On the Keeping of the Law

[Boanerges]

I have seen dozens of discussions and hundreds of points of view on this subject matter. I am not purporting to take preeminence over others ideas but simply wish to attempt an accurate presentation of my understanding. As always I welcome the input and ideas of all.


The Word as always says it best:
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
There are (off the top of my head) at least five verses that specifically and plainly say we are no longer under the Law but not one who say we should violate the Law.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law

If we abide in Christ (the Vine) and the life of the Vine permeates us, flows in and through us, then we will be living expressions of His Love and by His nature revealed in us we will do what man himself could not- walk pleasing to God with no violation of His Word. There is no other way pleasing to God as man on his own can never keep the Law with a righteous heart (Gal 2:16, Gal_3:10, Isa_64:6 ).

The Law was our tutor showing the dread condition of fallen man and his flesh. Does not the history of man show us how he perverts the heart of God by his own manipulation of said law (pharisee-ism)? Does not the Holy Spirit lead us in all truth- spiritual, moral and/or any other aspect (Rom 8:14)? If we follow Him we will indeed fulfill God’s Laws without them ever coming to mind because we will be walking in the very center of His will. He is the only One who can walk you in this walk of obedience.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

We would do well to walk in, dwell in, and find our life in the Spirit.
We would do well to follow the commands of Christ which are not burdensome commands but instead are love, forgive, love and love again. We, the only true doers of the Law do not dwell on the Law or attempt to fulfill it but walk hand in hand God who reveals the righteousness of Christ in us.
Much love in Christ,
your brother Larry.

 

[brakelite]

For those who would believe that the law of God written upon stone is completely done away with I would remind you that in every agreement or covenant I know of there are two copies, one given to each participant in the agreement. Our copy was written upon tables of stone, placed inside the ark, which in turn was placed inside the Holy of Holies where the very presence of God abode in the sanctuary. The holiest place on the planet. And just as the earthly sanctuary was a copy of the heavenly, (See Hebrews 8:5; 9:23,24)we would expect also that God had an ark in heaven, and we could also presume that inside that ark was His copy of the covenant, after all, it is called the ark of the covenant, and that presumption would be correct for we read:

Revel. 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
This vision my friends is a new testament vision. The laws of God as contained in the tables of stone still abide in the throne room of God, the holiest place in heaven. They are still the laws of the kingdom.

 

[jason h]

Thats why im glad Christ fullfilled the law because, like paul, i found that it convicted me and that not only could i not keep it but because by very nature im a sinner, it became a boat anchor to me. It literaly forced me to look towards Christ as the author and finisher of our faith. He is my righteousness. I dont have to worry about thinking "what will God accept or not accept on that day?" anymore, although I confess thoughts still arise sometimes. God accepted Him and proved it by raising Him up.


No one can keep the law. It is a mirror to prove our nature and need of a savior. I found it truly was a schoolmaster that lead me straight to Christ! Now I have a desire to be Jesus to others. I fail horribly a lot. But instead of looking at keeping rules to earn Gods favor, I now desire to help others see Him.

 

[jiggyfly]

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.
Gal 3:19 (NLT)

7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
2 Cor 3:7-11 (NLT)

Here's a couple more scriptures to add to the discussion that compliment your post Boenerges.

Here's a question to those who are still yoked with the law. If Christ has preeminence over all things, does all things include the law?

 

[Stan53]

For those who would believe that the law of God written upon stone is completely done away with I would remind you that in every agreement or covenant I know of there are two copies, one given to each participant in the agreement. Our copy was written upon tables of stone, placed inside the ark, which in turn was placed inside the Holy of Holies where the very presence of God abode in the sanctuary. The holiest place on the planet. And just as the earthly sanctuary was a copy of the heavenly, (See Hebrews 8:5; 9:23,24)we would expect also that God had an ark in heaven, and we could also presume that inside that ark was His copy of the covenant, after all, it is called the ark of the covenant, and that presumption would be correct for we read:

Revel. 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
This vision my friends is a new testament vision. The laws of God as contained in the tables of stone still abide in the throne room of God, the holiest place in heaven. They are still the laws of the kingdom.

The point is, that Jesus said it would be in Matthew 5:17-18; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
The accomplishment was fulfilled when Jesus rose from the dead.

Secondly these 'copies' are NOT physical. God made physical representations of His spiritual laws, which He gave us. Rev 11:19 does NOT say His Ark contains a physical copy of the OC, it says it is the ark of HIS covenant. As we are under the NEW covenant, it is the spiritual representation of the ark of the NC. The old one is dead and buried. Unless of course anyone really believes that heaven has physical attributes?
There are many other verses that affirm this. One is Hebrews 8:7; If there had been nothing wrong with the first agreement, there would have been no need for a second agreement.

 

[DiscipleDave]

For those who would believe that the law of God written upon stone is completely done away with ... ... ... ..

Exodus 34:28:And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

question: Are we, as Christian, still under that OLD Covenant? or are we under a new Covenant? How is it, there are those who say we are under both the old covenant (10 commandments) and also the new covenant (Believe in Jesus and Love One Another)? Those to whom the first covenant was too, were unable to keep it, therefore Jesus gave us a NEW covenant to follow and to keep. Jesus nor any of His Apostles ever instructed us Christians to continue to keep the old covenant. Is it not written that LOVE fulfills the whole law? Therefore those who LOVE OTHERS fulfill the whole law.

 

[David777]

Hello jiggyfly.

You asked;

"Here's a question to those who are still yoked with the law.
If Christ has preeminence over all things, does all things include the law?"

For a Jew the answer is yes.

For a Gentile, what law?, we were never
given the law by God. Need the scripture
that states Gentiles were given the law
of Moses.

 

[Boanerges]

Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.


Thanks be to God that His Son came to fulfill the Law and indeed did fulfill that Law for us. God is Love and as we abide in that heavenly Vine Love flows in and through us, then love is expressed.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.


Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.