Love

[IL_ray_phillips]

Here we are given the definition of Love! Not necessarily an emotion as so many presume!
2Jo 1:6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
1Jo 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

How do we love our brothers?
1Jo 5:2
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

How do we Worship God in Spirit and Truth?
Jhn 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Here is our spiritual act of Worship! We offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God! How do we please God? Obey his commands and become holy for he is holy! Love him with all our heart all our soul and all our mind. Remember love is not an emotion but walking in obedince! So bring your heart,soul and mind into obedience to Christ!
Rom 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.

[Kosherboy]

What Are his Commandments ?

[Snooky]

Love covers a multitude of sins. It is plain to see that it isn't a "warn fuzzie" feeling that is being spoken of.
He that sayeth that he loves God and keepeth not his commandmends is a liar and the truth is not in him.
Obedience is better than sacrifice.

[The Rev]

Originally Posted by Kosherboy

What Are his Commandments ?

When asked by one of the Pharisees what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied with these famous words, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' ". (Matthew 22:37-39). Although at that time and place, these were the greatest commandments, and still are generally, there is another commandment which, specifically, is actually every bit as great, and as important for Christians to obey. It is found, again, in the words of Jesus, in John 13:34 & 35; "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

And we are to bow hunt as much as can!

[Rebel Hog]

Romans 5:6-8 says, "For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the very good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

" Notice the contrast between conditional and unconditional love in this verse. Christ didn't die for us BECAUSE we were very good and worth dying for. Rather He died for us in SPITE OF the fact we were worthless sinners. Oh "to know the love of Christ which surpasses comprehension," Ephesians 3:19.

[IL_ray_phillips]

Originally Posted by Kosherboy

What Are his Commandments ?

OK K.B. I will bite on it. We as gentiles are still under the 10 commandments. How? Jesus told us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. If we take the definition of Love for the Lord from above we see that we are bringing our heart, soul and mind into obedience to the commands. As you asked we have to then ask what commands? Gentiles are still under the Ten commandments. We are not under the Law of Moses! We cannot be made clean with sacrifice and cerimonial washings. There are 2 laws at work! Bologna you say! Its why Christians cant cast out demons, heal the sick, heal themselves! How many do you know that keep commandments not by there own strenght but by the strenght of God! Here I will prove it even though you wont accept it.

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.' (Rom.2.12ff KJV)
Then:
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.' (Rom.3.19ff KJV)
Here is a contridiction that most dont know how to difuse. It is the different laws at work. Those who do the 10 commandments shall be justified. But by the deeds of the law there shall be no flesh justified. Washing and sacrifice cannot clean the inner man!
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why call thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shall not murder, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself.' (Mt.19.16ff KJV)
Here Jesus states several of the 10 commandments and tells us we must obey them! But he was only speaking to the Jews right! Wrong!
3 If any man teaches a different doctrine, and consents not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil guessing, 5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth.' (1Tim.6.3ff)
Only those who twist the word would say we dont have to obey the Word of God!
1 Now even a first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; 4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aarons rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally. 6 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; 7 but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 9 which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect, 10 being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.'
You see the Law of Moses with the washings and sacrifice cant clean the inner man! Only the blood of Christ the high priest can.
11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?' (Heb.9.1-10 ASV)
I am going have to continue in the next post. Out of room.

[IL_ray_phillips]

So then we go here!
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.'
So here is a biggy! Do gentiles by nature do cerimonial washings and sacrifice? No of course not they have the 10 commandments written on their heart. When you feel conviction is it from sacrifice and washings? No! You are being told right and wrong from the commandments.
25 For circumcision verily profits, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?' 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.(Rom.2.25ff ASV)
Let me ask you a question. Everytime you sin do you grow new skin. If you do you need to go visit the doctor!If you transgress the law the 10 commandments are making the inward Jew(gentile or jew) unclean!
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much every way: first of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.' (Rom.3.1,2 ASV)
Here it gets hard, because it sounds as though he reverts back to the Jews in the flesh as he says they were entrusted with the oracles of God, and since we know God gave them the Ten Commandments, we might think he is speaking about that, but Israel REJECTED the Ten Commandments, as Paul says again:
18 For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them; 20 for they could not endure that which was enjoined 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warns from heaven.' (Heb.12.18ff)
Israel REJECTED THE LAW, so God forced upon them the Ten Commandments written in stone and hardened their hearts, as Paul goes on to say:
12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13 and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away: 14 but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ. 15 But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart. 16 But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.' (2 Cor.3.12ff)
Whensoever, ANYONE who, turns their hearts to the Lord, the veil is taken away so that they can see and understand the Word of God, but Israel hardened their hearts and rejected the commandments therefore He did NOT give them the truths, the oracles of God. He is NOT speaking of those still worshipping under the law of Moses as he continues to say,
He is speaking to those whose hearts are circumcised, who have purified themselves through their obedience to the truth; those who have cleansed their hearts to worship God in the Spirit, and to these he gives the truths of God, and SURELY NOT to those uncircumcised in heart!
The whole of what we are reading in these chapters goes back and forth between the law of Moses and the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, and in some places it is very difficult. But, if you keep this in mind that those circumcised in heart are those who have kept the Ten Commandments so that they cannot find sin in them, are those who receive the promises.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaks to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God: 20 because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.' (Rom.3.19,20 (ASV)
Now, keep your focus: he first says that we are UNDER the law; you are found GUILTY by the Ten Commandments if they can find any sin in you, because sin is the transgression of the Law, the Ten Commandments:
4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins hath not seen him, neither known him. (1 Jn.3.4,5 KJV)
Keep in mind that the Law of Moses does not reveal sin, and offering gifts and sacrifices under the law of Moses cannot justify anyone. Only the Ten Commandments reveal sin, and then John says, Whosoever abides in Jesus does NOT SIN. Do you sin? Are you blameless? You cannot say, Yes, because if there is ONE Commandment which finds fault in you then you are under sin and are worthy of death, as you know the wages of sin is death, and James goes on to affirm this:
8 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.' (Ja.2.8ff KJV)
So then, we may conclude that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. You are going to say, then the whole world lies in sin, and who can be saved?! Next Page!

