"Why should I let you into my heaven?"

[A_Thinker]

I agree. But I am not sure what your point is?

Ignore me ...

 

[Mark Quayle]

Well, when holy living by the Sanctification of the Spirit (after being saved by God’s grace) is not a requirement for salvation, then… yes. On some level, a Christian will most likely justify sin on some level because holy living is not required of them to enter God’s Kingdom. They will just believe in Jesus as their Savior and live as they please. Sure, not all belief alone type Christians may sleep around with a ton of people, and get into drunken parties every week, but there are other sins that they can justify that can equally condemn them like lying, or swearing, or looking upon women in lust, etc.

For if you take away the punishment of people speeding on the highways, then more people will speed and do any speed they like because there is no consequence to their actions.

Human nature is different to some extent in the Redeemed.

But besides that, and even besides the fact that the Redeemed will WANT to be holy: The truth is that 'required for salvation' is not the same as 'required to acquire salvation'. If those considering themselves redeemed are to be saved, it is by the grace of God alone. But if they do not do what is required of the saved, they are not saved. Works cannot save. But works identifies.

 

[Guojing]

We can't destroy the content of salvation (the life, death and resurrection of Christ), but we can reject it, abuse it, misuse it.

This is funny. Let's examine Romans 5:12-17

When you are a sinner due to inheriting the first Adam sinful nature, can you reject it, abuse it and misuse it, until you lose your sinful nature?

You cannot correct?

Yet, are you saying that, when we receive the final Adam's gift of righteousness to us, somehow we can abuse and misuse it until we lose that righteousness?

Are you concluding that what the first Adam did in the garden, was more powerful than what the final Adam did at the cross?

 

[A_Thinker]

This is funny. Let's examine Romans 5:12-17

When you are a sinner due to inheriting the first Adam sinful nature, can you reject it, abuse it and misuse it, until you lose your sinful nature?

You cannot correct?

Yet, are you saying that, when we receive the final Adam's gift of righteousness to us, somehow we can abuse and misuse it until we lose that righteousness?

Are you concluding that what the first Adam did in the garden, was more powerful than what the final Adam did at the cross?

I agree with your viewpoint.

It's as if saying that sin frustrates God's plan of salvation. That God allowed His Son to die upon the cross, ... only to be frustrated the needling sin of even those who have come into His atonement.

Some (of us) ... like the Judaisers, misunderstand the purpose of God's salvation. The point is to save, to rescue those who would be rescued. Perfection of the saints is a part of that ... but not the ultimate point. God has always desired relationship and fellowship with His human creation. He has never lost sight of that goal. He visited Adam/Eve in the cool of the evening ... and, at the end of the story, will make His dwelling place to be with mankind (Rev 21:3).

The scriptures are clear, ... frankly, even in the Old Testament, ... that it is God who saves, and not any man. God saved Noah and his family, ... though sin survived with them. God saved the Hebrews out of Egypt ... and placed them in their own land again. God saved Daniel and the three Hebrew boys, and His servants Elijah and Elisha on several occasions. God saved His people through the actions of Queen Esther ... and defended His people against the machinations of Balak and Balaam. It is God who saves.

The name Jesus, itself, means ... "God saves".

Yet, the dependence upon adequate sinlessness by man for his salvation ... ultimately means that a man saves himself, rather than God. I believe that such an understanding of the scriptures is faulty, though common.

I think that a previous comment summed it up nicely. Saved people are different ... than unsaved people. They have different hearts. That our hearts have been written upon by God ... means that we will want to please Him with our obedience ... and our love. Now sin may frustrate, for the moment, our perfect expression of that love, ... but, as children even imperfectly love their fathers, ... so we, even imperfectly, love our heavenly Father and so, strive to serve Him.

 

[IntriKate]

. Works cannot save. But works identifies.

Exactly. As long as the heart is focused on God and we truly try to be how he wants us to be then his grace will carry us the rest of the way.

 

[Clare73]

If you were to stand before God and he were to ask you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?", what would you say?

This may be one of the most important threads in Christian Forums.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Exactly. As long as the heart is focused on God and we truly try to be how he wants us to be then his grace will carry us the rest of the way.

So holy living is a part of the salvation equation. So it’s not just grace alone.

Side Note:

Oh, and I don’t think we are forced to be a certain way, either. God electing us or a one time experience with the Lord does not guarantee salvation. We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Human nature is different to some extent in the Redeemed.

But besides that, and even besides the fact that the Redeemed will WANT to be holy: The truth is that 'required for salvation' is not the same as 'required to acquire salvation'. If those considering themselves redeemed are to be saved, it is by the grace of God alone. But if they do not do what is required of the saved, they are not saved. Works cannot save. But works identifies.

