Christ's Law

[Odë:hgöd]

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Hello;

There's been times during our 26+ years of internet forum activity when we
encountered people wanting to know what they're supposed to do now that they
decided to become a Christian.

A mega Baptist church that we attended back in the decade of the 1970's had a
discipleship program that incorporated an outreach booklet called "The Four
Spiritual Laws" authored in 1952 by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Dr. Bill
Bright.

Those guidelines are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary and in
our opinion inadequate for taking Christ's believing followers to infinity and beyond,
so to speak.

Some years ago, just for the fun of it, we set out compiling a home-spun catalogue
of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all his followers
regardless of denominational affiliation. In time we realized that his instructions,
accompanied by a little commentary, would make a pretty good how-to handbook;
so here we are.

* We chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where Christ's
apostles began telling his believing followers what to do in accord with the Lord's
instructions per Matt 28:19-20.

Buen Camino
Pleasant Journey
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[Odë:hgöd]

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● Acts 15:20a . . Abstain from food tainted by idols,

Here's the text of a common Christian prayer.

"Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy
bounty through Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

That prayer credits the providence of God for the nourishment on the table. Well; in
the old Roman world, they sometimes credited the providence of a pagan deity for
their nourishment. According to 1Cor 10:25-31; this is one of those don't ask
situations; we'll get to that.

● Acts 15:20b . . Abstain from promiscuity

Promiscuity typically refers to things like adultery, incest, shacking up, one night
stands, sleeping around, etc.

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is
holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God."
(1Thess 4:3-5)

● Acts 15:20c . . Abstain from the meat of strangled animals.

Strangulation is a slow, inhumane way to die. If you know that the meat you're
being served came from an animal that was choked to death, consider it food fit
only for barbarians. We want nothing to do with animal abuse.

● Acts 15:20d . . Abstain from blood

In other words: Christ's followers are forbidden to imbibe blood as a beverage.

There are cultures that poke holes in cows' necks in order to drink blood straight
out of the living animal utilizing its own blood pressure like a tap to fill their cups; a
rather ghastly thirst that might be okay for Edward Cullen's family but certainly not
for us.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 6:11 . . Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

"dead to sin" in this case doesn't mean Christ's sheep can't, won't, and/or don't sin
(cf. 1John 1:8-10). It means that sin can no longer give God cause to slam them
with the sum of all fears.

Rom 5:12-21 explains, in so many words; that Christ's believing followers are
accounted as having gone to the cross with him similar to accounting them as
having tasted the forbidden fruit with Adam. (This principle is at the very core of
Christianity's plan of salvation so it's important to get it)

In a nutshell: When Jesus went to the cross; he died for the sins of the world from
first to last. That being the case, then when his believing followers went to the
cross with him, they died for their sins from first to last. As a result: when the
books are opened as per Rev 20:11-15, there will be nothing on record with which
to charge them. (cf. 2Cor 5:19)

NOTE: "in Christ Jesus" is a position similar to Noah's position in the ark. Getting
into the ark was a simple physical action, whereas getting into Christ Jesus requires
the assistance of a complex supernatural action. More on that later; meanwhile
suffice it to say that as a position in the ark provided Noah safety from the storm,
so their position in Christ Jesus provides believers safety from a storm coming that's
much worse.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 6:12-13 . . Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil
desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness,
but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to
life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

If I'm understanding John 5:24-25 correctly; Jesus spoke of a non-physical
resurrection that his believing followers undergo in this life-- now --before they
pass on.

It's a pretty good resurrection too because it doesn't rejuvenate ordinary life,
rather; it's a step up to eternal life-- a superior kind of life that brings with it not
only immortality, but also a change from human nature to divine nature. (2Pet 1:4)

Anyway, the point is: Christ's non-physically resurrected followers really should
make an effort to walk as insiders who live in heaven rather than outsiders on their
way to the other place. Political theorists like Niccolò Machiavelli would not
recommend Christ's way of life of course because in this world, situation ethics are
better; viz: the end justifies the means so long as the end, no matter how
obtained, benefits the so-called greater good.

Well; to my knowledge, Machiavellian thinking doesn't fly in heaven so it's best for
those "brought from death to life" to avoid it.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:1 . . Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.

