Many believe Paul taught that Christians are made righteous apart from any obedience to God’s law—especially when reading Romans 3:20–21: “By the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified… But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.” On the surface, it sounds as if Paul dismissed law-keeping altogether. But is that what he meant? A closer look at the Greek…
Story Category: Days of Unleavened Bread
The Lesson Behind Wool and Linen: Understanding God’s Distinctions truthsum.org
A common tactic used to dismiss God’s law is pointing to minor commands, like Deuteronomy 22:11: “You shall not wear cloth of wool and linen mixed together.” Critics often say, “You don’t strictly follow this, so how can the Sabbath or other commands still matter?” From there, they conclude that because Jesus “fulfilled the law,” all of God’s commands are optional. At first glance, it…
Did Jesus Fulfill the Law—or God’s Instruction? truthsum.org
For centuries, many Christians have viewed the Old Testament law as something fulfilled—and therefore no longer binding—by Jesus’ sacrifice. The confusion often begins with a single translation choice: rendering the Hebrew word Torah as law. When we hear “law,” we think of legal codes, penalties, or regulations. But Torah means far more. It derives from a root meaning “to instruct” or “to guide.” In its…
The Wisdom of God’s Law: Why Being Different Should Make People Ask Questions truthsum.org
Have you ever considered that one of the main purposes of God’s law was to make people ask questions? In Deuteronomy 4, Moses tells Israel that if they keep God’s commands, the surrounding nations will marvel: “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deut. 4:6). The law was never meant to be a cold checklist or a tool for self-righteousness. It was…
Righteous, Not Perfect: What the Bible Actually Says truthsum.org
TS Writer
3 months ago in Righteousness, Law
Many Christians believe that being “righteous” means being sinless or morally perfect. As a result, they assume that no one can truly be righteous, except by having Christ’s righteousness imputed to them. But is that what Scripture actually teaches? The Bible paints a different picture – one of real people declared righteous not because they were flawless, but because they lived by faith. Noah, Abraham,…
The Ten Commandments: Loving God and Man in Every Word truthsum.org
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus highlighted two: love God and love your neighbor. Many view these as summaries of the Ten Commandments – often divided into two tables: the first for God, the second for people. But Jesus showed that every commandment speaks to both. The first commandment urges us to put God first, but when we place ambition or comfort above Him,…
Selective Obedience in Christianity: Legalism or Loyalty to God? truthsum.org
When Back to the Frontier premiered in July 2025 featuring a same-sex couple, Christian outrage erupted online – “promoting sin,” many said. But that raises an important question: why does modern Christianity loudly condemn some sins while ignoring or defending others that Scripture clearly calls out? Take the Sabbath. Say it’s still a commandment, and you’ll likely be told, “That was fulfilled – we’re under…
What Are You Practicing? truthsum.org
TS Writer
4 months ago in Law, Sin, Repentance
In Matthew 7:23, Jesus warns, “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” He doesn’t rebuke them for sinning once – but for making sin a lifestyle. These individuals called Him “Lord,” performed miracles, and looked religious—but their actions denied God’s law. Lawlessness isn’t just breaking rules; it’s rejecting God’s authority. It can include sincere people who’ve been taught that God’s commands—like the Sabbath or His…
The Apostle Paul’s Teaching on Justification in the Book of Galatians cbcg.org
Ryan Welsh
6 months ago in Law
Many use Galatians 5:18 – “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” – to argue that Christians are no longer required to keep God’s commandments. But this interpretation is based on poor translation and misunderstanding. The original Greek lacks the definite article “the,” meaning it should read, “not under law.” But what kind of law is Paul referring…
Resisting to Bloodshed – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
Ryan Welsh
7 months ago in Days of Unleavened Bread
Resist the Shattering Here’s the bad news: Satan is out to get you. He wants to ruin your salvation, crush your spiritual potential, and leave you broken. But here’s the good news: He can’t – unless we let him. Jesus promises, “No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:29). Our salvation is secure, but that doesn’t mean Satan stops…
Law and Grace: Jesus vs. Paul? – Cecil Maranville lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
10 months ago in Grace, Law