No. It’s not by grace alone that you are saved. That’s not biblical. Carefully read very slowly 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.

Side Note:

We are initially and foundationally saved by God’s grace, but we also need to enter the Sanctification Process with the Holy Spirit so as to live a holy life, too. That is also a part of salvation, too.

 

[Guojing]

So holy living is a part of the salvation equation. So it’s not just grace alone.

Side Note:

Oh, and I don’t think we are forced to be a certain way, either. God electing us or a one time experience with the Lord does not guarantee salvation. We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

How do you think the % works here, in your view?

Is it 90% God, and 10% our holy living, or otherwise?

 

[Mark Quayle]

No. It’s not by grace alone that you are saved. That’s not biblical. Carefully read very slowly 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.

Side Note:

We are initially and foundationally saved by God’s grace, but we also need to enter the Sanctification Process with the Holy Spirit so as to live a holy life, too. That is also a part of salvation, too.

"Not biblical"?
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2)

"Part of salvation" isn't very specific is it? Do you mean, "it is a result of salvation", or "it is a cause of salvation"?

This isn't my first trip around this block. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 supports predestination just as clearly as any other verse. It says nothing about salvation being the result of a process called sanctification. Or do you suppose the term, 'sanctification' only ever refers to that process we do go through in our lives as believers, and never to anything else, such as, for example, a direct result of regeneration by that same Spirit of God mentioned in verse 13? Sanctification also means being set apart, also, being freed from sin —not just growth in the things of God, in the pursuit of holiness.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

"Not biblical"?
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2)

If you were to read the context, Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about “Initial Salvation.”
Ephesians 2:1 says we have been quickened (i.e. made alive).
How many times did that happen? Just one time.
Ephesians 2:8 says this grace is like a gift. How many times do you receive a gift?
Just one time, right? So this is talking about a one time event of having been saved (i.e. past tense).
This is talking about when we first came to the Lord and his salvation, and it is not referring to Continued Salvation. You have to rightly divide the difference between….

#1. “Initial Salvation by God’s grace” verses, and
#2. “Continued Salvation by the Sanctification of the Spirit” verses.​

To suggest otherwise opens the door up to justifying a sin and still be saved type belief on some level.
This is pretty common to see in the church even among many Calvinists (even like John MacArthur).
He appears to be for holy living but he really is not for that.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

"Not biblical"?
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2)

"Part of salvation" isn't very specific is it? Do you mean, "it is a result of salvation", or "it is a cause of salvation"?

You also have to understand that Paul was fighting against a heresy of which I call, "Circumcision Salvationism" (Which is Law Alone Salvationism without God's grace); A certain sect of Jews were trying to deceive some Christians into thinking they had to first be circumcised in order to be saved. This was a heresy that was clearly addressed at the Jerusalem council (See Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). Paul also addressed this problem; Paul said to the Galatians that if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2), and then Paul mentions how if you seek to be justified by the Law, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). This "law" is the Torah because circumcision is not a part of the commands given to us by Jesus and His followers.

For if a person thought they had to first be circumcised in order to be initially saved (instead of being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the gospel, and His mercy), then they would be making a Work of the Law (the Torah or Old Law) the basis of their salvation instead of God's grace. The entrance gate and the foundation of salvation would be circumcision or a law, or work.

This is why Paul spoke in the way he did in Ephesians 2:8-9. He is not referring to all forms of works that were taught to us by the Lord Jesus Himself and His followers after we are saved by God’s grace.

For whenever Paul spoke of the words “law” and “works” in generic terms in a negative light, he was referring to the 613 Laws of Moses under the Old Covenant (or Old Testament) that does not apply as a contract or binding covenant anymore. Paul also is condemning Law ALONE Salvationism, or Works ALONE Salvationism, as well. If this was not the case, then he would be contradicting even himself (See: Titus 1:16, Romans 8:13).

 

[A_Thinker]

If you were to read the context, Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about “Initial Salvation.”
Ephesians 2:1 says we have been quickened (i.e. made alive).
How many times did that happen? Just one time.
Ephesians 2:8 says this grace is like a gift. How many times do you receive a gift?
Just one time, right? So this is talking about a one time even of having been saved (i.e. past tense).
This is talking about when we first came to the Lord and his salvation, and it is not referring to Continued Salvation. You have to rightly divide the difference between….

#1. “Initial Salvation by God’s grace” verses, and
#2. “Continued Salvation by the Sanctification of the Spirit” verses.​

To suggest otherwise opens the door up to justifying a sin and still be saved type belief on some level.
This is pretty common to see in the church even among many Calvinists (even like John MacArthur).
He appears to be for holy living but he really is not for that.

