Is The Mosaic Law Beneficial For Those Who Have Faith?

[just-me]

Of course it is. Those of us who have faith and the love of God spread abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, want the lost to understand why they need salvation through Jesus Christ. By understanding the spiritual principles of the law we can minister using this schoolmaster God gave to the faithful. By continuing to study this tool we can be an effective witness to the lost. We know that God gives to us what is perfect because He is perfect and to minister by any other avenue is a mistake. We are not to minister using the law relating it with fleshly interpretations of condemnation only. We are to minister in the spiritual realm via this God-given schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:23-25 (KJV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP]But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Next, the schoolmaster is given as a route to Jesus Christ. If we deny the schoolmaster after faith, we inadvertently stop walking the road we once walked at the beginning of being born again. Paul talked about himself and the war inside all of us who have received faith through Jesus Christ. Before judging that statement as being wrong, please meditate on what I am saying. There is no condemnation in my train of thought toward anyone. Condemnation belongs to God only.

Galatians 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
If we are to die daily we are to come to Christ daily, and not boast of our faith without the schoolmaster.
Luke 9:23-24 (KJV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
1 Corinthians 15:31 (KJV)
[SUP]31 [/SUP]I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
To summarize, we can use the schoolmaster to die daily, follow Christ daily, and minister to the lost. As far as I can see, the law is the perfect avenue because God is perfect, and gives us all good things, to accomplish His will. Are we justified in the works of the law? Absolutely not. We are educated by the law to see the state we are in until the day the body is resurrected or changed in the twinkling of an eye.
James 1:22-25 (KJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[SUP]24 [/SUP]For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

Of course it is. Those of us who have faith and the love of God spread abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, want the lost to understand why they need salvation through Jesus Christ. By understanding the spiritual principles of the law we can minister using this schoolmaster God gave to the faithful. By continuing to study this tool we can be an effective witness to the lost. We know that God gives to us what is perfect because He is perfect and to minister by any other avenue is a mistake. We are not to minister using the law relating it with fleshly interpretations of condemnation only. We are to minister in the spiritual realm via this God-given schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:23-25 (KJV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP]But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Next, the schoolmaster is given as a route to Jesus Christ. If we deny the schoolmaster after faith, we inadvertently stop walking the road we once walked at the beginning of being born again. Paul talked about himself and the war inside all of us who have received faith through Jesus Christ. Before judging that statement as being wrong, please meditate on what I am saying. There is no condemnation in my train of thought toward anyone. Condemnation belongs to God only.

Galatians 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
If we are to die daily we are to come to Christ daily, and not boast of our faith without the schoolmaster.
Luke 9:23-24 (KJV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
1 Corinthians 15:31 (KJV)
[SUP]31 [/SUP]I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
To summarize, we can use the schoolmaster to die daily, follow Christ daily, and minister to the lost. As far as I can see, the law is the perfect avenue because God is perfect, and gives us all good things, to accomplish His will. Are we justified in the works of the law? Absolutely not. We are educated by the law to see the state we are in until the day the body is resurrected or changed in the twinkling of an eye.
James 1:22-25 (KJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[SUP]24 [/SUP]For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The mosaic law, many of the laws in it can be very beneficial healthwise as well. You know, like abstaining from pork, shrimp, lobster, and other scavengers. Now of course we are under the new covenant, and every creature can be sanctified if it is received with thanksgiving and prayer. For the word of God and prayer santify it (1 Tim. 4:5). But if a Christian has it financially in his ability to eat healthier, in eating more organic foods and trying to abstain from pork, lobster, and so forth, I think the Mosaic Law in that aspect can be very beneficial for a born again Christian. Especially healthwise.

And did you know that the method of hand washing came from the Old Testament Mosaic Law?

 

[just-me]

The mosaic law, many of the laws in it can be very beneficial healthwise as well. You know, like abstaining from pork, shrimp, lobster, and other scavengers. Now of course we are under the new covenant, and every creature can be sanctified if it is received with thanksgiving and prayer. For the word of God and prayer santify it (1 Tim. 4:5). But if a Christian has it financially in his ability to eat healthier, in eating more organic foods and trying to abstain from pork, lobster, and so forth, I think the Mosaic Law in that aspect can be very beneficial for a born again Christian. Especially healthwise.

And did you know that the method of hand washing came from the Old Testament Mosaic Law?

