Paul And The Law

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soul man

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Colossians 2:14


14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Paul had several great confrontations in his life which I think were bitter and difficult. Every one of them was over the issue of law.
Paul never had a problem over God's grace. It is the same today, you never hear of those that are in grace kicking others out of their fellowship.
It is always the law that separates and divides us. In law there is only divisiveness because that is the very center of law.
The Apostle Paul had the supreme test of battling law.
When the gospel went to the Gentiles it was a gospel that had no law in it.
It was easy dealing with the Gentiles, but at the same time the Lord told Paul to tell Israel this was their opportunity to be saved also.
This is how the Jewish person comes into the plan of God today. The Kingdom is set aside and will not be restored until the Millennium.

The same message that went to the Gentiles, without the law, also went to Israel.
During Paul's time, two inconceivable things took place.
Paul who knew nothing but the law, converted to God's grace.
At the same time, Paul had to go to a people that were so deeply steeped in law and committed to it that they would kill to maintain their law.
To make sure you hear it clearly, read these words in Ephesians 2:15

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

If grace is mixed with law, then it is no longer grace. So we say how do we handle sins of the flesh if there is no law.
It is handled the same way Paul handled it, by the preaching of the gospel.
God's cross is still the only liberator that exists.
Your law keeping, law doing, and law preaching will not set the captive free.
 
B

brakelite

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Colossians 2:14


14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Paul had several great confrontations in his life which I think were bitter and difficult. Every one of them was over the issue of law.
Paul never had a problem over God's grace. It is the same today, you never hear of those that are in grace kicking others out of their fellowship.
It is always the law that separates and divides us. In law there is only divisiveness because that is the very center of law.
The Apostle Paul had the supreme test of battling law.
When the gospel went to the Gentiles it was a gospel that had no law in it.
It was easy dealing with the Gentiles, but at the same time the Lord told Paul to tell Israel this was their opportunity to be saved also.
This is how the Jewish person comes into the plan of God today. The Kingdom is set aside and will not be restored until the Millennium.

The same message that went to the Gentiles, without the law, also went to Israel.
During Paul's time, two inconceivable things took place.
Paul who knew nothing but the law, converted to God's grace.
At the same time, Paul had to go to a people that were so deeply steeped in law and committed to it that they would kill to maintain their law.
To make sure you hear it clearly, read these words in Ephesians 2:15

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

If grace is mixed with law, then it is no longer grace. So we say how do we handle sins of the flesh if there is no law.
It is handled the same way Paul handled it, by the preaching of the gospel.
God's cross is still the only liberator that exists.
Your law keeping, law doing, and law preaching will not set the captive free.
So if sin, which is transgression against the law, is the cancer and the gospel the cure, wouldn't it be reasonable to believe that getting rid of sin in the life through the power of God in the believing of the gospel is a better way to go resulting in obedience to the law, is a more satisfactory long term result? The law was never mankinds problem... It merely points out our failings and the wickedness of our hearts... Sin is and always was the problem. God wants sin dealt with. The law is holy, just, and good.
 

soul man

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So if sin, which is transgression against the law, is the cancer and the gospel the cure, wouldn't it be reasonable to believe that getting rid of sin in the life through the power of God in the believing of the gospel is a better way to go resulting in obedience to the law, is a more satisfactory long term result? The law was never mankinds problem... It merely points out our failings and the wickedness of our hearts... Sin is and always was the problem. God wants sin dealt with. The law is holy, just, and good.

I believe you may be misinterpreting, if the cross didn't destroy, kill it out, then what will. Believers doing to make themselves something to God, may want to rethink that. Soul and spirit must be divided, Adam crucified in Christ is the cross.
We have a mind issue to what happened on the cross, renewing of the mind will be a process.
Completion is in spirit only, the death of Christ on the cross is the answer, humanity cannot climb up some other way.
 
