Are new covenant saints called to keep the law?
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Here is another passage of scripture illustrating the high demand for those who think The Law can give them a favorable report . One sin brings guilt and condemnation. Just one...
Romans 5:12-21
English Standard Version
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
One trespass led to condemnation.
One is only justified by the unmerited grace of Jesus Christ and by being found in him. The Law proves we are guilty and that salvation can only ever be through grace.
Romans 5:12-21
English Standard Version
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
One trespass led to condemnation.
One is only justified by the unmerited grace of Jesus Christ and by being found in him. The Law proves we are guilty and that salvation can only ever be through grace.
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The law does not save anyone nor will it give anyone a favourable report to God who is all knowing. The law points out our sin and then Jesus cleanses us. He writes the law in our hearts so that we stop sinning over time and are obedient to His law as we get closer to Him. Its a process and God will know if we are willing to be obedient and wok with us to do just that. Only His power in us can stop us giving into temptation and sinning.
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It's acctually God who justifies and declares someone righteous. It has to be, because as it's been demonstrated one sin brings a guilty verdict that leads to condemnation and death.
If you sinned only once today you didn't keep the law. You would actually lose your salvation every time you sinned once if The Law we're your judge.
If you sinned only once today you didn't keep the law. You would actually lose your salvation every time you sinned once if The Law we're your judge.
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I agree. However Paul is very clear that we are called to live for and serve God in the new way of the spirit and not in the old way of the written code. If someone is constantly harping about The Law then they don't understand the new covenant and what it actually accomplishes within a person through Christ . They are exercising futility and trying to perfect themselves in the flesh after already being perfected in Christ and being made into a new creature(by the power and spirit of God).
We have already been supernaturally changed and made into new men and people want to point back to carnal ordinances and precepts under the illusion it can somehow accomplish what God really desires, which is for us to be exactly like Christ(reborn) as completely new men. Men who are inwardly transformed in the person of the heart. Can't you see how backwards that is? The Law didn't deliver me from sin or cause me hate it, the holy spirit did. God has already done the work to perfect me. God completely changed me when I turned to Christ for salvation. He did the work and did what the law could never do.
If the emphasis is continually Torah and The Law then its wrong as that was the focal point of the old covenant. It's time we renew our minds. What I see in Paul's writings is a continual emphasis on the new covenant and the ministration of the spirit as well as how unprofitable The Law is now that Christ and the reality of the new coevnant has come. He had to rebuke many Jewish minded citizens, because they couldn't see past the Torah. Those in Christ are the true circumcision. Their hearts have been supernaturally changed by the holy spirit and the power of God.
Most Christians probably respect and even already keep the commandments( like not commiting adultery, lying, stealing). What most judaizers really want is to see you observe the Sabbath, the dietary restrictions, and also the feasts. Once you go beyond that and start imposing diet, the feasts, and observing certain days then you are definitely out of bounds and preaching the old covenant and not the new.
It becomes hypocrisy and once we really begin holding people to the standard of The Law and testing them you can easily point out they don't keep it. Why? That's what The Law does. It shutups the whole world under sin and proves guilt. If you observe a Sabbath, but have anger, lust, covetesness, or idols in your heart then you are guilty. Everyone espousing The Law
becomes legalistic and selective, they pick and choose. It's like me looking at the commandment to preach the gospel and help the poor and telling someone they aren't obeying The Law if they don't do these things. It becomes selective and people wanting to boast over you. It's like me looking at the scripture in James about visiting orphans and widows and holding it over someone and saying they are disobedient I'd they don't do these things.
I'm not going to submit to any yoke of slavery, because I can't count how many times I have seen people who call you back to sabbath observance also want you stop eating pork and keep the feasts. They want to make you a Jewish citizen all over again and there is never any consistency about which laws that still need to be kept. Its purely up to them and never up the actual law. If you go down that route tho u can't pick and choose. You have to observe the feasts as commanded and everything else. We are called to freedom.
Galatians 5:13-14
English Standard Version
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.”
We have already been supernaturally changed and made into new men and people want to point back to carnal ordinances and precepts under the illusion it can somehow accomplish what God really desires, which is for us to be exactly like Christ(reborn) as completely new men. Men who are inwardly transformed in the person of the heart. Can't you see how backwards that is? The Law didn't deliver me from sin or cause me hate it, the holy spirit did. God has already done the work to perfect me. God completely changed me when I turned to Christ for salvation. He did the work and did what the law could never do.