Thank you! Very good points you mentioned. To add to the benefits thereof, I was thinking in lines of Spiritual benefits.
I was thinking about the faith of king David, and how all of us esteem so highly the Psalms, and how good it makes us feel when we read about God's mercy, and understanding and deliverance. I think it's a benefit to combine real faith with the law as David did. Some will say that the law is only for the purpose of condemnation of sin. There has to be more to the law than that. I don't think that David liked being condemned because of the way he wrote

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:97 (KJV)
[SUP]97 [/SUP]O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:113-114 (KJV)
[SUP]113 [/SUP]I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
[SUP]114 [/SUP]Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:163-165 (KJV)
[SUP]163 [/SUP]I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
[SUP]164 [/SUP]Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
[SUP]165 [/SUP]Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

 

[KohenMatt]

They have a great deal of benefit for me on a daily basis for some of the reasons that Chosen mentioned. Not only healthwise, but in relationships, finances, but most importantly with spiritual discernment and revelation from God.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I think the more we grow in Christ, the more real the law comes to us.

Instead of seeing thou shalt not. We see a God of love, who does not want us to do the things which harm us.

As Paul and david both realized.

We hate lie's sexual sin and all sin, not because we see God said do not do it, But we hate it because we see how damaging and painful doing these things are to us. When we see this, We see sin as God sees sin, Not as a dictator saying don't touich this, But as a loving God who says I implor you, do not do this, You can not understand how bad this will hurt you..

We see following God and doing the positives he wants us to do (do this or do that) bring about blessing, joy and a peace which surpasses all understanding.

Jesus said it is better to give than to receive. If we look at all sin, it is all self focused (receiving) if we look at the law of love, we realize it is all others focused (giving)

I do not think a non believer, or new believer (babe in Christ) can comprehend this, It takes time and growth in Christ.

 

[ChosenbyHim]

Thank you! Very good points you mentioned. To add to the benefits thereof, I was thinking in lines of Spiritual benefits.
I was thinking about the faith of king David, and how all of us esteem so highly the Psalms, and how good it makes us feel when we read about God's mercy, and understanding and deliverance. I think it's a benefit to combine real faith with the law as David did. Some will say that the law is only for the purpose of condemnation of sin. There has to be more to the law than that. I don't think that David liked being condemned because of the way he wrote

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:97 (KJV)
[SUP]97 [/SUP]O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:113-114 (KJV)
[SUP]113 [/SUP]I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
[SUP]114 [/SUP]Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:163-165 (KJV)
[SUP]163 [/SUP]I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
[SUP]164 [/SUP]Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
[SUP]165 [/SUP]Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Absolutely sir, you are welcome. And yes I see where you are coming from. You also bring up some good points, and there are so many spiritual jewels and treasures just in the Psalms! And also the Proverbs. Of course there are countless treasures in all books of the Bible, but I referenced the Psalms first because of the example you gave of David. And I love Psalm 119, it is all about the word of God

And it is the biggest chapter in the Holy Bible. And it is absolutely amazing.

 

[john832]

The mosaic law, many of the laws in it can be very beneficial healthwise as well. You know, like abstaining from pork, shrimp, lobster, and other scavengers. Now of course we are under the new covenant, and every creature can be sanctified if it is received with thanksgiving and prayer. For the word of God and prayer santify it (1 Tim. 4:5). But if a Christian has it financially in his ability to eat healthier, in eating more organic foods and trying to abstain from pork, lobster, and so forth, I think the Mosaic Law in that aspect can be very beneficial for a born again Christian. Especially healthwise.

And did you know that the method of hand washing came from the Old Testament Mosaic Law?

Are you sure of this?

1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

What meats are sancitified by the Word of God?

Lev 11 and Deut 14

 

[just-us-2]

The mosaic law, many of the laws in it can be very beneficial healthwise as well. You know, like abstaining from pork, shrimp, lobster, and other scavengers. Now of course we are under the new covenant, and every creature can be sanctified if it is received with thanksgiving and prayer. For the word of God and prayer santify it (1 Tim. 4:5). But if a Christian has it financially in his ability to eat healthier, in eating more organic foods and trying to abstain from pork, lobster, and so forth, I think the Mosaic Law in that aspect can be very beneficial for a born again Christian. Especially healthwise.

And did you know that the method of hand washing came from the Old Testament Mosaic Law?

I wholeheartedly agree with you! And I could carry on at some length how this is proven in my husband and my lives over and over, but there is another aspect I wanted to share with you since you have such understanding already. Back in Old Testament times, everything in a Hebrew's life was affected by the Mosaic Law, because, contrary to popular belief these days, there was much more than condemnation in it. (Of course, if people would actually read it without denying it just because they think it contradicts grace and faith, they could make a comprehensive analysis.) Because of that, a person's mind was constantly drawn to what God had given. How could they help but meditate on Him day and night? How could they help but experience their faith growing as they reciprocated as God explained?

