω, AORIST Active Indicative – A simple act credited by the Lord at face value) much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth (ἀγαπᾷ ἀγαπάω, Present Active Indicative) little."


2 Corinthians 13:12

· Greet one another with an holy kiss (ἁγίῳ φιλήματι).

· ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν ἁγίῳ φιλήματι


Romans 13:10

· Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

· ἡ ἀγάπη τῷ πλησίον κακὸν οὐκ ἐργάζεται πλήρωμα οὖν νόμου ἡ ἀγάπη

 

[philadelphos]

How do we know?

We don't. Certainty comes at judgement day, Yom Teru'ah / Rosh Hashanah, who will judge the living and the dead.

See, ראש השנה - Rosh Hashanah - Awakening to Judgment

"Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Mt. 10:6)

In principle though, either we are like Rahab and her household who helped David and his spies, being for the Kingdom of Heaven or we have acted against God. Many will answer for anti-semitic and anti-Christian crimes, that we know for certain.

 

[Kaon]

I was surprised to not find any articles on google addressing this question. There is plenty on the question of whether or not the Old Testament commands are binding but not the New Testament commands.

More specifically my question is this:

In light of the fact that there are something like 1000 commands/exhortations/instruction in the New Testament. Do we have to keep all of them all the time in order to live blamelessly before God as Christians today? Ie. Acts 24:16, Phil 2:15, 1 Tim 6:14.

In other words, is it possible to regularly do things(or fail to do things) that we are instructed not to do in the NT without actually sinning against God?

I realize that there are some things that are obviously of paramount importance, (Like believing the Gospel). But what about all those nitty gritty instruction on how to live, how to do church etc. Are all of those binding on us? (as in we have to do them all, all the time) If so why? Romans 13:8 says "the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." That would lead me to believe that as long as you truly are loving your neighbor as yourself there could be ten thousand ways that you could knowingly and purposefully disregard a NT command without displeasing God at all. Is this logic faulty? Where does the bible say that we have to do everything written in the NT perfectly all the time in order to keep from sinning against God?

You can answer your own question:

What is sin?

What is the Law?



Sin is transgression of the law, no?

Law is whatever the Most High God told us to do, no?
________________________________________________________________________

Now, Who was the One created and mandated the Law given to Moses - the Arbiter of the Law?

Does the One who gave the Law to Moses a renege on His Law?

Did the Arbiter who gave the Law to Moses ever say from His own "Mouth" that His law was done away with, null or void?


Every single law is in effect right now unless the Redeemer or the Word of God Himself says otherwise. No other entity under the Most High God has the power, right or authority to change any parts of His Law except Him, and/or the Word of God Himself (also known as Christ).


Final question: Did the Word of God Himself ever change any of the Laws His Father previously set up - did He void, nullify or dispose of any of them? We have the grace such that when we sin, we are no longer condemned - we can repent and get back up on the path to perfection and righteousness. Sanctification is a process.

 

[Bruce Leiter]

I was surprised to not find any articles on google addressing this question. There is plenty on the question of whether or not the Old Testament commands are binding but not the New Testament commands.

More specifically my question is this:

In light of the fact that there are something like 1000 commands/exhortations/instruction in the New Testament. Do we have to keep all of them all the time in order to live blamelessly before God as Christians today? Ie. Acts 24:16, Phil 2:15, 1 Tim 6:14.

In other words, is it possible to regularly do things(or fail to do things) that we are instructed not to do in the NT without actually sinning against God?

I realize that there are some things that are obviously of paramount importance, (Like believing the Gospel). But what about all those nitty gritty instruction on how to live, how to do church etc. Are all of those binding on us? (as in we have to do them all, all the time) If so why? Romans 13:8 says "the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." That would lead me to believe that as long as you truly are loving your neighbor as yourself there could be ten thousand ways that you could knowingly and purposefully disregard a NT command without displeasing God at all. Is this logic faulty? Where does the bible say that we have to do everything written in the NT perfectly all the time in order to keep from sinning against God?

I'm afraid the premises of your question are faulty. You assume that we can live without sin in this life. You also assume that the NT laws are "have to," not "want to." Take three commands in
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the calls to constant joy, prayer, and thanks. All of the OT and NT commands are based on God's deliverance in Jesus Christ. Thus, they're all "want to" for believers.

That being said, to live blameless in the Bible like Noah and Job (look it up) is to be fully committed and faithful to God like the sacrificial animals' blemish-free bodies. It does not mean sinless.

