What are his commandments?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
44» Rom 13:14 . . .Clothe yourselves with The Lord Jesus Christ

Clothing one's self with a personage was a colloquialism many years ago
which would correspond in our day to "emulation" which Webster's defines
as trying to be like someone or something you admire.

They say that imitation is the highest flattery. Well; if you'd like to flatter
Christ; then adopt his integrity, his principles, and his core values. But don't
guess at them; learn them, by instruction, from someone that The Lord has
empowered to teach for him per Eph 4:11-15.
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
45» Rom 14:1 . . Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment
on disputable matters.

A strong faith consists of the elements of knowledge, confidence, assurance,
and conviction. A weak faith can be defined as vacillating; viz: one that's not
all that sure whether something is wrong for a Christian; or even that
something is right. In other words: a weak faith lacks the elements of
knowledge, confidence, assurance, and conviction.

Disputable matters are matters of opinion rather than matters of fact.
Opinions are often subjective, biased, and arbitrary, rather than objective,
unbiased, and by-the book. Opinions inevitably invite perpetual debating
that never really gets to the bottom of anything; which, in matters of
spiritual significance is strictly forbidden within the context of the 14th
chapter of Romans; because debatable matters are not matters of doctrine;
but rather; matters of conscience.

We're not talking about black and white doctrines and principles here. Those
are not open to debate. We're talking about gray areas.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" is black and white; while issues like video
games, music, fashions, foods, cosmetics, movies, self defense, gambling,
swim suits, politics, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fasting, religious art,
crucifixes, couture, and holy days of obligation are debatable. In regards to
those areas; let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind rather than
somebody else's mind.

Those are things about which each has to decide for themselves according to
the dictates of their own conscience; and God forbid they should impose
their personal dictates upon others and thus become dictatorial because
that's playing God and usurping Christ's sovereign prerogative to make the
rules for his own church.
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
46» Rom 14:2-4 . . One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but
another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats
everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does
not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has
accepted him.

If there's a Christian out there sincerely believing in their own mind that fast
food, GMO, high fructose corn syrup, non organic produce, processed foods,
grain-fed beef, raw oysters, sushi, and/or anything fried in lard is sinful;
well, more power to them: but God forbid they should criticize a fellow
believer who disagrees.

NOTE: Christians are exempt from Jewish dietary laws because their
association with God is by means of a different covenant than the covenant
that Moses' people entered into with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy, a.k.a. The Law.
_
 
Jun 20, 2022
6,460
1,330
113
........... when you round second, keep your eyes upon the 3rd base coach. let him be your eyes and ears....
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
47» Rom 14:5 . . One man considers one day more sacred than another;
another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced
in his own mind.

Common Christian holy days are The Lord's Day (Sunday), Solemnity of
Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ascension Trinity Sunday, Solemnity of
Saints Peter and Paul, Good Friday, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, All Saints, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Ash Wednesday, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Christmas), Easter, and the Sabbath.

If your denomination, or your church of choice, rules that days like the
above are sacred, then for you they are. Whether God himself sees them as
sacred is irrelevant. What matters is whether you are convinced in your own
mind that He does because the focus of the 14th of Romans is upon matters
of conscience rather than matters of fact.

NOTE: The Jehovah's Witnesses' personal opinions about birthdays, holidays,
and holy days are protected by the 14th chapter of Romans; and forbids
debating with them about it.
_
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
48» Rom 14:13a . .Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.

Within the context of the 14th of Romans, "passing judgment" pertains to
criticizing others for refusing to accept and/or comply with your own
personal gray-area beliefs and practices.
_
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,403
29,639
113
Common Christian holy days are The Lord's Day (Sunday), Solemnity of
Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ascension Trinity Sunday, Solemnity of
Saints Peter and Paul, Good Friday, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, All Saints, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Ash Wednesday, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Christmas), Easter, and the Sabbath.
That is a very RCC-leaning list. Got anything more appropriate for this site? .:unsure:
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
49» Rom 14:13b . . Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or
obstacle in your brother's way.

