Are new covenant saints called to keep the law?

[Lyfe]

Are new covenant saints called to keep the law?


There is allot of confusion today among Christians on whether or not they must keep the old testament laws. Its very important to understand that God has called us to be ministers of a new covenant that is not based off of the letter of the law(the old covenant). There are many out there(judaizers) who are acctually bearing witness to the law(and Moses) and not to Christ. Gods word says that the law made nothing perfect. People falsely assume that the answer to the carnal condition of the churches is to bring back an emphasis on adherence to the law. This may sound like a step in the right direction(at face value), but in actuality this teaching is very opposed to sound doctrine and what God's word acctually teaches. The unfortunate truth is that there are many people who attend church that still have yet to come to repentance and acctually get born again. This is why the answer is not the law, but rather that people need their hearts to be transformed and restored altogether through the washing and regeneration of the holy spirit. In many instances there has to be whole congregations that get born again and have their stony hearts removed, because the apostasy of our time and failure to preach the gospel is that bad(like God's word warned us it would be).


The law demands external regulation whereas the holy spirit brings internal transformation. The entire law of Moses was a foreshadow and typology of the reality(Christ), but never the reality in itself. The law always bore witness to the work of Christ as the reality and the fulfillment of the law. The stone tablets spoken of in the old testament are now written on our hearts and this is acctually a reference to the work of the holy spirit and his power to change someone inwardly(by the power od God). The stone tablets are a reflection of the person and character of Christ and if someone has been redeemed the actual spirit of Christ is inside them. Christ is in them!

That's why pointing back to the law is going backwards especially after the outpouring of the promised holy spirit.

"""Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]?""" Galatians 3:3 Amplified Bible

How can the law bring perfection when Jesus is already inside us through the spirit? We are called to walk in the spirit, to pray in the spirit, to be filled with the spirit, to sow to the spirit, to be led by the spirit, to worship in the spirit, to live by the spirit! I think that's why Paul was always making reference to the holy spirit and the fact that he is our sufficiency and our reference(not the law) as new covenant saints.

The holy spirit is the life and person of Christ within us through the spirit of Christ. The fruit of the spirit produces the fruits(characteristics) of Christ within us and in this way we walk as he walked. The holy spirit changes us and makes us like Christ in a way the law never could. I believe this is why Paul said the ministration of the holy spirit is superior. It is the supernatural power of God at work within someone to empower and change them! The work of Christ and promised holy spirit is the fulfillment and reality of the the typologies contained in the law. He is the reality and still many want to point backwards to the shadowy substance of the law! The law pointed toward Christ!

The holy spirit does what the law could never do which is bring direct transformation and change into the human heart. Someone can keep the commandments but if their heart still delights in sin and hasn't been changed through a spiritual circumcision then that person is still in the flesh and cannot please God. Their heart needs to be dealt with. I tell people that it wasn't the law or even knowledge of what the commandments are that delivered me from various sins or a heart that desires evil things. It was the holy spirit and God giving me a new heart (heart of flesh). It wasnt the law that brought me closer to God. It was the holy spirit! The law made nothing perfect and as new covenant saints the sufficiency we should be continually referencing(as Paul did) is the holy spirit and not the old way of the law. We are called to serve in the new way of the spirit!


Romans 7:4-6

4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But """now we are released from the law,""" having died to that which held us captive, so that """"we serve in the new way of the Spirit""" and not in the old way of the written code.[a]



Romans 8:1-4
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that """"the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.""""

Galatians 5:13-18

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But"""" if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.""""

Galatians 5:25
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:4-11
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6""""" who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant""""", not of the letter but of the Spirit."""" For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, """because of the glory that surpasses it. """11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

Philippians 3:2-3
Amplified Bible
2 Look out for the [a]dogs [the Judaizers, the legalists], look out for the troublemakers, look out for the [b]false circumcision [those who claim circumcision is necessary for salvation]; 3 for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and]"""" are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God"""""" and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh—

 

[Lyfe]

1 Timothy 1:5-10

Authorized (King James) Version

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine

Galatians 3:19-25

New Living Translation

19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.
21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?[a] Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

 

[Lyfe]

Acts 15:1-29

English Standard Version



The Jerusalem Council
15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.[a] 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant[b] of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers[c] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you[d] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

 

[Dalit]

Acts 15:1-29

English Standard Version



The Jerusalem Council
15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.[a] 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant[b] of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers[c] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you[d] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

This passage helped me so much when coming out of falsehood and to the true faith, to orthodox Christianity. And, practically, abstaining from sexual immorality is hard enough for most people, if not all people. For people who like rare steaks and those who come out of the occult, it might be even more difficult. It is difficult to love God with all and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31), which covers the 10 commandments since love does no harm to its neighbor (Romans 13:10) and loving God with all covers #1-4.

