No one likes mean-spirited, condemning Bible-thumpers. But failing to warn people about the consequences of sin is just as unloving as mean-spirited legalism.
All of God’s New Testament commands have important and loving purposes.
God didn’t give them randomly or legalistically. He gave them to warn us of danger and instruct us.
By obeying God’s commands, we embrace His design for us.
In John 15:14, Christ said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.”
We can do what God commands without loving Him, but we cannot love God without doing what He commands.
This week let’s be a friend to Christ by obeying Him and let’s be a friend to others by lovingly sharing God's truth.
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Legalism can be a thorn in my side. Yet there are times my judgmental attitude is no different. Thank you for this reminder. To have a friend I need to be a friend!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteI come not in judgment or condemnation, but how can people say they are worshiping our Father God and His Son, Yeshua (Jesus) when we do not keep God's 7 Holy Feasts, His Sabbath, and attach His son's birth and death to paganism?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.matthew548.com/If%20You%20Love%20Me.htm
http://www.wor.org/Books/k/keepcomm.sn.htm
Good questions, pinks.
DeleteThe Old Testament feasts, sacrifices, and laws (if not re-commanded in the New Testament) were God’s instructions for Israel, not the New Testament Church.
God used these Old Testament laws for a variety of good purposes, but the main purpose was to show man that outward actions cannot change our hearts. In Acts 10:9-18, God told Peter to quit viewing things through the Old Testament laws. And Christ clearly stated that it isn't outward things that make us unclean--it's our heart attitudes (Matthew 5 and 15:16-20).
Old Testament sacrifices and feasts and festivals were a foreshadowing of Christ’s coming and redemption (Hebrews 10). There is nothing wrong with celebrating Old Testament feasts, but neither are we more holy if we celebrate them.
As for the Sabbath, it is the only one of the 10 Commandments not restated in the New Testament. From its inception, it’s purpose was to give man rest and allow him to focus on God (Genesis 20:8-11; Deut. 5:14; Mark 2:27).
While most Christians celebrate this day of rest on Sunday since Christ's resurrection, in Christ every day is a Sabbath (Hebrews 4). We're not bound to a certain day.
But the Bible clearly tells us that we must not judge people by what they eat or drink or which days they honor:
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Colossians 2:16,17
Thanks for asking this question. I hope the verses I referenced will be helpful.
In Christ, Gail
Amen!! Great word...
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you♥
James was so clear in his book that we have to be doers of the word and not just hearers.
ReplyDeleteMay we love God and not point fingers. Remember when we point there are three fingers pointing back at us. I did not count the thumb because it points to God who is watching it all.
ReplyDeleteJohn described Jesus as "full of grace and truth." This should be our goal, as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks!