How do Christians define the word keep ?
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In A.J. Jacob's 2007 "The Year of Living Biblically" the author describes his attempts to follow the Bible as literally as possible for a year. He even attempts to stone an adulterer and offer an animal sacrifice. So this might be a worthwhile read for you to settle the question.
As for the consequences of failing to do so, I guess we will find out eventually.
Either that or we just expire.
Seymour G.
As for the consequences of failing to do so, I guess we will find out eventually.
Either that or we just expire.
Seymour G.
The whole law of God has been summed up by Christ in one word "Love". Not sure what you mean by stumbling, but if you mean sinning, Christians can and do sin, but God has provided a remedy through the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The eternal consequences are only for unbelievers and evildoers who will not repent.
1 John 1:8-10
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Any of these work for ya?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep
Definition of keep
kept
play\ˈkept\; keeping
keep an eye on
keep at
keep company
keep house
keep one's distance
or keep at a distance
keep one's eyes open
or keep one's eyes peeled
keep one's hand in
keep one's head down
keep one's nose clean
keep pace
keep step
keep to
keep to oneself
Hope these give you some idea of the definition of keep.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep
Definition of keep
kept
play\ˈkept\; keeping
- transitive verb
- 1a : to retain in one's possession or power kept the money we foundb : to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing kept the news backc : to have in control keep your temper
- 2: to take notice of by appropriate conduct : fulfill: such asa : to be faithful to keep a promiseb : to act fittingly in relation to keep the Sabbathc : to conform to in habits or conduct keep late hoursd : to stay in accord with (a beat) keep time
- 3: preserve, maintain: such asa : to watch over and defend keep us from harmb (1) : to take care of : tend keep a garden (2) : support (3) : to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition —usually used with upc : to continue to maintain keep watchd (1) : to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition keep him waiting (2) : to preserve (food) in an unspoiled conditione (1) : to have or maintain in an established position or relationship keep a mistress —often used with on kept the cook on (2) : to lodge or feed for pay keep boardersf (1) : to maintain a record in keep a diary (2) : to enter in a book keep recordsg : to have customarily in stock for sale
- 4a : to restrain from departure or removal : detain keep children after schoolb : hold back, restrain keep them from going kept him back with difficultyc : save, reserve keep some for later kept some out for a friendd : to refrain from revealing keep a secret
- 5: to confine oneself to keep my room
- 6a : to stay or continue in keep the path keep your seatb : to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition : hold kepther ground
- 7: conduct, manage keep a tearoom
- intransitive verb
- 1a : to maintain a course, direction, or progress keep to the rightb : to continue usually without interruption keep talking keepquiet keep on smilingc : to persist in a practice kept bothering them kept on smoking in spite of warnings
- 2: stay, remain keep out of the way keep off the grass: such asa : to stay even —usually used with up keep up with the Jonesesb : to remain in good condition meat will keep in the freezerc : to remain secret the secret would keepd : to call for no immediate action the matter will keep until morning
- 3: abstain, refrain can't keep from talking
- 4: to be in sessionschool will keep through the winter — W. M. Thayer
- 5of a quarterback : to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff
- 6chiefly British : live, lodge
keep an eye on
- : watch
keep at
- : to persist in doing or concerning oneself with
keep company
- : to go together as frequent companions or in courtship
keep house
- : to manage a household
keep one's distance
or keep at a distance
- : to stay aloof : maintain a reserved attitude
keep one's eyes open
or keep one's eyes peeled
- : to be on the alert : be watchful
keep one's hand in
- : to keep in practice
keep one's head down
- : to avoid attracting notice
keep one's nose clean
- : to avoid trouble especially through good behavior
keep pace
- : to stay even; also : keep up 1
keep step
- : to keep in step
keep to
- 1a : to stay inb : to limit oneself to
- 2: to abide by
keep to oneself
- 1: to keep secret kept the facts to myself
- 2: to remain solitary or apart from other people
Hope these give you some idea of the definition of keep.
Peter shows us how we can keep from stumbling.
2 Peter 1:1-11
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
2 Peter 1:1-11
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
We go by the 2 greatest commandments in the New Testament,love God,and love people,which Paul said we do not void out the law through faith,but we establish the law,and the law is spiritual,holy,just,and good,which are the laws of love,moral laws.
And then Paul says that Jesus took the physical ordinances of Israel out of the way,nailing them to His cross,for they were contrary to us because they had nothing to do with spiritual salvation,which in the end that is what it is all about.Those physical ordinances include the physical sabbath,and meats,for all meat is alright to eat in the New.We go by the spiritual sabbath rest by the Holy Spirit.
They could not have the Spirit in the Old Testament so God had them do physical ordinances until Christ came and gave spiritual salvation,then the physical ordinances,and physical laws,have passed away,for they have no effect towards salvation.
A Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,for they have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts,and will show the characteristics of the Spirit,so they are not under the law,which means the law cannot touch them for prosecution.
Where there is no sin,there is no law that can condemn.