Yet with the Holy Spirit's help, it's not a burden to do such (1 John 5:3),

 

[Lyfe]

This passage helped me so much when coming out of falsehood and to the true faith, to orthodox Christianity. And, practically, abstaining from sexual immorality is hard enough for most people, if not all people. For people who like rare steaks and those who come out of the occult, it might be even more difficult. It is difficult to love God with all and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31), which covers the 10 commandments since love does no harm to its neighbor (Romans 13:10) and loving God with all covers #1-4.

Yet with the Holy Spirit's help, it's not a burden to do such (1 John 5:3),

Yes there are seasons where battling lust can really wear us down. We have been sexualized with all sorts of mind control and programming since birth. People are literally only a few seconds away from accessing some type of porn site on their phone. Marriage has become a destroyed institution which means people will live out much of their life single. People are depressed and sad and watch porn as a substitute for intimacy and they get addicted. That's only the technical aspect. Part of Satan's end times strategy is seducing spirits and the prophetess jezebel that leads the servants of God into sexual immorality.

I think now more than ever we have to abide in Christ. There is so much spiritual warfare going on that we can only overcome by not quenching the holy spirit. We have to be filled with the holy spirit.

We also have to rely on God's grace. Where sin abounds his grace abounds all the more. His grace is more than sufficient to cleanse us. We can't let the enemy keep us trapped in guilt and self condemnation when we fall. We must simply ask God for forgiveness and receive it in faith and then go back to manning the post he has assigned us to.

 

[A Freeman]

True, child-like humility is realizing we do NOT know better than God. Father (God) absolutely knows what is best for all of us. What Father defines as right and wrong IS what is right and wrong, NOT what people mistakenly believe is right and wrong in their own eyes (Deut. 12:8) .

Father sent His Christ (Exod. 3:1-3; 18:20; 23:20-23) to give us His Law via Moses, to teach us right from wrong, and thus to protect us from the evil that will inevitably befall us when we do that which is evil/sinful/unlawful (aka the curse of The Law/the penalty for not keeping it). We either humbly and joyfully learn to accept that God is right and that we are wrong and LIVE, or we can continue in arrogance/ignorance to fight against Father and His Christ, thereby ensuring our death and destruction in The Fire on Judgment Day.

Father sent us His Firstborn Son, The Christ, to be THE Teacher, to teach us true humility and return us to spiritual converse with Father and obedience to Father and His Holy, Just and Good Law/Commandments, so that we can learn how to do God's Will. It is impossible to learn how to do God's Will while arrogantly and ignorantly remaining in open defiance of His Law which, as Christ teaches, will NEVER pass away.

Christ is The ONLY Teacher. The disciples learned discipline and obedience from THE Teacher. Anyone who has been duped by Satan into believing Christ's Disciples or any of the Apostles taught the exact opposite of Christ, or that any of them had the authority to do away with The Law/Commandments, doesn't know nor love Christ.

1 John 2:3-4
2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him (Christ), IF we keep His Commandments.
2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth NOT His Commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is NOT in him.

John 14:15 If ye love me, KEEP my COMMANDments.

Learn to love Christ and show your humble gratitude and Faith by learning to be good, so that Christ's Sacrifice was not in vain.

 

[Lyfe]

Philippians 3:3-9

Amplified Bible

3 for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh— 4 though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: 5 circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless.
7 But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. 8 But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

Paul acknowledged that The Law couldn't make a person righteous. It is only through ones standing in Christ.

