Why do people try to obey the law when it's not possible

[disciple1]

This is faith in Christ and to love God.
Matthew chapter 25 verses 31-46
When the Son of Man comes" in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and got visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

 

[coraline]

This is faith in Christ and to love God.
Matthew chapter 25 verses 31-46
When the Son of Man comes" in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and got visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

I couldn't resist!

This parable may speak of love, but says nothing about "faith!"

 

[coraline]

JLB777,
you posted this scripture, yet you still try and defend the law of ordinances.Yes there is a law but it is governed by LOVE and FAITH. Was Abraham given the law or did he walk by faith in what God commanded him to do. The word of God is his command and it is not all written in the bible but it is written in your heart if you have ears to here Him.
The only real law that we are given to keep is to love one another. We are our brothers keeper in Christ. The ROYAL LAW. Love God, submitting to his will, and love your brothern. True obedience is to understand and rest in him

hismessenger

 

[disciple1]

I couldn't resist!

This parable may speak of love, but says nothing about "faith!"
I like James chapter 2 verse 18
Show me your faith without deeds and I'll show you my faith by what I do.

 

[coraline]

I couldn't resist!

This parable may speak of love, but says nothing about "faith!"
I like James chapter 2 verse 18
Show me your faith without deeds and I'll show you my faith by what I do.

So are we to believe that we are going to be judged by our "works" - as in the Matthew 25 parable?

 

[Steve Petersen]

Paul says he was blameless according to the Law. So it must be possible to keep, nu?

Phillipian3:4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

 

[disciple1]

God is going to judge everyone by what they do good or bad. Faith without deeds is useless as it says in James. Face it the devil knows God and Christ exist.

 

[coraline]

God is going to judge everyone by what they do good or bad. Faith without deeds is useless as it says in James. Face it the devil knows God and Christ exist.

Really? I thought Christians "appear before the judgment seat of Christ" for purposes of REWARDS. Like seeing my favorite dog in heaven too!

Yes, James talks about good works. But so did Paul. And they were referring to good works AFTER being saved.

But I asked you why you quoted Matt.25 regarding "faith"

And so, the yellow brick road leads to Oz

Matthew 25:35-40 (NKJV) 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

We see here that the destiny of the righteous and the wicked is determined by their treatment of those Christ calls, "my brethren." There is nothing said here about faith, the judgement is based on acts of love toward the distressed brethren of Christ. It is not surprising that this text causes much perplexity both to theologians and general readers.
William Barclay writes, "This is one of the most vivid parables Jesus ever spoke, and the lesson is crystal clear-- that God will judge us in accordance with our reaction to human need."
Is this the doctrine of Paul? Is this the ground of justification before God set forth in the New Testament? Are we to conclude that the everlasting destiny of the whole human race, from Adam to the last man, will finally turn on their love and sympathy towards the persecuted and suffering brethren of Christ? Not according to the teaching of the New Testament.

Romans 3:24 (NKJV) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,​

The Greek word used here for, "freely" is dorean. It means gratuitously (lit. or fig.):--without a cause, freely. "Freely by his grace"- the expression is redoubled to show that all is of God and that nothing in this act of justification belongs to, or proceeds from man.

Romans 3:28 (NKJV) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.​

Romans 4:5 (NKJV) But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,​

Romans 11:6 (NKJV) And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.​

The clear teaching of the New Testament is that salvation is by grace through faith alone. Yet this text in Matthew 25 seems to be saying that judgement is based upon works. The difficulty is easily and completely solved if we regard this judicial transaction as the judgment of Israel at the close of the Jewish age. It is the rejected King of Israel who is the judge: it is the hostile and unbelieving generation of Jews, the last and worst of the nation, that is arraigned before His tribunal.



(an excerpt on the sheep and goats in Mt. 25 by Pastor Curtis)

 

[disciple1]

Romans chapter 2 verse 5-7

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

 

[coraline]

Romans chapter 2 verse 5-7

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

(emph. mine)

Aren't these stubborn unrepentant people here unbelievers Paul is talking to?
And the last sentence Paul is describing believers. Those do those things-"doing good, seek glory, honor and immortality- and receive "eternal life"
1Thess 5: 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

[Hismessenger]

Faith without deeds is useless as it says in James

This is the most least understood aspect of faith. Faith without works is dead. What is the works of which this verse speaks. IT is not to tithe. It is not going to the church building. It is not praying long drawn out prayers before the congregation. Its not doing alms before men. So what is this work of faith. The bible defines it in a number of places. 241 verses to be exact and they all are pointing to the spirit. Faith is to Trust God in all situations. No matter what it looks like feels like smells like tastes like or sounds like. Run up the white flag and admit you don't know what he is doing and submit your ways to his leading. It's not hard as we make it.

"THE WORK OF FAITH IS TO BELIEVE GOD'S WORD AND TRUST HIM UNCONDITIONALLY IN HIS WORD."