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Acolyte

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Following the law is a given, with the blood of JESUS it gets easier to follow. Day by day I feel things fall away. I can't explain it except the grace/power of the Almighty is working in me. We will never be sin-free, but with the Spirit working in us, previous things we might have enjoyed don't bring joy. If that makes sense.
 
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brakelite

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Is God able to change my life, is He powerful enough, to recreate it in such a profound way that my lifestyle becomes such as is in harmony with His laws?
 
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soul man

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Is God able to change my life, is He powerful enough, to recreate it in such a profound way that my lifestyle becomes such as is in harmony with His laws?

I'm not sure what life you are talking about, there is only one life (Christ) for the born again, Galatians 2:20.
Believers are exchanged at the cross, never did God change us, all in Adam crucified in Christ.
You have the old man out (crucified) , and the new man in, Romans 7:1-7
 
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Acolyte

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Is God able to change my life, is He powerful enough, to recreate it in such a profound way that my lifestyle becomes such as is in harmony with His laws?

YES :)
I find myself cringing when people are cussing, this never bothered me because my mom was proficient at it. Of course it didn't escape me, I was following that way, now it's a rare occurrence with immediate repentance. HALLELUJAH!!! So many things take care of themselves thru JESUS.
 
B

brakelite

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I'm not sure what life you are talking about, there is only one life (Christ) for the born again, Galatians 2:20.
Believers are exchanged at the cross, never did God change us, all in Adam crucified in Christ.
You have the old man out (crucified) , and the new man in, Romans 7:1-7
Okay, I agree. Are new creations. The old man dead. But the question still stands. Is that new creation... That new man... Able by the power and grace of God to live in harmony with His laws?
 
D

Dave L

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Law and grace works like this. A law says, Dogs must act like cats. So the better dogs begin doing all the things cats are known to do. Being a finicky eater = good. Jumping into Christmas trees and knocking them over = good. Laying on your back, scratching and biting people when they touch your tummy = good. And so on. But the really bad dogs just keep being dogs.

But then a miracle. A really bad dog becomes a cat. And from that point on, this dog, now cat, no longer wants to bark. Or seek out fire hydrants. Or chase cars. He now does all the things cats do, because it is a cat.

And so it is with Christians. God turns us into new creatures through the New Birth. And we no longer want to do all the sinful things the Law condemns. Sins we enjoyed in our old life. We now live in harmony with the Law. We delight in holiness and the joy it brings. And we love even our enemies, rather than let them push our buttons and loose the peace and joy we know.

I had a friend, an alcoholic motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted. And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. And I still beat on who I want. But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

"And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace"
 

GodsGrace

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Colossians 2:14


14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Paul had several great confrontations in his life which I think were bitter and difficult. Every one of them was over the issue of law.
Paul never had a problem over God's grace. It is the same today, you never hear of those that are in grace kicking others out of their fellowship.
It is always the law that separates and divides us. In law there is only divisiveness because that is the very center of law.
The Apostle Paul had the supreme test of battling law.
When the gospel went to the Gentiles it was a gospel that had no law in it.
It was easy dealing with the Gentiles, but at the same time the Lord told Paul to tell Israel this was their opportunity to be saved also.
This is how the Jewish person comes into the plan of God today. The Kingdom is set aside and will not be restored until the Millennium.

The same message that went to the Gentiles, without the law, also went to Israel.
During Paul's time, two inconceivable things took place.
Paul who knew nothing but the law, converted to God's grace.
At the same time, Paul had to go to a people that were so deeply steeped in law and committed to it that they would kill to maintain their law.
To make sure you hear it clearly, read these words in Ephesians 2:15

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

If grace is mixed with law, then it is no longer grace. So we say how do we handle sins of the flesh if there is no law.
It is handled the same way Paul handled it, by the preaching of the gospel.
God's cross is still the only liberator that exists.
Your law keeping, law doing, and law preaching will not set the captive free.
Could you please show me where it says that the message went to the gentiles without the law?

