First the obvious: we should do what Jesus tells us to do with "want-to" obedience.Heirbyadoption wrote:Sorry I got away, but am still curious your personal take on this question, Boot, regardless what your affiliated congregation does. Thanks.Bootstrap wrote:Heirbyadoption asked: "if Jesus commanded us to do something and we knowingly refuse to do it, what is the consequence, in your understanding?
I can't answer your question about consequences directly, the Bible is full of examples of people who initially did not obey, or who failed to obey in one way or another, but are still held up as examples of godly men. The disciples, for instance, sometimes even after the resurrection. I don't think we should use this as an excuse to disobey, but I do think we should be very cautious about judging other people. On the other hand, if I know Jesus is telling me to do something, I should do it.
And I do think that there are some places where people legitimately disagree about how to apply what a passage says today. And other places where I am just baffled that someone would approach a passage the way they do - and they are similarly baffled that I would approach it the way I do. I don't see any way around that, I think they need to obey according to their understanding, and I need to obey according to mine.