THE BELIEVERÂ’S RULE OF LIFE
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THE BELIEVERÂ’S RULE OF LIFE
WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES? by George Zeller
What is the believerÂ’s rule of life? By what rule should I live? How should I walk? How can I live a holy life that is set apart and dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ? Do I go to Mount Sinai or do I go to Mount Calvary?
Since we are seeking to find the rule of life for those living in this present dispensation, we must go to the New Testament Epistles. The ChristianÂ’s rule of life is not to be found in the Old Testament. The RULE for living the Christian life is to be found in the New Testament Epistles. It is there that we must find our answer.
How did Paul live? What was his rule of life? Did he live by the works of the law? Did he find his rule of life at Mount Sinai? Notice what the great apostle says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). This is how Paul lived! He lived "by faith of (in) the Son of God." [Note that in Galatians 3:2 Paul contrasts faith with the works of the law.] PaulÂ’s life was centered upon the Person of Jesus Christ with Whom he had been co-crucified. The focus of Galatians 2:20 is upon Mount Calvary. The cross is central. Paul was able to live because he had died! He was able to live because Jesus Christ was HIS LIFE: "For to me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21) "For ye died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God Christ, WHO IS OUR LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory" (Col. 3:3-4). Yes, JESUS CHRIST is the believerÂ’s rule of life!
There is one place in the New Testament where Paul specifically sets forth the believerÂ’s RULE OF LIFE. This passage is Galatians 6:14-16, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk ACCORDING TO THIS RULE, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."
What RULE is Paul speaking of in Galatians 6:14-16? It is obvious that PaulÂ’s focus is upon Mount Calvary, not Mount Sinai: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (verse 14). His focus is upon the cross. A comparison of Galatians 5:6 ["For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love"] and Galatians 6:15 ["For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature"] is helpful in seeing what the real issue is. Faith is the root and love is the fruit (Gal. 5:6); and love is the fulfilling of the law (Gal. 5:14; Rom.13:9-10; compare Rom. 8:4). Love is not produced as the believer tries and struggles to keep GodÂ’s moral law, the Ten Commandments. The more the believer tries to do this the more he fails (Romans 7:12-25). Love is produced by God the Holy Spirit as the believer walks in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16,22-23; Rom. 8:4).
Thus we are to walk not according to any legal code, but according to THE NEW CREATURE RULE (Gal. 6:15-16). We are new creatures in Christ by the grace of God and totally apart from any works of the law (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8-10; 4:24; Col. 3:10). By faith we are to reckon on the fact that we are new creatures in Jesus Christ, united with Him in a wondrous union, partaking in His death and partaking in His resurrection life. By faith we are to reckon upon what God has already accomplished at the cross (Romans 6). When it comes to the believerÂ’s sanctification, Mount Calvary is to be the central focus, not Mount Sinai.
Mount Sinai has never produced a new creature, a new man. It can only condemn the old man. Paul boasted only in Mount Calvary: "But God forbid that I should glory [boast], save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal. 6:14).
Another key passage is Galatians 3:1-3 where Paul addresses the deadly problem of legalism: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
In verse one Paul reminds the Galatians that Mount Calvary had been the focus of the true gospel preaching which they had received: "before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you." The problem was that false teachers had come in trying to get the Galatians to focus upon Mount Sinai with respect to sanctification. Paul reminds them that the Christian life began when they received the Spirit, not by the works of the law, but by the hearing of faith. Progress in the Christian life must come the same way.
In Colossians 2:6 we learn that the Christian life is to CONTINUE the same way it COMMENCED. Just as we received Christ by faith (apart from the works of the law), so we are to walk and live by faith (apart from the works of the law). The problem with the Galatians was that they COMMENCED the Christian life in one way and then they tried to CONTINUE the Christian life in an entirely different way: "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:2-3). They began their Christian life at Mount Calvary and they tried to continue their Christian life at Mount Sinai. This will never work. This is totally contrary to THE NEW CREATURE RULE! -
After reading.
I'm can be sure i won't buy his books(if any).
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why? tell me leh!!Originally posted by M©+square:After reading.
I'm can be sure i won't buy his books(if any). 
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Originally posted by Icemoon:why? tell me leh!!
He can't write for nuts. -
I think his engrish is ok .. just that he writes like forum replies.Originally posted by M©+square: He can't write for nuts. -
all from here http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/rulelife.htmOriginally posted by Icemoon:I think his engrish is ok .. just that he writes like forum replies.
the actual article is super long
thks for summarising it up though -
REading...still interesting how the church decide to become a stand alone ministry.Originally posted by ben1xy:all from here http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/rulelife.htm
the actual article is super long
thks for summarising it up though -
Service to man is service to god.
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I see their link "Problems of Reformed Theology" I sianz 1/2 liaoOriginally posted by M©+square:REading...still interesting how the church decide to become a stand alone ministry. -
Ya...i get what you mean.Originally posted by shade343:Service to man is service to god.
Those brothers and sisters in geylang are indeed doing good works of the lord.
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Your favourite Luther kanna questioned....Originally posted by Icemoon:I see their link "Problems of Reformed Theology" I sianz 1/2 liao -
Not Calvin meh?Originally posted by M©+square:Your favourite Luther kanna questioned....
Luther was not founding father of Reformed Theology. -
Which do you prefer? Calvin or Luther?Originally posted by Icemoon:Not Calvin meh?
