Transition to Grace

[Eugene]

Eugene said: ↑
Brother Jethro, the slightest twist of scripture can cast doubt upon God’s work in us.[/quote]

What are you talking about? Doubt about what?

I was referring to Rom 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (NOT BY US), who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." You had said:

The Spirit is how we fulfill the law

I was refuting that by saying it is God's work in us that produces the righteous fulfillment of the law; we cannot take the credit.

It's interesting to see James use the law to teach the church to love others. Love is the why--the motivation of obedience. The law helps us know how to love. For example, he explains to the church how we must 'love your neighbor as yourself', then reminds them the law says not to show favoritism--which they were doing. Sadly, most in the Protestant church see this consulting of the law that James does to instruct the church in the way of love as a damnable work of the flesh.

The law, that ministration of death written and engraven in stones taught all that to you?
The context of James is how we are known to men. Matthew 7:16 says it this way: As with false prophets "Ye shall know them by their fruits." God knows us because we have believed on His Son, and as with Abraham it is imputed unto us as righteousness.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Now are James and Paul in conflict with one another concerning scripture, or is it possible that the context of James is expounding the necessity of righteous works to show a faith that is alive and well? Thanks.

 

[petester]

Thanks for the enlightenment. I've got a ways to go, I believe the world is ending and it's the fault of the non-believers and it prolly is but I also feel very negative about that and I prolly shouldn't. Like im blaming them for their nature when I have the same inherent nature.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I was referring to Rom 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (NOT BY US), who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

The righteousness of the law is only fulfilled in the person who walks after the Spirit. YOU choose whether or not you will walk according to the Spirit. When we choose to walk according to the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) the law gets fulfilled.

We should not be taking a false comfort in thinking that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us when we don't walk according to the Spirit. But that is what so many people in the church think.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I've got a ways to go...

The forgiveness of God has you covered while our obedience to the Spirit is being perfected. That is as long as we stay under that forgiveness.

 

[Eugene]

The righteousness of the law is only fulfilled in the person who walks after the Spirit. YOU choose whether or not you will walk according to the Spirit. When we choose to walk according to the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) the law gets fulfilled.

We should not be taking a false comfort in thinking that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us when we don't walk according to the Spirit. But that is what so many people in the church think.

Absolutely agree with this.