Tag Archives: righteousness by faith

Born Again, Faith, The Gospel, What is God Like?

The Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life

Leave a comment

Overview

“…who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

This passage is confusing to many, including myself, until I applied the law of context and noncontradiction.  (See article on Context Matters.).  To start, let’s list the keywords: 

ministers,

new covenant,

letter,

kills,

and life. 

Our main questions should center around the deadly “letter.”  Whatever it is.  It kills or takes life.  The questions are simple also:

  1. What does the letter refer to?
  2. What does it kill?
  3. Why is the Spirit the direct opposite of the letter, i.e., life?
  4. Is the letter killing me, or do I have life in the Spirit?

If we can understand Paul’s statement in the context of the story of redemption, we will know what to avoid. Even better, it will lead us to the Spirit which gives life.  Sometimes, it is less about avoidance of something and more about acceptance of a truth that may make us uncomfortable at first.

Immediate Context-

The immediate context (the preceding verses) sets up this metaphoric statement by Paul to the Corinthian church.  The reason for his council is described in the previous two verses (v. 4, 5).

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

2 Corinthians 3: 4-5

The key thought here is trust through Christ and sufficiency from God, not ourselves.  This is the pre-thought before he discloses that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  Trust in Christ eliminates self-sufficiency.

Self-Sufficiency

It seems that this church had a “self-sufficiency” problem.  The answer to this dilemma is simple enough: “Our sufficiency is from God.”  Understanding the sufficiency of God through Christ is a critical and unique teaching of Christianity.  It is the difference between life and death. The difference between true and false. This truth is important as we move through this reasoning regarding the letter of the law and the death it causes.

Another passage by Paul to the church in Rome addresses the same issue as the Corinthians.  It appears that the believers at Rome have understood and responded.

But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 7:6

The keywords here are strikingly similar to the ones addressed to Corinth.  The following words in parentheses are the Corinthian words,

Serve (minister),

Newness of the Spirit (new covenant),

Oldness of the letter (letter that kills).

Paul talks as if the Romans had learned the truth.  He mentions “being delivered” from the law by dying to what held them.  What held them?  Self Sufficiency.  It kills faith in Christ. 

Slain by the Law or By Sin?

So, we can conclude that Paul’s theology has not changed between churches.  It is, therefore, a universal pitfall that we can relate to:  The letter of the law kills, and we need to be delivered from it to serve in the newness of the Spirit (i.e., the New Covenant).

I had been told that this letter of the law (that we need to die to) is the ceremonial and priestly law that ended at the cross, but if we stay in context, we see a different law:

Immediately after Romans 7:6, Paul asks a clarifying rhetorical question in verse 7. It lets us know that the Ten Commandments are the object of his discourse.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

Since “You shall not covet” is one of the ten commandments, it is safe to surmise that the context is about the moral law of God. 

For the next few verses, 7-11, Paul expands on how he was alive without the law.  This would indicate he did not know or understand the law and felt no conviction about his sin, but when he came to this written knowledge of sin, he realized that he was a dead man because of sin that was disclosed by the law. He came to a realization and conviction that it was a sin to covet, and therefore, he saw only death before him because of the sin, not the law.  To make his point, he ends with this statement that sounds like the opposite of his disparagement of the letter of the law.

Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Romans 7:12

So that which was holy, just, and good made him aware of the penalty of sin. The sin, not the law, slew him.  The law was good for him.  It opened his eyes to sin and its penalty.

Has then what is good (the law) become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

Romans 7: 13

He became aware that he was an exceedingly sinful person by a knowledge of the written law, i.e., the Ten Commandments.

The law lets us know what sin is in God’s eyes.  God gave the law to Moses written by His own finger on stone! 

Whosoever commits sin transgress also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.

1 John 3:4

Purpose of the Law

All would agree obedience to the law, without Christ, does not make us righteous. In fact, it makes us unrighteous because of our attempt at self-sufficiency.  The law’s main purpose is to establish what sin is and point out our need for a Savior:

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.

