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Who Do Christians Truly Follow? - Religion - Nairaland

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Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 2:58pm On Mar 20, 2013
They do not truly follow Jesus Christ or Paul the Apostle so who are they truly following?
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 3:06pm On Mar 20, 2013
Good afternoon MrB,

Why do you think Christians don't follow Christ?
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Geewan(m): 3:31pm On Mar 20, 2013
Paul
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 8:43pm On Mar 20, 2013
striktlymi: Good afternoon MrB,

Why do you think Christians don't follow Christ?

Experience has shown me this.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 8:46pm On Mar 20, 2013
MrBible:

Experience has shown me this.

??
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by larrymoore(m): 11:35pm On Mar 20, 2013
Their fore fathers.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Image123(m): 12:05am On Mar 21, 2013
many follow themselves, or men around them. They don't really believe God or His Word.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by okeyxyz(m): 2:42pm On Mar 21, 2013
If you don't follow Paul, then it's impossible to follow christ, because Paul's letters were the revelation of christ, his parables and the prophesies. Christians are continously trying to imitate the Jesus who walked amongst us over 2000 years ago, but that was the jesus who represented the law instead of the jesus who represented grace. His representation of the Law(sin) was the reason he had to die so that the law(sin) could be legally abolished, but christians still subject themselves to this same law by using that Jesus as a standard for morality and imitation. You have to cast away that Jesus and put on the new, resurrected christ that is dead to the law and therefore free from it and no longer bound to observe the moralities of the law. Therefore you cannot continue to define right and wrong based on how the law defines them. The law reinforces sin but a true christian CANNOT sin because the law is null and void to him.

1 Like

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Goshen360(m): 7:06pm On Mar 21, 2013
okeyxyz: If you don't follow Paul, then it's impossible to follow christ, because Paul's letters were the revelation of christ, his parables and the prophesies. Christians are continously trying to imitate the Jesus who walked amongst us over 2000 years ago, but that was the jesus who represented the law instead of the jesus who represented grace. His representation of the Law(sin) was the reason he had to die so that the law(sin) could be legally abolished, but christians still subject themselves to this same law by using that Jesus as a standard for morality and imitation. You have to cast away that Jesus and put on the new, resurrected christ that is dead to the law and therefore free from it and no longer bound to observe the moralities of the law. Therefore you cannot continue to define right and wrong based on how the law defines them. The law reinforces sin but a true christian CANNOT sin because the law is null and void to him.

I'm Goshen360 and I ENDORSE this message!

^ However, lemme add more if perhaps, they will understand by this,

New International Version (©2011)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

New Living Translation (©2007)
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 1:1
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Goshen360(m): 7:31pm On Mar 21, 2013
@ okeyxyz,

I want us (you & I), to start a "Grace and Law" based discussion on this forum someday.....just discussing and having fellowship with one another. I will be very glad to discuss with you brother.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 8:13pm On Mar 21, 2013
okeyxyz: If you don't follow Paul, then it's impossible to follow christ, because Paul's letters were the revelation of christ, his parables and the prophesies. Christians are continously trying to imitate the Jesus who walked amongst us over 2000 years ago, but that was the jesus who represented the law instead of the jesus who represented grace. His representation of the Law(sin) was the reason he had to die so that the law(sin) could be legally abolished, but christians still subject themselves to this same law by using that Jesus as a standard for morality and imitation. You have to cast away that Jesus and put on the new, resurrected christ that is dead to the law and therefore free from it and no longer bound to observe the moralities of the law. Therefore you cannot continue to define right and wrong based on how the law defines them. The law reinforces sin but a true christian CANNOT sin because the law is null and void to him.

There is a subtle untruth in this post. It actually is the corruption of a truth. True enough, the believer is no longer a slave to the law but it is entirely untrue to continue from that into "therefore there is no law anymore." That is a terrible lie that makes the Cross of Christ of none effect.

My friend, there is most definitely a law still and it is a far stronger one, a more perfect one than the Law of Moses. In fact, it is actually the Perfect Law which Moses's tried to copy. And this Law is within the Christian. It is such a strict Law... For instance, where Moses says not to commit adultery and is silent on fornication, it says to not even so much as look at a woman with desire in your heart. It is an impossible Law to obey unless it is within the believer and forms new desires and wishes for him.