But if we sin it can always be forgiven.
Love works no ill towards their neighbor,therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,and abstain from fleshy lusts that war against the soul.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this SEAL, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
This is the seal that seals the deal,that they depart from iniquity.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These people decided they did not want to depart from iniquity.
2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
They do not come to the truth that sin does affect their relationship with God,but think that they are alright with God when they sin,so the will hold unto sin and not give it up because they think they are alright.
But there is no fear for we can always repent of our sins,and everything is alright.
But regardless what we believe,cannot fall from salvation,or can fall from salvation,sometimes we can take advantage of God's love,and mercy,and forgiveness,and sin knowing that God will forgive us,which God knows we might do that,for what other reason would we sin,but we know God will forgive,for we do not sin because God is strict and strikes a person down as soon as they sin after they have been saved,for then we would say forget sin altogether,and I do not believe anybody would be saved,unless they were saved,and perished from the earth within an hour,but if we are sincere sin can be forgiven.
I will say by the Spirit we can abstain from sin,but I will not say that I might not sin,for like the disciples said,we are of like passions as you men,and Peter had a problem of not walking uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel,until Paul told him to stop doing it,and we should not act holier than thou,which if we do God said it is a stench in His nostrils,and if any person thinks they stand,take heed lest they fall.
Father help me not to sin,and leave it at that,for we do not know what the future holds,and we might sin.
If we hate sin,and do not want sin,by the Spirit we can abstain from sin,for the hate that God has for sin will be in us,and the Spirit will intensify the terribleness of sin,and make it appear worse than we thought while in the flesh.
Love God,and love people,and love is the fulfilling of the law,so what more needs to be added,and doing works of the Spirit is love towards God,for we labor for His kingdom,and not promote the kingdom of the world.
And then Paul says that Jesus took the physical ordinances of Israel out of the way,nailing them to His cross,for they were contrary to us because they had nothing to do with spiritual salvation,which in the end that is what it is all about.Those physical ordinances include the physical sabbath,and meats,for all meat is alright to eat in the New.We go by the spiritual sabbath rest by the Holy Spirit.
They could not have the Spirit in the Old Testament so God had them do physical ordinances until Christ came and gave spiritual salvation,then the physical ordinances,and physical laws,have passed away,for they have no effect towards salvation.
A Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,for they have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts,and will show the characteristics of the Spirit,so they are not under the law,which means the law cannot touch them for prosecution.
Where there is no sin,there is no law that can condemn.
But if we sin it can always be forgiven.
Love works no ill towards their neighbor,therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,and abstain from fleshy lusts that war against the soul.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this SEAL, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
This is the seal that seals the deal,that they depart from iniquity.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These people decided they did not want to depart from iniquity.
2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
They do not come to the truth that sin does affect their relationship with God,but think that they are alright with God when they sin,so the will hold unto sin and not give it up because they think they are alright.
But there is no fear for we can always repent of our sins,and everything is alright.
But regardless what we believe,cannot fall from salvation,or can fall from salvation,sometimes we can take advantage of God's love,and mercy,and forgiveness,and sin knowing that God will forgive us,which God knows we might do that,for what other reason would we sin,but we know God will forgive,for we do not sin because God is strict and strikes a person down as soon as they sin after they have been saved,for then we would say forget sin altogether,and I do not believe anybody would be saved,unless they were saved,and perished from the earth within an hour,but if we are sincere sin can be forgiven.
I will say by the Spirit we can abstain from sin,but I will not say that I might not sin,for like the disciples said,we are of like passions as you men,and Peter had a problem of not walking uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel,until Paul told him to stop doing it,and we should not act holier than thou,which if we do God said it is a stench in His nostrils,and if any person thinks they stand,take heed lest they fall.
Father help me not to sin,and leave it at that,for we do not know what the future holds,and we might sin.
If we hate sin,and do not want sin,by the Spirit we can abstain from sin,for the hate that God has for sin will be in us,and the Spirit will intensify the terribleness of sin,and make it appear worse than we thought while in the flesh.
Love God,and love people,and love is the fulfilling of the law,so what more needs to be added,and doing works of the Spirit is love towards God,for we labor for His kingdom,and not promote the kingdom of the world.
To me, I just 'keep' the directives of Jesus in my heart. No, I do not keep them perfectly in behavior. Don't we all worry sometimes? Don't we all act selfishly without thinking about it? Don't we all have pride rule at times?
But, I keep the word of God in my heart as my goal... and the basis for choices and the need for confession and forgiveness.
I even try to keep the word of God before my eyes so that I do not forget.
But, I keep the word of God in my heart as my goal... and the basis for choices and the need for confession and forgiveness.
I even try to keep the word of God before my eyes so that I do not forget.
We who are in Christ keep the whole law always. Not by what we do or do not do but by being hidden in Christ. Jesus is the only one who ever walked the earth who kept perfect law. Since perfection is the standard to meet and since we can never, ever meet the standard, we need a savior. Thankfully we have one in Jesus. 
