You Can Fake It All

[Reader]

I can agree with you, n david. However, Paul's letters never included a checklist to use in a manner where people would go down the list, having faith in the list, and proclaiming themselves or another to be "in" or "out" based upon outward compliance of any rules.

Isn't that what happened with the Old Testament law? People could check off the list.....BUT.

Jesus himself showed them that their hearts could be far from God, even though the list had been completed.

Jesus showed that they could refrain from physically committing adultery, but that they were in sin if they lusted after someone else but didn't do the act.

Jesus showed that the tares would grow with the wheat.

The New Testament explains that no one was changed by keeping the points of the law. How? Because year after year there was yet the necessity of sacrifices for sin.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Reader

I can agree with you, n david. However, Paul's letters never included a checklist to use in a manner where people would go down the list, having faith in the list, and proclaiming themselves or another to be "in" or "out" based upon outward compliance of any rules.

Isn't that what happened with the Old Testament law? People could check off the list.....BUT.

Jesus himself showed them that their hearts could be far from God, even though the list had been completed.

Jesus showed that they could refrain from physically committing adultery, but that they were in sin if they lusted after someone else but didn't do the act.

Jesus showed that the tares would grow with the wheat.

The New Testament explains that no one was changed by keeping the points of the law. How? Because year after year there was yet the necessity of sacrifices for sin.

That all depends on what you mean by outward

Read James. Read Matthew. Read Galatians. Fruits. Works

Not that having works proves someone is saved, but it is evidence. Lack of certain works can be evidence too of a lack of faith