Establishing foundational doctrines....

[k4c]

Anytime we develope and establish a foundational doctrine for Christian behavior we must use the entire Bible. For example, when we find verses in the Bible where God speaks positively, as well as, negatively on any particular item or behavior we know it's not the item or behavior, in itself, that God is concerned with, but rather, the motive of the heart towards the item or behavior.

With this, we can't say fermented wine use, in iteself, is sinful nor can we say wearing jewelry, in itself, is sinful because God speaks positively and negatively regarding the use of both.

Regarding wine use, God says not to get drunk. He even allows fermented wine use for His church leaders.

1Tim 3:8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

Titus 2:3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.

Regarding jewelry, God tells woman not to let people know your beauty by way of your jewelry. In other words, don't try to look beautiful on the outside if you're not beautiful on the inside.

1Pet 3:3 Do not let your adornment be [merely] outward–arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on [fine] apparel, rather [let it be] the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible [beauty] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

This is all so very simple...if you stick with the Bible and the Bible alone...

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[EastCoastRemnant]

Seen on a Baptist church sign yesterday...

"The world see's your actions... God see's your motive."

 

[OntheDL]

But your actions are your testimony to others and in the end, the record of your actions will be examined in judgment.

 

[k4c]

But your actions are your testimony to others and in the end, the record of your actions will be examined in judgment.

Outward actions are always secondary and really don't prove where we truly stand with God.​

Matt 7:22-23 "Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’​

God always looks at the heart first and then the outward.​

1Sam 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For [the LORD does] not [see] as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."​

The intent of our heart is a very important to God. We can mess things up and yet still be in right standing with God because of the intent or true motive of our heart.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.​

 

[OntheDL]

It's true only God knows the heart.

But often liberal/progressive people who have no works like to use that as an excuse. We are justified and judged by works. The road to destruction is paved with good intentions. 'Faith' without work is dead.

 

[k4c]

It's true only God knows the heart.

But often liberal/progressive people who have no works like to use that as an excuse. We are justified and judged by works. The road to destruction is paved with good intentions. 'Faith' without work is dead.

Who cares what other people do or don't do, we are called to work out our own salvation.

Faith without works is dead but works without understanding our faith, as it relates to finished work of Christ, can lead to legalism.

Works are examined by how we treat others and how we treat God in light of grace and God's definition of love, which is seen not in the letter of the Law, but rather, the spirit of the Law.

The letter of the Law is seen in the literal written words in stone but the spirit or purpose of the literal words is to manifest godly love towards God and man. One can keep the letter of the Law yet miss the spirit of the Law but the one who keeps the spirit of the Law will find himself doing what the Law says with great joy.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

To be truly abiding in Christ and Him in us means that our character will mirror His and therefore our actions will naturally follow.

I think the premise of outward appearance being important or not is to look at Jesus... all His actions were done from a place of love and obedience but the 'outward' appearance of His actions to the Pharisees and Saducees was anything but righteous.

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

Both actions and motives must be righteous, or we sin.

 

[k4c]

Both actions and motives must be righteous, or we sin.

We can violate the Sabbath by action and yet not be guilty of unrighteousness if the motive it right.