The Greek word translated "stumbling block" means a stub. For example:
one year I cut down a troublesome bush in my front yard and left a bit of a
stump sticking up out of the ground that later damaged my lawn mower
when I accidentally ran over it while cutting the grass; which had grown tall
enough to conceal the stump. In that respect, stumbling blocks are hazards
not easily detected.

Within the context of the 14th of Romans, I would equate stumbling blocks
to the clever sophistry that silver-tongued Bible thumpers employ to
persuade people to do things contrary to their convictions and their
conscience. Should you get pulled into a debate with one of those thumpers
you'll be frustrated because no matter how skillfully defended your position,
they will continue to oppose it with one rebuttal after another; so the best
track is: put on your best poker face and decline to argue.
_
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
1,482
695
113
Over the years I have witnessed people dragging a homemade wooden cross down the side of the road. I noticed small wheels attached to the end near the ground to make their journey easier.

As a symbolic gesture, I think it gets a point across, but it seems to me that the energy expended by these folks dragging these things down highways and byways could be better spent. I refrained from asking a nagging question. Did Jesus have wheels on His cross?

I’m sure many would quote Scripture and point out where it says if we love Him, to take up our own cross. Is it what the Scriptures say, or what they mean that counts?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,441
6,711
113
Many times we, in gratitude, will appear foolish in the sight of man for the sake of our blessed Maker. Sometimes it isimply the only thing a person feels he or she is able to contribute.. I know much of my life I have been foolish in the eyse of man, so I pray it not be so in our Fathers' eyes. He knows the difference.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
50» Rom 14:14-16 . . I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of The
Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone
believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another Christian
is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't
let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be
condemned for doing something you know is alright.

For example: We may believe that there is nothing wrong with eating freaky,
barbarian foods; but our Christian dinner companion might feel very strongly
about it. Well; sure, we can get by with eating freaky, barbarian foods; but
Christ expects his own to restrain themselves from eating distasteful stuff in
front of our Christian companions in thoughtful and sympathetic regard for
their personal sensibilities, i.e. as a courtesy.

I'm pretty sure this principle isn't restricted to diet, but can be applied to
any debatable issue with the potential to drive an unnecessary wedge
between ourselves and other Christians. For example; if you have friends
over for an evening of entertainment, and know they're uncomfortable with
movies saturated with crime, cruelty, obscenity, vulgarity, deviance,
indecency, and violence; then accommodate their feelings by selecting
something you both can enjoy.
_
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,953
1,270
113
Australia
What are His commandments?

Jesus is one with the Father, Is God and Jesus created the world.

To say His commands in the NT are the only commandments that apply is ridiculous.

Jesus kept all the laws.
Some were no longer viable after His death and resurrection. Some were added because of sin.

1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

There must have been a law from the beginning. A definition of sin. Satan sinned, Adam sinned, all humans (except Christ) have sinned in every age and time.
God does not change and the definition of sin has not changed.

The same moral law is what defines love and the character of God.

His commandments are the same as the commandments that define sin.
The commandments of God.

Mat 19:17 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. 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,.........
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
51» Rom 14:19 . . Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to
peace and to mutual edification.

The Greek word translated "edification" is somewhat related to the building
trades; and in this instance pertains to structural improvements like a new
wing, or a bedroom, or another floor; and in many instances adds square
footage to an already-existing structure and/or improves its appearance, its
value, and it's utility. Edification then, is just the opposite of demolition, i.e.
it builds up instead of tearing down.

Webster's defines "peace" as a state in which there is no war or fighting; viz:
harmony and mutual concord. In other words: there are times when it's
appropriate to accommodate people's feelings about certain things for the
sake of us all getting along together.

NOTE: An important element in the practice of love is deference; which, in a
nutshell, implies regarding the wishes of others as trumping yours; viz:
subordination. (Eph 5:21)
_
 
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
True Christians become temples of the Holy Spirit of the Father and Son. They (Father and Son) fill the believer's heart with deep divine love for God first and man. The motivation for every thought and action is love and the desire to please our Father by walking in the Spirit (being guided and swayed by the Holy Spirit of the Father and Son, since they both reside in us). The Father grants repentance. The Son erases our sins committed. The Holy Spirit of the Father and Son perfects us by filling us with divine love so that we obey the Spirit of the Law which is to have love as the motivation for every thought and action.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,837
1,075
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
52» Rom 14:20-21 . . Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.
All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes
someone else to stumble.

