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To: HarleyD
Are you telling me that either God was incompetent in His instructions to the Israelites or else He was deliberately telling them to do something meaningless?

Not at all. I believe the nation of Israel is an illustration to the church of how corrupt we are-even if choosen by God. As far back as Moses, God told the people of Israel (His choosen) that they would end up worshipping false gods and sacrificing their children on the burning fires of Molech. HEY! Sure enough; that's is eactly what happened. It should be a warning to us Christians (and Paul tells us not to get too big headed).

Interesting. Indeed, all the NT (not just Paul) tells us not to get too big headed. As a side note, do you believe that the Gospels are not meant for Christians, as some do?

But I would be interested as well to find out if you believe that Israel is God's chosen people, special to Him and where you think that they fit in with Christianity?

But doing nothing is not an option.

No one is saying to do nothing. Our love compels us to serve God and to follow His commands. It just that we must recognize why we are driven by this. It is not because of us but because of God.

Do you see 'compelling' as a combination of God's Grace influencing us, and our willing cooperation because of that influence, or as an overwhelming involuntary compulsion?

580 posted on 04/05/2012 1:25:17 PM PDT by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so.)
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To: MarkBsnr
As a side note, do you believe that the Gospels are not meant for Christians, as some do?

All the scriptures is the inspired word of God communicating to mankind-both Christians and non-Christians; just as the early church fathers agreed.

But I would be interested as well to find out if you believe that Israel is God's chosen people, special to Him

We read in Hebrews that there were those who looked forward to the coming of the promise. We look back to the promise being fulfilled. God's chosen people has always been those to whom believed in God's salvational promise. If a person is without Christ, they are without hope. That is the gospel truth.

Do you see 'compelling' as a combination of God's Grace influencing us, and our willing cooperation because of that influence, or as an overwhelming involuntary compulsion?

Our will is stirred by the Holy Spirit to do love and good works. This isn't "willing cooperation" because if God told me to do love and good things, most likely I would not do them-at least not for the people who I really don't like. Neither is it overwhelming involuntary compulsion which implies God forcing me to do something.

God creates the events which results in any good works that I might do. All I need to be concerned about is trying to abide in Christ and be faithful to His commandments. He promised if I did that, then I would have good works. And His promise is good enough for me.

583 posted on 04/05/2012 2:35:16 PM PDT by HarleyD
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