All the commands in the Bible are our goals for Christian living in the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus' victory. To take the Thessalonians passage, I don't know any Christian who is perfectly without sin, who is joyful, prayerful, and thankful all the time. However, if we don't want to progress toward those goals, something is radically wrong. Maybe, we're leading a legalistic life that thinks the Christian life is merely a list of rules. No, it's a personal relationship with the three-in-one-God of the Bible, who empowers us to progress toward resurrection perfection at the end of life (read Philippians 3).

 

[Dave-W]

So is it loving God and neighbor when you have Jews hiding in your attic and Nazis at your door to tell the truth or to lie?

As I have answered in other threads, there is a Pharasaic/Rabbinic device our Lord used (thus validating it) that says a positive command (in your example saving a life) trumps a negative command. (the prohibition on lying)

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Interesting. Maybe not though, since 'holy kiss' or filimati agapes / agio filimati (φιλήματι ἀγάπης / ἁγίῳ φιλήματι) is both cultural and a sign of affection. Why do we kiss our loved ones ? The kiss may also relate to the Judas kiss, as an identifier for Christ.

Details:

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

“…as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians… Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; it is also called φίλημα ἀγάπης, 1 Peter 5:14. Cf. Kahle, De osculo sancto (Regiom. 1867); (B. D., under the word Kiss; also Dict. of Christ. Antiq. under the word Kiss).”


1 Peter 5:14

· Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity (φιλήματι ἀγάπης). Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

· ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἀγάπης εἰρήνη ὑμῖν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἀμὴν

Luke 7:45, 47 – Saints must love, simply and presently.

· Thou gavest me no kiss (φίλημά φίλημα philēma): but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

· φίλημά μοι οὐκ ἔδωκας αὕτη δὲ ἀφ᾽ ἡς εἰσῆλθον οὐ διέλιπεν καταφιλοῦσά μου τοὺς πόδας

· v. 47: Her sins which are many are FORGIVEN (ἀφέωνται ἀφίημι, PERFECT Passive Indicative – i.e. completed and continuing forgiveness from the Lord) for SHE LOVED (ἠγάπησεν ἀγαπάω, AORIST Active Indicative – A simple act credited by the Lord at face value) much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth (ἀγαπᾷ ἀγαπάω, Present Active Indicative) little."


2 Corinthians 13:12

· Greet one another with an holy kiss (ἁγίῳ φιλήματι).

· ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν ἁγίῳ φιλήματι


Romans 13:10

· Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

· ἡ ἀγάπη τῷ πλησίον κακὸν οὐκ ἐργάζεται πλήρωμα οὖν νόμου ἡ ἀγάπη

Paul says that he becomes all things to all people so that he might win them over. If we offend others by kissing them on the cheek to show our affection as per the command in the NT, then we can be potentially be putting a stumbling block before us in winning them over for the cause of Christ (either in leading them to the Lord via seeking forgiveness of their sin, and or in righteous instruction). So I see this as a cultural command. It only applies if that culture accepts that with no problems whatsoever.

 

[philadelphos]

Paul says that he becomes all things to all people so that he might win them over. If we offend others by kissing them on the cheek to show our affection as per the command in the NT, then we can be potentially be putting a stumbling block before us in winning them over for the cause of Christ (either in leading them to the Lord via seeking forgiveness of their sin, and or in righteous instruction). So I see this as a cultural command. It only applies if that culture accepts that with no problems whatsoever.

Yes, that's true and you're right. The Chinese are unaffectionate like Vulcans, and a kiss is often an overwhelming and unwelcome experience, signalling unwanted intimacy / romance etc.

However, mature believers should know better, especially in a multi-cultural setting. But again, amongst Chinese, literally 1 or 2 out of one thousand will accept a kiss. The rest will push you away, or tell you off.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Yes, that's true and you're right. The Chinese are unaffectionate like Vulcans, and a kiss is often an overwhelming and unwelcome experience, signalling unwanted intimacy / romance etc.

However, mature believers should know better, especially in a multi-cultural setting. But again, amongst Chinese, literally 1 or 2 out of one thousand will accept a kiss. The rest will push you away, or tell you off.

I never made that connection before. That's kind of funny. While I do not watch Star Trek anymore (Note: Well, I do not watch any secular fictional films that push sin, but I primarily watch just Christian ones - See this thread here if you are interested), I do kind of find it funny that certain groups of people are a certain way. Culture can change people to be a certain way. I know in Brazil, they are very affectionate. I have to ask my wife again about if men sometimes kiss on the cheek, but I know my wife is more affectionate than most other women here in the States.

I hope you are well in the Lord today, and may you always stay strong in the power of His might in obey His commands.