We who are in Christ keep the whole law always. Not by what we do or do not do but by being hidden in Christ. Jesus is the only one who ever walked the earth who kept perfect law. Since perfection is the standard to meet and since we can never, ever meet the standard, we need a savior. Thankfully we have one in Jesus.
M
A few verses for consideration, I've used the NLT but by all means look them
up in a different version.
Romans 9:30-33 NLT
[30] What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow
God's standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place.
[31] But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law,
never succeeded. [32] Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God
by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock
in their path.
[33] God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, "I am placing a stone
in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone
who trusts in him will never be disgraced."
Romans 10:1-13 NLT
[1] Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is
for the people of Israel to be saved. [2] I know what enthusiasm they have for
God, but it is misdirected zeal.
[3] For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself.
Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God
by trying to keep the law.
[4] For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.
As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. [5] For Moses writes
that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience
to all of its commands.
[6] But faith's way of getting right with God says, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will
go up to heaven?' (to bring Christ down to earth). [7] And don't say, 'Who will go down
to the place of the dead?' (to bring Christ back to life again)."
[8] In fact, it says, "The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in
your heart." And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:
[9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
[10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is
by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. [11] As the Scriptures tell
us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." [12] Jew and Gentile are
the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously
to all who call on him. [13] For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."
To the OP, this is my opinion, if people are trying to gain salvation by "keeping" the laws,
then they had better ensure they "keep every single one of them perfectly all the time".
As to those who are truely born again by faith, the bible calls them "new creations", the
old man (that sinful person who could not perfectly keep the law) has gone and been replaced
by a new "spirit filled saved person".
That spirit filled man will have a tender conscience, a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone.
Yes they will get it wrong, we all do, but that spirit filled new man, will be
only too aware of their wrong doing. The Holy Spirit works within us and speaks to us,
convicting (just one of the many attrubutes of God the Holy Spirit living on the inside of
us). As we grow in grace and spiritual maturity, fruit should appear.
Some fruit takes longer to grow and show than others, but God knows who are His sheep and
His sheep hear His voice.
The mark of a new creation in Christ includes one who hears His voice.
I dont really want to get into another works/grace debate, as that is the wrong
question to ask, it always has been.
I better question for a thread would be:-
Are you one of the sheep, do you hear the Shepherd's voice, do you respond to His voice.
Even if the sheep tries to ignore that voice, it won't go away.
It calls and calls - see story of the lost sheep, the lost coin, prodigal son.
Wouldn't it be fantastic if one day we could have a whole load of threads on here
about our struggles, how a God speaks to each of us. Prayer asking for help to overcome,
how patient and loving God is with each one us, the things God has revealed to us etc
up in a different version.
Romans 9:30-33 NLT
[30] What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow
God's standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place.
[31] But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law,
never succeeded. [32] Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God
by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock
in their path.
[33] God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, "I am placing a stone
in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone
who trusts in him will never be disgraced."
Romans 10:1-13 NLT
[1] Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is
for the people of Israel to be saved. [2] I know what enthusiasm they have for
God, but it is misdirected zeal.
[3] For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself.
Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God
by trying to keep the law.
[4] For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.
As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. [5] For Moses writes
that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience
to all of its commands.
[6] But faith's way of getting right with God says, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will
go up to heaven?' (to bring Christ down to earth). [7] And don't say, 'Who will go down
to the place of the dead?' (to bring Christ back to life again)."
[8] In fact, it says, "The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in
your heart." And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:
[9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
[10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is
by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. [11] As the Scriptures tell
us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." [12] Jew and Gentile are
the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously
to all who call on him. [13] For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."
To the OP, this is my opinion, if people are trying to gain salvation by "keeping" the laws,
then they had better ensure they "keep every single one of them perfectly all the time".
As to those who are truely born again by faith, the bible calls them "new creations", the
old man (that sinful person who could not perfectly keep the law) has gone and been replaced
by a new "spirit filled saved person".
That spirit filled man will have a tender conscience, a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone.
Yes they will get it wrong, we all do, but that spirit filled new man, will be
only too aware of their wrong doing. The Holy Spirit works within us and speaks to us,
convicting (just one of the many attrubutes of God the Holy Spirit living on the inside of
us). As we grow in grace and spiritual maturity, fruit should appear.
Some fruit takes longer to grow and show than others, but God knows who are His sheep and
His sheep hear His voice.
The mark of a new creation in Christ includes one who hears His voice.
I dont really want to get into another works/grace debate, as that is the wrong
question to ask, it always has been.
I better question for a thread would be:-
Are you one of the sheep, do you hear the Shepherd's voice, do you respond to His voice.
Even if the sheep tries to ignore that voice, it won't go away.
It calls and calls - see story of the lost sheep, the lost coin, prodigal son.
Wouldn't it be fantastic if one day we could have a whole load of threads on here
about our struggles, how a God speaks to each of us. Prayer asking for help to overcome,
how patient and loving God is with each one us, the things God has revealed to us etc