Rules and Spirit

mfblume · #1 07-09-2007, 09:34 AM

We read in Galatians and Romans that law came to "keep" Israel until the Lord would come in incarnation. It was temporary! And Paul noted that rules and legislation were ONLY for Israel during their immatuire state before the Lord came. Gal 4 speaks of Israel being children and only heirs during the time of law. But once Christ came, graduation occurred and God knew it was tiome for spiritual maturity to begin. Hence, out with rule books and intrduction to walking after the Spirit with new birth.

We can look at individuals in the same light. Those who CANNOT learn to walk in the Spirit, and seem to WANT rules and codes are simply spiritually immature. It is so easy to live by a set of rules. Our fleshly nature is very accustomed to that. We have rules everywhere, even in secular society. But to learn to be led by the Spirit and walk in that Spirit is far beyond the experience of rule keeping.

Keep in mind that when we walk after the Spirit, we will nto fulfill lusts of the flesh, and we will live the way Law TRIED TO get Israel to live, yet we do it all without resorting to a list of rules!

So many in churches today, apostolics and all, would far sooner live by rules. Folks, we have to mature. It's high time we walk after the Spirit!

Sam · #2 07-09-2007, 10:18 AM

Good post, Bro. Blume. I wish I could say things as well as you do.

In my opinion, Romans 8:1-4 teaches that the righteous requirements of the Law are met in us who walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. Also, that we are not supposed to argue about "do's and don't's" and judge one another on things like that. In my opinion Romans 14 means we each have to work out our own salvation based on what Jesus has worked into us and it is the "weaker" ones who want a list of rules and standards.

mfblume · #3 07-09-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Good post, Bro. Blume. I wish I could say things as well as you do.

In my opinion, Romans 8:1-4 teaches that the righteous requirements of the Law are met in us who walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. Also, that we are not supposed to argue about "do's and don't's" and judge one another on things like that. In my opinion Romans 14 means we each have to work out our own salvation based on what Jesus has worked into us and it is the "weaker" ones who want a list of rules and standards.

Thanks for your kind words, brother. I agree perfectly with your good points as well. The weaker brethren could be also said to be spiritually immature.

Scott Hutchinson · #4 07-09-2007, 10:34 PM

If one is walking in The Holy Ghost then they will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If one is being led of The Holy Spirit then they will be led into true Holiness because The Holy Spirit is a Holy Spirit so following it's leading will produce Holiness in the life of the believer.

simplyme · #5 07-09-2007, 10:37 PM

Perhaps the "weaker" [as they've been called in posts above) ones just SEEK a "measuring stick" by which to gauge their growth, or somethings, codes, whatever, to follow, LOOK TO, as they attempt to become whatever it is they are supposed to become like? How can they possibly KNOW yet what is to come., if they can't get past the basics? It is certainly not a bad thing to seek this, its only a natural impulse.

Quote:

Keep in mind that when we walk after the Spirit, we will nto fulfill lusts of the flesh, and we will live the way Law TRIED TO get Israel to live, yet we do it all without resorting to a list of rules!

Good thoughts!

mfblume · #6 07-10-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simplyme

Perhaps the "weaker" [as they've been called in posts above)

Romans 14 and 15 uses the term "weaker" in this precise context, by the way.

Quote:

ones just SEEK a "measuring stick" by which to gauge their growth, or somethings, codes, whatever, to follow, LOOK TO, as they attempt to become whatever it is they are supposed to become like? How can they possibly KNOW yet what is to come., if they can't get past the basics? It is certainly not a bad thing to seek this, its only a natural impulse.

It is not bad when one is first newly saved. They cannot but walk after the flesh. In fact, living by rules is walking after the flesh. I think God expects that in newly saved people. But it is a problem, and can become bad, when such a walk is never replaced by one after the Spirit. This was part of the core problem with the Galatians!

When we LOOK TO rules, as a measuring stick, we are simply lacking the leading of God's Spirit. One does not know how to be led by the Spirit, nor sense direction from Him in such a case.

Another problem involved in not getting past the basics can be the ministry. If the ministry does not teach it, what can the saints do?

But natural impulses is what walking after the flesh is all about. And it actually came from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Hmmm...

Pressing-On · #7 07-10-2007, 10:38 AM

It seems it would be hard to differentiate between walking after the Spirit and following rules as the NT lays out so many.

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves with modest apparel...."

Laying out how to handle the gifts, the Lord's supper, etc.

Just to name a few.

I think, mainly, we should be careful not to write our own "Mishna"?

RevDWW · #8 07-10-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

In fact, living by rules is walking after the flesh.

Huh? You mean if I follow after Jesus' rule to treat others like I wish to be treated I'm walking in the flesh and not the spirit? Unless your definition of "rules" is standards and not the teachings of Jesus. Would you consider any of Jesus' teaching to be rules?

Digging4Truth · #9 07-10-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDWW

Huh? You mean if I follow after Jesus' rule to treat others like I wish to be treated I'm walking in the flesh and not the spirit? Unless your definition of "rules" is standards and not the teachings of Jesus. Would you consider any of Jesus' teaching to be rules?

That is a concept. Not a rule. A rule would be... When people do this... you do that... etc

A rule would be where someone stipulated that you should do this or do that to fulfill that concept.

Modesty is a concept... One should live by that concept. A list of do's & don'ts as to how a person should dress are rules.

When one learns to live within the concept without the need for the rules then that is maturity.

Pressing-On · #10 07-10-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

That is a concept. Not a rule. A rule would be... When people do this... you do that... etc

A rule would be where someone stipulated that you should do this or do that to fulfill that concept.

Modesty is a concept... One should live by that concept. A list of do's & don'ts as to how a person should dress are rules.

When one learns to live within the concept without the need for the rules then that is maturity.

Right, Digging. Let me further the point of my post. As the Word lays out direction/concepts people are generally accustomed to sitting back and deciding it is good to interpret what that direction or concept is actually saying.

Hence, we have the Jews writing the Mishna, feeling the need to elaborate on the Law.

I believe that scares many individuals as they feel the need to set some sort of perimeter around the people, thereby, keeping some semblance of order.

I can see how it is easy done. Mainly, because God is a God of order. Moses followed order and thus, it's almost an example.

How did Azua street operate with order or did it always have order just following the Spirit? So many people with different mindsets and ideas.