Steve, This is an area where there's a little bit of confusion for me, to be honest. I understand we live by the Spirit, and are dead to the law, but then why is there instruction in the New Testament (ie, "Flee fornication, Do not get drunk on wine," etc.)? Through a grace lens, I know we don't see these as "laws," but as indicators of a Spirit-led life, but still I am a bit confused as to why there is New Testament instruction.
Maybe you could add a few thoughts, Steve?
Mark
P.S. I just got your new CD's on "The GraceWalk in Everyday Life." Very inspiring!
Mark, I appreciate your comment and question. You are correct that the NT has instruction on how we are to live. However, the NT commands can be viewed through either a grace lens or legalistic lens.
It's hard to give a satisfactory and complete answer to you in this comment format online. I encourage you read pp 128-132 in Grace Walk, under the heading "Love and the NT Commandments."
The short answer I'll give here is this: We keep His commandments because we love Him and it's our nature to be obedient.
Most of Paul's epistles fall into two divisions: 1. Here's who you are (identity). Then, 2. Knowing who you are, here's how you are to live.
Identity must proceed responsibility. Both are important, but to say the we obey the commands of the NT because of love is totally different from saying that we keep the Law. Because we love Him, we will keep His commandments. On the other, we have died to the Law and have no relationship to it at all now.
I think the pages I've recommended you read will give you a better and more complete answer.
Steve, Just a late "thank you" for answering my question. I guess I should give myself more credit for understanding scripture after all these years, but it helps to hear you confirm what I thought was correct. (It's so astounding to me that as you say, most of Paul's espistles contain a division in regard to our identity in Christ, but in all my years in the church I've NEVER heard a pastor teach about that! Unbelievable . . . )
Steve,
ReplyDeleteThis is an area where there's a little bit of confusion for me, to be honest. I understand we live by the Spirit, and are dead to the law, but then why is there instruction in the New Testament (ie, "Flee fornication, Do not get drunk on wine," etc.)? Through a grace lens, I know we don't see these as "laws," but as indicators of a Spirit-led life, but still I am a bit confused as to why there is New Testament instruction.
Maybe you could add a few thoughts, Steve?
Mark
P.S. I just got your new CD's on "The GraceWalk in Everyday Life." Very inspiring!
Mark, I appreciate your comment and question. You are correct that the NT has instruction on how we are to live. However, the NT commands can be viewed through either a grace lens or legalistic lens.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to give a satisfactory and complete answer to you in this comment format online. I encourage you read pp 128-132 in Grace Walk, under the heading "Love and the NT Commandments."
The short answer I'll give here is this: We keep His commandments because we love Him and it's our nature to be obedient.
Most of Paul's epistles fall into two divisions: 1. Here's who you are (identity). Then, 2. Knowing who you are, here's how you are to live.
Identity must proceed responsibility. Both are important, but to say the we obey the commands of the NT because of love is totally different from saying that we keep the Law. Because we love Him, we will keep His commandments. On the other, we have died to the Law and have no relationship to it at all now.
I think the pages I've recommended you read will give you a better and more complete answer.
Bless you as you dig for the truth!
Steve,
ReplyDeleteJust a late "thank you" for answering my question. I guess I should give myself more credit for understanding scripture after all these years, but it helps to hear you confirm what I thought was correct. (It's so astounding to me that as you say, most of Paul's espistles contain a division in regard to our identity in Christ, but in all my years in the church I've NEVER heard a pastor teach about that! Unbelievable . . . )
Mark