Is keeping the Commandments and Laws of God Needed for Eternal Life?

Mediate · Oct 26, 2012

Love thy neighbour as thyself; for all the law is fulfilled in this one command.

1. Active, true love realises God's way is perfect, and does not wish to have any other Gods. It is not simply a case of 'not having other Gods', it's a case of 'not WANTING to have other Gods.

2. Real love does not make itself idols above God. Because God's way, again, is perfect. If the kingdom of God, as Jesus says, is within us, then how can we even expect anything at all from outside of us? Why would worshipping an idol (or having an idol) even benefit us or others?? Love realises there is no point in bowing down to things, nor to people. only self sacrificing love brings the joy God wants for us. Love does not even WANT an idol.

3. Love realises that using God's beautiful and Holy name to incite evil, to judge, to get one up, to war, fight, argue or belittle, or to be unpatient, unkind, uncharitable, harsh, angry, bitter, resentful, envious or anything else in God's name, is total blasphemy against the forgiving, loving, nurturing Father that brought us all into existence to love one another.

4. Love realises that God rested on the seventh day, and to not honour that with our own rest (from selfish work. ie. Our jobs) brings His name into disrepute. If we spend all our time for ourselves and none for the Lord, then all we do is for ourselves. Jesus healed on the sabbath, and so we should look to inward thought and outward action on this day to help others and not ourselves. And eventually do this on ALL days. We are the one's who must do GOD's work on Earth to honour Him and Jesus. To give and love is our calling. Love is not selfish.

5. Love realises that respecting one's mother and father is akin to respecting God, for He is our father. If we truly respect God's word, patience, forgiveness and kindness, then we will honour and respect our own parents, and of course our neighbours.

6. To take another human life is not an action of a human servant, but of a power-hungry tyrant. I am a sinner and I deserve death. I will bring it upon no-one else. Only God should have this power.

7. My wife and I (eventual wife) will be one flesh. Let not what God has joined, man separate. My wife deserves all my love and patience, my trust, as I deserve hers. None of us are perfect, yet to unconditionally love her is a great calling and a blessing.

8. Do not steal. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. If I shall break this commandment, I shall return what I have taken and leave myself at the owner's mercy. Not because I am commanded, but because I wish to love others. Because I have guilt. Because I have realised god's way and my wrongdoing against another person. To give is of God. To take is not.

9. To say 'you sinner' or 'you thief' or 'you harlot' or 'you murderer' is to condemn myself because I have murdered in my heart and thoughts, if even not in physical activity. I am no better than any other person. And my judgement counts for nothing. I am imperfect. I wish only to love others as God wants me to.

10. For me to desire and be jealous of another man's possessions is to say 'i deserve what he has'. It is to put a silly possession above God. God only wishes us to love. It is not loving for me to be jealous of another man. The man comes first in my thoughts, not what he owns or has. All things on the Earth will fade, blemish and die but love will always remain. Let me be humble in this manner, because love sees past possessions. They mean nothing.

In summation, the commandments are not things we 'should do or else'. They are things we should 'want to do because'.

And the because, for me, is simply, 'because I understand what love is now'.

Eccl12and13 · Oct 27, 2012

Let's look at what will be the '...or else...' that happens to those that do NOT keep God's commandments;

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.
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

And now let's read what will happen if God's laws are not kept in the future;

Zech14
[16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[17] And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
[18] And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[19] This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Readers......it's quite simple;

You can keep God's laws and receive His blessings now and in the kingdom to come;

".....or else..."

You can NOT keep them and receive His punishment.

You do have a choice;

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

.

Mediate · Oct 28, 2012

You, just like me, are a person who sins and disobeys these commandments. There is nobody who does not ever disobey them. Only Jesus has that perfection.

I may try, but always, even in my thoughts, I will sin.

This is what Jesus died for.

There is no man who can throw a stone because no man is without sin.

We ALL will have things revisited upon us.

The only people (person) who will not be judged the same as others is the one who does not judge outwardly. Then that person will not be judged according to how THEY have judged, for they have not judged.

Yet we have all judged.

Jesus did not even judge, AND he was perfect. He need have no judgement against him. Yet in true God-like spirit, He gacve His life as payment for the sins of all the people of the world who ignore Him!!

How great is God.

There are none of us who will escape judgement. Forgiveness is something we ALL, regardless of what we profess to believe, need.

'The man who says he is without sin deceives himself, and the truth is not in him'.

Eccl12and13 · Oct 28, 2012

Mediate said:

And what will God use to judge us against? Let's read what He tells us for the answer.....

Rev.20
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

God will judge us based on what we have done. Now let's read some actions that will deny some entrance into His kingdom;

Rev.22
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Now let's read what is required for entrance into His kingdom;

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.

How simple is that! Those that break and continue to break God's laws will NOT be allowed into His kingdom, while those that do their best at keeping His commandments WILL be allowed into His kingdom.

And there are those that they believe that keeping God's laws counts for nothing?