Galatians 3

1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

"
This isn't my first trip around this block. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 supports predestination just as clearly as any other verse. It says nothing about salvation being the result of a process called sanctification. Or do you suppose the term, 'sanctification' only ever refers to that process we do go through in our lives as believers, and never to anything else, such as, for example, a direct result of regeneration by that same Spirit of God mentioned in verse 13? Sanctification also means being set apart, also, being freed from sin —not just growth in the things of God, in the pursuit of holiness.

First, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 is talking about how the gospel calls us to... God has chosen us to salvation THROUGH the Sanctification of the Spirit (Holy living), and a belief of the truth.

“...God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel,...”
(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).​

Side Note: The gospel is mentioned clearly in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
You also have to understand that the gospel calls us and it does not force us or compels us to be a certain way. A sales person who calls you does not always convince you of what they are selling just because they called.

Anyways, Just look at the context in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, and it proves that Sanctification of the Spirit is in reference to holy living. Verse 12 gives us the polar opposite of what 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says. It states:

“That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:12).​

#1. Believed not the truth (vs. 12) (is pollar opposite of): Belief of the truth (vs. 13).
#2. Pleasure in unrighteousness (vs. 12) (is pollar opposite of): Sanctification of the Spirit (vs. 13).

Verse 16-17 also confirms this, as well. It states:

“...and hath given us everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts,
and stablish you in every good word and work.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:16-17).​

#1. Good hope through grace (vs. 16) = Belief of the truth (vs. 13).
#2. Every good word and work (vs. 17) = Sanctification of the Spirit (vs. 13).

Second, just because I choose someone does not mean they are saved. For example: Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” (John 6:70). So just because Jesus chose Judas, does not mean Judas was saved in the end. Judas fell by his transgression (Acts of the Apostles 1:25). In fact, Judas being among the twelve was at one point in time a sheep.

“These twelve Jesus sent forth,...” (Matthew 10:5).
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.” (Matthew 10:16).

For example: It's like coach Rick choosing Bob for the football team. It does not mean Bob is going to win the game just because he was chosen to be on the team by the coach.

I wanted to stress the importance that God has chosen us to live a holy life. But that does not mean we will live a holy life. We have to fight the good fight of faith as a part laying hold on eternal life.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Why would Paul tell us to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life if that is an automatic thing of being Calvinistically elected or chosen by God?

Three, then there is 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (Which is the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

2 Thessalonians 2:10 blows away Calvinism to pieces. For it says:

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10).​

Paul says that those who perish are perishing because THEY received not the love of the truth. The verse does not say that they perish because they were not elected by God. Also, the verse says that they (those who perish) MIGHT be saved. In Calvinism: There is no “might be saved.”

Here is another bonus verse that blows away Calvinism.

Jesus says in Luke 13:3,

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3).​

Jesus is giving a conditional statement here in that if they don't repent, they will perish.
The thing is that in Calvinism: The Non-Elect cannot repent, and the Elect are never in danger of really ever perishing. So either Jesus was not aware of Calvinistic doctrine or the Calvinist really does not really believe what our Lord actually taught in this particular instance.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

"Not biblical"?
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2)

"Part of salvation" isn't very specific is it? Do you mean, "it is a result of salvation", or "it is a cause of salvation"?

This isn't my first trip around this block. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 supports predestination just as clearly as any other verse. It says nothing about salvation being the result of a process called sanctification. Or do you suppose the term, 'sanctification' only ever refers to that process we do go through in our lives as believers, and never to anything else, such as, for example, a direct result of regeneration by that same Spirit of God mentioned in verse 13? Sanctification also means being set apart, also, being freed from sin —not just growth in the things of God, in the pursuit of holiness.

Paul did not teach Belief Alone-ism for salvation:

Many believe that Paul taught to believe in Jesus alone to be saved;
But this is not true. For Paul also says...

1. "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). (Note: James 4:6 says God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble).
2. “...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel,...” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
3. “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).
4. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).
5. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema [accursed] Maranatha." (1 Corinthians 16:22).
6. “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).
7. “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). (Note: To know God is a part of salvation (See: John 17:3, and 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 5:12).
   
8. “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).
9. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).
10. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:8-9).
11. “...And having become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).
12. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21).
13. “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:12).
14. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4).
15. “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” (Ephesians 5:3-7).
16. “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This plays in nicely with this verse: And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19).
    
17. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14).
18. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11-12).

Side Note:

Yes, Paul taught that we must believe in Jesus and His grace, and in the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, but this was not Belief Alone-ism with the exclusion of living holy afterwards. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:3-5, Titus 3:5, etc. Paul is referring to “Initial Salvation by God’s grace,” and he is not referring to “Continued Salvation by the Sanctification of the Spirit.”

 

[Mark Quayle]

We seem to be once again talking right past each other. But I will try again here.

If you were to read the context, Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about “Initial Salvation.”

Of course!

