Question regarding Commands of Jesus

[Lily Miller]

Ephesians 2:7-9 King James Version (KJV)

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Yes! Dead on!

Jesus says "If you love me you'll obey my commands" John 14:15

I am not on this forum to continually argue with you brother, listen to Jesus.

 

[Bendito]

Jesus says "If you love me you'll obey my commands" John 14:15

I am not on this forum to continually argue with you brother, listen to Jesus.

I'm not arguing so much as trying to help you to see the truth of the Word. There is a certain deception here in what you and a couple others are sharing. I understand that you don't see it, but you can still recognize the truth if you will look at it

 

[Lily Miller]

I'm not arguing so much as trying to help you to see the truth of the Word. There is a certain deception here in what you and a couple others are sharing. I understand that you don't see it, but you can still recognize the truth if you will look at it

How are we being deceived when we are reading the scripture as it is...

 

[Dovegiven]

While John Bunyan was in put in prison in 1660 for 12 years in England for "unauthorized" preaching, he wrote one of the major Christian classic novels, "The Pilgrim's Progress". It is still in print and free on the web, even by video, in modern English among 200+ other languages. It's on the Required Reading" list of most Christian high schools. I highly recommend it for many answers to the OP question. It will drive you back into Bible study with a renewed fervor. My wife and I gave out hundreds of paperback copies for many years to people we led to Christ, folks we usually would not see again. It served as an introduction to Christianity, yet ministers to believers at all stages of spiritual growth.

The main character is a young man named "Pilgrim" who finds Christ, then sets out to leave the City of Destruction to find the Celestial City. Along the way he experiences setbacks and victories common in interesting ways to our challenges today.

One idea is that whenever we choose a path for the day, learn to read road signs. Upon arriving somewhere be cautious not to make a home of it where a little sin is tolerated in a seemingly wonderful setting such as a never ending party of happy folks.

Jesus lived subject to the Law of Moses, honoring the entire Hebrew Bible. He knew that when he should die physically he was then dead to that law, and would rise again still free from it. He had a greater covenant from God. Christians die with Jesus spiritually, also "mortifying the flesh", rising with Jesus into his spiritual status. The Law remains HOLY, but the curse of not keeping every jot and title of it doesn't apply to His brethren. By keeping Jesus' commandments, honoring his doctrine, his disciples are accounted by God the Father as meeting the requirements of righteousness the moment they first believe and confess Jesus in public.

Following the path named Jesus, by the written word of God he preached, and by the inspired mouth of his apostles, with daily assistance from the Holy Spirit within us, we are given "right" paths" as alternatives to hazardous paths. Even if a believer chooses unwisely to take a wrong turn that seems reasonably fair, God stands ready to discipline us through testing in various ways, like a good football coach leads a frail boy to college level fame. That journey is tough, demanding, requiring changes of lifestyle, if necessary learning valuable lessons from the "School of Hard Knocks". The better way is to simply listen and obey what you hear Him say moment by moment.

To recognize that you must stay in the study of the Bible. Day by day some or maybe all of your daily assignments are set while you read and pray for spiritual understanding.

As for the Fourth Day Sabbath, the true Sabbath is Jesus Himself, the promised rest from slavery to a Law none could possibly keep 100%. I see the whole Ten Commandments as minimal behavior, though the higher lifestyle Jesus commanded is far greater in quality and effectiveness. Regardless, there is no more a literal Temple at Jerusalem where keeping the Jewish sabbaths would be possible, as commended in excess of the simple weekly hometown seventh day sabbath of rest from work. Each Christian IS the temple of the Holy Spirit, each of us a living sacrifice useful to God. Various cultures can hoose which day is best to take that physical rest from work, a matter learned from simple experience concerning maintenance of a workforce.

Galatians teaches that no particular Jewish sabbath or any other holy days commanded of Gentiles to keep. All that kept God external, lacking the LOVE factor, while CHRIST IN US is on eternal grounds what truly matters.

