Is it possible to keep the 10 commandments?

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Do you believe the Holy Spirit had written through men to write the New Testament and that we can 100% trust every word of it in what it says?

If so, then the many commands in the New Testament should be your guide and not your own thoughts alone. In the early formation of the church (while the Scriptures of the NT were being formed), I believe the Spirit was working closely with those believers who came in close contact with Christ. Eventually, the Word of God spread in written form more and more. I believe today that if a person is not following the New Testament commands in the Bible, they are going against God. We cannot do our own thing outside of what the Word of God says. Granted, there are liberal Christians out there who believe otherwise (of course). I surely hope that you are not one of them who says that we do not have to obey the New Testament (Which would naturally include obeying the Commands in the NT).

Jesus says,
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10).

Most people today.... they really hate that verse above here. I have seen a street preacher use it once and it upsets many (Including Christians of the popular churches of today).
OK list your rule book I have to follow to keep or be saved. You make salvation something earned, not granted. I maintain the Holy Spirit keeps me in compliance with the requirements of God. It's kinda like flying an airplane with auto pilot. It gives me time to smell the roses and sets me free. A tree or plant bears fruit without work (effort).

John 15:10 doesn't upset my apple cart. I've been known to use the verse freely.
 
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While I believe God does work through the true believer, they also have to cooperate with God. They still have free will and can sin and or do wrong. Hebrews 3:12-14 warns us by saying,

12 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:12-14).

In other words, this warning above would not make any sense if what you say is true in the fact that a believer will always bring forth fruit (i.e. to do the right thing). For the warning says that we are not to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin whereby it can cause us to have an evil heart of unbelief so as to depart from the living God. To put it to you another way, why warn us of something that is not possible?

"And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful"
(Titus 3:14).

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21).

"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:30).

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).
Maybe you should read Romans 7 and 8 very slowly several times.
 
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GodsGrace101

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I guess you mean God is maintaining the universe. God made things to maintain themselves. I live in the country and have to fight nature or it takes over. If I don't trim the trees they get in the way of normal function. If I don't mow the ticks eat me and the dogs alive. Besides that I don't particularly care for weeds. If I don't protect the chickens the wild life will make dinner from them.
LOL
I live in a place like that too.
You're talking about the world order and how things function...how God set things up and the enemy got involved and ruined everything...but this is how things operate.

No. I'm talking about the Universe.
This is what I'm speaking ....But don't ask me to explain it.
I was taught that if it weren't for God "keeping" the universe, it would have deteriorated. Also, the there's stuff like this about the big bang. Right after the big bang, it should have imploded due to the great energy being released. Why didn't it?
I like reading about this even though I don't understand it too much...

Second law of thermodynamics - Wikipedia
 
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LOL
I live in a place like that too.
You're talking about the world order and how things function...how God set things up and the enemy got involved and ruined everything...but this is how things operate.

No. I'm talking about the Universe.
This is what I'm speaking ....But don't ask me to explain it.
I was taught that if it weren't for God "keeping" the universe, it would have deteriorated. Also, the there's stuff like this about the big bang. Right after the big bang, it should have imploded due to the great energy being released. Why didn't it?
I like reading about this even though I don't understand it too much...

Second law of thermodynamics - Wikipedia
The only thing our enemy did was mess up our relationship with God.
 
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OK list your rule book I have to follow to keep or be saved. You make salvation something earned, not granted. I maintain the Holy Spirit keeps me in compliance with the requirements of God. It's kinda like flying an airplane with auto pilot. It gives me time to smell the roses and sets me free. A tree or plant bears fruit without work (effort).

John 15:10 doesn't upset my apple cart. I've been known to use the verse freely.

To fly a plane requires lots of training.

As for my rule book: It is the Bible.

For it says that after we are saved by God's grace, God's works (done through us) are also required as a part of the "Salvation Process":

(Here are a List of Verses):

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16).

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, "(1 Timothy 6:3-4).

"...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6).

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9).

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

“...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (1 Corinthians 16:22).