The critters that God lists in the covenant that Moses' people agreed upon
with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as unsuitable
for human consumption aren't intrinsically unsuitable. They're only
designated unsuitable for the Jews because that's how God wants it for a
particular people. But outside the covenant, for everybody else, whatever
you'd like to eat can be eaten; all flora and all fauna; and that dates all the
way back to the Flood. (Gen 9:3)

But still; we wouldn't want to invite someone over for dinner serving foods
that they sincerely believe are wrong for them to eat; and thus lead them to
compromise their own personal convictions about what's right and what's
wrong for Christians. Prepare something else that you both can eat without
feeling guilty. That's the Christian way to go about it; it's also the
sympathetic way to go about it.
_
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,953
1,270
113
Australia
Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

God's moral laws/ commandments are the same today as they were in Eden.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
1 John 2:3-5
King James Version

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

So what are his commandments?
1 John 3
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

So, if we can know we are keeping His commands, and abiding in Him, by the fact that He is giving us His Spirit, clearly, since the Galatians received the Spirit by simple hearing with faith (Gal 3), they were keeping God's Command to "believe on the name of God's Son".

Afterward, "love one another", and Christ adds, "As I loved you"--"love does no harm to his neighbor, therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law".
Romans 14:5,23 show that each must do what he is fully convinced is correct "as unto the lord", and falling short of this constitutes "sin". The Spirit is "The Spirit of Faith" (Heb), so, to fail to walk in one's Grace-given convictions constitutes sin, because "faith works by love", and our convictions are therefore our loce for others.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

God's moral laws/ commandments are the same today as they were in Eden.
No: incest used to be a holy command (Gen 1), but, now, it is a work of the devil.

So, also, taking of vows was a holy command, but, now, Christ calls it "of the evil one" (Mt 5).

So, also, the Torah permitted divorce for "any cause", but, now, Christ condemns that statute as a concession given to evil/hard hearted men, and as promoting adultery (Mt 19).
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
1 John 3
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

So, if we can know we are keeping His commands, and abiding in Him, by the fact that He is giving us His Spirit, clearly, since the Galatians received the Spirit by simple hearing with faith (Gal 3), they were keeping God's Command to "believe on the name of God's Son".

Afterward, "love one another", and Christ adds, "As I loved you"--"love does no harm to his neighbor, therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law".
Romans 14:5,23 show that each must do what he is fully convinced is correct "as unto the lord", and falling short of this constitutes "sin". The Spirit is "The Spirit of Faith" (Heb), so, to fail to walk in one's Grace-given convictions constitutes sin, because "faith works by love", and our convictions are therefore our loce for others.
Concerning this, Paul states, "you have no need for any man to teach you, for God Himself teaches you to love one another".

If God is teaching us to love one another, then, again, we are fulfilling His Law.

Because this is true, Gentile believers, who "Do not know the Law" are, yet, deemed "doers of the Law" by no less an authority than Paul (Ro 2).

Why can he say that?

Because God writes His Laws on our hearts and minds (Jer 31:31-34).
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
Whether we try to keep the commandments in the spirit or in the flesh it's a losing proposition. Christians aren't obligated to keep the old covenant commandments. We have died to the old law and it to us. We walk in obedience to the sovereign authority of the Holy Spirit. Our obligation is to Him, not the old covenant commandments.

I've thought a lot about this, and it seems to me the reason Christians cling to the old covenant commandments is because it gives them more of a sense of control over their own life. Surrendering control and submitting to the authority of the Holy Spirit can be a scary proposition.
The Law, itself, commands men's freedom from It upon dying--and, since we die with Christ, any Jewish believer is no longer obligated to serve by Law ("not under Law"), but is obligated to serve by the Spirit of Grace ("under Grace").
As for Gentiles, they were never under Law to begin with, so they were never "set free".

That is why Paul says "through the Law, I died to the law": the Law demands men be free from It upon dying. Even the rabbis agree (read Babylonian Talmud Niddah 61b).