This was even known by Israel’s enemies back in the time of Joshua as evidenced by Rahab’s comments. Even in things as simple as gardening and using manure rather than some nasty chemical for fertilizer, (See Luke 13:8 – in our New Testament but people were abiding by the Mosaic Law at the time because the New Testament didn’t exist yet. They had to learn it somewhere!), thereby producing much healthier food for ourselves, and the allowing of the garden to rest every seventh year (Exodus 23:10-11) are so practical and beneficial – some things I can tell you from experience are the best gardening tips ever. I am just beginning to study this aspect and am looking forward to learning much more.

I ask God's blessing upon you as you study His Word and give you wisdom to continue learning with understanding as His Spirit teaches you.

 

[RedTent]

I was studying Deuteronomy 6th Chapter and read this:
The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. Deu 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Deu 6:6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Deu 6:7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Deu 6:8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, Deu 6:9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. I learned that there are boxes manufactured to put the words in, so I got one, typed the words on nice paper, and put it inside the box and nailed it to my doorpost. I dedicated my house to the Lord, and when I come home it greets me and reminds me.

My pastor and his wife came for lunch one day and saw it. He said it was a ritual and rituals always made him question. So I spent hours and hours questioning about my little box.

The idea of it had come from scripture, so I knew God approved of it. Christ explained about legalism, or following God’s suggestions without God involved, without love or praise of Him. Well, putting my little box up with His words in it had absolutely nothing to do with legalism. I would have had to put it up, not to remind me and obey, but to have the act of putting it up mean something different. I didn't. Paul wrote an entire chapter to the Galatians about the place things like this has in joining the family of God. He said that things like my little box had nothing to do with joining. Well, I knew that when I put the box by my door. God accepted me with the box or without the box. So that didn’t apply. So far,according to scripture the box could stay and the suggestion to put it up was right there in scripture. That box enhanced my walk with the Lord.

This led me to looking at all the other rituals that our church stands firm against, to look at what they have against them and check that with scripture. These can be used, they say, in place of Christ’s forgiveness and God’s grace to gain favor with the Lord. Well, that is a choice people can make for how to use them and it relates to their choice regarding the use, not in the rituals themselves. So we learn that it is only through Christ’s blood we are to look for what it does for us, not to any ritual. That doesn’t address the ritual, itself. They say the heart and soul of the message God gives us is based on love, it is taking God’s attributes on as part of us. Again, this has nothing to do rituals like my little box. The box is only to remind me of that each time I come home. We are told what has the most importance and we understand, but because they are least important that does not say to not use them. For dinner, meat is more important than bread, but that doesn't mean you can't eat bread.

I checked by reading about the personal lives of people who used the rituals correctly as God said to use them to see if the fruits, as scripture puts it, are good or not. I found they can be used for judging others, saying I do this you don’t, I’m better than you. But that had to do with judging, and they could use anything for that it didn’t make the thing they were judging about right or wrong.

What the rituals did was lead. Just as my little box leads me to mindfulness of God in my house and life, so the rituals lead. By throwing out every way our ordinary life leads us that God suggested, we are wandering off, often without God. We have morning coffee, no ritual of morning prayer. We have food we like, even though some of what we like wasn’t considered food when the bible was breathed to us. Eating and God has no connection except that we accept giving thanks before we eat. And so our day goes, often with no thought of God in it. Through rituals, God leads us to connecting our daily life with Him.

 

[john832]

I was studying Deuteronomy 6th Chapter and read this:
The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. Deu 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Deu 6:6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Deu 6:7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Deu 6:8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, Deu 6:9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. I learned that there are boxes manufactured to put the words in, so I got one, typed the words on nice paper, and put it inside the box and nailed it to my doorpost. I dedicated my house to the Lord, and when I come home it greets me and reminds me.

My pastor and his wife came for lunch one day and saw it. He said it was a ritual and rituals always made him question. So I spent hours and hours questioning about my little box.

The idea of it had come from scripture, so I knew God approved of it. Christ explained about legalism, or following God’s suggestions without God involved, without love or praise of Him. Well, putting my little box up with His words in it had absolutely nothing to do with legalism. I would have had to put it up, not to remind me and obey, but to have the act of putting it up mean something different. I didn't. Paul wrote an entire chapter to the Galatians about the place things like this has in joining the family of God. He said that things like my little box had nothing to do with joining. Well, I knew that when I put the box by my door. God accepted me with the box or without the box. So that didn’t apply. So far,according to scripture the box could stay and the suggestion to put it up was right there in scripture. That box enhanced my walk with the Lord.