If the emphasis is continually Torah and The Law then its wrong as that was the focal point of the old covenant. It's time we renew our minds. What I see in Paul's writings is a continual emphasis on the new covenant and the ministration of the spirit as well as how unprofitable The Law is now that Christ and the reality of the new coevnant has come. He had to rebuke many Jewish minded citizens, because they couldn't see past the Torah. Those in Christ are the true circumcision. Their hearts have been supernaturally changed by the holy spirit and the power of God.
Most Christians probably respect and even already keep the commandments( like not commiting adultery, lying, stealing). What most judaizers really want is to see you observe the Sabbath, the dietary restrictions, and also the feasts. Once you go beyond that and start imposing diet, the feasts, and observing certain days then you are definitely out of bounds and preaching the old covenant and not the new.
It becomes hypocrisy and once we really begin holding people to the standard of The Law and testing them you can easily point out they don't keep it. Why? That's what The Law does. It shutups the whole world under sin and proves guilt. If you observe a Sabbath, but have anger, lust, covetesness, or idols in your heart then you are guilty. Everyone espousing The Law
becomes legalistic and selective, they pick and choose. It's like me looking at the commandment to preach the gospel and help the poor and telling someone they aren't obeying The Law if they don't do these things. It becomes selective and people wanting to boast over you. It's like me looking at the scripture in James about visiting orphans and widows and holding it over someone and saying they are disobedient I'd they don't do these things.
I'm not going to submit to any yoke of slavery, because I can't count how many times I have seen people who call you back to sabbath observance also want you stop eating pork and keep the feasts. They want to make you a Jewish citizen all over again and there is never any consistency about which laws that still need to be kept. Its purely up to them and never up the actual law. If you go down that route tho u can't pick and choose. You have to observe the feasts as commanded and everything else. We are called to freedom.
Galatians 5:13-14
English Standard Version
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.”
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But isn’t complete obedience an impossibility for a human being?
“With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
“He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19).
None of us can obey in our own power, but through Christ we can and must. Satan, in order to make God’s requests appear unreasonable, invented the falsehood that obedience is impossible.
“With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
“He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19).
None of us can obey in our own power, but through Christ we can and must. Satan, in order to make God’s requests appear unreasonable, invented the falsehood that obedience is impossible.
Lyfe
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No Christian on this thread is justifying sin or saying it's ok to live in sin. We should flee from it, indeed.
However when you teach that it's sin to not observe days and dietary laws you are still teaching The Law and are in error.
We are called to be filled with and walk in the spirit so we don't fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If you are trying to put any more of a burden than this on someone then you are teaching things very easily disproven in scripture.
However when you teach that it's sin to not observe days and dietary laws you are still teaching The Law and are in error.
We are called to be filled with and walk in the spirit so we don't fulfill the lusts of the flesh. If you are trying to put any more of a burden than this on someone then you are teaching things very easily disproven in scripture.
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But doesn’t true freedom in Christ actually release us from obedience?
“If you abide in My word ... you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ... Who ever commits sin is a slave of sin”(John 8:31,32,34).
“God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17,18).
“So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts”(Psalm 119:44,45).
No.True freedom means freedom “from sin” (Romans 6:18), or disobedience, which is breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4). Therefore, true freedom comes only from obedience.The citizens who obey the law have freedom. The disobedient are caught and lose their freedom. Freedom without obedience is a false freedom—it leads to confusion and anarchy.True Christian freedom means freedom from disobedience. Disobedience always hurts a person and leads one into the cruel slavery of the devil.
“If you abide in My word ... you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ... Who ever commits sin is a slave of sin”(John 8:31,32,34).
“God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17,18).
“So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts”(Psalm 119:44,45).
No.True freedom means freedom “from sin” (Romans 6:18), or disobedience, which is breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4). Therefore, true freedom comes only from obedience.The citizens who obey the law have freedom. The disobedient are caught and lose their freedom. Freedom without obedience is a false freedom—it leads to confusion and anarchy.True Christian freedom means freedom from disobedience. Disobedience always hurts a person and leads one into the cruel slavery of the devil.
phipps
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Isn’t love more important than obedience?
“Jesus answered ... ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word ... He who does not love Me does not keep My words’ ”(John 14:23, 24).
