The Why

[RememberTheSabbathDay]

Further Thought: As we saw, the Bible teaches that the rainbow is a sign of God's covenantal promise never to destroy the earth by water again. Sure, thanks to science, we now know that a rainbow occurs when sunlight is both refracted and reflected in drops of water, dispersing the light at various angles. Light enters a raindrop at one point, is reflected off the back of that drop at another, and leaves at another, creating the colors that we see. Poet John Keats feared that science would unweave a rainbow, but even if we could parse, measure, predict, and quantify everything about a rainbow down to the innards of each photon and the underbelly of every quark, what would that prove other than that we understand better the natural laws God used to create the signs of this covenant promise? Science might one day be able to explain everything about how rainbows are made-even to 25 digits to the right of a decimal point-but it can never explain why they are made.

We, though, know why. Because God created our world in such a way that when sunlight and mist are in right relationships to each other, the mist breaks up the light by refracting and reflecting it at different angles that create bands of electromagnetic waves which, when reaching our eyes, imprint the image of rainbows in our minds. And He did it (the why that science can never explain) to remind us of His covenant promise that never again would He destroy the earth by water.


[h=4]Discussion Questions:
[/h]

1. What are some other crucial truths, revealed by the Bible, that science can never teach us? In fact, could you argue that the most important things we know could never be revealed by science? If so, what truths would they be?
   
2. Go over the crucial relationship between faith and works in the plan of salvation. That is, what is the role of faith, and what is the role of works, and how do they relate to the Christian experience?
   
3. What does it mean to say that the law is engraved on our hearts? How does this idea show the perpetuity of the law, even under the New Covenant?

[h=4][/h]

 

[Utah]

Science will never be able to teach eternity. For me, thinking of eternal life regarding the future is comprehendible, but thinking of God's eternal state of being, no beginning and no end, man that blows me away. Its not that I don't believe in God's past eternal existence, I just can't grasp the concept of it, and science isn't going to teach it, at least to me.

Great questions!

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

1) That Jesus will come again and be the victor.

2) We will be saved by faith but our works will be an outward testimony of our relationship with the living God

3) The law will be placed in our hearts like it was with Abraham, Noah etc

Rom 2:14 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:
Rom 2:15 Which shew 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

 

[james57]

Further Thought: As we saw, the Bible teaches that the rainbow is a sign of God's covenantal promise never to destroy the earth by water again. Sure, thanks to science, we now know that a rainbow occurs when sunlight is both refracted and reflected in drops of water, dispersing the light at various angles. Light enters a raindrop at one point, is reflected off the back of that drop at another, and leaves at another, creating the colors that we see. Poet John Keats feared that science would unweave a rainbow, but even if we could parse, measure, predict, and quantify everything about a rainbow down to the innards of each photon and the underbelly of every quark, what would that prove other than that we understand better the natural laws God used to create the signs of this covenant promise? Science might one day be able to explain everything about how rainbows are made-even to 25 digits to the right of a decimal point-but it can never explain why they are made.

We, though, know why. Because God created our world in such a way that when sunlight and mist are in right relationships to each other, the mist breaks up the light by refracting and reflecting it at different angles that create bands of electromagnetic waves which, when reaching our eyes, imprint the image of rainbows in our minds. And He did it (the why that science can never explain) to remind us of His covenant promise that never again would He destroy the earth by water.


[h=4]Discussion Questions:
[/h]

1. What are some other crucial truths, revealed by the Bible, that science can never teach us? In fact, could you argue that the most important things we know could never be revealed by science? If so, what truths would they be?
   
2. Go over the crucial relationship between faith and works in the plan of salvation. That is, what is the role of faith, and what is the role of works, and how do they relate to the Christian experience?
   
3. What does it mean to say that the law is engraved on our hearts? How does this idea show the perpetuity of the law, even under the New Covenant?

[h=4][/h]

Works, according to Paul hinge on a person knowing their salvation I by faith alone, apart from works.
Is that a licence not to obey? No!

For by the law being placed on a christians heart, they in their heart want to obey God, for they have been born again.

Jesus told Nicodemus:

Ye MUST be born again.

What an incredible covenant it is

 

[Laodicea]

The law is to be written on our heart and lived out in the life.

 

[james57]

The law is to be written on our heart and lived out in the life.

The law being placed on your heart cuts out a licence to sin.
God had to make it a two part covenant didn't he? Otherwise the christian would have a licence to sin by Christ being the end of the law unto righteousness for everyone who believeth

 

[Laodicea]

The law being placed on your heart cuts out a licence to sin.
God had to make it a two part covenant didn't he? Otherwise the christian would have a licence to sin by Christ being the end of the law unto righteousness for everyone who believeth

End of the law means goal of the law. Our aim is to be Christ-like in character. Christ fulfilled the law, He lived the law as it should be kept.