This led me to looking at all the other rituals that our church stands firm against, to look at what they have against them and check that with scripture. These can be used, they say, in place of Christ’s forgiveness and God’s grace to gain favor with the Lord. Well, that is a choice people can make for how to use them and it relates to their choice regarding the use, not in the rituals themselves. So we learn that it is only through Christ’s blood we are to look for what it does for us, not to any ritual. That doesn’t address the ritual, itself. They say the heart and soul of the message God gives us is based on love, it is taking God’s attributes on as part of us. Again, this has nothing to do rituals like my little box. The box is only to remind me of that each time I come home. We are told what has the most importance and we understand, but because they are least important that does not say to not use them. For dinner, meat is more important than bread, but that doesn't mean you can't eat bread.

I checked by reading about the personal lives of people who used the rituals correctly as God said to use them to see if the fruits, as scripture puts it, are good or not. I found they can be used for judging others, saying I do this you don’t, I’m better than you. But that had to do with judging, and they could use anything for that it didn’t make the thing they were judging about right or wrong.

What the rituals did was lead. Just as my little box leads me to mindfulness of God in my house and life, so the rituals lead. By throwing out every way our ordinary life leads us that God suggested, we are wandering off, often without God. We have morning coffee, no ritual of morning prayer. We have food we like, even though some of what we like wasn’t considered food when the bible was breathed to us. Eating and God has no connection except that we accept giving thanks before we eat. And so our day goes, often with no thought of God in it. Through rituals, God leads us to connecting our daily life with Him.

God teaches us by the method of "learning by doing". It is not always obvious why God instructs people to do things and the understanding sometimes comes AFTER we do it.

 

[just-me]

What the rituals did was lead. Just as my little box leads me to mindfulness of God in my house and life, so the rituals lead. By throwing out every way our ordinary life leads us that God suggested, we are wandering off, often without God. We have morning coffee, no ritual of morning prayer. We have food we like, even though some of what we like wasn’t considered food when the bible was breathed to us. Eating and God has no connection except that we accept giving thanks before we eat. And so our day goes, often with no thought of God in it. Through rituals, God leads us to connecting our daily life with Him.

Amen, Sister! While I was reading your post a scripture came to mind. Rituals, whether Jew or Gentile, have NOTHING to do with faith.

Isaiah 1:10-11 (KJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

 

[just-me]

Originally Posted by RedTent

What the rituals did was lead. Just as my little box leads me to mindfulness of God in my house and life, so the rituals lead. By throwing out every way our ordinary life leads us that God suggested, we are wandering off, often without God. We have morning coffee, no ritual of morning prayer. We have food we like, even though some of what we like wasn’t considered food when the bible was breathed to us. Eating and God has no connection except that we accept giving thanks before we eat. And so our day goes, often with no thought of God in it. Through rituals, God leads us to connecting our daily life with Him.



So sorry, what I should have said is that Rituals, whether Jew or Gentile, mean NOTHING without faith. I misspoke there after reading my first post. Big mistake. I, and many others don't stop to think when we hear the word "ritual." We automatically think the word describes something that's worthless motion. Please forgive. REPENT YOU SINNER REPENT! talking to myself again. I even get answers.

 

[zone]

God teaches us by the method of "learning by doing". It is not always obvious why God instructs people to do things and the understanding sometimes comes AFTER we do it.

ha?
if ya haven't read the NT and seen what salvation is and sin is and all that...welp.
k

 

[RedTent]

ha?
if ya haven't read the NT and seen what salvation is and sin is and all that...welp.
k

The NT and the OT teaches that it is only through blood we are saved, and the NT says that was made perfect, our doing does not save us. Nowhere does the bible say because your salvation is assured by blood not doing does it add that you must never be obedience, worship, or do. Scripture says the opposite.

 

[just-me]

Leviticus 14:36-57 (KJV)
[SUP]36 [/SUP]Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:
[SUP]37 [/SUP]And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall;
[SUP]38 [/SUP]Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:
[SUP]39 [/SUP]And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;
[SUP]40 [/SUP]Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
[SUP]41 [/SUP]And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place:
[SUP]42 [/SUP]And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.
[SUP]43 [/SUP]And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plaistered;
[SUP]44 [/SUP]Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean.
[SUP]45 [/SUP]And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place.
[SUP]46 [/SUP]Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even.
[SUP]47 [/SUP]And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes.
[SUP]48 [/SUP]And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.
[SUP]49 [/SUP]And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
[SUP]50 [/SUP]And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:
[SUP]51 [/SUP]And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times:
[SUP]52 [/SUP]And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet:
[SUP]53 [/SUP]But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.
[SUP]54 [/SUP]This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,
[SUP]55 [/SUP]And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house,
[SUP]56 [/SUP]And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot:
[SUP]57 [/SUP]To teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy.