Romans 3:20

To make this precept even more robust, Paul says in the previous chapter,

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 2: 13

So, doing the law is important; it is part of justification!

Now I ask this question:  What is it that we have died to and were held by?  Obedience to the law? How are we delivered from the Law? 

The answer seems obvious. It was not the law but the attempt to obey without Christ, to become self-sufficient.

Let me make an important Biblical assertion: Living through the Spirit doesn’t give license to break, nor provide, the impulse to break the letter of the law.  The other extreme is equally true:  Obeying the law without Christ does not bring about righteousness.  So, what is Paul telling us about the letter of the law?  It appears to be a life and death statement (Letter kills, Spirit gives life). 

We have to die to the idea that we can obey the law to the letter and the Spirit without Christ.

Righteousness by Works

When we use obedience through our self-sufficiency as a way to add to what God has already done for our salvation, we are on the wrong path that leads straight to legalism.   This is hard to accept for those who think of self-produced good deeds and works as an addition to what God has already done through His mercy, love, and forgiveness. Things like repetitive prayers and prayer beads will tend to replace simple trust in Christ. Making up personal rules about how to be holy also replaces simple trust and sufficiency in Christ.

 It is only by the grace and love of God that we are in a position to be saved.  To make this even easier, it is a gift from God Himself.  This is the basis for our redemption, the Grace and Love of God.  Without it, we would all be lost. It is given to us without any work on our part.  Redemption from sin and salvation from eternal death is something we did not initiate.  Our Holy God did not make a list of good deeds and works that had to be completed before acceptance. Instead, He asks for something harder:  Belief and trust.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2: 8-10

A man in his shop builds a beautiful piece of furniture.  It is his workmanship…the product of his doing.  He shapes the wood, sands it down, and applies the paint.   Can the piece of furniture do anything to add to this workmanship?  We are His workmanship in the area of good works.  We are to walk (live in them) …not create them (good works).  With Christ, this situation is more spiritually natural and less tiring than working on producing good works on our own.

The Work of Faith

The platform for being saved by the grace of God has another vital component- faith or trusting in God’s plan, i.e., His incarnation, His life, His death, and His resurrection, His gift of the Spirit, His mediation, and His return again.  It is all about Him! Without any one of these, we would be lost. All of these components have their basis and start with the grace and love of God.

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty…And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

1 Cor. 15: 14, 17

Some might say, “See, faith is something I have to “work” on.”  Is it something you “work on,” or is it something you exercise from the start?

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4

Being born of God overcomes the world.  With this new birth comes faith in Christ. It is a package deal. He gives a measure of faith to all who come into the world.  It lies dormant until a choice is made to use it and let God change them.  It is certain that faith can grow.  But, remember, a very small amount of faith (mustard seed) can move mountains.  The amount of faith is less important for salvation as it is to use what little you may have.

Works are Fruit, Not as a Method for Salvation

James, the brother of Jesus, understood clearly that works that include obedience are the fruit of salvation, not the method or addition to salvation.  A person who has truly been born again and in love with their Savior will respond with obedience and good works.  They will live by the workmanship of Christ…good works.

 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2: 18-20

It is James’ way of saying, “lip service proves nothing.”  The proof of your faith is in the pudding itself, i.e., “works.” I can say all day long that I have saving faith, but if my actions prove otherwise, my faith is dead or not real.

So, where do we focus?  On becoming a wonderful worker for God or a wonderful lover and truster of God?  Do we concentrate on doing good works to be accepted by God, or do we respond out of a new spiritual heart that loves God and loves our neighbor?

The Letter is Important. Why does it Kill?

The direct commands of God are important, but not the way you may think.

Let me give a couple of examples and then apply some common sense.

Example:  Jesus described two cases where the Spirit of the law was explained.  He used the two commandments about adultery (seventh) and murder (sixth).

