Religion: pros & cons pt1 (Religion)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 00:04 (3677 days ago) @ dhw

Ok, let me try a different approach here. -1 John 5:2-3 "By this we know that we love the children of God,+ when we love God and carry out his commandments. 3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments;+ and yet his commandments are not burdensome."-“‘You must love(see above) Jehovah* your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul* and with your whole mind.'+ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. (Matt 22:36-38)-Under this heading we have:-

• “You must not have any other gods against my face,” (Exodus 20:3)

• You must not make a carved image or a form like anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters under the earth, nor are you to bow down to or serve them.Because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Exodus 20:4-6)

• “You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, (Exodus 20:7)

• "“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it sacred" (Exodus 20:8)


-
Love your Neighbor as you love yourself. (Matt 22: 39)-Under this heading we have:-

• “Honor your father and your mother,+ so that you may live a long time in the land that Jehovah your God is giving you.+

• 13 “You must not murder.+

• 14 “You must not commit adultery.+

• 15 “You must not steal.+

• 16 “You must not testify falsely when you are a witness against your fellow man.+

• 17 “You must not desire your fellow man's house. You must not desire your fellow man's wife+ nor his slave man nor his slave girl nor his bull nor his donkey nor anything that belongs to your fellow man.”+


-These were the primary principles of the law. All other laws were based upon these. -Now, the Mosaic Law was harsh in terms of punishment, and there is a notable difference between the harshness of the Mosaic Law Covenant and the forgiving nature of the New Covenant. Why? To wrap your head around this, you have to understand that there were 3 states for mankind. Initially, we were free people living under God's rulership. Adam and Eve had but one law to obey, and that was to abstain from what was not theirs to take. Literally EVERYTHING had been given to them directly save two things, immortality and perfect knowledge. (Genesis 1:28-30, 2:16-17) Life and Knowledge are the key elements. (Genesis 3:22)-When they gave in to temptation and broke the law, they figuratively sold themselves into slavery to sin. (Compare Ro 6:16, 7:14; Jas 1:14, 15) The wage that this figurative master pays, is death. (Ro 6:13) In other words, just as the instructions for life were placed within us (DNA), the instructions for living life were given to us as well. Just like mutations (failing to follow instructions) in genes lead to death, so does failing to follow God's commandments.The Law, the Mosaic Law, was designed not only to protect the civilization from corrupting practices that would hasten death, but also under the concept that as slaves to sin, the only possible punishment was death. Sin was the master, it paid the wages.-Animal sacrifice could not cover the cost. A perfect life was given up, only a perfect life could pay the price. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Jehovah even held himself to this standard. That is where Christ comes in. His death was a ransom, figuratively buying us back from our former master, sin, and placing us under the authority of our new master, God. Note the difference here. We aren't free. We are still slaves. The difference is that now that the ransom is paid and we are God's property, he can forgive sins without breaking his own laws. -Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners,+ so also through the obedience of the one person many will be made righteous.+ 20 Now the Law came on the scene so that trespassing might increase.+ But where sin abounded, undeserved kindness abounded still more. 21 To what end? So that just as sin ruled as king with death,+ so also undeserved kindness might rule as king through righteousness leading to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord-Romans 3:19 Now we know that all the things the Law says, it addresses to those under the Law, so that every mouth may be silenced and all the world may become accountable to God for punishment.+ 20 Therefore, no one* will be declared righteous before him by works of law,+ for by law comes the accurate knowledge of sin.+
21 But now apart from law God's righteousness has been revealed,+ as the Law and the Prophets bear witness,+ 22 yes, God's righteousness through the faith in Jesus Christ, for all those having faith. For there is no distinction.+ 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,+ 24 and it is as a free gift+ that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness+ through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus.+ 25 God presented him as an offering for propitiation*+ through faith in his blood.+ This was to demonstrate his own righteousness, because God in his forbearance* was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past.

--
What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.