It has struck me hard how many people talk about how they believe the law of love, the two great laws actually, and this is good, however when you love people you also hear what they have to say, and this is especially pertainent to loving the Father.
All I think when people say love, love, love their lips, yet teach agains obeying the Father's will, is the words of the prophet, "This people is close to me with their lips, yet far from me with their hearts."
Love is not just with the lips, it inspires action, and by action I do not say earn anything by the law, but I do refer to good works. They are natural when love exists in a believer.
Those who know Jesus Christ know well that the laws. to punish people, for example, do not contain mercy or faith in Jesus Christ, therefor, they are not to be followed, you know this. We do not stone people or execute any for crimes, though many deserve it.
Anyone who has learned from Jesus Christ knows He is the Chief Cornerstone of the Temple, and we are the lively stones thereof, thus no laws of the Temple are to be followed since He has taught us how to observe the law.
Anyone who is learned of Jesus Christ knows that a theocracy called Israel with God as its King does not yet exist on earth, therefore the laws of that geographical situation cannot be obeyed.
Anyone learned of Jesus Christ knows He has made all foods clean.......toss out those laws.
When we are learned of Jesus Christ we know the Ten Commandments are not evil, and we know the laws dealing with moral behavior are good, and we, by our new nature in Christ, obey them gladly in thanksgiving to Him for his living and dying jusst for you and me.
Our new nature makes us obedient to Jesus Christ, Who, by the way, is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Isaiah 9:6.
No one who loves Jesus Christ and has been given the grace to have the guilt of his sin never imputed against him will ever teach against obeying Him. Grace without obedience is a lie, and those who believe it is not are deceived.
Loving God, just as is loving your neighbor, encompasses action and not just the lips.
"If you are afraid of the law, then you do not understand grace." Where in my statement did I say I was afraid of the Law? To understand grace means to be aware of one's own unworthiness, how? through the law.
"Are you saying that God's law is all a lie? No man can live perfectly by it, this is why Jesus Christ had to die for us all, but grace does not make God a liar." Again, where in my statement did I say that God's law is all a lie? You are correct that no man can live perfectly by it hence only Jesus Christ the Son of God had to die for us all. Yes, grace does not make God a liar.
"When you understand what Jesus Christ teaches, then respond to what I have posted, but please do not make this some kind of contention about God's wisdom in His laws for that is tantamount to saying the Old Testament is a lie, the Psalms and the Prophets teachings, Moses, Abraham.. Please do not teach on what you do not understand."
From my understanding Jesus teaches us to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. And all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. You are getting through to me fine but it seems like I'm not getting through to you. Not contention but merely miscommunication.
"There is prophesy and wisdom in the law, not to forget the law points to Jesus Christ. Apparently ñyou ae still viewing th e law through the veil, were you not so, you would understand Christ's Example and teaching.." You are correct again, the law does point to Jesus. And by looking at Jesus I see that He is pointing at Himself not at the law. He is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Jesus. Am I looking through a veil with this understanding?
"Too many people think grace is license to call God stupid or a liar. The law is exactly what it is taught to be according to Jesus Christ Who gave it to us in the first place.......Try to see it without the veil." Again, I did not call God stupid or a liar and I can't imagine anyone in this forum that would actually do that. It may be that your assumptions about the people who believe in grace is completely wrong.
Believe me, I'm trying my best to understand you brother and I am not here to insult your beliefs, I'm merely trying to share the wonderful salvation that Jesus has done for us. If you find my beliefs offensive then I apologize. I believe I have done my part as a Christian to share the gospel and I believe that it is up to the Lord to make it grow despite my imperfect efforts. Peace