Christian

Changing Covenants

I once said there were two major changes to the law from the Old Testament to the New.

  • The dietary requirements ended with Peter’s dream opening salvation to the Gentiles.
  • Animal sacrifice for sin ended with Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, his own life given on the cross.

I forgot to mention under the New Covenant circumcision is no longer required. It was part of the Old Covenant in the Old Testament. Additionally, Jesus taught us we may do good works on the Sabbath.

In this present day when preachers teach the law of Christ beginning with The Nine Commandments ( no Sabbath) it is important for us to read the Bible and discover these changes between covenants ourselves.

When your writing God’s laws on your heart. I hope you will begin with the TEN Commandments in Exodus 20. They were indeed part of the law of Moses, but they have been incorporated into the New Testament. All ten can be found in the New and are part of that covenant. With Jesus’ help we overcome sin. Learning the law comes with reading the Holy Bible. What you hear as true comes from God. Therefore write upon your heart the command you have heard from the beginning.

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Christian

Do You Love Me?

Hebrews 8:10 KJV
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

The only way to learn the law is through hearing. You can hope to hear all you need to know in Church or you can read the Holy Bible for yourself. I recommend both. Read the Holy Bible and use it to study and verify what you hear from every speaker.

A great place to start is Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments. To fully comprehend the law you’ll need to read both the Old and the New Testament of the Holy Bible.

What laws then should I follow? Follow what the Lord writes on your heart. What he’s written on mine I am obliged to share.

In Matthew 28:19-20 KJV, Jesus said, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Ten Commandments are valid, present day Commandments of Jesus. In fact, Jesus taught them. Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20 He also instructed that mercy and love are to be a part of the law. John 8:7

The law did have two significant changes between the Old and New Testament. Here are those changes God made to the law:

  • The dietary laws were revoked in Peter’s dream opening the Gospel to the Gentiles. Acts 11:9
  • Sacrificial law or animal sacrifice for sin ceased at the death of Christ on the Cross. John 3:16, Hebrews 10:12

Do you love Jesus enough to keep his Commandments? How much do you actually value his sacrifice?

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Christian, Inspirational

State of the Church

Recently, I have heard a few people comment on the great freedom we have to worship the Lord here in the United States and how blessed we are that it is so. What good is that freedom if the Church members will not hear and do not do God’s word.

Where is the persecution Christ promised? John 15:20. Satan is satisfied to give you religious freedom if what you practice is mediocrity and lukewarm Christianity.

What can combat mediocrity and lukewarm Christianity is the truth:

Baptism is required for salvation! Mark 16:16.

Following the Ten Commandments is expected. Exodus 20, John 14:15. I have heard it well expressed the first four show love for God and the last six show love for others. My advice is where you hear a law in the Holy Bible and it seems wise and good, keep it. Write them on your mind and heart. His precepts will guide you.

Read the Holy Bible and pray for understanding. Don’t be afraid to disagree with your pastor or others. Many who cling to denominational creed simply cannot hear the truth.

It is said speaking in tongues is evidence of the Holy Spirit. The Truth is evidence of the Holy Spirit. He is also known as the Spirit of Truth. He takes of Christ and gives to you.

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Christian, Inspirational

A List

Another preacher, same old nonsense. Christianity isn’t a religion. Christianity isn’t a list of do’s and don’ts. Christianity isn’t religion its relationship.

The problem is these teachers don’t even seem to realize they’re lying. Of course Christianity is religion. And if you’re smart enough to discern them, God offers rather critical do’s and don’ts in the Holy Bible, in places like Exodus 20. Why is it key to understand this? Because Christianity is relationship, which is our religion, which is also a list of do’s and don’ts.

Relationship includes things such as baptism, going to Church services, reading the Bible, keeping the law, loving our neighbors, doing good deeds, etc. It isn’t rocket science, Jesus defined the relationship. Now, it’s our part to live it out in our religion.

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Christian, Inspirational

Defined by the Naysayers

Recently a preacher on TBN said, it’s not about religion it’s about relationship with Jesus Christ.

What an excellent definition of religion. My religion is my relationship with Jesus Christ.

And yes it comes with rules such as the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. It is full of rules and regulations and love. Love to teach me those rules and regulations. Love to die for me and love to help me live.

For once the naysayers have it right. Build a relationship with Jesus by keeping the Father’s will.

To know the Father’s will read, study, and live it out by the example of the Holy Bible. A.K.A the Word, A.K.A Jesus Christ!

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Christian, Inspirational

Works

As I mentioned in my previous post many preachers confuse works with keeping the law.

Is it work to not kill?

Is it work to not steal?

Is it work to not commit adultery?

Is it work to not lie?

I suppose for some people it may be, but are these people following Jesus?

Matthew 11:29-30 KJV
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20. If any of them are work to you, I encourage you to ask Jesus to help you keep them!

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Christian, Inspirational

Relationship

I’ve heard preachers and people on-line say Christianity isn’t about rules and regulations.

What does Jesus say?

1 John 2:3-4 KJV
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

If we want to have a relationship with Jesus we need to keep his commandments. Let no one dissuade you. Commandments are rules and regulations. The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Read your Bible. There are other rules and regulations in the Old and New Testament that we should follow.

When you hear someone say it’s not about rules and regulations stay away from them – they are liars. If you want true relationship with Jesus you have to read what he said, you have to learn, you have to do.

Proverbs 19:16 KJV
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

John 14:21 KJV

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

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Christian

Is your heart right with God?

Mine isn’t.

I was baptized by immersion in water by a Church of Christ preacher in the name of Jesus in 1983.

Since that time I have walked in sin.

Why do I care now at 49? Why do I share my story?

Around eleven years ago I actually started reading the Holy Bible. Once asked a few years later if I knew the Ten Commandments I could only name six or seven of them.

Since then I devoted them to memory. I consider that a step in the right direction. In fact actually reading the Bible on my own was a step in the right direction. I still struggle (not always devoting much effort on my part) with the Ten Commandments and the same two addictions I had when I started reading the Bible all those years ago.

The addictions I’ve struggled with are porn and smoking. I last looked at porn on July 15th, 2020 and I have smoked cigarettes and several cigarillos through January 6th, 2021. Also, I have not been keeping the Sabbath faithfully.

I would like to have my heart right with God. I’d like to make it to Heaven. I cling to 1 John 1:9, James 5:16, and Proverbs 28:13.

I want to keep his commandments and walk in the light, but feel like I’m stagnating in sin. For those of you that have read this before and it seems like the same old story, I feel your concern. Please persevere yourselves and remember me in your prayers.

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