The Greek word for "sacrifice" technically refers to a victim; but it's not always
applied that way. For example speaking well of God, doing good, and sharing are
legitimate sacrifices. (Heb 13:15-16)

The sacrifice required by Rom 12:1 is a living sacrifice rather than deceased so
Christ's followers don't have to martyr themselves in order to fulfill it; but their
bodies do have to be holy in order to be accepted; which means avoiding things
that defile their bodies like indecency, promiscuity, adultery, and LGBT stuff.

The Bible calls those requirements "reasonable". In other words: It isn't asking too
much of Christ's followers to keep themselves pure.

NOTE: One of the tools employed by communism, in its quest to influence the
governance of a foreign country, is moral corruption; which is very effective when it
gets into places like education, entertainment, literature, family values, and/or
religious institutions. That strategy is to be expected from an atheistic foreign power.
(cf. 2Cor 2:11)
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:2 . . Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.

Bible reading is a good place to begin with Rom 12:2; however, the ways of God
aren't meant to be self-taught; they're meant to be instructed by teachers
empowered by God for that specific purpose. (Rom 12:4-8, 1Cor 12:1-30)

Sermons and Sunday school classes are Christianity's traditional sources of
teaching. But these days with radio, television, and the internet; competent God
given spiritual leaders are wide-spread and readily available. In centuries gone
past, it was necessary to journey to hear them speak. Nowadays, they speak to the
whole world by means of electronic gadgets.

* Beware using 1John 2:27 as an excuse to circumvent instruction. When Christians
do that, they risk stunting their spiritual growth and causing division.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the
faith." (Eph 4:11-13)

The Greek word translated "edifying" means to build up as opposed to tearing
down.
_

 

[Grumix88]

Christ lord is in our heart.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:3 . . I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

"soberly" is from a Greek word that basically means to be of sound mind, i.e. sane,
sensible, rational.

A popular saying going around is this: "You can be anything". No, you can't be
anything, and it's unreasonable to think otherwise. Know your limits and stay within
them; don't be setting impossible goals for yourself; especially in matters of faith
and practice.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not
all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each
member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace
given us.

. . . If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is
serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him
encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it
is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it
cheerfully." (Rom 12:4-8)

Some church managers have a really bad habit of recruiting people to teach Sunday
school who don't have a gift for it in accordance with Rom 12:3-8, 1Cor 12:1-30,
and Eph 4:7-12. Well; if teaching is not your spiritual specialty; then the sensible
thing to do is decline. Stay within your limits like Rom 12:3 says, and don't let
those managers pressure you into submission by making you feel guilty for
refusing. Nobody gains points with Christ by going off-reservation.
_

 

[Eleanor]

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● Acts 15:20a . . Abstain from food tainted by idols,
Here's the text of a common Christian prayer.

"Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy
bounty through Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

This prayer is not in the text of Ac 15:20.

That prayer credits the providence of God for the nourishment on the table. Well; in
the old Roman world, they sometimes credited the providence of a pagan deity for
their nourishment. According to 1Cor 10:25-31; this is one of those don't ask
situations; we'll get to that.
● Acts 15:20b . . Abstain from promiscuity
Promiscuity typically refers to things like adultery, incest, shacking up, one night
stands, sleeping around, etc.
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is
holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God."
(1Thess 4:3-5)

● Acts 15:20c . . Abstain from the meat of strangled animals.

Strangulation is a slow, inhumane way to die. If you know that the meat you're
being served came from an animal that was choked to death, consider it food fit
only for barbarians. We want nothing to do with animal abuse.

● Acts 15:20d . . Abstain from blood

Both of the above were a temporary concession, to new Hebrew Christians in the provinces of Syria who were offended by the Gentile Christians not abstaining from blood, for the sake of fellowship among them.

They have nothing to do with cruelty to animals.
The NT does not forbid eating blood.
That was an OT regulation in relation to blood being for sacrificial atonement only.

In other words: Christ's followers are forbidden to imbibe blood as a beverage.