Romans 3:9-28

Amplified Bible



9 Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power. 10 As it is written and forever remains written,
“There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.
11
“There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God.
12
“All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
13
“Their throat is an open grave;
They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.”
“The venom of asps is beneath their lips.”
14
“Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
15
“Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16
Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17
And they have not known the path of peace.”
18
“There is no fear of God [and His awesome power] before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment]. 20 For no [a]person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].
Justification by Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. 22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [b]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] [c]sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. 26 It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].
27 Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith. 28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God].

 

[Lyfe]

We actually resemble Christ the most when we are filled with the holy spirit. If we are filled with the holy spirit he will just naturally begin to bear his fruit(the person and characteristics of Christ) through us.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Paul tells us to be filled with the holy spirit! There is quite a bit of scripture suggesting that the measure of the holy spirit within us can depend on our prayer life, reading God's word, fasting, and separation (from the pollution's of this world). This is why we are told not to quench the holy spirit!

Acts 4:23-31

English Standard Version



The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[a] said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’[b]—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

We should all be seeking The Father daily to have our lamps filled with fresh oil!

 

[Lyfe]

The thing about God's holy law that so many( who are attempting to impose it on others) fail to realize is that it can never actually paint someone in a favorable light before God. It probably seems contradictory to most that one's attempt to keep the law acctually bring condemnation, but that's the reality. The law can only ever record and impute sin. It is impartial and when measured by God's perfect standard you can only ever be found a transgressor. No exceptions. This is why God says that every mouth is stopped when graded by the law. James says that just one sin is a breach and breaking of the entire law. It only took one sin for the complete and total fall of the human race. One sin was enough for a guilty verdict based off of God's perfect and impartial standard of justice.

This is why scripture says that the law brings wrath and refers to it as the ministration of condemnation and death. There are many judaizers who are trying to rebuild what Christ had torn down and in the process making themselves(and others in their attempts) a transgressor all over again. The sphere of the law can only impute and record ones sin. You go to the law and say, "I have kept all these precepts, I have kept this and that" but the law says "yes, but you also failed to keep this, that and this"

What is the verdict? Guilty

That's what Paul meant when he said that every mouth is stopped when The Law is brought forth. It doesn't matter if someone scores a 30 or a 60 or an 80 or even a 99 out of 100 they all stand in the same boat, because they all still end up falling short and missing the mark. It's like someone on death row having occasion to boast about being less guilty then the other individuals who scored lower on the test. Obviously the boasting is foolishness, because it doesn't change the fact the person who scored high is still on death row(along with everyone else). There are many today that seek to impose the law on new covenant saints and in the process make them into a transgressor(under the sphere of the law) all over again. People dont get that under the law sin is only recorded and imputed and every score short of the perfect score of 100 is utterly worthless and brings a guilty verdict and condemnation as result. This is why righteousness can only come from Christ. He is the righteousness of God. He has a flawless resume and a perfect righteousness meaning it's impossible to add anything to it. It is only through him and him alone that we are justified before God. If one sin is a breach of the entire law and was enough to condemn the human race why should we delude ourselves into believing that we can actually be anywhere close to righteous by the measure of the law? Think of how many times you have sinned in your thoughts and attitudes just this week.

For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. James 2:10

For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. Romans 4:15

For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. Romans 3:20 NLT

As it is written and forever remains written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God’s standard], NOT EVEN ONE. Romans 3:10 AMP

Galatians 2:16-18
English Standard Version
16 yet we know that a person is not justified[a] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

Galatians 5:1-3
English Standard Version
Christ Has Set Us Free
5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

 

[Wigi]

“One good deed is worth a thousand prayers”
Zoroaster

I believe this affirmation to be wrong because it doesn't consider one important aspect of prayer which is to transform our inner self that is unable to do good.

"For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good."
Romans 7:19‭-‬21

I'd say prayer is also how you prepare God to manifest good deeds in you and your surroundings. It's no wonder that a spiritual activity like prayer has been heavily targeted by Satan's minions because they know when you enter God's sanctuary in prayer, the world is unable to tempt you nor it is able to trouble your inner peace. Unlike Zoroaster, God doesn’t want us to appreciate peace ‘as a means to new wars’ but as a good gift we receive from Him which we could share abundantly to those in need so it gives them a future and a hope.

