freed to obey

[Anoetos]

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matt. 28:19-20

 

[JustAsIam77]

It appears you agree with your elder.

 

[Anoetos]

It appears you agree with your elder.

I agree with Jesus.

 

[JustAsIam77]

Good luck bringing new disciples to Christ by teaching them to observe all that has been commanded of them.

 

[Anoetos]

Good luck bringing new disciples to Christ by teaching them to observe all that has been commanded of them.

The bible doesn't say that.

Nor has my elder said it.

Neither have I said it.

 

[JustAsIam77]

Post #21, scripture passage from MATT.28:19-20

 

[Anoetos]

Jesus told us to make disciples and then teach them to obey Him.

He did not say that we become disciples by that obedience, rather that our obedience is a response to grace.

 

[heirmiles]

Just a little confused at this point,

I know that it is God who works His righteousness in us through and by Christ, and we are to look at the exhortations in the New Testament as enabling us to come to the knowledge of Christ's work in us. Yet many use what is written in the New Testament as 'prescriptions' that we are to follow in terms of 'obedience', rather than living in a living faith which takes hold of God's promises knowing that He will complete His Holy and righteous work in us.

I guess what I'm not clear on (and maybe I can come to a deeper understanding) is that when it comes to Ecclesiology (doctrines on the church) people can become extremely dogmatic (in the popular sense, not the theological) when it comes to issues of forms of church government and qualification of offices. For example for some when Paul said that a Pastor must be the husband of one wife, that single people who have never been married are thus disqualified from pastoral service. The 'qualification' has become the 'law'.

When I read Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians, one of the things that I hung onto was that we begin our life of faith in faith, and we are to continue our lives in faith. Moving beyond faith to perfection through obedience is to miss the life of faith.

So I wonder, when I love someone (in this case, God), it is natural for me to wish to make that person happy, to get to know that person, to spend time with that person, to bring joy to that person, to even please that person. Yet, any love that I have for God I have because He first loved us (me), He started the relationship, His desire for me is to love Him and enjoy Him forever. While anything that would please Him is an outworking of His love in me.

My question is, Is the outworking of God's work in us by Christ while exhorted in Scripture in different literary forms (gospels, epistles) in forms of exhortation and the expression of truth, a reflection of what God is actually doing in us, rather than about us necessarily 'obeying His commands'?

I'd like a little clarification, in terms of the discussion of this thread. Yet, if I've totally missed the point I'd like some feedback as well.

 

[twin1954]

Just a little confused at this point,

I know that it is God who works His righteousness in us through and by Christ, and we are to look at the exhortations in the New Testament as enabling us to come to the knowledge of Christ's work in us. Yet many use what is written in the New Testament as 'prescriptions' that we are to follow in terms of 'obedience', rather than living in a living faith which takes hold of God's promises knowing that He will complete His Holy and righteous work in us.

I guess what I'm not clear on (and maybe I can come to a deeper understanding) is that when it comes to Ecclesiology (doctrines on the church) people can become extremely dogmatic (in the popular sense, not the theological) when it comes to issues of forms of church government and qualification of offices. For example for some when Paul said that a Pastor must be the husband of one wife, that single people who have never been married are thus disqualified from pastoral service. The 'qualification' has become the 'law'.

When I read Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians, one of the things that I hung onto was that we begin our life of faith in faith, and we are to continue our lives in faith. Moving beyond faith to perfection through obedience is to miss the life of faith.

So I wonder, when I love someone (in this case, God), it is natural for me to wish to make that person happy, to get to know that person, to spend time with that person, to bring joy to that person, to even please that person. Yet, any love that I have for God I have because He first loved us (me), He started the relationship, His desire for me is to love Him and enjoy Him forever. While anything that would please Him is an outworking of His love in me.

My question is, Is the outworking of God's work in us by Christ while exhorted in Scripture in different literary forms (gospels, epistles) in forms of exhortation and the expression of truth, a reflection of what God is actually doing in us, rather than about us necessarily 'obeying His commands'?

I'd like a little clarification, in terms of the discussion of this thread. Yet, if I've totally missed the point I'd like some feedback as well.

The thing you must learn is that Christ is all.Col. 3:11 He is all that God requires of the sinner. He is all our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. 1Cor. 1:30 He is all my righteousness for justification and sanctification. Rom. 10:4 He is all my holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12:14 He is all my acceptance with God and all the blessings, love, mercy, grace, and promises of God are in Him alone apart from anything I can or would ever do. In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:3 He is enough for God and enough for me. If you have Him you have all.

Now go and live in faith serving and honoring Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

 

[heirmiles]

Thanks Twin1954,

I appreciate your counsel.

Blessings.

 

[twin1954]

Thanks Twin1954,

I appreciate your counsel.

Blessings.

Your welcome. I am always humbled when God uses something I say to help others.