 

[spreadingtheGospel]

Just so you know? There is no verse in the entire bible that say obeying commands gets you saved. You are saved by trusting in Jesus.....
Ephesians 2:7-9 King James Version (KJV)

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by the empowering presence of God, are ye saved through trust in Him; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

If you trust in Jesus, would that not include trusting in what he asks us to do?

 

[Bendito]

How are we being deceived when we are reading the scripture as it is...

Taking verses out of context, as in building doctrine on one single verse.
Rejecting some scriptures in favor of your stance.

Hanging on to false beliefs such as being saved by obedience.

Think about it.

 

[Dovegiven]

How are we being deceived when we are reading the scripture as it is...

Whenever also listening to Satan like Eve did. It's best to ignore the Devil, who comes here through trolls who stir people to question God unto acting out sin, even though masters of His Word.

 

[Bendito]

Taking verses out of context, as in building doctrine on one single verse.
Rejecting some scriptures in favor of your stance.

Hanging on to false beliefs such as being saved by obedience.

Think about it.

Here is one single verse....read it alone then in context....
James 3:17 (CJB)

17 But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

 

[spreadingtheGospel]

Whenever also listening to Satan like Eve did. It's best to ignore the Devil, who comes here through trolls who stir people to question God unto acting out sin, even though masters of His Word.

You do realize that you just said, obeying what Jesus taught is the devil. Do you no think that is kind of weird?

 

[Bendito]

If you trust in Jesus, would that not include trusting in what he asks us to do?

Yes!! And here is what he commanded us!
Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

All of the law, and all of the teachings of all the prophets is based on these two commandments.

 

[Dovegiven]

Taking verses out of context, as in building doctrine on one single verse.
Rejecting some scriptures in favor of your stance.

Hanging on to false beliefs such as being saved by obedience.

Think about it.

How can any be saved while not loving Jesus?
John 14:15-31 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 15:1-17 (KJV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 

[Bendito]

How can any be saved while not loving Jesus?
John 14:15-31 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 15:1-17 (KJV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

I just posted how to keep His commandments....Where is the problem?

 

[Chad4Him]

Jesus says "If you love me you'll obey my commands" John 14:15

I agree that following Jesus' commands proves our love. However the problem is when we believe that our flawless performance will merit salvation or that is how we GAIN salvation: Here is what you say you believe (or at least @spreadingtheGospel believes): "Anyone who wants to be saved must simply look at the gospels, follow Jesus' commands completely (as much as humanly possible) and in so doing, they are on their way to heaven. " This is dangerous teaching because it will cause some people to be disappointed when they get to the judgement and realize that their good works which they trusted in were not good enough. Any merit which we give to our own performance, hoping to gain heaven because of that, will not be accepted. At the judgement they may say "have we not prophesied in they name and done many marvelous works" and he will say "I never knew you". (Matthew 7:23) Please note that I am not accusing you of being lost or "unsaved", but the gospel you are promoting in my opinion is unbalanced and has some deception in it. I only bring this in love!

Again I will say that much of Christianity is unbalanced and there is not enough focus on obedience or Christ's example. But we need to be careful that we don't get in the opposite ditch, or "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" which interestingly enough is found in the same chapter as some of Jesus' instructions which you quote. Matthew 23 :smile:

As far as keeping Jesus' commands I'm gonna paste here what I posted in another thread: "I believe His commands go far beyond a list of rules. The commands Jesus gives in the New Testament all come under the greatest commandment (love God), and the one following it (love people). There is a danger of missing the point if we feel that we are ok if we simply follow a list of rules He gave us. We must not stop there. Loving God and loving people will not be the "easy way" and in some cases we may need to make drastic life changes and endure financial hardship for Christ."

I think it was @TheTruthWithin37 who admitted that they still did have possessions, but were using them for the gospel. So taking this into account - you admit that Jesus' commands still are not being followed completely (selling and forsaking all). I don't say this to accuse of hypocrisy but perhaps to point out that the overall focus of our life and what we use our possessions for is what Jesus really meant, and it looks like in actual practice, that is probably how you are practicing it too :smile:

 

[Dovegiven]

You do realize that you just said, obeying what Jesus taught is the devil. Do you no think that is kind of weird?

