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.