Every believer is one because they have that law within them directing every move of theirs. When they step out of line, I can assure you that they are always in a hurry to find the line again...there's really nothing so terrible as fighting a civil war with yourself grin

Anyway, the point is that Jesus brought a New Law, in fact, the Original Law that Moses's aped. And His Death was meant to scatter It into as many lives as would receive it. Moses's Law is useful to comprehend just how much this new Law encompasses. Moses's Law is always pointing on to this Law, so when, for instance, it talks about Sabbath, it seems to say something more to the Christian. It seems to say, "the Lord". When it says circumcision, it points to the Cross.

No sir, we are not free entirely from law, rather we have been saved from an impotent law by a really potent one that is able to do what the impotent one failed to do: to actually destroy the power of sin.

5 Likes

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by tintingz(m): 8:34pm On Mar 21, 2013
Paulians...
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by alexleo(m): 8:42pm On Mar 21, 2013
okeyxyz: If you don't follow Paul, then it's impossible to follow christ, because Paul's letters were the revelation of christ, his parables and the prophesies. Christians are continously trying to imitate the Jesus who walked amongst us over 2000 years ago, but that was the jesus who represented the law instead of the jesus who represented grace. His representation of the Law(sin) was the reason he had to die so that the law(sin) could be legally abolished, but christians still subject themselves to this same law by using that Jesus as a standard for morality and imitation. You have to cast away that Jesus and put on the new, resurrected christ that is dead to the law and therefore free from it and no longer bound to observe the moralities of the law. Therefore you cannot continue to define right and wrong based on how the law defines them. The law reinforces sin but a true christian CANNOT sin because the law is null and void to him.

but the truth remains that a christian is not a sinner and a sinner is not a christian. If you call yourself a christian and see that you are living a sinful life then there is need for salvation. And when you are saved and start living a holy life and a long the line you find your self drifting to sin again you have to go get your heart waashed with the blood of Jesus. Salvation isnt permanent. Its by keeping in touch with God at all times and walking in his ways that you keep your salvation.

1 Like

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by JeSoul(f): 8:55pm On Mar 21, 2013
Hmmm, interesting discourse...I wish I had time to dive deep in but alas...lemme just drop a bit:

1 Cor 3:
1Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.


I follow the one who actually gave His life as a sacrifice to redeem my soul, I follow Jesus Christ. And I recognize those who also follow Christ. I ascribe them their due honor but always remember that they were/are human and therefore subject to human limitations just like the rest of us - whether they are bible authors or not.

2 Likes

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by JeSoul(f): 8:59pm On Mar 21, 2013
okeyxyz: If you don't follow Paul, then it's impossible to follow christ, because Paul's letters were the revelation of christ, his parables and the prophesies. [b]Christians are continously trying to imitate the Jesus who walked amongst us over 2000 years ago, but that was the jesus who represented the law instead of the jesus who represented grace. His representation of the Law(sin) was the reason he had to die so that the law(sin) could be legally abolished, but christians still subject themselves to this same law by using that Jesus as a standard for morality and imitation. You have to cast away that Jesus and put on the new, resurrected christ that is dead to the law and therefore free from it and no longer bound to observe the moralities of the law. Therefore you cannot continue to define right and wrong based on how the law defines them. The law reinforces sin but a true christian CANNOT sin because the law is null and void to him.
Honestly, I find this gospel...complicated - to put it diplomatically. If you have the time, I'd like to see what scripture verses in context you'd use to support the many points you've made here. Cheers.

1 Like

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 8:59pm On Mar 21, 2013
Most Nigeria Christians follow their men of GOD and churches , a large number follow the pope , a very small number (aka little flock) follow Jesus.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Goshen360(m): 9:40pm On Mar 21, 2013
@ JeSoul,

What okeyxyz wrote there is too much to one to digest but he said the truth. There is an unending REVELATION of Christ and it was Paul who did that job very well because Christ himself REVEALED to him. Well, you asked him (okeyxyz) the question and I will wait for him to answer but I can break down what he said, line-by-line on his behalf. However, I'll leave him to answer for himself.