No. Eve was in on the one commandment from God not to eat of that certain tree. She then acted upon what Satan said, in effect ignoring what God said.

You just did the same thing Satan did. You attributed to me something I did not write. Troll or not, you need to do some repenting today before sleeping on that.

 

[TheTruthWithin37]

I agree that following Jesus' commands proves our love. However the problem is when we believe that our flawless performance will merit salvation or that is how we GAIN salvation: Here is what you say you believe (or at least @spreadingtheGospel believes): "Anyone who wants to be saved must simply look at the gospels, follow Jesus' commands completely (as much as humanly possible) and in so doing, they are on their way to heaven. " This is dangerous teaching because it will cause some people to be disappointed when they get to the judgement and realize that their good works which they trusted in were not good enough. Any merit which we give to our own performance, hoping to gain heaven because of that, will not be accepted. At the judgement they may say "have we not prophesied in they name and done many marvelous works" and he will say "I never knew you". (Matthew 7:23) Please note that I am not accusing you of being lost or "unsaved", but the gospel you are promoting in my opinion is unbalanced and has some deception in it. I only bring this in love!

Again I will say that much of Christianity is unbalanced and there is not enough focus on obedience or Christ's example. But we need to be careful that we don't get in the opposite ditch, or "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" which interestingly enough is found in the same chapter as some of Jesus' instructions which you quote. Matthew 23 :smile:

As far as keeping Jesus' commands I'm gonna paste here what I posted in another thread: "I believe His commands go far beyond a list of rules. The commands Jesus gives in the New Testament all come under the greatest commandment (love God), and the one following it (love people). There is a danger of missing the point if we feel that we are ok if we simply follow a list of rules He gave us. We must not stop there. Loving God and loving people will not be the "easy way" and in some cases we may need to make drastic life changes and endure financial hardship for Christ."

I think it was @TheTruthWithin37 who admitted that they still did have possessions, but were using them for the gospel. So taking this into account - you admit that Jesus' commands still are not being followed completely (selling and forsaking all). I don't say this to accuse of hypocrisy but perhaps to point out that the overall focus of our life and what we use our possessions for is what Jesus really meant, and it looks like in actual practice, that is probably how you are practicing it too :smile:

I got rid of everything I had, then God gave me things that I never owned before. Did you read the Matthew 19 verse I mentioned earlier?

 

[Bendito]

I got rid of everything I had, then God gave me things that I never owned before. Did you read the Matthew 19 verse I mentioned earlier?

James 3:15-17 (KJV)

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 

[spreadingtheGospel]

Yes!! And here is what he commanded us!
Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

All of the law, and all of the teachings of all the prophets is based on these two commandments.

Yes, I agree with the sta

No. Eve was in on the one commandment from God not to eat of that certain tree. She then acted upon what Satan said, in effect ignoring what God said.

You just did the same thing Satan did. You attributed to me something I did not write. Troll or not, you need to do some repenting today before sleeping on that.

Not here to argue. This is what this thread has turned into. Peace and love

 

[Bendito]

It is often believed among Christians that we have to work to get up to God, when in fact He came down to us....A thing never to be forgotten.

 

[spreadingtheGospel]

I agree that following Jesus' commands proves our love. However the problem is when we believe that our flawless performance will merit salvation or that is how we GAIN salvation: Here is what you say you believe (or at least @spreadingtheGospel believes): "Anyone who wants to be saved must simply look at the gospels, follow Jesus' commands completely (as much as humanly possible) and in so doing, they are on their way to heaven. " This is dangerous teaching because it will cause some people to be disappointed when they get to the judgement and realize that their good works which they trusted in were not good enough. Any merit which we give to our own performance, hoping to gain heaven because of that, will not be accepted. At the judgement they may say "have we not prophesied in they name and done many marvelous works" and he will say "I never knew you". (Matthew 7:23) Please note that I am not accusing you of being lost or "unsaved", but the gospel you are promoting in my opinion is unbalanced and has some deception in it. I only bring this in love!