Luther was not founding father of Reformed Theology. -
Mind u. The lord is Yeshuah, not some silly transliteration like Jesus.Originally posted by Jamison:THE BELIEVERÂ’S RULE OF LIFE
WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES? by George Zeller
What is the believerÂ’s rule of life? By what rule should I live? How should I walk? How can I live a holy life that is set apart and dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ? Do I go to Mount Sinai or do I go to Mount Calvary?
Since we are seeking to find the rule of life for those living in this present dispensation, we must go to the New Testament Epistles. The ChristianÂ’s rule of life is not to be found in the Old Testament. The RULE for living the Christian life is to be found in the New Testament Epistles. It is there that we must find our answer.
How did Paul live? What was his rule of life? Did he live by the works of the law? Did he find his rule of life at Mount Sinai? Notice what the great apostle says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). This is how Paul lived! He lived "by faith of (in) the Son of God." [Note that in Galatians 3:2 Paul contrasts faith with the works of the law.] PaulÂ’s life was centered upon the Person of Jesus Christ with Whom he had been co-crucified. The focus of Galatians 2:20 is upon Mount Calvary. The cross is central. Paul was able to live because he had died! He was able to live because Jesus Christ was HIS LIFE: "For to me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21) "For ye died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God Christ, WHO IS OUR LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory" (Col. 3:3-4). Yes, JESUS CHRIST is the believerÂ’s rule of life!
There is one place in the New Testament where Paul specifically sets forth the believerÂ’s RULE OF LIFE. This passage is Galatians 6:14-16, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk ACCORDING TO THIS RULE, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."
What RULE is Paul speaking of in Galatians 6:14-16? It is obvious that PaulÂ’s focus is upon Mount Calvary, not Mount Sinai: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (verse 14). His focus is upon the cross. A comparison of Galatians 5:6 ["For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love"] and Galatians 6:15 ["For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature"] is helpful in seeing what the real issue is. Faith is the root and love is the fruit (Gal. 5:6); and love is the fulfilling of the law (Gal. 5:14; Rom.13:9-10; compare Rom. 8:4). Love is not produced as the believer tries and struggles to keep GodÂ’s moral law, the Ten Commandments. The more the believer tries to do this the more he fails (Romans 7:12-25). Love is produced by God the Holy Spirit as the believer walks in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16,22-23; Rom. 8:4).
Thus we are to walk not according to any legal code, but according to THE NEW CREATURE RULE (Gal. 6:15-16). We are new creatures in Christ by the grace of God and totally apart from any works of the law (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8-10; 4:24; Col. 3:10). By faith we are to reckon on the fact that we are new creatures in Jesus Christ, united with Him in a wondrous union, partaking in His death and partaking in His resurrection life. By faith we are to reckon upon what God has already accomplished at the cross (Romans 6). When it comes to the believerÂ’s sanctification, Mount Calvary is to be the central focus, not Mount Sinai.
Mount Sinai has never produced a new creature, a new man. It can only condemn the old man. Paul boasted only in Mount Calvary: "But God forbid that I should glory [boast], save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal. 6:14).
Another key passage is Galatians 3:1-3 where Paul addresses the deadly problem of legalism: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
In verse one Paul reminds the Galatians that Mount Calvary had been the focus of the true gospel preaching which they had received: "before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you." The problem was that false teachers had come in trying to get the Galatians to focus upon Mount Sinai with respect to sanctification. Paul reminds them that the Christian life began when they received the Spirit, not by the works of the law, but by the hearing of faith. Progress in the Christian life must come the same way.
In Colossians 2:6 we learn that the Christian life is to CONTINUE the same way it COMMENCED. Just as we received Christ by faith (apart from the works of the law), so we are to walk and live by faith (apart from the works of the law). The problem with the Galatians was that they COMMENCED the Christian life in one way and then they tried to CONTINUE the Christian life in an entirely different way: "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:2-3). They began their Christian life at Mount Calvary and they tried to continue their Christian life at Mount Sinai. This will never work. This is totally contrary to THE NEW CREATURE RULE! -
Calvin. At least he respected the Bible.Originally posted by M©+square:Which do you prefer? Calvin or Luther? -
Actually Luther executed a 'Dynamic Demostration of the Exodus'Originally posted by Icemoon:Calvin. At least he respected the Bible.
So it was powerful ok?
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I think MCSQUARE respect Luther more.Originally posted by Icemoon:Calvin. At least he respected the Bible. -
As a matter of fact.Originally posted by laoda99:I think MCSQUARE respect Luther more.
I have quite a fair bit of respect as well as disgusted by their lifestyle also lah. -
Hmmm...nobody's perfect.Originally posted by M©+square:As a matter of fact.
I have quite a fair bit of respect as well as disgusted by their lifestyle also lah.
Come out with ur own theology/doctrine...next time make pple respect u....
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I didn't say they must be perfect lah.Originally posted by laoda99:Hmmm...nobody's perfect.
Come out with ur own theology/doctrine...next time make pple respect u....
But they sure end up warped up man! -
Originally posted by M©+square:Ya...i get what you mean.
Those brothers and sisters in geylang are indeed doing good works of the lord. -
relak lah... over already.Originally posted by laoda99:Mind u. The lord is Yeshuah, not some silly transliteration like Jesus.
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well .. we don't call it calvinism .. we call it reformed theology.Originally posted by M©+square:I didn't say they must be perfect lah.
But they sure end up warped up man!