@ Ihedinobi,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17


I do understand what you wrote but from the above scriptures, we can build a whole concept and truth on which the New Testament functions. Now, over to you,

1. What do you understand by this verse in respect to, "GIVEN......CAME"?
2. From this verse, can we say words were not just chosen, they were chosen for a perfect understand?....meaning,
3. Moses = Law
4. Jesus = Grace + TRUTH
5. Why not just\only GRACE, why add Truth?
6. Can we deduce that from Grace + Truth which = Jesus; then Moses which = law will also BE Moses = law + LIES

I hope we can pick it from there.....if these questions are answered. Thank you.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by JeSoul(f): 9:55pm On Mar 21, 2013
Goshen360: @ JeSoul,

What okeyxyz wrote there is too much to one to digest but he said the truth. There is an unending REVELATION of Christ and it was Paul who did that job very well because Christ himself REVEALED to him. Well, you asked him (okeyxyz) the question and I will wait for him to answer but I can break down what he said, line-by-line on his behalf. However, I'll leave him to answer for himself.

Sorry brother Goshen...I don't accept the its too complicated or too hard to understand or this is tough meat cloak-and-dagger reason. Sorry oh but me, I am a simple person and by His grace, I practice a simple gospel.

When we start drawing circles around ourselves and adding gridlines and demarcating followers of the gospel into Jesus B4 death vs. following the Jesus after death...

I am not saying there are not deeper, greater mysteries in Christ that one learns as you grow with the Holy Spirit - mysteries that takes a long time, decades & maturity in Christ to understand. I'm simply saying the gospel of Christ is simple and here we are complicating it.

ps. sorry if I am not chanced to reply....busy busy. But at least the discussion is flowing...smiley
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Image123(m): 9:58pm On Mar 21, 2013
Jesus sighed.

1 Like

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Goshen360(m): 10:15pm On Mar 21, 2013
@ JeSoul,

Sister simply practice simple gospel......it's time to chew meat or bone....too much of milk of bad grin
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by CarCam: 10:16pm On Mar 21, 2013
Image123:

Jesus sighed.

Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 10:57pm On Mar 21, 2013
Goshen360: @ Ihedinobi,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17


I do understand what you wrote but from the above scriptures, we can build a whole concept and truth on which the New Testament functions. Now, over to you,

1. What do you understand by this verse in respect to, "GIVEN......CAME"?
2. From this verse, can we say words were not just chosen, they were chosen for a perfect understand?....meaning,
3. Moses = Law
4. Jesus = Grace + TRUTH
5. Why not just\only GRACE, why add Truth?
6. Can we deduce that from Grace + Truth which = Jesus; then Moses which = law will also BE Moses = law + LIES

I hope we can pick it from there.....if these questions are answered. Thank you.

#6 is is one deduction and it's not the only one that can be drawn. In fact, in the face of Scriptures like Romans 7:7-14, it's a completely false deduction. Then again, considering things from what is written, that deduction is enlarging upon a silence. Nowhere has it been said that Moses brought law and lies, it is a need to make Moses and Christ opposites that results in that stretch.

Another deduction that can be made is that Grace and Truth came by Christ because the law which came in by Moses failed to solve the problem of sin permanently and because it wasn't Reality but a shadow. That which came by and in Christ is also called the Law of the Spirit of Life. It is the Reality of which the Lord said to Moses, "see to it that you follow the pattern that I showed you". From the beginning the Law of Moses pointed on to something more Perfect, it was to Grace and Truth as John the Baptist was to Jesus. It was a shadow of the Reality or Truth that is Christ.

I'm sure you know which deduction is true to the Scriptures. As I have said, the first which you provided in #6 is not.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 11:06pm On Mar 21, 2013
Have to go to bed in a few minutes. Have an early start tomorrow. But I'll see your response in the morning.

Edit: I've also not treated the matter exhaustively, just left enough leads for any seeker to find their way. Hopefully, if the Lord will, I could do better later. But you, Bro Goshen, can still respond to what I've put down and I'll answer you later.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Goshen360(m): 2:49am On Mar 22, 2013
@ Ihedinobi, well, I was only asking if we can deduce my statement from the verse quoted. I will address things said by okeyxyz that I supported later.

@ okeyxyz, You're needed here please.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 7:05am On Mar 22, 2013
Goshen360: @ Ihedinobi, well, I was only asking if we can deduce my statement from the verse quoted. I will address things said by okeyxyz that I supported later.

