Today, reply is on the duty of believers through and with the law to help one another discern, recognize and resist error and sin. Believers do not “snitch” or become betrayers and traitors by carefully helping each other identify error and sin. Often, behavior that seems harmless and innocent to ourselves can be very damaging to others; and our mistakes will not be detected and correctly valued until seen through the light of divine law. Also, when someone has been hurt or offended by another, and does not hold their attacker openly accountable, the result can be a dangerous and explosive build up of anxiety, bitterness, fear, suspicion, and uncertainty. The provisions from GOD to expose the operations of sin have included sacred law; family; friendship; covenant nation; the Incarnation of divinity as Jesus Christ; the Savior’s death on the cross, resurrection and ascension; and the provision of fellowship for believers within the body of Christ (the church). In an effort to avoid appearing to be unnecessarily judgmental and overly critical of others, many Christian believers “ignore” and behave as if they are blind to insulting attitudes and conduct from fellow believers that are disrespectful and offensive. Obeying a rule from the World (live and let live), yet committing a serious error, many believers will make no complaint against what are clearly transgressions of sacred law. Exaggerated pride influences the living to believe there is no need for law from GOD, and that they may be a “law unto themselves.” In part the law has been given because the operations of sin can appear to be natural and normal as though they are the truest expression of ones own character and makeup. Sinners do not discern the actual nature of sin, and that sin is contrary to their own continued existence. By contrast, developing believers will increasingly agree that to maintain divine order and godliness we also require the vocal support and vigilance of others who are sharing in the new creation. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “GRANNY NORINE” (Level 1 with 40 points, a member since May 16, 2014) posted the following:
For those "PROCLAIMING" Christianity, What Does Leviticus 19:17 Mean?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13: 8-10, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Deeds Of The Law? (09/10/2017); The Operations of Sin (07/25/2017); Obstacles To Developing Believers (07/24/2017); Christian Beliefs About Sin (07/20/2017); Fellowship With the Father (06/13/2017); A Fool of the Church? (01/26/2016); A Slip of the Tongue (09/17/2014); Which Things We Speak (09/18/2014)
“GRANNY NORINE”, gossip, grudge-bearing, and malicious silence are forbidden among those who are the new creation through Jesus Christ. Formal statements recording the law from GOD appear throughout the holy writings. In addition to exposing error, sin, and their consequences, the work of the law is to make the heart and mind of divinity knowable, known, and “present”. Commandments, judgments (rulings to settle disputes), ordinances (required ceremonies and observances), prohibitions, and statutes are shared to amplify, “bring to life,” and detail the practices and principles provided to Adam and the Patriarchs as a divine inheritance. Along with the words spoken by GOD at Mount Sinai, the written law would be developed and proclaimed as a living and organic aspect of communication, exchange, and interaction within and between the tribes of Jacob as they were being transformed and permanently bound together as a single nation in covenant with GOD.
For those who are mature, the expression of love always includes the acceptance of accountability. Within the shared covenant, believers have standing as “brothers”, “neighbors” and “partners” (not siblings). The rule [Leviticus 19: 17, King James Version (KJV): 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.] forbids being critical of others (their attitudes, behavior and conduct), yet, not answering directly to them to make them aware of their offenses against yourself, or their transgressions against GOD and the divine law. It is more an act of love to deliver admonition, caution, chastisement and warning, than to maintain a silence that may fester and become a “root of bitterness,” or that falsely will appear as approval and agreement. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Deuteronomy 14: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. 2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. 3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
(2.) Proverbs 30: 11-14, KJV: 11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
(3.) Jeremiah 6: 13-15, KJV: 13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Matthew 18: 15-17, KJV: 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment