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What code of conduct or laws do Christians follow?

So guys, since most Christians believe that God's 10 Commandments doesn't apply to them and only to the Israelites and since Christ fulfilled the law for them so they are now under grace and nailed to the cross and all that. I am wondering by what laws or code of conduct do they live by if not the 10 Commandments please?
 

74x12

Well-Known Member
So guys, since most Christians believe that God's 10 Commandments doesn't apply to them and only to the Israelites and since Christ fulfilled the law for them so they are now under grace and nailed to the cross and all that. I am wondering by what laws or code of conduct do they live by if not the 10 Commandments please?
God gives the holy Spirit now to be the Law in the heart. So God wants Christians to follow the Spirit and crucify/put to death the lusts of the flesh.

See Galatians 5:16-25 for a list of the things you should cultivate through the Spirit and things you should avoid which are of the flesh; if you're wanting to follow the Spirit.

If in doubt or confusion as to the difference between the new Covenant and the old Covenant; I would suggest studying and getting a good understanding of the following books.
  • Galatians
  • Hebrews
  • Romans
 
Thank you, at first glance I can see what you mean and would seem to explain God's new convenant to "write his commands in our hearts".

I will go read more in-depth now on what you've suggested.
 
Meantime though, all that's mentioned in Galatians seems to not include some key Commandments like loving God with all your might and loving thy neighbor as thyself e.t.c, what's the situation with this please?
 

74x12

Well-Known Member
Meantime though, all that's mentioned in Galatians seems to not include some key Commandments like loving God with all your might and loving thy neighbor as thyself e.t.c, what's the situation with this please?
Well, not expressly mentioned. But love is the first fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22.

We believe when you receive the holy Spirit that God's love begins to flow through you. So long as you're walking in the Spirit as Galatians says; then the love of God will be working through you.
 
Well, wait a minute, I am now thinking if God's new Convenant was to write his commandments in our hearts then why would we still not be obligated to obey "his" commandments?
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
So guys, since most Christians believe that God's 10 Commandments doesn't apply to them and only to the Israelites and since Christ fulfilled the law for them so they are now under grace and nailed to the cross and all that. I am wondering by what laws or code of conduct do they live by if not the 10 Commandments please?
I would say, besides having "agape" for God, all humankind, and all of God's creation, to abide by the Golden Rule should be enough.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Well, wait a minute, I am now thinking if God's new Convenant was to write his commandments in our hearts then why would we still not be obligated to obey "his" commandments?

If you read Matthew 22:37-40 the answer is there:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
What this means is the beginning and end of the fulfillment of all of God's law, is Love. The first is to love God with you whole heart. This results in filling you with God's Love. Then the natural result of that will be an overflowing of that divine Love into the world through you, loving your neighbor with that same love that you experience yourself with, "as yourself". All of that comes from God.

It says in Romans, "Love works no ill. Love is the fulling of the law". If you are filled with love, you will do no harm to anyone. Love is abundance. It does not seek for itself. The law written on the heart, is the law of love.

You don't have to follow rules imposed on you from the outside and worry and fuss about "obeying God" with these, as "Love works no ill". The only commandment to follow, according to Jesus, is to love. Then you won't do any harm to others, thus fulfilling all the law of God. It has nothing to do with not eating shellfish, or worshiping God on a different day of the week (see Romans 14).
 

74x12

Well-Known Member
Well, wait a minute, I am now thinking if God's new Convenant was to write his commandments in our hearts then why would we still not be obligated to obey "his" commandments?
You're thinking God literally wrote the 10 commandments on your heart?

It's more like that God gives the holy Spirit then if you listen to the Spirit then God can command you directly.

The Law of Moses was made for those who didn't have the holy Spirit yet. I like to use the analogy of a regent that rules the kingdom until the king comes of age. But once the king is on his throne then the work of the regent is finished.

If Moses is the regent and Jesus is the King. When the King is enthroned in your heart then the work of the regent is finished.

So before Jesus is enthroned in your heart; then you went to Moses' seat. Which is the regent and you obeyed God indirectly through the rules of the Law of Moses.

Matthew 23:2-3
Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

But when Jesus is enthroned in your heart then the Law proceeds from Him directly. That is you obey the Spirit which is the "River of Life" that flows from the throne.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

So the leading of the Spirit makes the Law of Moses superfluous. The Law of Moses served it's purpose and now if you're born of the Spirit; you're coming to the throne of grace. You have access into the holiest of holies without restriction.

Galatians 5:18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Revelation 22:1
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Isaiah 51:4
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
 
Living under grace is not a license to sin. Nor does it mean everything that pops into our pea brains or black hearts is from God.

So I think to be “led by the Spirit” alone can be a catch phrase for “I will decide what is right for me, do what I want, and be my own god.” We still need to follow God's commands as a guide on how to righteously live our lives is my thinking.
 

Psalm23

Well-Known Member
Living under grace is not a license to sin. Nor does it mean everything that pops into our pea brains or black hearts is from God.

So I think to be “led by the Spirit” alone can be a catch phrase for “I will decide what is right for me, do what I want, and be my own god.” We still need to follow God's commands as a guide on how to righteously live our lives is my thinking.


I agree with your statement that not everything that pops into our mind is from God.

According to Isaiah 55:8-9( NIV): " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the LORD." As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I believe that to be led by the Spirit is to follow God and doing what pleases him. To just live for yourself and do whatever you want is not being led by the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 15:14-15( NKJV ) says : " For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that is One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."

Being led by the Holy Spirit is living for Jesus. :blush:
 

Deidre

Well-Known Member
Jesus seemed to think these two ''laws'' were the most important: to love God with all of one's heart and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Matthew 22: 36-40

The latter seems to be the hardest for most people in life, not just Christians. Personally, I feel that if you love God, truly have a relationship with Him, that type of love will spill over to everyone you meet. Your heart won't have room to hate or be indifferent. Of course, this isn't a one and done lesson. It takes sometimes a life time, to forgive and to love others the way God loves us. But, He's patient, thankfully lol
 
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