| Author | Message | ||
| Schasc Registered user Username: Schasc Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2004 |
What kind of obedience does Jesus demand from us? Over Thanksgiving weekend a relative was talking about how the pendulum swings back and forth in the Christian (Adventist) church. He talked about the strong tie to the do's and dont's that alot of us grew up with and then went on to say that it swung to "cheap grace". At that point I said to him that there was now such thing as cheap grace it was actually free! He agreed with me but then said that Christ still demands obedience from his followers. I did not contiune the discussion about what Christ demands, although I know that this person thinks that the 10 commandments is part of what He demands from us. What does Christ demand from His followere? Any thoughts? | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 778 Registered: 7-2004 |
In Romans, 3rd chapter, verses 19 through the end of the chapter, you will find what is expected, not demanded, of each follower of Christ. First of all we see the Faith Of Christ, in that he willingly went to the cross to ransom lost humanity. His faith was in the Father to raise him up on the third day. That is his faith. The original language as I understand has it saying "The Amen of Jesu Cristo." Amen means "so be it, no doubt, if God said it I will hang my life on it." That is the example of faith that Jesus gave us, and what He expects from his followers is the same kind of faith, that we Amen His promises, and he has made so many promises that say "If you will believe, literally amen, the name of Jesus Christ you will have everlasting life." | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 65 Registered: 4-2005 |
I was going to pick Matt. 22 37-40--Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, etc and your neighbor as yurself. Then it struck me that while this is something to work toward, it may be as hard as keeping the old covenant laws--accepting Christ as your Savior and travelling toward Matt. 22 37-40 is probably more realistic. | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 582 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hi Schasc, It is good to "see" you. Here's my favorite verse on obedience... "This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He commanded us." 1 John 3:23 As a new non-SDA Christian, when I studied the Bible and read "obey", I had a difficult time with that word. The old meaning of obey is a task master. It is not loving, it is not a desire that I have. I have had to deliberately replace the SDA meaning of obey. Here is what it means to me..."True obedience is the mark of authentic surrender to God's authority in any matter in my own person life and relationship with Him." Obedience is not something I do myself. When I obey, I am surrendering to God's authority, His leading, His desire... I hope this helps...as I have told you in the past...I HATE the term "cheap grace". I am in daily awe and thanksgiving as I give all praise and glory to my Savior for His willingness and love to die for me, that I may live a life of peace, contentment and joy in His grace! | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 583 Registered: 7-2004 |
Just another little thought...I am in the study of Genesis this year and we have just begun looking into the life of Abraham. What a remarkable man! After I posted above, I began looking through some of the texts in this weeks study. Genesis 15:6 tells us Abraham believed in the Lord and He was reckoned as a righteous man. This was way before the law had been given years later to his descendants the Isrealites. Was he living under "cheap grace"? No! His salvation was from the same source as we have in the New Covenant today. His faith and his obedience were from the heart. It was not his actions, his abilities, his motives. In Genesis 12:10-20, we can see what happens to a great man when he tries hard to take matters into his own hands...he lies, he is afraid, he is the very thing he does not want to be! Was he following God's lead to go to Egypt or was he fleeing the famine on his own judgment? I don't know but I do know he left God out and became a man of little or no faith! To me that is the disobedience that is opposite of what the Bible tells us to do in obeying God's commandments. Anyway...Schasc, your question/thoughts came to mind as I was reading and I just had to add another 2 cents...for what it is worth!  I hope my ramblings make sense... | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2971 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dd, I love your definition of obedience: "True obedience is the mark of authentic surrender to God's authority in any matter in my own person life and relationship with Him." That is exactly what obedience means to me as well. Colleen | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1036 Registered: 3-2005 |
Another definition of obedience that I read today in either Grudem or Packer is "obedience is gratitude for salvation freely given to us". Stan |