If you were to read the context, Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about “Initial Salvation.”
Ephesians 2:1 says we have been quickened (i.e. made alive).
How many times did that happen? Just one time.
Ephesians 2:8 says this grace is like a gift. How many times do you receive a gift?
Just one time, right? So this is talking about a one time even of having been saved (i.e. past tense).

You appear here to be trying to prove what I already believe.

This is talking about when we first came to the Lord and his salvation, and it is not referring to Continued Salvation. You have to rightly divide the difference between….

#1. “Initial Salvation by God’s grace” verses, and
#2. “Continued Salvation by the Sanctification of the Spirit” verses.

Sure. So?

To suggest otherwise opens the door up to justifying a sin and still be saved type belief on some level.
This is pretty common to see in the church even among many Calvinists (even like John MacArthur).
He appears to be for holy living but he really is not for that.

But we are not trying to "suggest otherwise". I don't know where you get that. My argument was that the word 'sanctification' and its derivatives don't always refer to the subsequent process of growth in the Spirit of God and the nurture and admonition of the Lord, also called "sanctification", and the verse you quoted is one of those that does not refer to that process of growth, so the verse you quoted as an argument that continued obedience saves, is useless for that end. Both uses of the word 'sanctification' are referring to the work of the Spirit of God, btw, so no need to go to defining one as different from the other in that respect.

Your claim that McArthur is not really for holy living is, to me, preposterous, and not just a little offensive. McArthur is nothing to me as such, nor is any other believer, but Christ; but the Gospel he preaches is like mine. ALL the Gospel is the precious Grace of God, all the work of God, including the very faith by which we are saved. The notion that the Spirit of God within cares nothing for holiness is anathema to us. You and so many others who want to cast our doctrine in light of some excuse to sin, simply because you think that continued obedience is only in the purvue of the believer, are, well, ...I'd better shut up.

Continued pursuit of Christ, and continuing sanctification are indeed necessary, as the Spirit of God will not let us continue in life without willing to obey, and without desiring holiness —all the more since the love of God compels us— but to claim that we believe it is automatic and we need exert no effort???? Preposterous. Your implication that we believe that obedience is not necessary for the saved, is tantamount to calling us unbelievers. You need to back off of that. I don't call you that, nor even suggest or imply such a thing, though I vehemently deny that we play any part in somehow saving ourselves.

'Salvation by works' is heresy, even to non-Reformed denominations. I'm not going to say that is what you espouse, but maybe you should examine yourself.

 

[Mark Quayle]

You also have to understand that Paul was fighting against a heresy of which I call, "Circumcision Salvationism" (Which is Law Alone Salvationism without God's grace); A certain sect of Jews were trying to deceive some Christians into thinking they had to first be circumcised in order to be saved. This was a heresy that was clearly addressed at the Jerusalem council (See Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). Paul also addressed this problem; Paul said to the Galatians that if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2), and then Paul mentions how if you seek to be justified by the Law, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). This "law" is the Torah because circumcision is not a part of the commands given to us by Jesus and His followers.

For if a person thought they had to first be circumcised in order to be initially saved (instead of being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the gospel, and His mercy), then they would be making a Work of the Law (the Torah or Old Law) the basis of their salvation instead of God's grace. The entrance gate and the foundation of salvation would be circumcision or a law, or work.

This is why Paul spoke in the way he did in Ephesians 2:8-9. He is not referring to all forms of works that were taught to us by the Lord Jesus Himself and His followers after we are saved by God’s grace.

For whenever Paul spoke of the words “law” and “works” in generic terms in a negative light, he was referring to the 613 Laws of Moses under the Old Covenant (or Old Testament) that does not apply as a contract or binding covenant anymore. Paul also is condemning Law ALONE Salvationism, or Works ALONE Salvationism, as well. If this was not the case, then he would be contradicting even himself (See: Titus 1:16, Romans 8:13).

So, 'partial works salvation' is ok? Really???

Look up the word, Grace.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Your claim that McArthur is not really for holy living is, to me, preposterous, and not just a little offensive.

Please carefully refer back to my post #70 within this thread about what John MacArthur actually believes. If after you were to look at his words within that post, I do not see how you could believe MacArthur believes in holy living; Especially seeing how he has made statements about how a believer can sin and still be saved. Justifying the idea that we can sin and still be saved is not holy living.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

So, 'partial works salvation' is ok? Really???

Look up the word, Grace.

Look at the verses more carefully in post #95.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

So, 'partial works salvation' is ok? Really???

Look up the word, Grace.

So do you ignore that Paul was referring to the Law of Moses and not the commandments of Jesus when he generically spoke of the words “law” and “works” in a negative light? If so, try reading the context sometime and you will see it refers in most cases to the Old Testament Law of Moses and NOT the commands of Jesus.