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10).

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).

”If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:24-26).

"...No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62).

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).

"But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:8-11).

”And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:12-15).

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20).

“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:21-22).

"...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17).

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12).

“...And having become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).

”Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40).

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:41-46).

”His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

”And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30).

”Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [i.e. as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.”] (Hebrews 3:12-15) (Note: The explanation on verse 15 in brackets is taken from the Living Bible Translation (TLB)).

”Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)” (Hebrews 3:10-11).

”Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:11).

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10).
 
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Abiding in God's Word by obeying it is a necessary part of being of God.

For Jesus said,
"“He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).
 
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zoidar

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Why don't you provide the passage requiring the sabbath to be kept in the NT (new covenant)?

I don't believe we have to keep Sabbath every Saturday. I think Sabbath is any day you choose to spend time with God, and not doing so much of the worldly stuff. It doesn't have to be every week.
 
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zoidar

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I study and follow Reformed Theology and I am working my way through the Institutes of the Christian Religion by Calvin.



God's attributes work in perfect harmony with one another. God does have a sovereign decree for all things, but that does not nullify His love and mercy, nor does His love and mercy negate His sovereign decree. One attribute does not diminish at the cost of another attribute.



Some may state that, but as mentioned above, God's attributes work in perfect harmony with one another.



Can you demonstrate how?



Based upon what? Need some specifics here.



Specific examples and references?

From my perspective, I don't think this is the case at all. And often I find those who are against Calvinism base their view solely on what a Pastor or Teacher in their church may have told them in a subtle or gross misrepresentations of Calvinism, and not from actual study of the Bible and what Calvin actually wrote. I have also seen from those who disagree with Calvinism a complete unwillingness to read and study what the opposing side understands and believes. I am not saying this is your situation, but this is what I have witnessed.

I seek to understand what those who disagree with me understand and believe, and if one can demonstrate such a view from the whole body of scripture, in context and using proper exegesis and hermeneutics, by God's grace, I hope I am willing to change my perspectives and understanding. By God's grace, I pray my own presuppositions and traditions become subservient to the word of God. Do I do it perfectly? No. But I am being sanctified.

I will focus on just one thing. The proof of God's love for mankind is that He sent his Son to save us. If Jesus was only sent for the elect, how can it be said that God loves mankind? So by the Calvinistic dogm, God doesn't love everone, since He didn't come to save all.

So there is no love for the common man who isn't one of the elect. To say that God loves someone by giving the person food and home is ridiculous if God doesn't have the intention to save that person. I don't understand how anyone can think that is love.
 
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zoidar

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Ah, so you admit the law has been changed here by addition. Now why don't you respond to John 13:34 with how being in compliance would mean violating the law. Jesus doesn't promote the law for salvation anywhere. I really like John 10 and John 15:10 to prove my point. There are many other passages I also use for the same reason.

If Jesus added a command to the law, does that change the other 10 commands? I think Jesus is telling us the heart of the law which we are to follow. People had misunderstood the law and Jesus told them the heart of it, what the law really is about.
 
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zoidar

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No it doesn't show through keeping the law. I don't keep any of the law, but I do keep John 13:34. This is why I spend so much time here putting aside other things that need immediate attention for life function.

If you do what it says in john 13:34, then you are keeping the 10 commandments.
 
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JoeP222w

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The proof of God's love for mankind is that He sent his Son to save us.

God differentiates His love. There is His love for His creation that is displayed in His common grace and mercy, where He even allows us to exist in our sinful state. There is also His redemptive love for His elect, those whom He has chosen out of His own sovereign autonomous free will. God does not love every single human being that has ever existed with redemptive love, only the elect. His common grace is indeed for everyone that has ever existed, but He does not love the non-elect in the same way He does the elect. We differentiate love as human beings. I love my wife in a radically different way than I love my neighbor's wife because she is made in the image of God. If we as sinful human being can differentiate love, and we are all made in the image of God, God also differentiates love for His creatures, yet in a perfect way, in accordance to His character and attributes.