“This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
Not at all! The Bible actually teaches that true love to God doesn’t really exist without obedience. Nor can a person be truly obedient without a love and appreciation for God. No child will fully obey his parents unless he loves them, nor will he show love to his parents if he does not obey. True love and obedience are like conjoined twins. When separated, they die.
“Jesus answered ... ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word ... He who does not love Me does not keep My words’ ”(John 14:23, 24).
“This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
Not at all! The Bible actually teaches that true love to God doesn’t really exist without obedience. Nor can a person be truly obedient without a love and appreciation for God. No child will fully obey his parents unless he loves them, nor will he show love to his parents if he does not obey. True love and obedience are like conjoined twins. When separated, they die.
Lyfe
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God's word acctually refers to The Law as bondage and a yoke of slavery. Something that one is indebted and obligated to completely fulfill. Every jot and precept within the old covenant if that is the righteousness they seek to live by.
Galatians 2:1-5
English Standard Version
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Galatians 4:21-31
English Standard Version
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;[a] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you,[b] brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Galatians 5
English Standard Version
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. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified[a] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,[b] still preach[c] circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
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. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[e] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
God's word also refers to The Law as the ministry of death and condemnation. It is perfect, holy, and good, but to imperfect and fallen man it spells his guilt and doom.
2 Corinthians 3
English Standard Version
3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.[b]
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.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one[c] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[d] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The law makes nothing perfect. In fact Paul realized it could only ever indict him.
Romans 7:1-10
English Standard Version
7 Or do you not know, brothers[a]—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.[b] 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
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.[c]
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.
Galatians 3:10-14
English Standard Version
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”[a] 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit[b] through faith.
if you live by the righteousness of The Law and don't keep it then you are not obedient the standard you are trying to impose on others.
Galatians 2:1-5
English Standard Version
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Galatians 4:21-31
English Standard Version
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;[a] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you,[b] brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Galatians 5
English Standard Version
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. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified[a] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,[b] still preach[c] circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
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. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[e] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
God's word also refers to The Law as the ministry of death and condemnation. It is perfect, holy, and good, but to imperfect and fallen man it spells his guilt and doom.
2 Corinthians 3
English Standard Version
3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.[b]
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.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one[c] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[d] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The law makes nothing perfect. In fact Paul realized it could only ever indict him.
Romans 7:1-10
English Standard Version
7 Or do you not know, brothers[a]—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.[b] 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
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.[c]
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.
Galatians 3:10-14
English Standard Version
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”[a] 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit[b] through faith.
if you live by the righteousness of The Law and don't keep it then you are not obedient the standard you are trying to impose on others.
Lyfe
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The law brings wrath, because where there is law there is also record of sin that demands God's perfect and impartial justice.
Romans 4:15
English Standard Version
15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
In attempting to bring back The Law we are making ourselves guilty all over again, because where the law is there is imputed sin for every area we come short in.
Galatians 2:17-18
English Standard Version
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.
The law doesn't credit you for the precepts you did keep. It ALWAYS points out and brings guilt toward the areas you failed to keep and missed. Adam and Eve weren't credited for their obedience prior to their fall. It was required and what was asked of them.They were tho instantly guilty when they sinned the one time.
The law can't paint anyone favorably before God. It shows that ALL are guilty!
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. James 2:10 NLT
The law won't be anyone's advocate on judgment day. If you think you obey and keep the law you better think again.
Romans 4:15
English Standard Version
15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
In attempting to bring back The Law we are making ourselves guilty all over again, because where the law is there is imputed sin for every area we come short in.
Galatians 2:17-18
English Standard Version
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.
The law doesn't credit you for the precepts you did keep. It ALWAYS points out and brings guilt toward the areas you failed to keep and missed. Adam and Eve weren't credited for their obedience prior to their fall. It was required and what was asked of them.They were tho instantly guilty when they sinned the one time.
The law can't paint anyone favorably before God. It shows that ALL are guilty!
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. James 2:10 NLT
The law won't be anyone's advocate on judgment day. If you think you obey and keep the law you better think again.
phipps
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What will happen to a person who wilfully continues in disobedience?
“If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27).
“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35).
