Holiness Is Not Legalism
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Amen...
We need to take scripture in context or that text will con you.
Take Hebrews 12:14 as an excellent example.
Taken isolated - we dream up all sorts of man-made traditions. But it context with "other" scriptures around it - it becomes evident what is being spoken about here.
Hebrews 12:12-15 (NASB)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
[SUP]13 [/SUP] and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
The context of this verse, Hebrews 12:13 instructs us to not walk in a manner that will cause others to stumble. Therefore, I believe this verse isn’t talking about us seeing God but rather that if we don’t act in a holy manner, no one will see God in our lives. ( we are a living epistle )
That would certainly be a true statement that is not only consistent with Hebrews 12:14 but leads perfectly into Hebrews 12:15.
Our actions don’t earn the grace of God. That wouldn’t be grace (Romans 11:6). Therefore, we don’t fall from grace by not being holy enough to earn it. Galatians 5:4 speaks of falling from grace by putting faith in our works instead of having our faith firmly placed in Christ and what He did for us. So, the way people “fail of the grace of God” is through legalism.
Hebrews 12:15 - Notice that bitterness in our lives doesn’t just hurt or poison us but many people. Again the context of this verse shows that we are supposed to walk in a manner that influences others in a positive way. If we get bitter, that bitterness will affect others.
Works-based salvationsists have used this verse to beat people with for years as we know we are sanctified forever in our inner man now and we do need to work out what is already in us in Christ in our outward behavior. This has nothing to do with " becoming un-born " and not seeing the Lord ourselves and thus losing the free gift He gave us in Christ's finished work.
I've heard works-based salvationists quote Hebrews 12:15 (from the KJV) which says "fail of the grace of God" and they teach this means a believer was in the grace of God, but later failed the grace of God and lost their salvation, yet as the NASB reads - "comes short of the grace of God." The NIV reads - "falls short of the grace of God" and the RSV reads - "fails to obtain the grace of God."
Many well-meaning brethren today confuse rabbinical teachings with understanding from the Word or from God. These teachings are just as were teh off-the-wall teachings of the Sadduees and the Pharisees at the time our Savior was here. Ou Savior teaches the differene, and His burden is light, His Yoke is easy.
If individuals choose to continue following rabbinical teachings or teachings of any men taught as commandment from God, they may, but, do everything they tell you.....
If individuals choose to continue following rabbinical teachings or teachings of any men taught as commandment from God, they may, but, do everything they tell you.....
Romans 5:6-9
King James Version(KJV)
6.)For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7.)For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8.)But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9.)Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
+++
Thats free but faith PLEASES GOD.
We have access to this grace through faith.
King James Version(KJV)
6.)For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7.)For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8.)But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9.)Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
+++
Thats free but faith PLEASES GOD.
We have access to this grace through faith.
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F
What you don't understand is that all of those "rabbinical teachings" are the natural and logical result of man trying to meet the demands of the Law. They represent the ridiculous lengths to which man ends up going to when he tries to make himself acceptable to a perfect and holy God.
It's no different today. If you watch those threads where folks are talking about being under the Law, you will see them immediately trying to determine just how much is or isn't required of them to meet the Law's demands. And so it begins...the endless list of do's and don't do's all in an effort to make themselves what only Christ can.
It's no different today. If you watch those threads where folks are talking about being under the Law, you will see them immediately trying to determine just how much is or isn't required of them to meet the Law's demands. And so it begins...the endless list of do's and don't do's all in an effort to make themselves what only Christ can.
I agree...
The Greek word meaning is obvious when you look it up.
5139. [FONT="Galatia Sil" !important]ὑστερέω[/FONT] [FONT="Gentium" !important]hustereō[/FONT] verb
To come too late, to lack, to fail, to be inferior
Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Sigma-Omega.
Here is an example of the same Greek word being used - here it is translated as "lacking".
Matthew 19:20 (NASB)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] The young man *said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"
The Greek word meaning is obvious when you look it up.
5139. [FONT="Galatia Sil" !important]ὑστερέω[/FONT] [FONT="Gentium" !important]hustereō[/FONT] verb
To come too late, to lack, to fail, to be inferior
Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Sigma-Omega.
Here is an example of the same Greek word being used - here it is translated as "lacking".
Matthew 19:20 (NASB)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] The young man *said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"
God says that you are to stone your child for being dis-obedient - have you done that yet? Have you told your wife or daughter to get out of the house for 7 days until their period is over?
1 Timothy 1:7 (NASB)
[SUP]7 [/SUP] wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
If we do not view all scripture ( especially the Old Covenant which is now obsolete ) through the finished work of Christ - we will continue to substitute Christ for the Old Covenant - substitute His life in us for rules that are now that the Christian is dead to. We will continue to substitute Christ's life living in us for the Law - This is anti-Christ in it's very nature.
1 Timothy 1:7 (NASB)
[SUP]7 [/SUP] wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
If we do not view all scripture ( especially the Old Covenant which is now obsolete ) through the finished work of Christ - we will continue to substitute Christ for the Old Covenant - substitute His life in us for rules that are now that the Christian is dead to. We will continue to substitute Christ's life living in us for the Law - This is anti-Christ in it's very nature.
K
The balance is you cant live like hell and make it to heaven. And the length of your hair isnt going to get you into heaven. Some people take grace so far they feel they can live no different than the world and grace covers them.Some people live by man made rules and think that will get them to heaven. So obviously there is a middle ground that we need to find.
E
Well said...
The balance is found in Titus 2.11-15
[SUP]11 [/SUP]For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [SUP]12 [/SUP]instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, [SUP]13 [/SUP]looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, [SUP]14 [/SUP]who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
The balance is found in Titus 2.11-15
[SUP]11 [/SUP]For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [SUP]12 [/SUP]instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, [SUP]13 [/SUP]looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, [SUP]14 [/SUP]who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