If you say that God must love everyone in exactly the same way, where do you get this from? Where does it say in the Bible that God's love must be undifferentiated among His creatures? I don't find that in the Bible.

If Jesus was only sent for the elect, how can it be said that God loves mankind?

See previous response.

Moreover, since not every human being that has ever existed is saved (some are justly and righteously sent to Hell), does Jesus fail in His mission? Is God eternally frustrated that He could not save every single human being that has ever existed?

So by the Calvinistic dogm, God doesn't love everone, since He didn't come to save all.

This point is in error because, as mentioned previously, God differentiates His love and He is free to do so, He is sovereign. Also, God is not obligated to love (or save) anyone because no one is morally neutral or deserving of God's love. Man is a rebel sinner in His natural state.

So there is no love for the common man who isn't one of the elect.

Refuted previously as a misrepresentation of Reformed doctrine.

To say that God loves someone by giving the person food and home is ridiculous if God doesn't have the intention to save that person.

God uses means to demonstrate His power and glory. He defines the ends as well as the means. God is not on trial in your courtroom. He is not obligated to fit your definitions and standards, you (and I) am required to meet His perfect standard.

I don't understand how anyone can think that is love.

As mentioned before, God's love is differentiated as He sovereignly and autonomously decrees. It may be hard to understand, but God's love is not defined by our understanding or lack of understanding of it.
 
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zoidar

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God differentiates His love. There is His love for His creation that is displayed in His common grace and mercy, where He even allows us to exist in our sinful state. There is also His redemptive love for His elect, those whom He has chosen out of His own sovereign autonomous free will. God does not love every single human being that has ever existed with redemptive love, only the elect. His common grace is indeed for everyone that has ever existed, but He does not love the non-elect in the same way He does the elect. We differentiate love as human beings. I love my wife in a radically different way than I love my neighbor's wife because she is made in the image of God. If we as sinful human being can differentiate love, and we are all made in the image of God, God also differentiates love for His creatures, yet in a perfect way, in accordance to His character and attributes.

To me we love people differently because we are not perfect like God. One proof to this is that the better you get to know God in your heart (through God the Holy Spirit), the less you differentiate and the more you love all men.

If you say that God must love everyone in exactly the same way, where do you get this from? Where does it say in the Bible that God's love must be undifferentiated among His creatures? I don't find that in the Bible.

The best in the scripture to show this is that God sent Jesus to die for all men. The best single verse is John 3:16.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."


Then it's all the other verses that says that Jesus died for all men. We know from John 3:16 that His love for all men was so big that He even died for us.

1 Timothy 4:10 "For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

1 John 5:19
"We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."

1 John 2:2
"He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only also for the sins of the whole world."


I think it comes down to this: If Jesus died for all men, then God loves all men equally. The Bible says that there is no bigger love that this (John 15:13). If Jesus only died for the elect, then God doesn't love all men equally. Would you agree?

Moreover, since not every human being that has ever existed is saved (some are justly and righteously sent to Hell), does Jesus fail in His mission? Is God eternally frustrated that He could not save every single human being that has ever existed?

No Jesus succeded in his mission. His mission was to die for all men that whoever believes in him will be saved (John 3:16). Frustrated no! There comes a time of judgement, and when that time is done, the love for those condemed is no more, and it will be like there never was any love for them at all.

God uses means to demonstrate His power and glory. He defines the ends as well as the means. God is not on trial in your courtroom. He is not obligated to fit your definitions and standards, you (and I) am required to meet His perfect standard.

And you think that is love?

As mentioned before, God's love is differentiated as He sovereignly and autonomously decrees. It may be hard to understand, but God's love is not defined by our understanding or lack of understanding of it.

Yet we are discussing this from how we understand God's love.
 
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Yeshua HaDerekh

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Yeah I do have other things to do in life. I mixed and poured 31 bags of concrete besides other things like eat and do other chores.:)

Maybe you should keep doing that instead of posting here...
 
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