1 My son, forget not MY law; but let thine heart keep MY commandments:
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(Comments by Joan Boney)
In today's church, we often hear people say, "We don't live by the law."
It is certainly true that we no longer live by the Law of Moses where animals are sacrificed for our sins. Jesus sacrificed Himself for our sins.
But we do live by the "rules" set forth for the church in the New Testament.
For example:
The apostle Paul said the following is a commandment of the Lord for those in the New Testament Church:
I Corinthians 7
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
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Jesus says: The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
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Paul tells us several things we must not do as Christians:
I Corinthians 6
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
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We set up the church by the "rules" set forth by God in the New Testament Bible.
Titus 1 Paul says:
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
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I Timothy 3
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
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What to do if a "brother" in the church is committing certain sins:
I Corinthians 5
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
God judges them that are "without" the church. We are to judge those who are "within" the church.
Paul doesn't tell us to pray for that brother who is sinning. Nor does Paul tell us to counsel him. He know it is a sin.
Paul says not to keep company with such a "brother" ... don't eat with him ... put him away from yourself.
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Ministers in the New Testament church today are set there by Jesus and are as follows:
Ephesians 4
11 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
So this is what we do in the New Testament church today because these are set by God and are rules from God for the church today.
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So ...
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not MY law; but let thine heart keep MY commandments:
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