This scripture has been very uplifting to me, explaining a restoration after having been given the gift of faith. To me, it explains how the high Priest (Christ Jesus) has the power to clean the house (me) after welcoming Him in, to see the corruption of my fleshly nature, with vacant holes that need to be filled. Verse 37 and 44
There were 7 days between Jesus entering Jerusalem, and His resurrection, 7 being the number, or letter “Zayin” (completeness) relating to food and nourishment, being the picture of a mattock (in the Hebrew pictorial) that prepares the ground, or heart. Relate to the parable of the sower and the seed. Verse 38
He will take corruption away, in the process as He determines, on the cross outside the city walls. Verse 41 and 45
He will baptize me and pronounce me clean before the Father. Verse 48 and 52
Cedar wood=known for it’s strength and deep root, even though the cross was Dogwood as I understand, and it doesn’t rot as other woods do.
Scarlet=blood
Hyssop=it is mentioned in Psalm 51 of the Bible as a Spiritual Purifying Agent, as it is written: Cleanse me with HYSSOP; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Verse 49

His flesh shall be the sacrifice of cleansing. Verse 50
The living bird is likened unto the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:8 (Az’azel) verse 53
Even though I know I see very little of the entire picture God is showing to me, this law has been uplifting to me, being a believer in Christ Jesus, knowing he continues to clean me up, when I confess my sinful nature. It helps me to see, and understand what dying daily means. May God bless you with these thoughts that are so deep and profound.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The NT and the OT teaches that it is only through blood we are saved, and the NT says that was made perfect, our doing does not save us. Nowhere does the bible say because your salvation is assured by blood not doing does it add that you must never be obedience, worship, or do. Scripture says the opposite.

I would agree in part.

Scripture says that those who are born again by the blood and truly saved based on factual faith WILL do the work of God (eph 2 8-10 along with james) It does not say they will be perfect. In fact it says some may remain babes in christ for some time. At this point it is the responsibility of those discipling that believer and confronting him on his issues of sitting still (feeding milk instead of meet, when they should be teachers kind of thing)

where this issue comes in, is when people claim salvation can be lost. Then it becomes a works based salvation based on law. and not grace.

 

[just-me]

where this issue comes in, is when people claim salvation can be lost. Then it becomes a works based salvation based on law. and not grace.

This is true. It works the other way too, if we think about it. Those that totally deny the law as extinct, over, done away with, corrupt, only for the Jews, etc. don't know the truth either. It is the love that we are to have in our hearts to enlighten with meekness, considering ourselves. God bless ya man.

Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

fulfill=completed, not negated

 

[john832]

ha?
if ya haven't read the NT and seen what salvation is and sin is and all that...welp.
k

Well then help me out?

1) What is salvation? (a brief explanation will do, you can quote a few scriptures but it is not necessary)

2) What is sin? (a brief explanation will do, you can quote a few scriptures but it is not necessary)

3) What is "all that" (this could require a little more indepth explanation, I am totally unfamiliar with "all that")

 

[john832]

where this issue comes in, is when people claim salvation can be lost. Then it becomes a works based salvation based on law. and not grace.

How 'bout explaining this for me so that I can understand what it means?

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

And while you are at it, this one also...

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

 

[john832]

This is true. It works the other way too, if we think about it. Those that totally deny the law as extinct, over, done away with, corrupt, only for the Jews, etc. don't know the truth either. It is the love that we are to have in our hearts to enlighten with meekness, considering ourselves. God bless ya man.

Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

fulfill=completed, not negated

I agree that works do not EARN salvation, it is a gift. Do you reward your children with gifts when they curse? When they steal from the local supermarket? When they intentionally do things you tell them not to do?

Does God reward those who intentionally do the things He tells them not to do? More importantly, does He reward those who intentionally do NOT do those things He tells them TO DO?

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 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.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

You mean to tell me God expects me to do certain things, refrain from certain things or He will (gasp - choke - wheeze) punish me?

Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Rebuked for what? Disobedience.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Just for the fun of it? Or does He discipline us for disobeying, for doing the things that hurt us.

Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

When your father corrected you was it for doing the things he instructed you to do? Or was it for disobedience?

Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

See Deut 5:29 below.

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Why would He expect us to toe the line?

Deu 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Because that terrible old Law is a burden?

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

No, because they are for our good...

Deu 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

For how long? FOREVER! Eternal life...

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.