Good Afternoon (here) John:
Glad you got your computer back up and congratulations on being an 'Opa" again; they are certainly a joy and a blessing from the Lord.
Thank you much.
You wrote:
Actually, Isaiah 58:9-11 is a part of a discussion of the true value of fasting. In the midst of this instruction, in continuing this instruction, God through the prophet speaks to our search for Him --- "you will call and I answer, you will cry and I will say here I am if ............" After looking at the passage, perhaps it does not present my point. This does not give instruction unto salvation ---
jt: I think it does because it's a mandate for individual Christians, for the Church, and for Leadership in the Church. After all Israel were God's OT Church weren't they?
Salvation is one thing -- a full and rich relationship with God is another. The former is an event that God accomplished for me. The place of repentance, confession, baptism, and the like remain under advisement as I consider the more extreme view of Bill Taylor (extreme here is not a bad thing.) My relationship with a living and dynamic God who indwells is quite another matter. It does have something (much) to do with the choices I make and the manner of life I chose to live. Jere 31 is a passage that I would place in the relational category.
I see salvation through Christ as God's plan for the world much in the same tone as your description. The basics of my belief includes the following:
The Law of Moses was given to prove man to be a sinner, guilty of death and separation -- proving that man cannot find life in the keeping of God's commandments. I think it noteworthy that Paul does not fault the Old Covenant shedding of blood (of bulls and goats). Rather, his concern is with the law itself. I know the Hebrew writer sees issues with the offering of bulls and goats, but that is not Paul's focus.
jt: Isn't Paul believed to be the writer of Hebrews?
I am only a layman -- but my studies present an author other than Paul.
Even if he wasn't the focus is on the fact that the blood of bulls and goats may cover sin
for a year but could not remit sin or cleanse the conscience; the is something only the blood of Christ can effect.
I would not agree entirely with this statement. The sacrifices of the Old Covenant did forgive sin. The problem with the offering of bulls and goats was found in the fact that such did not have an extended life. When the Jewish patron left the altar of sacrifice, he was not protected from sin. As a result, sin offering had to be made over and over again, of course. The blood of Christ is linear in scope and accomplishment. In regard to the conscience -- do you have a scripture in mind for that statement?
I believe this to be important. The Law, which is good and holy, defines man as sinner (because of man's own failings "so death passed upon all men because all have sinned." ) Jere 31:31-34 presents the hope of a New Covenant that is TOTALLY different from the old. Paul refers to this prophecy when he speaks of the law vs the Spirit (the old and the new). Salvation through and because of Christ is there -- for the world -- for those who have heard the word of Christ and for those who have not (Romans 2 the Gentile who does but has not heard).
jt: The Gentiles in Romans 2:14 are born again Gentiles with the law now written on their hearts. Paul is writing this letter to the Church at Rome. Noone walking in their old carnal nature could keep God's law because of the weakness of their flesh; it is only when we become partakers of the "divine nature" in Christ that we can fulfill God's law through Him.
I have no idea why you say the above. There is absolutely no evidence contextually that I can see for concluding that the "Gentile" of Romans 2 is "born again." He is one who has heard nothing. blessed is he who does but has not heard.
More than this, no one born again or not can be righteous based on law keeping. I know we disagree on this -- but this is my belief.
Amen! BTW are you still working on your project that has to do with the conscience? I had meant to suggest a book that I thought good when I read it some time back but don't believe I did that. Have you heard of Stanton E. Samenow? He is a clinical psychologist who is not Christian. He was for 8yrs involved in a project at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington DC with the late Dr. Samuel Yochelson that bore some interesting fruit and he authored a book called "Inside the Criminal Mind" which totally validates the truth of 2 Cor 10:5. Samenow also wrote a book about children called "Before It's Too Late" which I haven't read so far. Shalom, judyt
Mankind is called to a ministry of reconciliation and this is a condition for salvation. Many are called but few are chosen. In a nutshell, this is my understanding of salvation through Christ.
Yes, In fact this is a project that will take the good part of two years. Tight now I am collecting information and your information is most timely. Thank you. It will be a part of my library soon.
In His Grace
John
