Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!sun-barr!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: hall@vice.ico.tek.com (Hal Lillywhite) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Bible the word of God? Message-ID: Date: 9 Nov 90 05:50:19 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or. Lines: 35 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article mib@geech.ai.mit.edu (Michael I. Bushnell) writes: >I was hasty in my speech. There are "laws", but they are completely >unrelated to salvation, and if we are following them "because God told >us to" then we are missing the point. The NT "laws" are a description >of what we will want to do because of the presence of God in our >hearts. If the NT "proscriptions" are the reason we do them, it is >better to avoid the rules entirely until they are a spontaneous >effusion from our soul. (Note: emphasis is mine in the passages below) "Not every one that saith unto me "Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven but he that *doeth* the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Mat 7:21) He that heareth these sayings of mine and *doeth* ...[is like a wise man whose house does not fall in the storm] He that... doeth them not...[is like a foolish man whose house falls in the storm]. (Mat 7:24-27) Those who feed the hungry, visit the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners etc. are "sheep" to be put on the right hand of Jesus while those who do not are "goats" on his left hand who go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal. (Mat 25:31-46) "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 15:14) (Maybe you think those who do not love Jesus will be saved. If so, I disagree.) I believe the laws are closely related to salvation. The confusion comes from the Law of Moses which had been fulfilled. However we neglect love of our fellow man and caring for him at our eternal peril.