Obsession with "the law?"

Great questions! I've been thinking about some similar things. I look forward to reading the responses in this thread.

StormyOne said:

Are christians obsessed with "the law" as they believe it to be presented in the bible?

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Not all are, but I'm not sure how to determine which ones are. Is it possible that, if a Christian has a strong desire to convince others to behave as he does, that person may be headed toward an obsession?

Are sda's obsessed with "the law?"

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Not all are.

Sometimes I wonder whether SDA theology causes otherwise balanced people to become obsessed with the law, or whether SDA theology merely attracts people who are already obsessed with the law (or perhaps both). As a 2nd generation SDA (now a former), I probably don't have the right perspective to answer this question. Regardless, SDAism does not have a monopoly on law obsession.

In a relationship which is more important, the law or the connection?

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Always the connection. Disobedience can impact the connection, but the real pain in the relationship results from the severed connection.

Can one have a connection and be "lawless?"

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I don't understand the term "lawless." Sometimes, it seems as though the term "lawless" is used interchangably with "evil doer" or "sinner." I'm not sure that these ideas are interchangable.

Certainly, one can have a connection and still sin. If this weren't true, then I must conclude that my kids sever the connection with me every time they disobey. This is a devastating thought that has no basis whatsoever in the relationship that I have with my kids.

Can one emphasize the law and have no connection?

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Yes. I suspect that this is all too common.

BFA

StormyOne said:

Are christians obsessed with "the law" as they believe it to be presented in the bible? Are sda's obsessed with "the law?" In a relationship which is more important, the law or the connection? Can one have a connection and be "lawless?" Can one emphasize the law and have no connection?

Thoughts on any or all of the above questions?

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Psalms 119:165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.

Psalms 119:113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.

Psalms 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.''

Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psalms 119:44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.

k4c said:

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.

Psalms 119:113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.

Psalms 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.''

Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psalms 119:44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.

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Case in point!

BFA

Byfaithalone1 said:

Case in point!

BFA

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How can you love God and not love His Law for His Law is holy, right and good.

k4c said:

His Law is holy, right and good.

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Indeed. And yet it is the ministry that brings death and the entity to which I must die. I can negate one concept in favor of the other, or I can allow both concepts to coexist.

BFA

StormyOne said:

Are christians obsessed with "the law" as they believe it to be presented in the bible? Are sda's obsessed with "the law?" In a relationship which is more important, the law or the connection? Can one have a connection and be "lawless?" Can one emphasize the law and have no connection?

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It is much easier to read music than it is to jam with other musicians. Jamming requires the ability to listen to others, cooperate with them, and let go of self all at the same time.
Reading music requires literacy and obedience.

And yet someone who doesn't understand music, whether by ability to read it or by good aural skills, won't be able to jam well with others.

AzA said:

It is much easier to read music than it is to jam with other musicians. Jamming requires the ability to listen to others, cooperate with them, and let go of self all at the same time.
Reading music requires literacy and obedience.

And yet someone who doesn't understand music, whether by ability to read it or by good aural skills, won't be able to jam well with others.

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Well said.

BFA