I know you're dodging the point, and I can understand why.......it's a sticky wicket.
Ok, let's make this distinction:
How did Jesus treat those who seemingly didn't know the truth, i.e., the woman at the well......and those who DID know the truth but chose to ignore it, turn their backs on it, or just violate it outright?
For instance - how did Jesus deal with the demon possessed man in the cemetary, vs. the Pharisees?
We talk about condemnation what exactly are we talking about? Because Jesus didn’t condemn people but her certainly did condemn sinful actions.
His driving the money changers from the Temple is a good example. So are all the instances where he said "go and sin no more".
We also have biblical example of how to deal with someone in the church who is a continual source of evil. In the end the individual is driven from the congregation.
Sin is condemned. Sinners are at the very least treated in a way that would bring them to fellowship.
But the rich young ruler provides some insight. While Jesus was clear with him, he was also unbending. There was no negotiation. Was it condemnation? The man went away sorrowful. Jesus did not chase after him and offer him some watered down request. The mean walked into eternity separated from Christ because he would not give up everything he had. That was a pretty hard request.
The man condemned himself. Jesus didn’t pat him on the back and tell him they were still buds.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
No sir. First off righteousness is not like a filthy rag before God...but my own righteousness is. His rightheousness is his very essance. It's his righteousness in me that makes me holy. That "long list of rules'' protects his righteousness from being marred by the world and the wickedness of my own flesh. Of course some of them, such as uncut hair, are simply commandments of God. Disobedience is unrighteousness.
God doesn't need me to protect anything that is His. He is self sufficient.
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When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.
I would also point out that the scripture tells us that “there is therefore now, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”
The inference is that those who are not IN are in fact condemned.
That is not a justification for treating the condemned with hatred or disdain. We love them. We do not accept them in their sin with no expectation of change.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
I actually wasn't serious. I hear a lot of people say quote "God doesnt look at the outside...just the heart." Which is not accurate. I do believe that we must believe truth with our heart and that our hearts must be right before God tho. But a right heart is an obedient heart.
How obedient do you have to be? How obedient are you?
__________________
When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.
How obedient do you have to be? How obedient are you?
How obedient must one be?
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith , I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked . 1 John 2:3-6
I do not believe that "His righteousness" is in us.
The way I read scripture, he has stamped us with HIS righteousness. In other words, he looks at us thru the lens of his Righteousness when we become his children.
His Righteousness does not make us holy any more than our own carnal "righteousness" gives us "Right Standing" before him.
Second. Holiness while inseparable from Righteousness is not extended to us nor is it applied to us as Righteousness is. Scripture repeats in both Old and New Testament, that we are to "be Holy". It is a command. At the same time, scripture tells us not to even try to "be righteous.”
I liken it to me telling my son, You are my son and there is nothing you can do to earn that status. NOW ACT LIKE IT.
Righteousness is extended because we have been adopted. We have taken on “right standing” in the Family by coming to God. Holiness is us acting like it.
Now go back to thinking you were made holy.
Agreed.
This just makes sense to me.
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Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith , I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked . 1 John 2:3-6
See? Thats a true Christian John is describing.
I John 2
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2..He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
John writes this to Christians. It appears he is conceding that Christians sin. So how disobedient can you be?
__________________
When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.
I John 2
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2..He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
John writes this to Christians. It appears he is conceding that Christians sin. So how disobedient can you be?
I would not want to try to test that.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted , and were destroyed of serpents. 1 Cor. 10:9
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