The controversy exists because so many are confused about what the Pharisees also dominantly stand for:


Matthew 15:3  But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Matthew 15:6  .......Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

---

Legalism is a word not contained in the Bible, it's created by example. In above example it can be defined as:

Following the commandments of men Is Legalism. Following the commandments of God is Obedience.

---

Take any modern tradition of today where the majority says one thing, only assuming it could be scriptural without it being actually verbatim written in the Bible, while Jesus says something different for everyone to read.

Does Matthew 15:6 apply if we decide to stick with the general presumption instead with Jesus' plain words?

What does Jesus say? His answer is in Matthew 15:7-8 if anyone interested in His view on the Pharisees issue that replaces God's commandments with their own.

Confusion is a good word and All because we refuse to "walk in The Spirit" as Jesus did. He didn't speak a word unless it was given to Him - As our Example.
He didn't make a move unless He got the orders to.
He didn't think a thought that wasn't given to Him from Above.

We don't want to become little children - we prefer to depend on intellect, emotions, feelings, our poetic talents, our literary talents or even counterfeit "The Spirit" with manifestations of any sort to prove we're "walking in the spirit".

He emptied Himself and became totally obedient to THE VOICE, but we won't "empty ourselves of ourselves" and become as little children, not knowing anything or able to think for ourselves, unless He give us the thoughts, words and the orders of what to do - minute by minute.

WHY? Is it the fear of man? In many cases, yes. But also pride in "our-selves". Our obedience, our talents, our life-styles and so on and so on of whatever we covet for ourselves from ourselves.

How few speak spontaneously from His Spirit? Or wait on His words when praying, so that we're Truly "praying in the Spirit"? How many make up for the lack of hearing directly from Him and allowing Him to fill their mouths when behind the pulpit preaching at us? How many wait on Him and not speak until He does all of the talking?

We make up in intellect and talent, what we lack in obedience to His Voice.

He said so clearly - Without Me, you can do NOTHING - not even PREACH a sermon From Me.

Oh Bless GOD ~ This message [#3 of 9] speaks so much to that dependency on GOD that Jesus walked in - as our Example ...

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=21579





Thank you, Brother Areadymind.

I personally know Simon Schrock. He has held meetings in our church, spoke at our church alliance assembly....I have visited with him, read his book "One-Anothering". All I would like to add to this discussion is that Simon is a godly person - there are very few like him. His ability to communicate well with people totally different from him causes those who know him stand back in awe and admiration. He reminds me a lot of how Jesus described Nathanael, "...is no guile." John 1:47. Actually, he is a better writer then a public speaker, but he loves the LORD Jesus and his creation, the people. He practices 'one-anothering' - it is his lifestyle. If you ever have a chance to interact socially with him, do so. However, if you have a child with you be aware the child may ask if this is 'Abraham Lincoln' because he does look like him!

God bless....

_________________
Sandra Miller

I was a bit too critical in my first post on page one. It is true that the direct correlation on the quoted verse from the article indicates what I stated, however the general meaning of the author intended by stating "obedience is the way to know God" was mentioned by Jesus when he said:

Matthew 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,


Jesus called it "if you will enter into life, keep the commandments" - that is not the law of Moses, these are the 10 commandments in the NT that are now instructions of how to love God (1-4) and our fellow men (5-10).

- Love instructions - written on the heart

That's why Jesus said " If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15

This concerns only these that love him, nobody else. Not the ones that want to get saved by doing or impose laws on others what to do, as love cannot be regulated, it either exists and flows freely,or it does not.


The "enter into life" concept continues until the very last page of the NT where it becomes "right to the tree of life":

Revelation 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.