First, please stop using Ye Olde Englishe KJV.
Second, this is a great example of how we are NOT saved by faith alone, but by faith and works.
I generally prefer the received texts as it doesn’t have a copyright. All the translations with a copyright, by definition, must be significantly altered from the source text. I have no problem reading other translations, as they do make the stories easier to read, but some of the subtle changes can really alter the meaning vs KJV. Feel free to add a comment with another translation if you wish.
In your second point: it is absolutely paramount that Christians understand this. You cannot put new wine into old wine skins, lest they burst at the seams. We are justified (new wine) by faith alone, but we must then sanctify (new wine skin) or else the whole thing is mute. Faith without works is dead.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation
I know this excerpt from Romans 10 won't change your mind about it - shoot, I should have put verse 4 in also - but it's here nonetheless.
I have peace with God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. Maybe my faith is dead by your standards (though I doubt it), but my savior is alive.
That’s a great chapter. Paul is saying that Israel has lost sight of God’s righteousness. They were still living by the book of the law, under the administration of Levites. They were an example of works without faith.
After the exodus: Moses went up Mt Sinai for 40 days while Israel stayed in the wilderness below. They broke their new covenant with God by erecting a golden calf and sacrificing to it (Exodus 32). The penalty of this broken covenant was death, but because of Moses’ pleading, they were spared, and placed under the book of the law. It stood as a witness against Israel until one would come to pay the death penalty.
Jesus had to go to the same wilderness and get tempted for 40 days, just like Israel did (where they failed). Jesus righted the wrongs of Israel, paid the death penalty, and used his blood upon the alter for atonement. He ended the Levitical law curse, and allowed a new covenant to begin, essentially replacing the first covenant, but with a new Israel. The book of the covenant (10 commandments etc) is still binding. Those who call themselves Christians (actual Israel) that don’t keep all of God’s commandments are falling into the same sins that the first Israel did.
The first Israel was promised a land in exchange for willing obedience to God. True Israel is given the same offer, albeit our promised land will be Heaven and everlasting life. Just like those that broke the covenant didn’t get to see their promised land: so will it be for true Israel should we break our covenant.
You wrote:
>The book of the covenant (10 commandments etc) is still binding.
How true that is. Jesus Himself said "Think not that I have come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it".
Great summation brother Joey!
Such beautiful consistency and inspiration between the Old Testament and the fulfillment of the New Testament! If any man is successful in proving that the Bible was written by man alone, I will eat my shoes.
That's a false gospel. I am going to the judgement seat without any works of my own. Sure, what I have done will be tested as through a fire - and I might stink like smoke from all that has burned away - but Jesus paid it all.
The "good news" is that we can't earn or contribute to our salvation. What you believe is just as cursed as any other religion.
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