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episkopos · Nov 18, 2012

Not only are we saved because of love -

John 3:16 - but this love is what we have working in us unto salvation. Two ways in which the manifestation of this love is made is by us loving God with all our heart and might and loving our neighbours as ourselves. Christ referred to the two as the summary of the law. This in itself points at the essence of the law. In addition to the old
Covenant, the new covenant, that is, in Christ Jesus gives grace to fulfill the law. Where there's grace both to will and to do. Phil 2:13. One of the ways God does this is shown in Hebrews 8:10

That is, by him writing on our minds and hearts He has given us the ability to understand with our minds, His will and commands and love his law and believe in it with our hearts ;whereby we'd readily comply.

- Gospel Salvation
Also in Christ there's full remission of our sins and our unrighteousness forgotten.

Hebrews 8:12

Dag Heward-Mills - Dag Heward-Mills

Mediate · Nov 19, 2012

I have not come to condemn the world, but to save it.

Sorry, but doing something only for the fear of condemnation is an empty act.

And doing it only for a place in heaven is a pointless deed.

The only reason we aren't all dead is because Jesus died for us.

The law was what Jesus came to fulfill.

Nobody can do it on their own.

The price of a single sin back in law days, was death in that sin.

But EVERY SIN is now is paid for.

I dont do anything for a place in heaven. I do it because I love God for many reasons, one being that He has already given me that place, eons ago at the beginning of the earth when he knew everything that would ever happen.

Same as you.

Mediate · Nov 19, 2012

You have to remember that God already holds the world in His hands. Who are we to think we can force our way in by some rule, or run away by some sin?

Mediate · Nov 19, 2012

Truth is God wants to save us from ourselves.

God doesn't do evil, we do.

Mediate · Nov 19, 2012

Fear has no place in a kingdom of peace and joy.

When we are all revealed to ourselves and in the midst of God, there will be no offence, because for offense you need to be unsure of something perhaps of myself, but surrounded in Gods truth, why would I be worried? God loves me same as the other person. And i can feel that love.

In the kingdom of God, there is no fear. What have I got to fear with all that protection around me?

In the kingdom of God, there is no need for sin. I'd have all the love that I could ever wish for.

Why would I want to do anything bad?

We will al be changed by the realisation of ourselves. Truly, we will know every 'why'.

The sheep will all be found, no question of that.

And the evil will be destroyed. The evil will be destroyed. The bad will go, like a blindness cured and a weight lifted.

Do not teach people 'do this or you'll burn for eternity'. In their fear they follow without ever knowing why, or being afraid to ask.

We want people to know God as a father.

Eccl12and13 · Nov 19, 2012

And what does God tells us in the LAST chapter of the LAST book of the His word?

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.

And what about those that do NOT keep His commandments? Let's read it again for ourselves.....

[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

How plain must God make it for us. If we obey Him and keep His commandments we WILL be able to enter into His kingdom.

If we do not we WILL not enter therein.

Readers.....of course Jesus came and died for our sins. He died for ALL of mankind. But I must ask again..... Will ALL that He died for make it into His kingdom? NO! And does He tell us why they will not make it in? YES! He tells us above. Let's read AGAIN who will not make it into His kingdom...

"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

And why will the above not make it in the kingdom? Because all of the above are law breakers.

.

haz · Nov 19, 2012

Hi Eccl12and13.

We all know that the thief on the cross was saved without any obedience to the law. This contradicts your understanding of Rev 22:14,15.

Eccl12and13 · Nov 20, 2012

haz said:

And HOW do you know this? Are we given any insight on the life of the thief in God's word? Are we even sure that the thief was being punished justly? Think about it...JESUS was also one of the 3 that were on the cross....and we KNOW He did no wrong!

How will Jesus judge when He returns? Will He ONLY judge on faith? NO! And the scriptures are VERY clear on this.... Let's read the word of God;

Rev.20
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Now how inclusive is "...EVERY MAN..."?

That means even the thief will be judged on those things he DID....not just on his faith in Jesus Christ!

And not only will the thief be judged on those things he did.... ALL of mankind will be judged on their actions they have performed during their lives.

Having faith is needed....but if you do not act on the faith you have your faith is dead.

.

Mediate · Nov 20, 2012

'Truly you will be with my father in paradise'.

The theif was saved. As was the adulterous woman. The tax collectors and the harlots, the whoremongerers and the dogs

We're all goats mate. That's what people are too proud to admit.

The apostles werent too proud to admit it though.

haz · Nov 20, 2012

Eccl12and13 said:

Hi Eccl12and13

Note Luke 23:41. The thief who called Jesus "Lord" rebukes the other criminal saying:
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

According the that thief's own words he was being punished justly.

That thief on the cross was God's example to mankind that we're saved by grace alone, without obedience/works of the law.

And what did Jesus says to that thief who called him "Lord"?
Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Lu 23:43

Can you see how this contradicts your understanding of Rev 22:14,15?

Eccl12and13 said:

And note Rev 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Jesus is that book of life. When God sees Christians He's sees Christ Jesus.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me Gal 2:20
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27

Yes, we are judged according to our works, as Rev 20 speaks of. And the 2 groups Rev 20 speak of are described below.