If you think Ephesians 2:15 explains it...please exegete that verse.
 
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GodsGrace

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Law and grace works like this. A law says, Dogs must act like cats. So the better dogs begin doing all the things cats are known to do. Being a finicky eater = good. Jumping into Christmas trees and knocking them over = good. Laying on your back, scratching and biting people when they touch your tummy = good. And so on. But the really bad dogs just keep being dogs.

But then a miracle. A really bad dog becomes a cat. And from that point on, this dog, now cat, no longer wants to bark. Or seek out fire hydrants. Or chase cars. He now does all the things cats do, because it is a cat.

And so it is with Christians. God turns us into new creatures through the New Birth. And we no longer want to do all the sinful things the Law condemns. Sins we enjoyed in our old life. We now live in harmony with the Law. We delight in holiness and the joy it brings. And we love even our enemies, rather than let them push our buttons and loose the peace and joy we know.

I had a friend, an alcoholic motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted. And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. And I still beat on who I want. But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

"And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace"
What exactly do you mean by your last paragraph?

Like, I don't WANT to kill you, but I can stick a knife in you anyway because I know Jesus???
 
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Dave L

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What exactly do you mean by your last paragraph?

Like, I don't WANT to kill you, but I can stick a knife in you anyway because I know Jesus???
Christ took away the desire to sin. He meant it was no longer an effort to do the right thing.
 
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GodsGrace

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Christ took away the desire to sin. He meant it was no longer an effort to do the right thing.
OK. I'm good with the above.

What you posted was:
I had a friend, an alcoholic motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted. And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. And I still beat on who I want. But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

You can see the confusing part...
Your friend STILL GETS DRUNK and STILL BEATS ON PEOPLE
But he doesn't want that anymore...as if he can still do it as long as he doesn't want it.

Maybe the wording can be changed next time you post this?
 
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Dave L

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OK. I'm good with the above.

What you posted was:
I had a friend, an alcoholic motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted. And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. And I still beat on who I want. But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

You can see the confusing part...
Your friend STILL GETS DRUNK and STILL BEATS ON PEOPLE
But he doesn't want that anymore...as if he can still do it as long as he doesn't want it.

Maybe the wording can be changed next time you post this?
What he is saying is he can still do all the bad things if he wants to, but after meeting Jesus, he doesn't want to do them anymore.
 

GodsGrace

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What he is saying is he can still do all the bad things if he wants to, but after meeting Jesus, he doesn't want to do them anymore.
This is confusing.
NOW you're saying AGAIN that your friend CAN do all the bad things IF HE WANTS TO...

So, IF he wanted to do them, and he's now met Jesus...
CAN he do them?
IS HE ALLOWED to do them?

Please be clear.
 

farouk

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This is confusing.
NOW you're saying AGAIN that your friend CAN do all the bad things IF HE WANTS TO...

So, IF he wanted to do them, and he's now met Jesus...
CAN he do them?
IS HE ALLOWED to do them?

Please be clear.
I think he may be talking about willing obedience. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power" (Psalm 110.3).
 

Helen

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What you posted was:
I had a friend, an alcoholic motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted. And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. And I still beat on who I want. But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

Haha! Depends on how you first read it :)
...what I read was =
"I had a friend, an alcoholic ( once an alcoholic always an alcoholic) motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted.
And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. ( but he didn't want) And I still beat on who I want. ( but I no longer want) But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

xx
 
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farouk

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Haha! Depends on how you first read it :)
...what I read was =
"I had a friend, an alcoholic ( once an alcoholic always an alcoholic) motorcycle brawler whom Christ converted.
And he would tell folks, "I still get drunk as much as I want. ( but he didn't want) And I still beat on who I want. ( but I no longer want) But after meeting Jesus, I don't want that any more".

xx
A bit like the question: "When did you stop beating your wife?" (Who says I even want to beat my wife? :confused:)