Here’s the progression of thought I’m addressing in this article:

1. Leviticus 20:10 requires death for adultery.

2. Jesus defined adultery as lust in your heart toward another woman rather than actual act of adultery. He raised the standard of the law from actions, to the intention of the heart. See Matthew 5:27-30

3. When Jesus encountered an adulterers, he didn’t kill them. John 8:3-11 and John 4

4. Why?

We have more than one historical record of Jesus encountering adulterers, neither time does he kill them, even though the Law requires it, why? Does Jesus contradict himself? Do the teachings of Jesus not apply to us? Should we throw out what he says because we have a New Covenant?

It’s none of that. Jesus honored the standard of the Law yet treated people in the context of love and grace. Jesus is the Word of God in action. He is God in the flesh. He is the embodiment of the righteous standard of God. Yet when he encountered a sin that required death, he lifted off every ounce of guilt, removed condemnation, forgave the person and gave them another chance.

Why?

They way we see it isn’t necessarily how it really is, it’s just how we see it.

Truer words couldn’t have been spoken when it comes to understanding how God operates in our lives. Too many Jesus followers base their beliefs about God on their circumstances rather on who God says he is. Here’s the bottom line, Jesus is a crystal clear image of who God is. Why then do we exalt God’s acquiescence to mankind’s failure over the clear picture of God’s intentions toward mankind through Christ?

Discipleship is the point organized church. Of course, The Church (proper) is people, but organized church is for building people up in their identity in Christ and equipping them for the work of the ministry. "The work of the ministry" being multi-faceted and highly creative in terms or expression. In other words, ministry can be nearly almost anything as long as it ultimately points people to faith in Jesus. Oh come on, you know what I mean by "anything."

A MASSIVE element of discipleship is self-discipleship, or self-discipline. If we can become masters of self-discipline, the church would become much more mature, healthy and effective, no question. I think that's possible. The more people know who they are in Christ, the more they will live accordingly. The problem is that we have too much water under the bridge to our previous life (before Christ) that the hard wiring of our brains and hearts haven't full undergone transformation yet.

You live on when you die because you have an eternal tent, house, body; i.e. a spirit. The real you is already eternal, your temporary body will become dust and fade away but your true self will live on. When that body fades away, so will sickness, pain, lack and all the things that limit us on this planet. The amazing news about your true eternal identity is that you can live from it now.