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Matthew 5: 27-28,

Again, it would seem that Jesus is dismissing, minimizing, or contradicting the specific commandment about adultery (letter of the law), which is having sex with someone who is not my wife.  Instead, He expands the law to include the thoughts (heart).  It is not merely looking at the woman (or a man) but mulling it over and creating lust (strong sexual desire) in the thoughts and perhaps playing it out in the mind to plan a rendezvous.

There is no need to complete the act to commit adultery; It has already been done in the heart. We have broken the seventh commandment.  In such a case, we need forgiveness from Christ even if we didn’t actually sleep with the woman or man.  We may actually need a new heart if this urge is uncontrollable and repetitive.

Here is where spiritual common sense comes into play.  What if I told my wife that from now on, I was going to live by the Spirit and not by the letter?  Consequently, I plan to have sex with as many women as I please because the letter (the literal words of the law) kills, but the Spirit gives life.  I think that reasoning would lead to not just a killing by the letter but murder by my wife! 😊 This leads to the next expansion of the law by Jesus: Murder 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”

Matthew 5: 21-22

Again, Jesus seems to dismiss the letter or literal words of the command to focus only on the Spirit of the law, But in effect, He is magnifying or expanding the letter of the law…a direct fulfillment of an ancient prophecy about Jesus:

The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable. Isaiah 42: 21

Committing murder by the letter of the law, i.e., taking someone’s life, is not negated by the Spirit of the law, which is anger without a purpose or reason.  So, it would not make sense to say, “I can murder as long as I don’t hate the person.”  Letter VS Spirit. 

How do I know that each letter of the law is important?  Before Jesus expanded on these two commandments, he made sure his audience understood that He did not come to destroy the Law (letter) or the Prophets.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5: 17-20

Jesus’ “fulfilling the law and the Prophets” does not do away with the letter of the law.  In fact, He makes reference to the details of the letter (that He has no intention of destroying). Like a microscope, he zooms in on the details of the Ten-Commandment law.  He references the importance of every letter and mark:  Jot (smallest letter) and tittle (the smallest stroke of the smallest Hebrew letter).  It is like Jesus is saying He isn’t going to change even the dot on top of our smallest letter. “i.” Yet, as humans, we want to rewrite the Ten Commandments to fit our own lifestyle and then teach others to break His law. This is the spirit of the anti-Christ. We are putting ourselves in the place of Christ and contradicting his plain word.  It is not just one commandment; it is all of them!

Righteousness by the law-The Cart before the Horse

Until all is fulfilled, the law and the prophets remain.  All has not been fulfilled yet. Many prophecies about the Second Coming remain unfulfilled.  Jesus’ keeping the law perfectly (jot and tittle) does not give us the green light to break any of the commandments.  We can’t say,

“I don’t have to keep the law; Jesus did it for me.” 

Try to explain that to my wife or those I love if I lie, steal, covet, or live an adulterous life, etc.    But we can never reach righteousness by our own efforts by gritting our teeth and working hard to become a good law keeper.  We must not get the cart before the horse. 

Too many Christians get hung up on that last part of the passage:

For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

 V. 20

They think Jesus is saying obedience to the smallest letter and the smallest stroke will create more righteousness and ensure acceptance by the Lord.  Did the scribes and Pharisees have righteousness?  Yes!  In their own eyes, manufactured by strict observance of the law, but in reality, they did not have the righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus.  Now, keep in mind faith does not negate obedience to the law.  Paul said it very clearly in Romans 3:

Therefore by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.:

Romans 3:20

Can it be any clearer?  That commandment keeping and deeds of the law will not justify anyone in God’s sight.  Thanks be to God for the atoning sacrifice of God!  Paul explains further:

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

Romans 3: 21-22

Did you catch that?  The righteousness of God is apart from the law.  It is not connected!  This should have been good news for those Scribes, Pharisees, and religious people who were trying to obtain righteousness and acceptance of God through the meticulous, to-the-letter keeping of the law.  The righteousness of God cannot be obtained that way. Further, we are all sinners with a human heart that lusts and hates without cause.  Generations of evil and sin influence our hearts.

“Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Roman 3:28

This does not contradict James, who said works (deeds of the law) are evidence of faith.  To say it very simply, Paul describes the soil for salvation (grace through faith); James describes the result (or fruit) of salvation (i.e., works).  One is the method of salvation (gospel), and the other is the results of salvation or the gospel.

That should be settled in the heart of every follower of Christ.  To make sure we understand about the law, Paul exclaims.

Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Romans 3:31

Conclusion Part 1

The attempt to obey the letter kills the relationship with Jesus. However, living in the Spirit will give life to your Jesus Journey. We must die to self-sufficiency in our obedience to the law as a way to obtain righteousness or to gain acceptance with God.  Obedience and good works come spiritually naturally with a new heart and new motives of love toward a holy God who saved us by His unmerited favor towards us.  This kind of salvation is real and spills over to those around us. Instead of pushing people away with legalistic requirements, they pull them to Jesus by their love.

We are thankful for His mercy and love, and we respond accordingly.  By doing this, we obtain life through the spirit rather than death by working on obedience or perfection instead of trusting Jesus.

Take a moment to study these two illustrations.

In “1 Me” I relate to God by the law.

In “2 Me” I relate to the law through God. 

The “1 Me” starts with the law to build a relationship with God. I think that obedience improves my relationship with God.  But my vision of God can be blurred by the obligations God set forth in the Ten Commandments or any other of His commands.  It will lead me to be religious and to live by the letter and not the Spirit.

On the other hand, The “2 Me” knows God first. I see the law through a relationship with God.  I have experienced a loving God who has forgiven my sins, and my desire is to follow Him.  I keep God’s law because I love Him.  It is a response of love and not obligation.  My focus is on Him and Him alone. The more personal associations I have with Him and observe how He works in my life and others, the more I love Him.   I can then clearly see that righteousness by faith works through love.  I have a new heart that seeks to carry out the will of God because of love, not obligation, religiosity, or to gain favor with God.   The law is not negated.  It is established in the heart.  I respond out of love for Christ.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

John 14: 15

“…showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

 Exodus 20:6

Now, let’s look at another chart to close:

Above the blue horizontal lines is Salvation. Below it is the opposite (lost or unsaved). We are lost either at birth or at the age where we can respond to the Holy Spirit. The act of infant baptism accomplishes nothing toward salvation. The destiny of these innocent babies, baptized or not, only God knows, but this I know: The character of God is merciful, loving, and forgiving. He looks to save, not condemn.

At the point where we respond by choice, then repent, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness, we are born again and have salvation. The Holy Spirit will testify to this new birth. Our upward journey with Christ begins. We want to be more like Christ. If we let him, He alone will mold us into His image for His sake, not ours. So even if we die without the molding complete (Christ’s likeness), we are still saved from eternal death. This journey towards Christ’s likeness is called sanctification or the upward call. This we will discuss next time. It is important because there is an enemy that wants to take the Jesus experience away from you and to leave Him. This is why Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-18). We are in a battle and “press on” even in the bad times.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 12-14

Born Again, Faith

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH …alone

Leave a comment

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to meet one of the great men of God at a camp meeting in Tennessee. His Bible-rich sermons on righteousness by faith inspired me and helped frame how I related to God.

As I stood in line, waiting my turn to shake his hand, I was a little “star-struck.” I began to think about what I wanted to say to him. The line moved closer, but I still had nothing to say other than,

“I really enjoy your sermons.”

When it finally came to my turn to shake his hand, I blurted out,

“I believe in righteousness by faith.” (ugh! How stupid sounding!)

His response has never left me over the years. He looked at me with a smile and said,

“Good!” That’s the only kind.”

