The Path of Truth Forum

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I just read your article on D.A. Carson's book and I'm very encouraged. Thank you!

I am coming into the truth about many things such as the Sabbath, the Law, dietary, etc. My wife spoke to our pastor about it (he's also her brother). He recommended the Carson book.

It came in and I thumbed through it the other day. Again, I haven't read it all, but it looks like nothing but a bunch of spin and doubt. Tons of faithless noise that is nothing but confusion to baffle the reader. Like you said, gray words like maybe, could have, possibly, appears, etc. Why can't people take to solid word of YHWH who wrote these Ten Commandments with HIS FINGER!!? After coming to the truth on this, I remain baffled and perplexed. But perhaps the pride in their heart will melt and see things for how they are.

I am currently writing a paper to present to the pastor as he and I have already spoken. The disagreements are still continuing and he shut it down by saying, present your case to the elders, but it won't bode well.

I am not trying to cause division at all. I originally approached him because if the conviction on my heart for pure truth as Moses lines up with Christ and Paul. No tensions. Pure truth that sets you free.

Thank you again for the words in the article. I needed that.

Mark

“I am not trying to cause division at all.”

You're not causing division, Mark. You're seeing the truth that illuminates their divisive teachings and ways. However, when the Sword of Truth enters the scene, you cannot BUT create division. How can it be otherwise?

“Can two walk together unless they are agreed” (Amos 3:3 MKJV).

“I originally approached him because of the conviction on my heart for pure truth as Moses lines up with Christ and Paul. No tensions. Pure truth that sets you free.”

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16:17-18 ESV).

If you go on to follow the Lord, parting ways with your church, you'll be blamed for the division. But knowing the Lord and having fellowship with Him in the truth will give you a peace and joy unspeakable the world doesn't know, cannot give and cannot take from you.

Paul & Victor

Thank you for the encouragement. What gets me through is Matthew 10:34-39. I have not come to bring peace but to bring a sword. This verse gives me courage to soldier on.

The strange thing about what you quotes in Romans 16 COULD be used against me by him. Not yet but could. But I am reminded of 2 Thessalonians 2. Beware of man of lawlessness. Couldn't be said that ignoring the law could result in lawlessness? Yes we recognize the 10 commandments but what about how the rest of the law compliments the 10? Love for God and neighbor work hand in hand with the law but doesn't replace the law. If you loved god and neighbor then you'd want to recognize the better way to serve them: the Torah!

I'm just seeing plenty of caution for those that DONT practice the law.

Thank you again
Mark

Hi Mark,

Matthew 10:34-39 are not Scriptures commonly cited by people professing Christ, unless they're experiencing the call of the Lord to take up the cross and follow Him in the truth.

And you're certainly right about Romans 16. It can and will be said you're causing division contrary to the doctrine they have been taught - which doctrine is wrong. Only by the righteous judgment commended by the Lord will one know who is true and who is false. Tares do look like wheat.

As for the Law, it is the reflection of God's Nature, and therefore is unchangeable. That's why Jesus said not one jot or tittle of the Law would fail - He came to fulfill the Law, not do away with it. Indeed, HE came to be fulfilled, to be perfected, to become the Firstfruits of those risen from the dead:

“And He said unto them, Go and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected” (Luke 13:32 KJV).

“This God has fulfilled to us their children, raising up Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, 'You are My Son, this day I have begotten You'” (Acts 13:33 MKJV).

“For to which of the angels did He say at any time, 'You are My Son, this day I have begotten You?' And again, 'I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?'” (Hebrews 1:5 MKJV)

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV).

“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29 KJV).

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 MKJV).

“And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the Beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18 KJV).

There is, however, confusion about what is required of us.

Matthew 22:35-40 MKJV
(35) Then one of them, a lawyer, asked, tempting Him and saying,
(36) Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?
(37) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
(40) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Many ordinances of the Law (such as the ritual sacrifices) were shadows of Christ, Who came and fulfilled them as the Passover Lamb.

You say, “Love for God and neighbor work hand in hand with the law but doesn't replace the law. If you loved god and neighbor then you'd want to recognize the better way to serve them: the Torah!”

The Law IS love for God and neighbor. It is the description of the One Who IS Love. God is Spirit and the Law is spiritual. The Law of Moses IS love described and defined. And when the Son of God is fulfilled in us, there is no more need for the shadows that represented the Law for a time:

“For the Law having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the image itself of the things, can never with the same sacrifices, which they offer continually every year, make those approaching perfect” (Hebrews 10:1 EMTV).

The reality is fulfilled when Christ takes over through repentance, faith and obedience, that God may be all in all:

“And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28 KJV).

Some writings that may be of interest and help to you, Mark, in your journey:

Diabolical Doctrine: Jewish Worship Practices Are Important to Keep
The Feast-Keeping that Is Sin
Law and Grace

“We know that everyone begotten of God does not sin; but he that was begotten of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18 EMTV).

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Paul & Victor

Yes please add me to the mailing list! A lot of good information for me to digest here today. I need a bit more time to process it all. But I will certainly study it out. I want to do as the Bereans. Thanks again!

Mark