God bless you, brother.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

We don't. Certainty comes at judgement day, Yom Teru'ah / Rosh Hashanah, who will judge the living and the dead.

See, ראש השנה - Rosh Hashanah - Awakening to Judgment

"Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Mt. 10:6)

In principle though, either we are like Rahab and her household who helped David and his spies, being for the Kingdom of Heaven or we have acted against God. Many will answer for anti-semitic and anti-Christian crimes, that we know for certain.

I think the best course of action is to take our own instruction and walk in a way that is always pleasing to the Lord according to His Word. I seek to primarily attack the wrong belief and not the person. I can judge what is wrong, but I am not going to do any weed pulling (obviously). The Lord will judge those who do evil and or who justify evil and sin in the end. Sometimes I can get a little upset that I am in a spiritual wasteland and others love to justify sin and evil. It sort of feels like I am walking in a western world within an old town where everything is black, white, and grey (with ash flying all around). But I have to remind myself not to be like Jonah and get angry at times. I have to love and pray for even those who appear to be my enemy. Love conquers all. I know justice will prevail in the end, and nobody will get away with anything. I have to have faith God will punish all wicked and wrong doing in His timing (and not my own). Everything happens for a reason. For I know all things work together for good to those who love God. Jesus defines love in the fact that we keep His commandments (John 14:15). Most appear to mock that idea today.

 

[dqhall]

I was surprised to not find any articles on google addressing this question. There is plenty on the question of whether or not the Old Testament commands are binding but not the New Testament commands.

More specifically my question is this:

In light of the fact that there are something like 1000 commands/exhortations/instruction in the New Testament. Do we have to keep all of them all the time in order to live blamelessly before God as Christians today? Ie. Acts 24:16, Phil 2:15, 1 Tim 6:14.

In other words, is it possible to regularly do things(or fail to do things) that we are instructed not to do in the NT without actually sinning against God?

I realize that there are some things that are obviously of paramount importance, (Like believing the Gospel). But what about all those nitty gritty instruction on how to live, how to do church etc. Are all of those binding on us? (as in we have to do them all, all the time) If so why? Romans 13:8 says "the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." That would lead me to believe that as long as you truly are loving your neighbor as yourself there could be ten thousand ways that you could knowingly and purposefully disregard a NT command without displeasing God at all. Is this logic faulty? Where does the bible say that we have to do everything written in the NT perfectly all the time in order to keep from sinning against God?

Jesus commanded, “Pick up your cross and follow me...” (Matthew 16:24-26). When threatened with violence, judgement, or execution, many people turned back. When a rich man was told to sell everything, give to the poor and follow Jesus, he turned back (Matthew 19:21). If God asks you to give a cup of water to a child who believes and you do not turn back, God will reward you (Matthew 10:42).

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Let me add a human example. What if you decided you loved me and you showered me with gifts, gave me many compliments, praised me up and down to everyone you meet, etc., .......

What message is that sending to me? Love?

So far, not what the Bible says. That is a 'good' example of 'human' love, but not of God's Love required of followers of Jesus/ His disciples-Ekklesia. In fact, that kind of human love hurts multitudes in real life around the world, and when seen on forums is a very sure sign of sin. (vain flattery, kissing up, ignoring truth, etc )

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

We don't.....

....... How do we know what commands in the bible are breakable and which are not? ..... How do we know?

"we" ....... a key.......

In the NT, which group did know ? Which group(s) did not know ?

Same today.

Remember it is written, not one Word of Yahuweh Sovereign Almighty Creator will ever fall to the ground - no, not one Word of Yahuweh will fail to do what He sent it to do. Not even one microscopic point of TORAH , not one jot or comma or punctuation mark,
will change even until the end of the universe.

 

[Phil W]

You can answer your own question:

We have the grace such that when we sin, we are no longer condemned - we can repent and get back up on the path to perfection and righteousness. Sanctification is a process.

If "we have the grace", why commit sin?
Don't you have the grace to reject sin too?
If you aren't "condemned" why repent?
If you won't be condemned the second time or the twentieth time either, why turn from sin...according to your doctrine.

Fact is, God gave us everything we need to remain non-sinners after our rebirth.
Stay in the light!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

If "we have the grace", why commit sin?
Don't you have the grace to reject sin too?
If you aren't "condemned" why repent?
If you won't be condemned the second time or the twentieth time either, why turn from sin...according to your doctrine.

Fact is, God gave us everything we need to remain non-sinners after our rebirth.
Stay in the light!

Amen. Where is that - it is written - those who once received grace and tasted the powers of heaven, then turn and trample ...... are not only condemned, but there "remains no more any sacrifice for their sin" , so they perish apart from Christ.