Over the years, I have considered and applied this great truth of righteousness by faith. It is indeed the only kind. Knowing that His righteousness is accounted to a sinful person like me provides a sense of lightness in my experience with God. This sense of lightness and freedom is very Biblical.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 NKJV

The Only Kind

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. “ Galatians 5: 5-6 NKJV

Verse 5 is the only place in scripture where the phrase “righteousness by faith” appears, but the theme is throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Take a look at verse 6 closely. Paul argues that “neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails a thing” then the pivot word “but” is used. “Faith working through love.”

Here are two opposing themes: righteousness by our own works (circumcision ) or righteousness by faith working through love.

Circumcision vs. uncircumcision as a prerequisite for salvation was a hotly debated topic during Paul’s day. It is not now. But think of the other divisive hot topics that could be inserted here. Examples:

*Neither Saturday worship nor Sunday worship

*Neither vegetarianism nor eating meat

*Neither premillennialism Nor postmillennialism

*Neither Secret Rapture nor visible return

*Neither baptism by immersion nor sprinkling

*Neither Death as sleep nor Death as transition immediately to Heaven.

None of this avails anything! It doesn’t matter, BUT something else does matter greatly “righteousness by faith working through love.”

All of this theology, as true or untrue as it may be, “avails” (matters) nothing; it doesn’t accomplish anything in our ultimate salvation from eternal death.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

Ephesians 2:8

How important is the experience of faith that is perpetuated by God’s love in us and through us!!!

This is why Jesus said being His disciple is not determined by theology but by love. It is less about what you know and more about who you know and expressed by faith initiated by God’s love.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

God is Love is the central theme that all doctrines have their origination. This one point about God can test a true or false doctrine. We cannot produce that kind of love except God lives in us and us in Him.

When we try to influence or gain favor with God through some act of our own, we have become like the pagans who whipped themselves, performed acts of penance; or faithfully attended church to obtain a feeling of righteousness for our deeds and impress God. But it avails nothing!

Next time, we will explore more about righteousness by faith alone. Faith and love are major components of this righteousness, but what does “faith “mean? Where does it come from? How can we practically practice faith each day of our lives? Is it something I must do? Or is it also a gift?

May God lead us to a deeper understanding of His love and His righteousness that is given as a free gift through faith that is initiated by love. It will give a sense of freedom in Christ.

The only sin Jesus ever had was ours. The only righteousness we will ever have is His.

Author Unknown
Faith, Is This True?, The Law of God

IS OBEDIENCE ONLY FOR THE LEGALISTIC? PART 1

Leave a comment

Recently, I heard a radio preacher say, “The Old Testament was about obedience, but the New Testament is about grace.” I don’t want to read too much into this or interpret his statement incorrectly, but I hear this same idea said in different ways.  In almost all cases the implication is there are two methods of salvation:

1.) Obedience for those before the cross and

2.)  Grace and faith after the cross.

Obedience (Old Covenant)    Grace/Faith (New Covenant)

Only a few days later, I heard another speaker talk about Galatians in such a way that it lead me to believe that talking about obedience was “another gospel.” The preacher stated: “nothing can be added to the work of Jesus. To add anything else is “another gospel.”  Without a doubt, no one can add to what Jesus has done for sinful man. and we cannot do enough good works to merit salvation. including obedience.  Here is the proof:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:9, 10

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Galatians 5:18

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Romans 3:21-23

All three of the verses above were from Paul.  Paul was a highly educated and dedicated Hebrew.  Before his conversion, he considered himself “blameless” concerning the righteousness that comes by the law.  but then he discovered Jesus and his eyes were opened.

Paul, seemed to be concerned where people would take verses like those above.  He abruptly asks a question at the end of Romans 3 and again at the beginning of Romans 6 to clarify:

Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Romans 3:31 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 

Romans 6:1

The established law has a place in the Jesus Journey of the believer, but what is it?

