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How is it rational to proclaim that breaking one law is breaking all of the whole law?

Should we accept that it seems irrational but it is God's way?

James 2:10

ESV - 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

Clarify Share Report Asked August 14 2024 Mini venkatesan Iyer Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
God's attribute (and thus His "way") is holiness -- the total absence of sin. It takes only one instance of disobedience to compromise that totality. That's not irrational -- it's mathematical. A principle is either universally valid or it's not. One drop of a contaminant compromises absolute purity in the same manner that a bucket of it does.

Thankfully, out of His love for fallen humanity, God Himself became a human who was able to live the sinless life that we cannot; to sacrificially die to pay the penalty for the totality of the world's sin; and then to show that that payment had been acceptable in God's sight by rising from the dead, never to die again.

Acceptance of that payment through faith in His sacrifice thus became the means that God provided of enabling the believer to abide forever in His presence. Perhaps, from a human standpoint, that also might be regarded as not "rational", but, if so (speaking personally), thank God it is not!

August 14 2024 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church
Good question, Venkatesan!

I often dramatically ask people, "Do you know what James, the half-brother of Jesus said?" And then I quote James 2:10.

I like what Warren Wiersbe said about breaking one law is the same as breaking the whole law:

"'For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all' (James 2:10). The law represents the authority of God, and to disobey what we may think is a minor law is still to rebel against His authority."

And, "You need only break one law, heavy or light, to be guilty before God. 'For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).'"

I use this verse often when God gives me the chance to witness to someone. It is very effective, I think. People can see then that they just don't measure up. You gotta tell them the bad news before you explain the Good News. (so they can see their need for Jesus).

August 16 2024 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini venkatesan Iyer Supporter
We find it reasonable in our academic setup that you are given a degree when you pass all subjects. Failure in even one subject would be considered failed in the course.

Also in the context of God's law, breaking one of commandments is likely to lead one to break another commandment subsequently. (Think of David. Adultery lead to deception and murder of a loyal friend.)

God is irrational: It need not be taken in a negative sense. God's way need not be reasonable to the human mind. His logic of salvation is irrational to the normal human mind.

August 17 2024 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Img 20160303 060716 Charles Fosu Supporter
Because Israel agreed to abide by all the laws of Moses when they were presented. This agreement was binding on all. Righteousness was therefore based on one's ability to abide by all the laws without falling short of a single one. 99% holiness is still not complete. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. That is why it is impossible to please God with our own works but faith. 

Our works will definitely fail, even if we fail just one law of God. Glory be to God that He gave us Jesus Christ, such that if we believe in Him, we are justified from all things which we could not be justified under the law (ACTS 13:39). Jesus is Lord!

August 30 2024 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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