| Author | Message | ||
| Lynn W |
I may have printed this one on James already. But James is a very important book - one that Adventists rely on to "prove" salvation by works. But I've noticed Adventists can quote half of one verse only from the entire book of James. If you read all of James, you'll find that he does NOT support Adventist teaching. JAMES 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. The phrase ìlaw of libertyî can only be found in this book. The Ten Commandments are never referred to this way, contrary to what Ellen white says in The Great Controversy, ch. 27. James is talking about a new law. 2:8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. James leaves us no doubt what he means by ìthe royal law.î He spells it out for us by quoting from Leviticus 19:18. Even so, instead of accepting what is plainly written in Godís Word, forgetting II Peter 1:20, Ellen White contradicts James and takes it upon herself to make her own definition of the royal law in TGC ch. 27 where she says, ìThe apostle James, who wrote after the death of Christ, refers to the Decalogue as ëthe royal lawí and ëthe perfect law of liberty.í James 2:8; 1:25.î Where? In all of James, where? 2:9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Adventists teach that this means that if a person keeps nine of the Ten Commandments, then they are really guilty of breaking all then, not just one. And they are correct, but once again, they have narrowed down the interpretation and missed the point. Worse than that, they are again assuming that they alone are to be commended for keeping all ten of the commandments. This is a sad state of affairs which causes them to pass judgment on others while believing that they themselves are without sin and worthy of salvation. I John 1:10 tells us that, ìIf we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.î Romans 3:10 says, ìThere is none righteous, no not oneî and 3:23 says, ìAll have sinned...î No one should dare say that they have not broken at least one of the Ten Commandments. To make matters worse, the Ten is not nearly enough. Throughout James we are shown many other laws which, if we break, we are guilty of breaking the whole law. He starts by saying that if you are guilty of showing favoritism, then you are guilty of breaking the whole law, but which of the Ten does this violate? Then he lists several others which are not covered by the Ten. The point is that every one of us is guilty of breaking the whole law; and, whether Adventists will admit it or not, that includes them. 2:12 So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. There seems to be a pattern consistent with Galatians 3 that if you insist on living by the law and judging others by the law, then you will be judged by the law, and that ìwithout mercyî as is added here. And with good reason, Isaiah 64:6 shows us that ìall our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.î Notice two things about this verse; first, it doesnít say our sins are as filthy rags. That goes without saying and no sensible person would declare otherwise. Second, it implies that we do indeed have some righteousnesses. The word used in the plural here refers not to our nature, but to our deeds. But this verse is telling us that even our so-called righteousnesses (deeds) are worthless before God. Anytime we begin to think otherwise, we have forgotten why we need a savior. Gal. 3:10-12 agrees with this, ìFor as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. BUT that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.î Also Romans 2:12, ìFor all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;î In other words, all those Adventist pictures of a man standing before a giant set of the 10 commandments on Judgment Day are accurate - for those who insist on living by the law. They will be judged by the Law. On the other hand, those who live by faith in Jesus ìshall be judged by the law of liberty.î James 2:12. 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? ìFaith without works is dead.î This is a favorite little wedge for Adventists to chisel out of its context and apply to the 10 commandments as if to say, ìThere, that settles it.î This concept can be found throughout James: 1:22-23; 2:14, 24, 26. (Romans 2:13 gives the same idea worded differently.) Now how about if we place it back in its context and let the writer tell us what he had in mind. James tells us what those works are: ìWherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:î 1:19 ìIf any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.î 1:26-27 ìIf a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?î 2:15-16 Also 2:1-4; 3:18, 4:10-11; 5:7-16. There is no mention whatsoever of Sabbathkeeping in James. To add this into the book, is a personal interpretation. Each of the works James describes are practical works of showing love to others. And these works go way beyond the limitation of the 10 commandments. These works are not covered by the 10 Commandments. This is consistent with the teachings of Jesus and Paul. 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. The works Abraham was justified by were not the 10 commandments. He didnít even have these because he lived in pre-Mosaic times. He was also commanded to break the 5th, which he fully intended to do. 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? What were the works Rahab was justified by? Were they the keeping of the 10 commandments? As a Gentile, Rahab didnít even know the 10 Commandments. She actually broke the 9th commandment for a higher cause, yet James commends her works. 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? Are Adventists guilty of speaking evil of their brothers? Consider the focus of all their seminars, crusades and books whose purpose is to convince people that all of Christianity outside of SDA is the whore of Babylon. 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. | ||
| Lynn W |
PETER 1 Pet 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 2 Pet 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. | ||
| Lynn W |
