Post by Ben on Jul 4, 2014 15:58:40 GMT
From Nazareth Revisited, by bro. Roberts:
"He next exhibits an aspect of his teaching which is exactly nullified by the “evangelical” and other preachings of the day: “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. v. 20). “Only believe,” is the cry of preachers of all kinds. It is an easy, pleasant doctrine, but false. Believing on Christ will commend us to God, but it will not secure salvation unless it is accompanied by obedience of what God by Christ commands. Jesus says so in this very discourse: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. vii. 2). The will of the Father is expressed in the commandments of the Son; and the righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees is the righteousness that consists of doing those commandments. The seed of the woman are defined as those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. xii. 17). As Jesus says, “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you” (Jno. IV. 14). It is in view of this that the commandments in “The Sermon on the Mount” become so important." [Emphasis added. -BN]
(Nazareth Revisited, Chapter 17 - The Sermon On The Mount.)
"He next exhibits an aspect of his teaching which is exactly nullified by the “evangelical” and other preachings of the day: “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. v. 20). “Only believe,” is the cry of preachers of all kinds. It is an easy, pleasant doctrine, but false. Believing on Christ will commend us to God, but it will not secure salvation unless it is accompanied by obedience of what God by Christ commands. Jesus says so in this very discourse: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. vii. 2). The will of the Father is expressed in the commandments of the Son; and the righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees is the righteousness that consists of doing those commandments. The seed of the woman are defined as those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. xii. 17). As Jesus says, “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you” (Jno. IV. 14). It is in view of this that the commandments in “The Sermon on the Mount” become so important." [Emphasis added. -BN]
(Nazareth Revisited, Chapter 17 - The Sermon On The Mount.)