Despite Romans 3:31 and other “obedience” verses we shall see, people continue to quote verses that would seem to say, we can pretty much ignore the 10 commandment law.  Here are a few:

We are not “….under the law, but under grace.”

Romans 6:14

“The law was done away with.”

Colossians 2:14?

“The law has been nailed to the cross.”

Colossians 2:14?

Obedience is “another gospel.”

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel”

Galatians 1:6

Incorrect application of these passage may make it sound like God does not want us to obey and if I want to obey God, I have reverted back to the Old Testament way of salvation and have become legalistic, perhaps even lost.  By choosing to seek to live in obedience, I have left the gospel of grace and faith. So is obedience only for the legalistic?

I have tried to boil this down to 5 important thought questions:

1.)  Has obedience ever been a method of salvation?  Was Moses, the prophets, the people of Israel saved by the works of the law? Has anyone ever been able to save themselves through obedience?

2.)  What is the relationship between obedience and grace?  Are they mutually exclusive of each other?

3.)  What does Salvation mean and what is the purpose of the law?

4.) Does God expect me to live a life in  disobedience to his commandments?  What happens if I start to try to obey?

5.)  Does Obedience have anything to do with the new covenant?

_______________________________________________________

Now I am certain, I don’t need to get up get dressed and head to the local temple and sacrifice a lamb for the sins I have committed.  This was definitely part of the instructions God gave Moses to give to  God’s people.  I also know that being circumcised is not a prerequisite to being a part of God’s people. But, how do I relate to God’s law?  What is the danger if I ignore it or if I obey it?

_________________________________________________

What is God’s law?

Is it just the 10 commandments?

Is it the old sacrificial system given by God to Moses?

Is it some spiritual thing that I keep in my spirit but am careful to not obey the letter?

Here is what I know from God’s word;

The word “law” appears 529 times in the entire Bible.  If you throw in “statute” and “ordinance” we can add another 219 times.  So that brings us to 748 verses.  

Do they all mean the same thing?  This is where many people get confused. 

The three main categories  for these 748 verses are used primarily in 1 of 3 main ways:

A.)  God’s Ten Commandments written with His own finger.

“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”

Exodus 31:18

B.) The laws given by God to Moses concerning the sanctuary services, sacrifices, feast days. The ceremonial laws contained in ordnances.  Written by Moses and placed in a pouch in the side of the Ark of the Covenant.

“Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.”

Deuteronomy 31:26

These ordinances and laws were ceremonial and gave identity and teaching to the chosen people before the cross.  After the cross, God made the Jew and Gentile one.

“And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.”

Exodus 18:20

“….having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.”

Ephesians 2:15

C.) The word of God contained in the “books of the law” a.k.a Torah (First Five books of the Bible)

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8

 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1: 2, 3

So it is always important to understand which law God is referring to before making any decisions as to what God would have you do.

One last question before we start,  Does the freedom given me by the grace of God give me license to disobey?

_________________________________________________________

In this post, we will start with questions #1 and #2

1.)  Has obedience ever been a method of salvation?  Was Moses, the prophets, the people of Israel saved by the works of the law? Has anyone ever been able to save themselves through obedience?

The answer is NO!  The Jews of old were saved just like those of the New Testament:  By the grace of God through faith and not of any works.  Listen to Paul:

“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Galatians 2:21

There would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross for our sins or the sins of those in the Old Testament time if “righteousness” could come through the law.

Through the ceremonial feast of Passover (Exodus 12), the Jews under those laws were taught that the unblemished innocent male sheep had to die for their sins.  They had to believe this in faith.  Merely following the directions of God through Moses was not the point of their forgiveness but led them to understand about the coming Messiah who was the “true lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29

So by faith, the Jews looked forward to the Cross for their salvation not in obeying the law.  But the law was good in that it came from God himself through Moses and it taught (through an object lesson) the cost of sin, the price that had to be paid, and the transference of their sin onto the unblemished Son of God.