One of the clearest examples of Jesus’ teaching on law and grace is the account of the adulteress brought before Him (John 8:1-11). When pressed to judge her, Jesus responded, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (verse 7). The accusers left, and Jesus, the only sinless one, pardoned her, saying, “Go and sin no more” (verse…
Idolatry youtube.com
What if just one of the Ten Commandments became a universal standard? Let’s explore the second commandment—rejecting idolatry. Idolatry isn’t just about statues and images; it’s about what controls us. We all submit to something—whether it’s money, power, comfort, or technology. As Paul says in Romans 6:16: “You are slaves of the one you obey—whether sin, which leads to death, or obedience, which leads to…
God’s Name in Vain youtube.com
Imagine a world where the universally accepted standard is to never take God’s name in vain. What would that look like? How would it transform our world? At its core, this commandment isn’t just about avoiding blasphemy or disrespectful speech. It’s about humility—living in a way that reflects God’s character, truth, and love in every word and action. If society embraced this command, we’d see…
Thou Shalt Not Steal youtu.be
In a world where traditional moral foundations are increasingly questioned, the relevance of ancient wisdom might surprise you. Take the Eighth Commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.” This simple directive isn’t just about preventing theft—it’s about unlocking profound real-world benefits. Theft costs society more than just money. The annual losses are staggering, but the indirect costs—security, insurance, and lost trust—are even greater. Imagine a world where…
Purpose Of Law: The Image of God – Staff Writers leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Law
Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Vision here means a prophetic understanding of future reality. Without purpose and direction, progress is impossible. Knowing our purpose is crucial. God gives humanity a purpose, a destination, and a path to get there, encapsulated in the Bible, including its laws. “Torah” is better translated as teaching or instruction. We must understand God’s purpose…
Bread: A Biblical Symbol – Roger Meyer tomorrowsworld.org
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Days of Unleavened Bread
Symbols, like bread, hold profound meanings in society and scripture alike. From nourishment to unity, bread symbolizes sustenance and fellowship. In the Bible, it represents Jesus Christ as the “Bread of Life” and signifies spiritual truths, such as sincerity and truthfulness. During biblical feasts like Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, unleavened bread symbolizes purity and freedom from sin. Even the miraculous provision of…
What Does the Feast of Unleavened Bread Mean for Christians? – Vince Szymkowiak ucg.org
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Days of Unleavened Bread
An increasing number of Christians worldwide are rediscovering the biblical festivals outlined in Leviticus 23, seeing them in the context of Jesus Christ’s life and mission. Jesus, the sacrificial Passover lamb, inaugurated the plan of salvation, while also starting His Church on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2). Amidst these festivals is the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, occurring immediately after Passover. While significant events…
You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part One) – John O. Reid cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Law
In Matthew 22, Jesus faces the Pharisees’ cunning questions, following his confounding of the Sadducees. The Pharisees aim to ensnare him, selecting a lawyer to probe his understanding of the law. Jesus, however, cuts through their legalistic approach, declaring the greatest commandment: to love the Lord with all one’s being. This emphasis on wholehearted devotion to God simplifies their complex disputes, emphasizing the essence of…
It’s a Dark World – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Sin
In a world shaped by personal perspectives and influenced by darkness, King David’s insights from Psalm 36 resonate with the current state of affairs. Describing the unconverted mind, he captures the pervasive wickedness that lacks a fear of God. Our era, marked by a moral decline and a post-Christian narrative, reflects this darkness. God’s warning in Deuteronomy 28 about the consequences of disobedience seems prophetic…
Solving Our Conflict with God – Gary Petty churchofgodnetwork.org
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Repentance
The notion that God accepts us as we are and allows us to remain unchanged is false. Our inherent hostility towards God and our inability to submit to His ways ultimately prevent true inner peace without reconciliation. Our hostile nature is often translated in The Old Testament as “abomination,” which means behaviors and attitudes detestable to God. Behaviors described as such include idolatry, homosexuality, witchcraft,…