it could be a really good discussion if people could just share what and why they believe what they do - there is no way to prove who is right or wrong - if the bible made it that clear everyone would agree -
Do we ever wonder why it was not very clear?
Maybe it's because it was clear at the time because persons of that day knew what was expected of them?
Sometimes I think that just reading the same version might help.
I've started reading The Living Bible....Started out with the NASB....I think I'll go backwards.
It sure is easier to understand.
Paul was a very deep theological thinker. Even Peter said he was difficult to understand...2 Peter 3:16. But sometimes I think we pay more attention to what Paul said than what Jesus said.
Then I hear that when Jesus spoke it was BEFORE the cross and then things changed.
This is pretty amazing to hear....didn't Jesus KNOW things were going to change???!
So do we not pay attention to HIM?
HE'S the one that came to us to teach us how to be united with God.
it appears the meanings of words vary drastically - too bad - that could have helped to make things clear -
Agreed. But we use words we're personally familiar with.
Words we learned from those that taught us our faith and that we also use.
Too much disagreement that comes from trying to convince someone to use OUR term is just a waste of time.
but beyond that most people do not read the bible cover to cover over and over - that one point alone would cause us to be more unified in our beliefs - cherry picking scriptures rather than reading entire letters or entire books of the bible means context is never properly examined
We should use scripture to back up what we believe...but it DOES have to be in context.
In the very verse I used before, 2 Peter 3:16...Peter exhorts us to be blameless...this refers to behavior.
It states that the heavens and the earth will pass away...just like in Matthew 5:18....
and also in other verses. And yet, Matthew 5 is understood to mean something different.
i offered to prove that the law issue paul speaks of is keeping law for salvation vs keeping it for faith but it would require reading the entire book of Galatians - Hebrews - Romans - Ephesians - etc - one of these would do - that is really the only way to clear up what paul was saying
We keep the law out of love for God and because we have faith in Him for our very life....
but Jesus Himself said that we must keep the Moral Law and all the laws to keep our salvation.
There's disparity in what Matthew 5:17 means.
Jesus said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.
As some explain the word FULFILL,,,,Matthew 5:17 would read like this:
"I have not come to abolish the law - but to abolish the law".
How many posts does it take to get to this point?
Very many as I've noted. And then there is still no agreement.
Jesus is pretty clear - He kept the law and He said anyone who does not and teaches others to not keep the law is the least in the kingdom of heaven - He also said those who are trained in the old and the new have treasures from both treasure chests
All Jesus did was speak about how to be saved by doing good deeds/works.
John 5:28-29, Matthew 5:28,,,,even Matthew 4:17 What does REPENT mean anyway?
It does not mean to feel contrite but to turn around and change our direction.