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

True, child-like humility is realizing we do NOT know better than God. Father (God) absolutely knows what is best for all of us. What Father defines as right and wrong IS what is right and wrong, NOT what people mistakenly believe is right and wrong in their own eyes (Deut. 12:8) .

Father sent His Christ (Exod. 3:1-3; 18:20; 23:20-23) to give us His Law via Moses, to teach us right from wrong, and thus to protect us from the evil that will inevitably befall us when we do that which is evil/sinful/unlawful (aka the curse of The Law/the penalty for not keeping it). We either humbly and joyfully learn to accept that God is right and that we are wrong and LIVE, or we can continue in arrogance/ignorance to fight against Father and His Christ, thereby ensuring our death and destruction in The Fire on Judgment Day.

Father sent us His Firstborn Son, The Christ, to be THE Teacher, to teach us true humility and return us to spiritual converse with Father and obedience to Father and His Holy, Just and Good Law/Commandments, so that we can learn how to do God's Will. It is impossible to learn how to do God's Will while arrogantly and ignorantly remaining in open defiance of His Law which, as Christ teaches, will NEVER pass away.

Christ is The ONLY Teacher. The disciples learned discipline and obedience from THE Teacher. Anyone who has been duped by Satan into believing Christ's Disciples or any of the Apostles taught the exact opposite of Christ, or that any of them had the authority to do away with The Law/Commandments, doesn't know nor love Christ.

1 John 2:3-4
2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him (Christ), IF we keep His Commandments.
2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth NOT His Commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is NOT in him.

John 14:15 If ye love me, KEEP my COMMANDments.

Learn to love Christ and show your humble gratitude and Faith by learning to be good, so that Christ's Sacrifice was not in vain.

Would you wear this T-shirt I saw on Amazon? I wouldn’t, but there must be a market for that message?

 

[Lyfe]

I remember studying the subject of The Law about seven years ago, because of all the confusion surrounding it. What stuck out to me was Paul's continual emphasis on the ministration of the holy spirit and how it is superior to the ministration of The Law. It's like I said above, we resemble Christ the most when we are filled with the holy spirit. If we are filled with the spirit of Christ we begin to bear the fruit of the spirit, or the very essence and characteristics of Christ. Why point back to the stony tablets once the reality has come? We are the true circumcision and our sufficiency is now in the holy spirit, the spirit of Christ himself! God's answer to sin and man's weakness to keep the law(through his flesh) was to create a new man.


Ephesians 4:24

Amplified Bible

24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].

Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (NLT Version)

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV)

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

“Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee



An inspiring look at Ephesians, opening our eyes to the process of Christian living and maturity in three words: sit our position in Christ; walk our life in the world; and stand our attitude toward the Enemy. New study guide included. An invaluable tool for the growing disciple.

Sit Walk Stand: Amazon.co.uk: Watchman Nee: 9780875084190: Books

Buy Sit Walk Stand 4th ed. by Watchman Nee (ISBN: 9780875084190) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[TokiEl]

Christians are of course obliged to obey the Commandments of God.


Love God and our neighbour.

That's the Law.


This is easy or at least much easier when the Holy spirit is within us.

 

[Lyfe]

Christians are of course obliged to obey the Commandments of God.


Love God and our neighbour.

That's the Law.


This is easy or at least much easier when the Holy spirit is within us.

God's word says that the law and old testament were a foreshadow of the reality. What do you think the stony tablets foreshadowed? What was the new covenant reality?


Also, what does it mean to be born of God and have his seed abide in us?

 

[phipps]

Obedience in the New Covenant/Testament.

Obedience is not just an Old Covenant concept. It is an essential element of the New Covenant as well. A saving faith is a faith that is demonstrated in obedience, just as Christ our example showed us.

The Test of Knowing Christ.

1 John 2:3, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments."

1 John 5:2–3, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

In the new covenant, Jesus said it is not enough to keep the law of God on the outside, you have to keep it from your heart. Jesus declared the necessity of obedience in John 5:28, 29: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” Jesus links the type of life that you live to your eternal destiny. Obedience or disobedience determines your eternal destiny.

The apostle Paul repeats the same warning as he speaks concerning God, “who will render to each one according to his deeds, eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to every one who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For an many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers or the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; . . .)” (Romans 2:6-13).