When Jesus came, type met anti-type.  There was no longer a need to have ceremonies and laws that pointed forward to Jesus.  Now they had the life and teachings of Jesus and that teacher (using types) ended.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:24, 25

All those ceremonial laws pointed forward to Jesus and His death on the cross that they might have faith in Him.  Today, we look back at Jesus and the cross that we might have faith.  Both of us are saved by faith, not by the works of the law of ceremonies.

Those laws had fulfilled their purpose of pointing the OT people to Jesus.  When He died on the cross they ended and we were no longer “under” those sets of laws.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Galatians 3: 23

This faith spoken of by Paul is another word for Jesus.  The faith that is revealed is Jesus.  It is clear from Hebrews 11 (Faith Chapter) that those of the OT lived their lives by faith as we do:

The term “By faith” or “through faith” appears at least 19 times in Hebrews 11!  They are all references to the OT people of faith!

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith.”

Hebrews 11: 13, 39

Please keep in mind, faith is not a thing….a religious thing….It is “trust” in God.  It is made evident by a response.  A person can say they have faith in God, but their works will show it.  Faith is not based on nothing.  It has substance and evidence.  This substance and evidence comes through trusting in God’s word.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 

James 2:18

Paul shows the method of salvation i.e., grace through faith not of works.  James tells us that the works (obedience) produced from a believer is the evidence of their faith.  The two go together.

James goes on to say,

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2: 8-12

James uses the term “law of liberty” twice.  Here is the hint that obeying the law gives liberty.  Just ask the murder in prison or the person who is trapped in a web of lies.  There is a blessing in obedience to God’s 10 commandments.  Wouldn’t you agree?  We are not talking about the method of salvation, but rather the results of salvation.

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it,and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:25

_____________________________________________________

2.)  What is the relationship between obedience and grace?  Are they mutually exclusive of each other?

How can anyone claim to be a follower of the only true God and not obey?

“He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

1 John 2:4

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Luke 6:46

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.”

Luke 6: 47-48

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 

Romans 6:1

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5: 17-19

Heaven and earth remains and so do the 10 commandments.  Anyone who teaches to break the least of the commandments is not doing the will of God.  I don’t want to be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.  Do you?  The best way here is to teach to obey the law of God.

_________________________________________________________

Conclusion:

The 10 commandments remain as does heaven and earth.  The ceremonial laws taught about Jesus and salvation, but they ended at the cross where type met anti-type.

Obedience does not save you, but a saved person will be obedient.  The thief will stop stealing.  The liar will stop lying.  All of this happens because of the new birth….the new heart God gives the person saved.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people”

Hebrews 8:10

If you are thinking the new covenant spoken of here is for Jews only.  Remember there is neither Jew nor Greek and that if we belong to Christ we are “Abraham’s seed” (Father of Jews) and “heirs according to the promise.”

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:28

 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:29

____________________________________________________

“A woman is driving way over the speed limit. Suddenly, she sees in her rear view mirror the flashing red and blue lights of a police car and hears the familiar wail of the siren. She pulls over, grabs her purse, and takes out her driver’s license. The policeman approaches, takes her license, and returns to his car.

She wonders how much the ticket is going to be (she was wayover the limit); she also worries about how she will be able to pay it. A few minutes later the policeman comes back and says, OK, Miss, what we are going to do, so that you don’t have to face the penalty of the law again, is abolish the law. You no longer have to worry about the speed limit.

As ludicrous as that story is, it’s no more so than the theology that teaches that after Jesus died, the law, the Ten Commandments, was abolished.”  Dr. Keith A. Burton,

“Wages of sin is death.”

Romans 6:23

“Sin is the transgression of the law.”

1 John 3:

The definition of sin has never changed.

___________________________________________________________________

“There are two errors against which the children of God–particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace–especially need to guard. The first, already dwelt upon, is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy.

The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption.

But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love.”

Steps To Christ, page 59, 60