Again I will say that much of Christianity is unbalanced and there is not enough focus on obedience or Christ's example. But we need to be careful that we don't get in the opposite ditch, or "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" which interestingly enough is found in the same chapter as some of Jesus' instructions which you quote. Matthew 23 :smile:

As far as keeping Jesus' commands I'm gonna paste here what I posted in another thread: "I believe His commands go far beyond a list of rules. The commands Jesus gives in the New Testament all come under the greatest commandment (love God), and the one following it (love people). There is a danger of missing the point if we feel that we are ok if we simply follow a list of rules He gave us. We must not stop there. Loving God and loving people will not be the "easy way" and in some cases we may need to make drastic life changes and endure financial hardship for Christ."

I think it was @TheTruthWithin37 who admitted that they still did have possessions, but were using them for the gospel. So taking this into account - you admit that Jesus' commands still are not being followed completely (selling and forsaking all). I don't say this to accuse of hypocrisy but perhaps to point out that the overall focus of our life and what we use our possessions for is what Jesus really meant, and it looks like in actual practice, that is probably how you are practicing it too :smile:

I am just trying to point people to Jesus you can accept it or not. We all have free will. I just don't think what anyone who actually following Jesus, has anything to worry about on judgement day. Is God going to say, "OH no you took my son to literally, shame on you". If he does then I think we will have a pretty good case, saying we were just doing what Jesus said.

 

[Lily Miller]

I agree that following Jesus' commands proves our love. However the problem is when we believe that our flawless performance will merit salvation or that is how we GAIN salvation: Here is what you say you believe (or at least @spreadingtheGospel believes): "Anyone who wants to be saved must simply look at the gospels, follow Jesus' commands completely (as much as humanly possible) and in so doing, they are on their way to heaven. " This is dangerous teaching because it will cause some people to be disappointed when they get to the judgement and realize that their good works which they trusted in were not good enough. Any merit which we give to our own performance, hoping to gain heaven because of that, will not be accepted. At the judgement they may say "have we not prophesied in they name and done many marvelous works" and he will say "I never knew you". (Matthew 7:23) Please note that I am not accusing you of being lost or "unsaved", but the gospel you are promoting in my opinion is unbalanced and has some deception in it. I only bring this in love!

Again I will say that much of Christianity is unbalanced and there is not enough focus on obedience or Christ's example. But we need to be careful that we don't get in the opposite ditch, or "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" which interestingly enough is found in the same chapter as some of Jesus' instructions which you quote. Matthew 23 :smile:

As far as keeping Jesus' commands I'm gonna paste here what I posted in another thread: "I believe His commands go far beyond a list of rules. The commands Jesus gives in the New Testament all come under the greatest commandment (love God), and the one following it (love people). There is a danger of missing the point if we feel that we are ok if we simply follow a list of rules He gave us. We must not stop there. Loving God and loving people will not be the "easy way" and in some cases we may need to make drastic life changes and endure financial hardship for Christ."

I think it was @TheTruthWithin37 who admitted that they still did have possessions, but were using them for the gospel. So taking this into account - you admit that Jesus' commands still are not being followed completely (selling and forsaking all). I don't say this to accuse of hypocrisy but perhaps to point out that the overall focus of our life and what we use our possessions for is what Jesus really meant, and it looks like in actual practice, that is probably how you are practicing it too :smile:

What do you think is deceitful about what we are saying?

We are just simply saying that we believe that we must follow and listen to what Jesus says, (The Sermon on the Mount for example). We are taking a passage that Jesus had said (John 12:43-50), he is talking about why he came, and that we will be judged by what he said, it's not just one "isolated verse". Believe me when I say we try to make sure we're not just cherry picking. This is why we believe we must do the things that he has said to us, we are taking in context and we are making sure we're not reading between the lines. We both agree that not many are listening to Jesus and that we must do more of it, but all we are saying is that we should do what he said simply because that is what we are going to be judged by. I do not believe there is anything deceitful or wrong with that. We are just taking Jesus literally, I don't believe that we will be punished for that.