1: Those under the law are judged by their works of the law and will be found guilty and cast out. This includes those who continue to mix grace and works of the law. They are lukewarm, Rev 3:16.

2: Those under grace whose works are to believe on Jesus (John 6:29), these are they who obeyed the will of God (John 6:40). They are in the book of life. The thief on the cross is in this group.

Eccl12and13 · Nov 20, 2012

haz said:

True....the man may have been a thief. But do you know for a fact that he was not doing all that he could to keep the rest of God's laws? Was he a stealing to give food for his family? Which one of us would not do the same? Even God has laws that allows a thief a break.

Exod.22
[1] If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
[2] If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
[3] If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
[4] If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
[5] If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
[6] If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
[7] If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
[8] If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.
[9] For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
[10] If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
[11] Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
[12] And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

But at no point did God ever condemn a thief to death, as was the case with the thieves on the cross.

Again....who was in the wrong? Sure the thieves may have stolen....but the punishment should NOT have been death on a cross!

Are we not ALL sinners even AFTER receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? But do we not strive NOT to go back to breaking God's laws?

Not one place will you ever find in all of God's word that faith alone is needed for salvation!

Again.....Are there actions that are stopped when trying to seek the Lord? Do we engage in those actions we stopped AFTER receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? Of course we do. And what were those actions we stopped doing?

Breaking God's laws....or SINNING!

And why do we do our best NOT to break God's laws? Because we know we will be punished if we continue!

Consider this..... WHEN was it that God knew without a doubt Abraham had faith in His words?

.

Mediate · Nov 20, 2012

I can tell you Jesus died so every man will be resurrected and made anew in life

The revelation of the mirror happens after we are brought to life.

Judgement still awaits everyone. But 'judged' isn't as good a translation as 'purged'.

Paul tells us we'll see without any fading. Made into what God wants us to be by the revelation of his truth.

Theres no escaping the truth. And none will deny once it is made whole and complete

Because not even the most self righteous person is close to Jesus. We all sin.

Eccl12and13 · Nov 21, 2012

Mediate said:

And if one continues to sin will they have access to God's kingdom? The Scriptures tells us NO!

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.
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Those that continue to break God's laws will NOT be allowed into His kingdom.

.

WordGaurdian · Nov 21, 2012

I want to answer you by telling you a story...

In a country a king took judgement upon a person.
The man's offences were spoken to the court. And evidence were given. And on all accounts he was found guilty.

Just as the king was about to sentence the man, the prince walked into the room and pleaded for mercy from his father. His father said that the law needs to be upheld and that the punishment must remain, lest someone can take the place of the man and do his punishment for him.

The prince without a second thought replied. I will.
The father was shocked for the punishment given was very severe, but honoured his word and gave the punishment to his son.

His son took the beating, and the father cried. His son was mocked by the people. The father cried. The son carried a wooden cross till he collapsed and couldn't carry it further. The father was almost heartbroken. And finally his own son was crucified on the very same cross and died.

But as promised the father released the man and forgave him his offences.
And the King said to him, honour my son in what he has given you. Accept it. And live like he lived.

The man agreed. But after a few years, the man decided to start again with all his wrong doings. He did even worse than before. But this time he claimed he was saved by the prince the son of the King and nothing will befall him because of it.

When the man was brought before trial before the King and the King saw how he not only dishonoured his son, but made a mockery of the gift that his dear son gave the man, how do you think the King would respond ?

haz · Nov 21, 2012

Eccl12and13 said:

Hi,

The thief on the cross knew he deserved death. And we all were sinners facing death. And under the law you are preaching we see Rom 3:19 say: what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

All the world was guilty, and the law showed this up. There are no if's and but's. The thief on the cross knew he was guilty and turned to Jesus, calling him "Lord". Christians have done just as the thief did.

Eccl12and13 said:

Consider what God's word says:

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:28

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom 4:5

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; Rom 4:16

being justified by faith Rom 5:1
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace Rom 5:2

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Gal 3:11

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:8

believe on Jesus.

Eccl12and13 · Nov 21, 2012

WordGaurdian said:

First let's read how the "King" responded to this in the OT:

Ezek.18
[24] But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
[25] Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
[26] When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

So if the righteous person, or one that is keeping the commandments of God, turns away and starts doing that which is wrong....AND continues....he will die in his sins.

Now let's read how the "King" responded in the NT:

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,
[5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
[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.

God's word tells us above if one that was made partakers of the Holy Ghost falls away.....AND continues....it is IMPOSSIBLE to renew them again unto repentance. For they are now trying to crucify for themselves Christ all over again, making what He did for them by dying on the cross appear shameful.

Now let's read what sins Christ died for;

Rom.3
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Christ died for those sins that were committed by us in the past...BEFORE we became aware of His word. Afterward.....we will be held accountable for ALL future sins.

So.........we do not have to wonder how the King will respond. The King has already told us!

.

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