My Talk With God:

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I believe that the lists originated with "personal convictions" of an individual, which then became a mandate beyond that individual, spreading, and reaching people within that person's ministry to end up as a church, group or denomination standard and mandate.

Honestly, each one of us probably have "lists" that we know we are called to obey, that may differ from you to me. My list of "do not" or "do's" may include something that is not on yours.

Should that cause us to hate one another, because we don't have the same "lists" or really convictions? NO.

The one thing that should bind us all together is the death, burial, and resurrection life of Jesus Christ, loving one another, and helping those who are less fortunate than us, and sharing the gospel wherever we go. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and we cannot compromise that in any way.

Yet, our lists (convictions) vary from person to person, and it is these convictions that cause division, when they shouldn't.

If we are judging others according the fruit of the spirit operating in their life, and find their fruit to be true, if they should happen to differ in a conviction or law in their life from ours, we should still love them and count them as brethren.

I find this verse in 1 John to speak volumes concerning this subject:

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

I believe the anointing, or the spirit of Christ within us is able to teach us, rebuke us, reprimand us against doing things, or doing things contrary, or according to what is pleasing to the Lord. The Spirit may direct and teach me to be obedient to a conviction that my brother or sister may not share. It may be that I have a conviction that I should not eat pork, or that I should not wear a certain style of clothing, or that I don't have a TV, and on those lists or convictions can go. But, I shouldn't judge my brother/sister because they do or don't have those same convictions as myself.

I do believe that Jesus' last words to his disciples hold true today, John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

I can love my brother/sister if they have a TV, and I don't have one. I can love my brother/sister if they don't wear jewelry, and I do... etc. You get the picture. Our personal outward or inward convictions are something that we live by, but do not judge others by.

Bottom line is we cannot compromise the gospel, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. That is where the division must come, and the line must be drawn in the sand.

But beyond that... personal convictions/lists should not divide the brethren who are united in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Its really hard to have discussion when people instantly think "standards of men" when it comes to the Lords commands.

Since I never felt comfortable among such Churches and dropped out many years ago I don't understand all the talk about "lists".

I am used to reading the Bible and everywhere I look I see the Lord or his apostles teaching believers how to live both do's and donts'.

I take it personally as if its the Lord himself speaking to me. This does not mean he does not speak to me apart from the written word but that I don't look at the recorded scriptures as "legalistic". Far from it

Jesus said his words ARE SPIRIT AND THEY ARE LIFE. That Heaven and Earth will pass away but his words will not.

Anyway its not upon us to pick and choose what we want to obey out of the teachings of the New Covenant.

Our lives are no longer our own. There is nothing as important to a Christian as that he find out what Yeshua expects from him. Thankfully in his rich love he has given us understanding through his apostles chosen for that very purpose.

If we choose to ignore his commandments it does not change their authority over our lives. Jesus said the words he spoke will be our judge on the last day.

That was so important to him he made it the first priority after baptism.

Learn his commandments. See how this is connected to the great commission?

28:18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 28:19 Go,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Teach new converts to obey all his commands. Yes they center upon love. They can be summed up as such. Yet his commands teach us HOW TO LOVE.

They are not meant to strangle the life out of the disciple. They are designed that if you DO THEM they shape you to be like Jesus. You will actually do as he would do.

Last but not least this ONLY works in a life that has been filled with the Holy Spirit. It ONLY works in those who abide in Jesus. Peace and love.