JOHN I Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. II Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. These are some verses which Adventists often isolate to build a case for keeping the Ten Commandments. When the verses are isolated as they are here, they can be applied to any commandments one chooses. But the contexts make it clear which commandments John is referring to. Let's re-examine them, this time in context. I Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Here John has us wondering what is the commandment that was given to us from the beginning, but not for long. The next two verses give us a clue. 2:9 The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. Here is a more direct answer to the question raised in chapter 2. 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. And what are His commandments? 23 And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. 5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? II Jn 1:4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 And now I ask you, lady, not as writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. Here are some more comments from 1st John: I Jn 4:12 No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. | ||
| Lynn W |
JOHN I Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. II Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. These are some verses which Adventists often isolate to build a case for keeping the Ten Commandments. When the verses are isolated as they are here, they can be applied to any commandments one chooses. But the contexts make it clear which commandments John is referring to. Let's re-examine them, this time in context. I Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Here John has us wondering what is the commandment that was given to us from the beginning, but not for long. The next two verses give us a clue. 2:9 The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. Here is a more direct answer to the question raised in chapter 2. 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. And what are His commandments? 23 And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. 5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? II Jn 1:4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 And now I ask you, lady, not as writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. Here are some more comments from 1st John: I Jn 4:12 No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. | ||
| Lynn W |
Don't know why that one posted twice. Colleen, you can kick it out for me if you would. Now can anyone say we don't know the law? I skipped over Corinthians because I think I already posted on that before. | ||
| Bruce H |
Here is a list of Law's that were in the Book of the Law or the ceremonial Law that were beside the ark of the covenant. They say that these were done away with at the cross. This is what you give them when they say you mean we can kill, steal, and rape. Book of the Law commandments besides the Ark. Commandment # 1 (Gen 1:28) Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it. You mean we can not procreate. Commandment # 54 (Exo 22:4) mandates a special fine on thieves who steal oxen or sheep. You mean we can not be compensated for what a thief steals. Commandment #55 (Exo 22:4) The commandment to hold a person financially responsible for the damage caused by his livestock. You mean I am not responsible for what I own when it does damage. Commandment #57 (Exo 22:8) The specifying of responsibilities for one who is the guardian of another1s property. You mean I am not responsible for others property when they give it to me in faith. Commandment #62 (Exo 22:17) The prohibition of witchcraft. You mean that witchcraft is OK. Commandment #65 (Exo 22:21) The prohibition against oppressing a widow or orphan. You mean it is Ok to oppress widows and orphan1s. Commandment #69 (Exo 22:27) The prohibition against cursing God. You mean we can curse God. Commandment #74 (Exo 23:1) The commandment not to spread false rumors. You mean it is Ok to spread false rumors. Commandment #75 (Exo 23;1) The prohibition against helping a guilty man gain acquittal. You mean is is Ok to help a guilty man gain acquittal. Commandment #81 (Exo 23:6) The prohibition forbidding judges to discriminate against a poor person in judicial proceedings. You mean it is Ok to discriminate. Commandment #83 (Exo 23:8) The prohibition against judges taking bribes. You mean it is Ok to take bribes. Commandment #122 (Lev 5:1) The duty to offer testimony if one has pertinent knowledge about a crime. You mean we do not have to give this testimony. Commandment #130 (Lev 5:21-23) The commandment to return property that one took dishonestly. You mean it is Ok to take property dishonestly. Commandment # 148 (Lev 7:26) The prohibition against consuming an animal1s blood. You mean it is Ok to eat animal1s blood. Commandment #156 (Lev 11:10-11) The prohibition against eating fish that lack these criteria. You mean we can eat CATFISH. Commandment #208 (Lev 18:21) The prohibition against sacrificing one1s child to the idol know as molech. You mean we can sacrifice our children. Commandment # 209 (Lev 18:22) Prohibition of male homosexuality. You mean homosexuality is Ok. Commandment # 243 THIS IS THE SECOND GREAT COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW. (Lev 19:18) The commandment to love one1s fellow human being as yourself. You mean we don't have to love other Christians? Oh that is how that came about, Babylon wore and all. Commandment #364 (Num 5:6-7) The obligation to verbally confess ones sins, and to undo the wrong one has done. You mean we don't have to confess our sin and make things right. Commandment # 412 (Num 35:32) The prohibition against accepting money from a murderer to save him or her from the death sentence. You mean it is Ok to offer money. Commandment #417 (Deut 6:4) The commandment to acknowledge that God is one. You mean we can say he is many. Commandment #418 THIS IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW (Deut 6:5) The commandment to love God. You mean we don't have to love Him. Commandment #419 (Deut 6:7) The command to teach Torah to one1s children. You mean we can forget the Bible. Commandment #424 (Deut 6:16) The prohibition against testing God. You mean we can test him. Commandment #432 (Deut 10:20) The obligation to be in awe, a kind of reverent fear, of God. You mean we do not have to fear God. Commandment #454 and 455 (Deut 13;1) The prohibition against adding to or subtracting from the Torahs Laws. Maybe that is why Adventist add and subtract to the old Law. Boy Adventist get rid of a lot of good commandments too. Bruce H B | ||
| Maryann |
Thanks Lynn and Bruce, this will keep my "little pointed dome" occupied for a while. Don't be afraid to add more though, nothing like plenty of back up. This may bring Mom on the forum too!? Thanks more than you know.....Maryann |