 

[james57]

End of the law means goal of the law. Our aim is to be Christ-like in character. Christ fulfilled the law, He lived the law as it should be kept.

You do accept the christian is not under a righteousness of observing the law dont you?

 

[Laodicea]

You do accept the christian is not under a righteousness of observing the law dont you?

So then are you saying we do not have to keep any law and still make it to heaven?

 

[james57]

So then are you saying we do not have to keep any law and still make it to heaven?

I will answer that when you answer my question.

Do you accept a christian has a righteousness before God apart from observing the law?

 

[Laodicea]

The only righteousness that can save us is Christ's righteousness not our own.

 

[james57]

The only righteousness that can save us is Christ's righteousness not our own.

I asked a specific question

Do you accept the christian has a righteousness before God apart from observing the law.

The answer is a simple yes or no. If you do not know, just say so, no problem

 

[Laodicea]

I asked a specific question

Do you accept the christian has a righteousness before God apart from observing the law.

The answer is a simple yes or no. If you do not know, just say so, no problem

There is but as I said our own righteousness will not save us only Christ's righteousness. Maybe I am not giving the answer you want but that is my answer.

Matthew 5:20 KJV
(20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

[james57]

There is but as I said our own righteousness will not save us only Christ's righteousness. Maybe I am not giving the answer you want but that is my answer.

Matthew 5:20 KJV
(20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The bible is very clear as to what the answer is. But strangely, I have discussed with a couple of people lately who feel they have the right to ignore what the person who wrote half the books of the NT stated. That's weird

Well I will guess at what you are saying, and you can tell me if I am right or wrong.

The christian is saved by a sole righteousness of faith in Christ. But they have a righteousness as a christian of observing the law

 

[Laodicea]

The bible is very clear as to what the answer is. But strangely, I have discussed with a couple of people lately who feel they have the right to ignore what the person who wrote half the books of the NT stated. That's weird

Well I will guess at what you are saying, and you can tell me if I am right or wrong.

The christian is saved by a sole righteousness of faith in Christ. But they have a righteousness as a christian of observing the law

Jesus said to keep the law.

Matthew 19:17 KJV
(17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

How do we keep the law? Because it is written on our heart.

 

[james57]

Jesus said to keep the law.

Matthew 19:17 KJV
(17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

How do we keep the law? Because it is written on our heart.

Ad you wont answer my question, I will not answer yours.jesus also said there was much more he wanted to tell his disciples about sin, righteousness and judgement but they could not yet bear such knowledge. However, when the holy spirit came upon them he would guide them into all truth.
The holy spirit had come upon the writers of the epistles and those willing to be led of the spirit understand and accept what they wrote.
According to Jesus own words, those who only rely on the gospels to learn, or refuse to accept what the writers of the epistles wrote will be limited to put it mildly in their understanding of the gospel message

 

[Laodicea]

Ad you wont answer my question, I will not answer yours.jesus also said there was much more he wanted to tell his disciples about sin, righteousness and judgement but they could not yet bear such knowledge. However, when the holy spirit came upon them he would guide them into all truth.
The holy spirit had come upon the writers of the epistles and those willing to be led of the spirit understand and accept what they wrote.
According to Jesus own words, those who only rely on the gospels to learn, or refuse to accept what the writers of the epistles wrote will be limited to put it mildly in their understanding of the gospel message

I did answer your question just not in the way you wanted. When asking a question you have to understand not everyone is the same so the answer may not be what you expect. Also my previous post was not a question.

 

[james57]

I did answer your question just not in the way you wanted. When asking a question you have to understand not everyone is the same so the answer may not be what you expect. Also my previous post was not a question.

If something I repeatedly stated in scripture a person should be able to plainly respond to a question concerning it.
The only reason I can think of as to why they wont is because they do not agree with what scripture plainly states but do not want to say so.
Either that or they do not understand what is written

 

[Laodicea]

If something I repeatedly stated in scripture a person should be able to plainly respond to a question concerning it.
The only reason I can think of as to why they wont is because they do not agree with what scripture plainly states but do not want to say so.
Either that or they do not understand what is written

It would be easier if you use a Bible text to ask your question. So I can know better where your question is coming from. Because your question may be loaded.

 

[james57]

It would be easier if you use a Bible text to ask your question. So I can know better where your question is coming from. Because your question may be loaded.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin.

But now a righteousness before God APART from law has been made known..... Rom 3:20&21