I believe for those who have surrendered to the Spirit of Christ, the only commands we obey are the ones He speaks to us. This is a hidden way, for those who know Him.
Anyone can go to church, anyone can read the book, anyone can follow observances, anyone can quote scripture, anyone can called themselves a pastor (many do without being called and chosen), many pretend to be Christians, many think they are believers....Many can claim to follow and be taught of Christ, as Paul says examine yourselves, if you have been taught by Him....
BUT for those who truly know Him, they obey His voice, His leadings, and are His sheep, even IF their life doesn't add up to our expectations. God knows those who are His, and yes he chastises, and conforms us to Christ.
Quoting: rod777 There's no Spirit of Christ to surrender to.
Jesus Says, "...No man Cometh Unto The Father but BY ME!" in John 14:6... There's no misunderstanding each Person Of The Holy Trinity.
As to your "Beliefs"... Until you Come Unto The Father, what you have are rationalizations.
Jesus IS The WAY Unto The Father... Everything Of-Christ IS PER THE FATHER'S WILL...
Consider this from Matthew ch 19:
16. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
ONLY Way To "Keep The Commandments" is By Being Born-Again; and only The Father Can Give Us "A New Heart Of HIS Flesh".
No point or reason to argue here, but others read and might consider...
IF Father-God Put KNOWLEDGE Upon your heart as to WHO Christ Jesus IS, then HE (Father) Called You To Come Unto HIM and Be Born-Again...
If We LOVE HIM and Trust HIM Fuly, to Answer HIS Call, we Seek HIM In earnest and sincere prayer and Give HIM all we are and all we ever will be. Surrender of self and Acceptance-Seeking OF HIS Will rather than our own.
There's no Coming Unto Jesus.
Christ Brought The Gospel and Made Our Way Unto The Father Through HIS Sacrifice; but even With HIM, HIS Father IS EVERYTHING! Same To Us; Father IS EVERYTHING!
When Born-Again we Receive what St. John Witnesses Of, "...You Have An Unction From The Holy One, and KNOW All Things!"
When I Gave my life Unto The Father, I told HIM that although I Knew Jesus as Our Redeemer and Saviour, but that I didn't Know How HE Fit Into Father's Plan (raised & educated catholic, remember!)... I told Father that I was giving my life to HIM, YahWeh, Jehovah, Elohim, Abba....
Can't KNOW anything Of-HIM until you are Brought Into HIS Accord. I didn't KNOW anything, but I Knew WHO God The Father IS and WHO Christ Jesus IS...
Anyway... Final Moments, Rod...
Consider them from Matt 7:21-22 who "Did Miracles, Cast-Out demons, and Prophesied" IN HIS Name.... They "did" all those Mighty Works; or so they thought and so they reminded Jesus of it to try and gain entry into Heaven...
Yet, HE Rejects them! "Depart from ME, you who work iniquity: I KNOW YOU NOT!"
In verse 21 HE Says HE ONLY KNOWS those "Who DO The Will Of MY Father".... That only happens when we are Ezekiel 36:26-27 Born-Again. IT'S Right There, Father's Witness Given By HIS Prophet...
The WHOLE Purpose of Christianity IS Witnessed by Jesus in Matt 22:1-14 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto A King WHO Made A Wedding Feast For HIS Son"... No mention of The Son in this parable... It's ALL about Answering The King's Invitation to Attend The Wedding Feast and how ALL HIS Originally Intended "guests" spurned HIS Invitation and spitefully slew HIS Servants... So The King's Servants found "other" guests...
"For many were Called, but few are Chosen!" is the ending verse Witness. Christ Is Saying There that few of those Chosen To Be Invited, Elected To Come...
Born-Agains are those Jesus Witnesses Of as The Very Elect.
If we fail to Answer Father's Call, we are simply failed Vessels.