Ok. Pardon me. Well, the deduction can't be made.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 7:21am On Mar 22, 2013
Ihedinobi:

There is a subtle untruth in this post. It actually is the corruption of a truth. True enough, the believer is no longer a slave to the law but it is entirely untrue to continue from that into "therefore there is no law anymore." That is a terrible lie that makes the Cross of Christ of none effect.

My friend, there is most definitely a law still and it is a far stronger one, a more perfect one than the Law of Moses. In fact, it is actually the Perfect Law which Moses's tried to copy. And this Law is within the Christian. It is such a strict Law. For instance, where Moses says not to commit adultery and is silent on fornication, it says to not even so much as look at a woman with desire in your heart. It is an impossible Law to obey unless it is within the believer and forms new desires and wishes for him.

Every believer is one because they have that law within them directing every move of theirs. When they step out of line, I can assure you that they are always in a hurry to find the line again, there's really nothing so terrible as fighting a civil war with yourself grin

Anyway, the point is that Jesus brought a New Law, in fact, the Original Law that Moses's aped. And His Death was meant to scatter It into as many lives as would receive it. Moses's Law is useful to comprehend just how much this new Law encompasses. Moses's Law is always pointing on to this Law, so when, for instance, it talks about Sabbath, it seems to say something more to the Christian. It seems to say, "the Lord". When it says circumcision, it points to the Cross.

No sir, we are not free entirely from law, rather we have been saved from an impotent law by a really potent one that is able to do what the impotent one failed to do: to actually destroy the power of sin.

Good morning Ihedinobi,

The post above is just too much and I agree with it totally.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Nobody: 7:24am On Mar 22, 2013
JeSoul: Hmmm, interesting discourse...I wish I had time to dive deep in but alas...lemme just drop a bit:

1 Cor 3:
1Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.


I follow the one who actually gave His life as a sacrifice to redeem my soul, I follow Jesus Christ. And I recognize those who also follow Christ. I ascribe them their due honor but always remember that they were/are human and therefore subject to human limitations just like the rest of us - whether they are bible authors or not.

Good 'morning' to you Jesoul,

This is great!
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Image123(m): 10:19am On Mar 22, 2013
Goshen360:

I'm Goshen360 and I ENDORSE this message!

^ However, lemme add more if perhaps, they will understand by this,

New International Version (©2011)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

New Living Translation (©2007)
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 1:1
The implications that we should cast away Jesus? That He is not our perfect example?
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by okeyxyz(m): 10:20am On Mar 22, 2013
@All,

I'll be back to defend my position.Terribly busy today...
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Tgirl4real(f): 11:53am On Mar 22, 2013
okeyxyz: If you don't follow Paul, then it's impossible to follow christ, because Paul's letters were the revelation of christ, his parables and the prophesies. Christians are continously trying to imitate the Jesus who walked amongst us over 2000 years ago, but that was the jesus who represented the law instead of the jesus who represented grace. His representation of the Law(sin) was the reason he had to die so that the law(sin) could be legally abolished, but christians still subject themselves to this same law by using that Jesus as a standard for morality and imitation. You have to cast away that Jesus and put on the new, resurrected christ that is dead to the law and therefore free from it and no longer bound to observe the moralities of the law. Therefore you cannot continue to define right and wrong based on how the law defines them. The law reinforces sin but a true christian CANNOT sin because the law is null and void to him.

This submission is misleading.

Perhaps, we could sum up your last statement to say: "A Christian cannot sin under the law cos he is not bound by the way".

The law has been sumed into one: LOVE. If u don't walk in love, then you are living in sin.

A Christian can still sin, that's why the bible admonishes us to holdfst the profession of our faith and other scriptures that speaks about living right in Christ Jesus.

Any step we take that is not in accordance to God's word is sin. If we can't sin, there should not be room for forgiveness and IJohn won't be true.
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by Tgirl4real(f): 12:14pm On Mar 22, 2013
Goshen,

Soft peddal with dis ur msg endorsement.

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher or our faith"
Re: Who Do Christians Truly Follow? by okeyxyz(m): 5:18pm On Mar 22, 2013
Goshen360: @ okeyxyz,

I want us (you & I), to start a "Grace and Law" based discussion on this forum someday.....just discussing and having fellowship with one another. I will be very glad to discuss with you brother.

Ok! We shall, sometime...

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