Another New Testament writer James, speaks to the same subject: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:8-12).

It is clear that James is talking about the Ten Commandments. Breaking one of these commandments makes you guilty of breaking them all. Obedience or disobedience will determine the eternal destiny of men and women, boys and girls.

The Bible says that obedience will distinguish God’s true people from His professed followers in the last days, when Jesus predicted that “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). God’s last day people are described in Revelation 12:17, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman [the symbol of a church], and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring [the last of God’s people], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

God’s people in the last days will be commandment keepers. Again in Revelation 14:12 we read: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” God’s people are here contrasted with the disobedient, those who receive the mark of the beast (see Revelation 14:9-11).

The last chapter of the Bible says again, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). The next verse describes those who do not obey God’s commandments. Three times in the last three chapters of Revelation God contrasts the obedient with the disobedient, so we will not make a mistake. Eternal destiny is determined by whether you obey God exactly.

 

[phipps]

Please do not think that any truth from God’s word is so small that it need not be taken seriously. Stand for truth today. Obedience is necessary and only the obedient will be saved and be with God eternally.

Heavenly Father: The world around me has become so normal in my eyes that I have slipped and joined that which I thought was good but found it was drawing me away into thoughtlessness and little sins. Forgive me. Restore unto me spiritual eyesight that I may discern the devil’s floating germs in which the whole world has become entwined, allowing approval of little sins. I choose to serve You in truth and not serve the world in tradition. Please give me spiritual discernment and grace. Amen.

 

[Lyfe]

Is one sin enough to condemn someone under The Law? Yes.
Is it enough for a guilty verdict? Yes. This was certainly true for Adam and Eve. That's the impartial justice of the law in action. Trying isn't good enough. You must do. There is no in between that is acceptable to Gods righteous standard.

Once a person begins to truly understand these things then it becomes rather obvious that it's only God's mercy and grace on an individual that determines their eternal destiny. We are only justified by Christ and by being brought into the new covenant through him. Let's presuppose that Jesus never died for our sins and our entrance to heaven was determined by the law for only one day. Can you imagine sinning once in an entire day and your destination is still the same as a murderer or hip hop superstar on tour? It doesn't matter how many precepts you did observe, because that one violation will still be held against you and decide your fate. We are only justified by God's mercy and grace. That's it.

 

[Lyfe]

We are saved by entering into the new covenant with God by grace through faith. It's only through our position in Christ that we are justified. If one is truly in Christ they have passed from death to life and God is no longer holding their trespasses against them.


Hebrews 8:6-13

English Standard Version



6 But as it is, Christ[a] has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says:[b]
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The holy spirit is the seal of circumcision demonstrating that we have entered into this covenant with God.


Ephesians 1:7-13

Amplified Bible



7 In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight] 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, 10 with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth. 11 In Him also we have [a]received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].


Ephesians 2:1-15

Amplified Bible



Made Alive in Christ
2 And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of [a]human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. 4 But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). 6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]. 8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
11 Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, who are called “Uncircumcision” by those who called themselves “Circumcision,” [itself a mere mark] which is made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God. 13 But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near [b]by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], 15 by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied]; so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thereby establishing peace.

 

[A Freeman]

Is one sin enough to condemn someone under The Law? Yes.

No. If it were, then NONE of us would be here.

Ezekiel 18:20-23
18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall DIE. The son shall not bear the inequity of the father, neither shall the father bear the inequity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all My Statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall SURELY live, he shall NOT die.
18:22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he SHALL live.
18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord "I AM": [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?

Romans 6:22-23
6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting Life.
6:23 For the wages of sin [is] DEATH (Eze. 18:4); but the gift of God [is] eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The ONLY Way to remain free from sin is to repent (stop sinning) by returning to The Law (1 John 3:4). Doing anything less is proving a lack of faith in and love for Father (God) and His Christ (John 14:15, 21-24). And there is no other way to show one's appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices that Father and Christ have made on our behalf other than to remember and return to keeping God's Law/Commandments (Mal. 4).

You NEED to turn from your wicked, sinful ways, and STOP LYING to others, or you will find yourself in The Fire on Judgment Day.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and ALL LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with Fire and brimstone: which is the second death.