js: This covenant of
inwardness -- something you do not accept -- has always been there.
God has always been a God who honored outpouring and contrition over
obedience. But it is His revelation that cast issue in view of two
covenants. At the Cross, things changed
dramatically. The "law" was used to drive home the fact that man
will never be justified in the keeping of law. This paragraph may come back to haunt you. Time
will tell. Right now, I agree with your thought, above, in a general
sense.
jt: How will it come back to haunt him?
We've discussed Jeremiah 31:33 a lot here, I thought we understood and
agreed that this is the New Covenant promise John.
js: Yes we have. See
below for potential problem (i.e. the haunting.)
Tim: I think we should
be very careful about not interchanging the word Law with the word
covenant. They are not the same. The Law addresses all the
covenants; which incidentally are part of the LAW.
js: Your are getting close to
this "interchange" in the preceding paragraph. Tim
-- are you trying to win the discussion or have a
discussion. If it is about winning, hey, I think I can do
that but to what avail.? Try to imagine that someone (me) who
has been around for a while, would see a difference between "law" and
"covenant."
jt: I don't think he is trying to win anything
John - His testimony as I understand it does not include denominational
training. He reads the Bible. What he is saying here is what the Bible
teaches.
js: All this is to say that he agrees with you.
jt: Tim is saying
what I see in scripture even though I didn't come the same way as
he. When the Spirit of God reached out to me I ran to Church
circles thinking they would help me along; after much maze like confusion I
came to the same place and have learned more from reading the Bible
myself. So far as I can tell he is saying the same as what I have been
trying to say but he says it a little
differently.
Tim: You asked if I observed
the Sabbath. I sincerely appreciate the way you phrased that
question. The commandment states that we are to âremember the
Sabbathâ. To say I keep Sabbath is indicating that Sabbathâs keeping
is within my power. The Mother of Harlots re-wrote that command saying
âKeep the Sabbath Holyâ.
js: LOL. I love rudeness. I just have
to shake my head and laugh.
jt: Why do you assume his intent is to be rude
John rather than that he is just stating his belief?
js: Let's see -- I asked about keeping the Sabboth and
suddenly I am in the camp parented by The Mother Harlots.
Complimenatary or insulting? I report, you decide.
jt: I never take things
like this quite so personally John. My question is "truth or error?" I
may not have worded it as bluntly but what Tim says is true. Check it out in
Exodus 13:3. The sabbath is a sign between God and Israel. This is
especially meaningful to me because I have a dear friend who is all taken up
with this sabbath thing having been recruited by the 7th Day Adventists.
Everything about her outwardly has changed and I don't believe it is for the
good.
To answer your question, I observe the Sabbath,
remembering that God made it Holy.
js: Thanks for trying to
figure out what I was asking.
Do you keep the
Law?
js: As defined in terms of faith (conviction), love and the
Spirit -- absolutely.
jt: Interesting - does this mean you are
conformed to the "image of Christ" already John? judyt
js: I am on that very pathway.
jt: Then why would you
object to God's Law since it is the schoolmaster or teacher that leads us
along the "pathway?" Another error in the denominational
Church is the idea that when we say our prayer to receive Christ, we have
arrived; young believers for the most part have no idea that this is only
the beginning and we are to strive for the mastery in all things so that we
might 'gain Christ' - they've been told they've got Him
already.
