There are many folks in American Christianity who assert that chewing tobacco is a sin. You've probably heard the expression, "Don't smoke, don't chew, don't run with those who do."
Problem is, .....
“We like our interpretation better.” This is definitely true. There are a whole lot of folks trying to turn it into something that works for them rather than what it actually is.
I understand what Drummer is seeking. It's that balance of faith and obedience. Fruit and Grace. Grace without works, etc.
Their are actual passages in Scripture that say we must have obedience, even with faith. That Christians will be known by the fruit of their actions. Some believe the fruit is the proof that it's the Holy Spirit working in you. So if you are producing fruit, it's not you but the Holy Spirit.
I've tried over the years to find these answers as well. I have never succeeded. Also if the Law has been tattooed on our heart, do we really need Scripture to show us the Law? Wasn't the Law just to show us the path to the Light? It's a great big Catch 22. A Religious Rollercoaster, never knowing where one is. It doesn't produce assurance or freedom but feels like a yoke.
I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
In keeping with obedience, in what way has Christ made your yoke lighter? Granted you still have one, exactly in what real ways has having Christ made it easier to be obedient to God?Why equate all of Scripture with the Law? Why assume that Scripture is not a part of the process by which God writes the his commands on the hearts of his children? The Law of Moses is fulfilled. But Scripture contains many precious promises not even found in the Law. If you believe the Bible, you know that it is through Scripture that Christ washes his people. (Ephesians 5:26) You also know the foolishness of pretending Scripture is like a human diary - which is a powerless private record. In contrast, Scripture is "living and active" and has the power to bring about both its promises and its requirements in the lives of God's children. It is not separate from the voice of the Holy Spirit - it confirms the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voice of the Holy Spirit confirms Scripture.
But we must remember that "no man can serve two masters" and that "the head of every man is Christ." We must also remember that Christ's "yoke is easy and his burden light." The commands of Christ that disciples are to obey is a lighter yoke than the common alternatives. The commands of Christ are a lighter yoke than the yoke of sin, the yoke of the law, and the yoke of Pharisaical bullies who add commands of their own invention from the "traditions."
How many new believers are saddled with traditional rules that are absent from Christ's actual instructions in Scripture? Don't smoke, don't chew, don't run with those who do. Don't drink. Don't dance. Other than Scripture, how do we know that these are not Christ's yoke when so many churches and "Christians" are saying they are? Scripture says, "Let no one judge you by what you eat or drink." Pharisaical bullies use guilt and manipulation to put a heavier yoke on men's shoulders. What about other yokes? Tithing and church attendance are not demanded by New Testament instructions. Sure, the Holy Spirit may move in the hearts of individual believers, but it is an unbiblical yoke to make these litmus tests for spirituality.
Christ died to set us free: from sin, from the Law, and from Pharisaical bullies who try and impose a heavier yoke. Scripture is a powerful gift that believers can use to distinguish God's voice and Christ's true yoke from all the other voices and all the heavier yokes. Of course, Christ died to free the Pharisaical bullies also - if only they would accept his free gift and stop trying to impose their foolish rules on others.
Sure, some may have a testimony of deliverance from alcoholism, and the Holy Spirit may have instructed them not to drink. OK. But it's a legalism to attempt to apply this instruction to others. The Holy Spirit has given me many disciplines over the years. I remember throwing away all my secular rock albums. But I would be wrong to make this a rule for others. For most of my adult life, I haven't had a TV. Not drinking alcohol is a ministry discipline for some believers, not a rule for all. (Just as refraining from meat is a ministry discipline for some.)
I don't have a conflict between grace and obedience. Through God's grace and Christ's sacrifice, my heart has been purchased for God. I am not my own. I was bought at a price. The conflict is between my flesh and obedience. But "God's grace teaches us to say No! to ungodliness and worldly passions." Obedience earns nothing. It is simply my response to the greatest gift I could ever receive.
But what do I obey? Lots of men have tried to boss me around. But since no man can serve two masters, I make every effort to be discern Christ's voice from the imitations. That would be much harder without the gift of Scripture.
In keeping with obedience, in what way has Christ made your yoke lighter? Granted you still have one, exactly in what real ways has having Christ made it easier to be obedient to God?
I guess I'm asking, are the obedience requirements less and if not, does having Christ spirit help you overcome these requirements. Also do you see these obedience requirements as burdens?
I believe your point was missed.Scripture is not for self interpretation.
The ChurchIf scripture is not for self interpretation, who is it given to for interpretation? Why should we even read it? Just let those old men of yore tell us what it said.
The Church
Isn't the Church all who are brought to acknowledge God alone through Christ has had the final say?The church has final say. Matthew 18:17
Paul was an Apostle of the Lord and yet still only a member of the body, he was not the church. We see in Acts the Jerusalem Council making decisions as a body. Let's not think that as individuals we make up the church.yes, the Church...inclusive of a man who might write this:
"...and I think also that I have the Spirit of God." 1 Cor. 7:40