The Bible leaves no room for doubt. The answer is sobering, but true.When a person knowingly rejects light and continues in disobedience, the light eventually goes out, and he is left in total darkness. A person who rejects truth receives a “strong delusion” to believe that falsehood is truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11). When this happens, he is lost.
“If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27).
“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35).
The Bible leaves no room for doubt. The answer is sobering, but true.When a person knowingly rejects light and continues in disobedience, the light eventually goes out, and he is left in total darkness. A person who rejects truth receives a “strong delusion” to believe that falsehood is truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11). When this happens, he is lost.
phipps
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Will any be lost who think they are saved?
Yes! Matthew 7:21-23 makes it clear that many who prophesy, cast out devils, and do other wonderful works in Christ’s name will be lost.Christ said they are lost because they did not do “the will of My Father in heaven” (verse 21). Those who refuse to obey God will end up believing a lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12) and, thus, think they are saved when instead they are lost.
What will happen to sincere people who truly think they are right when they are wrong?
Jesus said that He will call them to His true way, and His true sheep will hear and follow (John 10:16, 27).
Yes! Matthew 7:21-23 makes it clear that many who prophesy, cast out devils, and do other wonderful works in Christ’s name will be lost.Christ said they are lost because they did not do “the will of My Father in heaven” (verse 21). Those who refuse to obey God will end up believing a lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12) and, thus, think they are saved when instead they are lost.
What will happen to sincere people who truly think they are right when they are wrong?
Jesus said that He will call them to His true way, and His true sheep will hear and follow (John 10:16, 27).
phipps
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You want to please God, but is it really possible to keep all of His commandments?
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7).
“Be diligent [study] to present yourself approved to God ... rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Timothy2:15).
“If any one wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God” (John 7:17).
“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you”(John 12:35). “As soon as they hear of me they obey me” (Psalm 18:44).
God promises to keep you from error and lead you safely to all truth if you will (1) pray earnestly for guidance, (2) sincerely study God’s Word, and (3) follow truth as soon as you are shown.
No Christian can escape the fact that they have to obey, because to obey God is to love Him. Obedience to God is love in action!
Disobedience is hatred towards God. Sin is the active expression of hate towards God (this is about wilful sin of course).
Any doctrine that minimises obedience, is from Satan. Because it undermines love.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7).
“Be diligent [study] to present yourself approved to God ... rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Timothy2:15).
“If any one wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God” (John 7:17).
“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you”(John 12:35). “As soon as they hear of me they obey me” (Psalm 18:44).
God promises to keep you from error and lead you safely to all truth if you will (1) pray earnestly for guidance, (2) sincerely study God’s Word, and (3) follow truth as soon as you are shown.
No Christian can escape the fact that they have to obey, because to obey God is to love Him. Obedience to God is love in action!
Disobedience is hatred towards God. Sin is the active expression of hate towards God (this is about wilful sin of course).
Any doctrine that minimises obedience, is from Satan. Because it undermines love.
Lyfe
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The trouble is that when people who try to impose the law are forced to hold themselves to the same standard. If they don't keep the law themselves they are just as disobedient as the people who they say won't make it to heaven. They are in the same boat unless they actually keep the law. That's the standard they teach and they must apply it to themselves. Tying isn't good enough. They must ask themselves at the end of every day,
Did I keep The Law, or was I disobedient?
Did I keep The Law, or was I disobedient?
phipps
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We are all sinners but that should not stop the complete truth of God from being preached. We should of course pray daily, confess our sins and study God's Word. We should ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us to Christ who gives us His power to obey.
If you don't believe that a person can obey as Jesus obeyed, then it means you don't trust Jesus' words. You doubt Him and therefore have resigned yourself to never fully obey. If Jesus says something is possible, it is possible. We have to be willing to reach and can reach the standard that Jesus set for us, not through our own power but through His power.
Look to Christ and not people. His Word is what we should trust. If you look at people and focus on whether they are perfect or not, whether they fully obey or not then you will always be disappointed. Everybody's personal relationship with God is different and at different stages. We should all focus on our own relationship with Christ.
God promises to do for us that which we can never do for ourselves. In Christ the gift of salvation is ours. He places His law in our minds so we can know it, and places it in our hearts so we can love it. Through His Holy Spirit, God gives us power to obey and delight in His ways. This is the miracle of the gospel.
If you don't believe this, then pray to God to help you believe Him because He never asks of us anything we can't do as long as He is part of the equation.
God bless.