WE have a hope of glory so what is it that you can do when you are hoping for a place in his presence. Does it involve doing anything naturally or is it only of the spirit. Such is the "work" of faith. To enter into his rest, understanding that it is his plan for your life and he will direct the things in you which he has purposed for us from the beginning. Jeremiah 29:11. He knows the plans he has for us but why won't we believe his report. Israel coming out of Egypt never understood what it was that God wanted of them even after all the wondrous things he did for them. He wanted their Love, Faith and Trust. That is the true obedience he is looking for. For us to submit ourselves to his will and he will be our God and supply our need in Him.

Lastly, if you never trust God you have no works of faith. For the scripture says from faith to faith. You can only do this when you have trusted God and seen your faith rewarded. Not materially but spiritually in his blessings which will never grow old.To work your faith, you must believe and trust God. That is how it is done.

hismessenger

 

[FireDragon76]

I disagree.. the last judgement will be judged by works, but we are justified by faith. These are not in contradiction . If you have faith you will do the sort of works that Jesus says the sheep do, acts of mercy, not religious devotion. It is not an exhaustive list theologically but to put faith against works is silly.

 

[x141]

Faith creates or opens to us the works we walk in. It is a being, not a trying to be.

 

[coraline]

Faith creates or opens to us the works we walk in. It is a being, not a trying to be.

I finally agree with you.

First comes Faith. Then the renewing and process on the Holy Spirit consecrating our inner man, we become inclined for "good" works.

2Tim.2:15,

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

Gal.5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.Against such there is no law.

 

[x141]

I finally agree with you.

First comes Faith. Then the renewing and process on the Holy Spirit consecrating our inner man, we become inclined for "good" works.

2Tim.2:15,

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

Gal.5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.Against such there is no law.

In him is the only place to find everlasting agreement. We establish the kingdom of God outside of us by it becoming established in us in the form of a Life lived from here.

 

[x141]

1 John chapter 1 verse 8 If anyone claims to be without sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not in them.
James chapter 2 verse 10 If anyone keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point there guilty of breaking all of it.
Galatians chapter 3 verses 24,25,23
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith now that faith has come we are no longer under the supervision of the law before this faith came we were held prisoners by the law locked up until faith should be revealed.

Addressing just the headline of your thread ... this is the same question dealing with the garden, man was put in their to keep and tend the garden ... we all know how that worked out ... what was God thinking ... or what are we thinking ...

The key to the lesson of keeping the garden was the commandment of the father, which if it did proceed out of his mouth, then it must have been life, seeing this is how we live.

It's no more less the truth now as it was for Moses, or for Noah, or Adam.

Jesus came to show the way, to truth and life, by being the example or pattern of this truth of one, and the process that leads you to it.

Jesus said, few find it.

 

[parsonsmom]

Pretty confusing, what is meant by "law" here?

Greetings Obscure;
Do not think that Jesus came to destroy the Law; or the Prophets; He said; I did not come to destroy; but to fulfill; I say to you; till heaven and earth pass away; one jot; or one tittle; will by no means pass from the law; till all is fulfilled; Whoever breaks one of the least; of these commandments; and teaches men so; shall be called least; in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them; he shall be called great; in the kingdom of heaven; For I say to you; that unless your righteousness; exceeds the righteousness; of the scribes and Pharisees; you will by no means enter; the kingdom of heaven.

A similar question troubled the early New Testament church, and even required a council of apostles and elders to address the issue. The conclusion of that council, with the writings of the apostle Paul and other New Testament authors, are instructive in understanding what God’s law is for Christians today. The instructions of the blessings of Duet: are Gods law; however the curses are also gods law; but it is your choice who you follow; the curse is very demotic; The blessings are yours; if you obey the instructions; if you don't then the curse is yours.

Matt:15- 1Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they ; not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition;

Read the whole chapter of Duet: 28; the blessings and curses that God set before Abraham for a guide line;

Gal. 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree&#8221, 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Respectfully; Parsonsmom.

 

[boldlion]

Paul says he was blameless according to the Law. So it must be possible to keep, nu?

Interesting point.

 

[coraline]

Interesting point.

Gal.2:16, know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

 

[x141]

If you continue reading Paul defines this righteousness.

'But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

The law that is mostly spoken by most people in general, specially Paul, who was a Pharisee, is the law of Moses, but the law is what it is through the perception given to us by our five senses, that brings us under subjection to the law of our mind, or our souls reasoning of this law. It is by our soul that we keep such a law to establish something that is no better than the chaff of the summer threshing floor.


Here, Aaron, and Elisabeth are spoken of being righteous ...

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

But they are walking in them not keeping it to establish something (seeing the Christ, much like Jesus had said Abraham did, though the OT never says that he did, or that he looked for a city whose builder and maker were God), this is the same language used for the man made of dust, who was put into a garden to keep what could not be kept, which is the point.

Paul said the mystery of Christ in us was hidden since the world began, or time began. The foundation of the world, not the earth, is what the lamb was slain from, which finds it's foundation in our own reasoning which is what the scenario of the first garden is about, this process of time, as much as it was for Cain and Abel, who in the process of time (between their ears) brought a sacrifice not asked for, which bore out the fruits of the tree of knowledge, accepted, and not accepted. The essence of time is separation, which made this truth in us a mystery until the one came who would testify of this truth by being it openly in our sight. That we might see this truth that has always been from before the beginning, but hidden to us by our own reasoning.