There are cultures that poke holes in cows' necks in order to drink blood straight
out of the living animal utilizing its own blood pressure like a tap to fill their cups; a
rather ghastly thirst that might be okay for Edward Cullen's family but certainly not
for us.
_

 

[Eleanor]

.
● Rom 6:11 . . Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

"dead to sin" in this case doesn't mean Christ's sheep can't, won't, and/or don't sin
(cf. 1John 1:8-10). It means that sin can no longer give God cause to slam them
with the sum of all fears.
Rom 5:12-21 explains, in so many words; that Christ's believing followers are
accounted as having gone to the cross with him similar to accounting them as
having tasted the forbidden fruit with Adam. (This principle is at the very core of
Christianity's plan of salvation so it's important to get it)

In a nutshell: When Jesus went to the cross; he died for the sins of the world from
first to last. That being the case, then when his believing followers went to the
cross with him, they died for their sins from first to last

The NT does not present believers as going to the cross.
It presents the benefits of the cross (salvation from God's wrath, Ro 5:9) as applied to the believer through faith alone.

As a result: when the books are opened as per Rev 20:11-15, there will be nothing on record with which
to charge them. (cf. 2Cor 5:19)

NOTE: "in Christ Jesus" is a position similar to Noah's position in the ark.

We are not in Christ Jesus until we are saved, not before.

Getting into the ark was a simple physical action, whereas getting into Christ Jesus requires
the assistance of a complex supernatural action. More on that later; meanwhile
suffice it to say that as a position in the ark provided Noah safety from the storm,
so their position in Christ Jesus provides believers safety from a storm coming that's
much worse.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:6 . . If God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you
have faith that God is speaking through you.

The Greek word for "prophesy" in that verse encompasses predictions, which were
common in the early church; for example Agabus at Acts 11:27-28 and Acts 21:10
11.

Hunches don't count because it's required that prophets sincerely believe themselves
infallible and speaking for God ex cathedra, i.e. by means of inspiration. (2Pet 1:20-21)
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:7a . . If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well.

"serving well" implies serving conscientiously and whole-heartedly rather than half
baked, grudging, and/or hit and miss.

One of my brothers has been a construction foreman for decades and one of his
perpetual complaints is that he never knows from one day to the next whether
some of the men he hires on jobs will show up. In other words: they aren't reliable,
he can't count on them.

What I'm saying is: if you're thinking about becoming helpful in some way, don't do
it unless you're willing to commit to the long haul because people need to know
that they can depend on you to stay the course.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:7b . . If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.

I had a Sunday school teacher once who worked as a maintenance man in a public
swimming facility. One Saturday he had to work very late repairing some
equipment at the pool and had no time to prepare his lesson plan for Sunday
morning so he just threw something together. It stunk; and my wife and I got
nothing out of it.

In contrast, I once knew a pastor who took all week long to prepare his Sunday
morning sermons rather than put it off till Saturday night. Now there was a guy
who knew what it means to do a good job of teaching; viz: a conscientious job.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
(1Cor 10:31)

One of the meanings of the Greek word for glory is "honor" which in this case can
be defined as doing something out of respect for someone admired and/or held in
high esteem
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:8a . . If your gift is to encourage others, then do so.

Developing children benefit from encouragement in a big way. Thoughtless grown
ups can destroy a young child's fragile spirit by criticizing them all the time and
never once giving them an "attaboy" or a single vote of confidence.

A fitting word spoken at just the right moment can really beef up somebody's
resolve to meet life head on. If you're good at that sort of thing, then watch for
opportunities to do so. It has to be honest though because leaving people with a
false impression of themselves is all the same as treachery, and sets them up for
disappointment.

"Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet." (Prov 29:5)
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:8b . . If you have money, share it generously.

"generously" is translated from a Greek word basically meaning simplicity, which
can be construed as innocence and/or naivete. In other words; sharing one's wealth
without expecting reciprocity and/or gaining an advantage. To the pragmatic mind,
that kind of generosity is a poor investment, i.e. it's like throwing money out the
window.

For example: contributions to a political candidate's campaign fund typically aren't
motivated by generosity, whereas contributions to a charitable agency like
Samaritan's Purse and/or a local rescue mission are because folks benefiting from
those contributions are so powerless, and so disadvantaged, that there's nothing
worthwhile to be gained by offering them assistance.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:8c . . If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility
seriously.

A natural aptitude for church management doesn't count. It has to be God-given;
that is: a legitimate Spirit-endowed ability. (cf. Rom 12:3-8, 1Cor 12:4-11, 1Cor
12:27-30)

There are far too many people sitting on church boards merely because they're a
success in business. Well; if your church is a commercial enterprise; then maybe
you should think about finding another one.