[IL_ray_phillips]

16 And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why ask thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou would enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou would be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.
23 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.' (Mt.19.16ff ASV)
You see, at this point you will throw your hands into the air and say, 'There is no way I can obey God and keep the Law...', but what does Jesus say? 'With men it is impossible, but with God it is possible'. Entering into LIFE requires that the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, cannot find any fault in you, in mind or in the actions of your body.
So you consider yourself and see how far from God you are, and then one of two things happens; the first is that you will say, I can't do it; I will just keep on the way I have been and hope for the best, or you will say, Alright, I admit I am condemned by the Law, so what can I do? This same question has been asked, as you may recall, in the New Testament so that from here we could launch into how you need to seek God in the Scriptures as I have shown you so many times, but we must maintain our focus on Romans 3.
Paul continues in verse 21 saying that there is a righteousness apart from the law of Moses being witnessed by the Law and Prophets which is FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
...even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: whom God set forth a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to who his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God. 26 for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith. 28 We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also: 30 if so be that God is one, and he shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.' (Rom.3.22-30)
Alright, here is where we need to show what those works of the law are; so let's go here:
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 as touching zeal, persecuting the church, as touching righteousness which is in the law, found blameless; 7 Howbeit what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 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, 9 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: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.' (Phil.3.1-11 ASV)
So that Paul defines the righteousness which is of the law as all that he had accomplished being a Pharisee under the law of Moses and says he was found blameless; he did it all, but he gave it all up for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ wherein is the righteousness of faith. So there appears to be two interpretations of faith: the one Paul speaks of, and the so-called faith most denominations speak of and thus the whitewash theory emerges: We believe, therefore we have all the promises because Jesus became the propitiation (ie. mercy seat) for our sins; but it is not quite that simple, as you may have determined by now.
But we will simply revert back to what Paul has already stated in chapter two:
4 Or despise thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance? 5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasure up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who will render to every man according to his works: 7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: 8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, 9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that work evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.' (Rom.2.4-9 ASV)

Hope this opens at least a few eyes. We as Jews or gentiles have to become inward jewsby giving ourselves to Jesus being empowered by God to obey the commandments. Then we can be found sin free and spotless on his return. Its all about being obedient to the commands and being transformed into the likeness of Christ. What is the likeness of Christ? I think we all know!

[Snooky]

Bro Ray; Thanks for posting. Most don't place the blame for their shortcomings where they belong. Calvary was and is and always will be a complete suscess. The failures are not to be laid at Gods feet, They belong on the weakness and unwillingness of men to take living for God seriously. God provided total and complete delieverance and sent light into the world, but men still to this day, love darkness rather than light. It is much easier to make excuses that it is to live the life that God expects of us.
I recently posted about the man without the wedding garment on. The majority today are clothed with their own self righteousness, and shun the righteousness which is of God. The walk in a way that seemeth right to the carnal mind, but refuse the call to walk in the old way, wherein is the good way. The keeping of traditions of men surpass the need to walk in the Spirit of The righteous God of all Heaven and earth.
Those preaching that the way to eternal life is as broad as a man desires willing to walk, are highly exalted. Those preaching that the way is really narrow that leads to life, are condemned, ridiculed, shuned, and cast out as evil doers. All this under the false doctrine of love and unity at any cost.
If any man say that he loves God and refuses to keep his commandments, this mans releigion is vain. Jesus will declare, depart from me ye worker of iniquity, I NEVER knew you.
Come out from among them and be ye seperate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you unto myself.
There is a path which the vultures eye hath not seen!!
Seek ye first, The Kingdom of God and his righteousness!!