ken_sylvania wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:27 pm
Sudsy wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 12:37 pm
I see this does not appear to have any interest so I'll make a last statement if there is no further response -
I believe some Christian groups have replaced being free from OT law requirements to setting up their own set of laws to live by to be part of their group. They might say they are laws/rules based on NT writings but imo, they often wander into extra-biblical applications that are made laws/rules to be part of their group.
I question just 'how free' these believers feel in their walk with the Lord. I'm not convinced that church covenants is something promoted in the NT.
I know that you feel that way, and that you have no interest in being educated differently. I see little value in discussing the topic with you while knowing that you are unwilling to admit that there is actually freedom to be found in living out Jesus' commands in practical, everyday living?
Really you know all that. If you read this carefully I think it reads 'I question' not that 'I know'. But I guess you know what I question.
Anyway, what I was questioning was just how some in certain groups with rules, feel regarding the way they must live out their Christianity. I have heard from some that were in such groups as saying they had to live according to what their group decided what they 'had to be like and do' rather than living by their own convictions and understandings of scripture. It didn't sound to me as really being free to, as you say, be 'living out Jesus' commands in practical, everyday living'. Many of these 'have to' requirements were not what Jesus or any NT writers had explicitly said.
There certainly is freedom in Christ for 'whoever the Son sets free is free indeed'.
Looking at Galatians 5:1 -
'So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law'. In other words, believers ought not let anyone tell them they must follow all of the rules and restrictions of the law of Moses to be right with God. I think the same holds true to being free under the New Covenant. There are all kinds of things added to scripture to describe what everyday living requires, for example, you must drive a black car and things like that. It would seem to me Paul would quickly correct that way of applying sanctification in our world today.
But if you already know that I am locked into what I believe and/or question and 'see little value in discussing the topic' ,then fine, you are free to do so.