God-given leadership ability is spoken of as a "responsibility". In other words; it
should never be taken as an achievement. I just hate it when City, State, and
Federal government officials celebrate their positions as something they won as if
taking the gold in a spelling bee and/or a gymnastic event.

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: He that ruleth over men
must be just, ruling in the fear of God." (2Sam 23:3)

Too many of the men and women in power do not rule in the fear of God; and
rather than morally upright with their fellow man's best interests at heart, they
are often Machiavellian instead.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:8d . . If you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

This particular gift relates to sympathy and compassion; which are emotions, i.e.
feelings.

Well; the problem is: we have very little, if any, control over those kinds of
feelings; and I think we too often resent people for touching our soft spot and
tugging at our heart strings, a.k.a. pushing our buttons.

The ability to show kindness is referred to as a gift. I think most folks, given the
option, would prefer the gift of tongues over the gift of kindness because the one is
merely a skill whereas the other makes us sensitive to need; which at times can be
both uncomfortable and inconvenient.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on
him, how can the love of God be in them?" (1John 3:17)
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:9a . . Don't just pretend that you love others.

The Greek word translated "love" basically pertains to benevolence rather than
affection and/or fondness.

Benevolence is defined as acts of kindness and/or generous gifts.

Pretense is defined as fiction, make-believe, and/or simulation.

Anyway, talk is cheap and, like it's said: Put your money where your mouth is, i.e.
if we sincerely believe that benevolence is a Christian virtue, then we ought to
practice it for real rather than merely giving it our vote of approval.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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● Rom 12:9b . . Hate what is evil.

Hating evil is second nature to God-fearing people; or at least it ought to be.

"You who love The Lord: hate evil." (Ps 97:10)

"In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless
and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1)

"The fear of The Lord is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the
perverted mouth, I hate." (Prov 8:13)

I think it's fair to say that when somebody hates the same things that God hates,
and loves the same things that God loves; the two of them have the makings of a
meaningful rapport: defined by Webster's as a friendly, harmonious relationship--
especially a relationship characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or
empathy that makes communication possible and/or easy.

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, The Lord appeared to him and said: I am
God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." (Gen 17:1)

"If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not
live by the truth." (1John 1:6)

NOTE: Lukewarm is a state between love and hate; for example Rev 3:14-16 where
The Lord expresses his disgust with certain folks' lack of interest relative to his
preferences, viz: they're neither compliant nor non compliant: they just don't care.
He'd much rather those folks take a stand one way or the other rather than be so
cotton-pickin' indifferent.
_

 

[Josheb]

Those guidelines are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary and in
our opinion inadequate for taking Christ's believing followers to infinity and beyond,
so to speak.

I remember Bright's "four laws." Scripture addresses this.

1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly....

Hebrews 5:11-14
Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits.

As an analogy for the "elementary" things of Christ, "milk" is good, beneficial, and efficacious to give the immature the teachings of Christ that are easily taken in. Each of those texts is about a different concern experienced by the early Church in the NT era and three different writers inspired by the same Holy Spirit all used the analogy of milk (and solid food). Notice the first mention of "milk" is a reference to the word of God. We must all remember there were no Bibles when that was written. Most people were illiterate. The printed word was not available en masse as it is in modern times centuries after the invention of the printing press. The "word" the converts to Christ received came either from others reading the word to them or hearing it preached extemporaneously by the apostles and other leaders Christ gave the Church.

Milk, as an analogy for the simple teachings of Christ is a good thing for new converts, those not yet mature in Christ. However, at some point it becomes necessary to leave the elementary teachings and move on to more demanding content, pressing on to maturity. It is no different with Bright's "four laws," and I'm confident Bright would agree were he here to address this op.

Christ gave the Church leaders to accomplish that task.

Ephesians 4:11-16
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

But sometimes even the leaders have difficulty, especially with Paul's writings.

2 Peter 3:14-18
Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Those words once came from a man Paul rebuked; an apostle of God, chosen by Jesus himself, was rebuked for hypocrisy well into his life in Christ (presumable mature). He publicly commended and affirmed his rebuker years later.