The Purpose of the Law

[justbyfaith]

KJV Psalms 119
126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

The law is indeed made void in that it no longer condemns us from the outside (Romans 6:14, Romans 7:4, Galatians 2:19, Romans 7:6, Ephesians 2:15-16, Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 7:18-19).

But it is not made void in that it governs us from the inside (Hebrews 8:8-10, Hebrews 10:16, Romans 8:7, Romans 8:4).

 

[BloodBought 1953]

Even those who were stickers for the law did not keep the law in Paul's day (Galatians 6:13). The scripture hath concluded all under sin so that the promise through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe (Galatians 3:22). For all have sinned and come short (present tense) of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

It is indeed not possible to keep the law perfectly so that a man might not be cursed as one who is seeking to obtain salvation through law-keeping (Galatians 3:10).

This is not to say that salvation (or choosing life) is impossible.

Because salvation, while one method of obtaining it might be to keep the law perfectly from conception into throughout eternity; and that method will always utterly fail;

There is another method: because God became a Man and lived a perfect life on this earth and then died on the Cross in your place. So, His perfect life is imputed to your account if you believe that He did that for you; if you receive Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation that He provided through the Cross. All of your sins were laid on Him and He took the penalty, He paid the price for your iniquity. He suffered and died in your place; all of God's justice and wrath concerning your sin was meted out to Him in order that you might go free.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the New Testament. These concepts are also hidden in the Old Testament, they can be extracted from certain things therein.

Job may have been considered perfect and upright in Job 1:1; but by the time you get to the end of the book, you find out that Job's sin was that of self-righteousness; that of justifying himself rather than God when it came down to the nitty-gritty. And it has been said that Abraham pimped Sarah out to the king of Egypt; so I doubt that we can say that he was without sin. Jesus was the only One who ever was. Abraham and Job both needed Jesus and His sacrifice in order to be redeemed. And I believe that both of them obtained this salvation through faith in Jesus; for they looked forward to the coming of Christ and believed all that the prophets spoke concerning Him.

I am relatively new here and this is the best post that I have seen....thanks for posting it...

 

[Brakelite]

We are not under that Old Covenant that God was displeased with .

God was displeased with His own covenant? Displeased with His own promises? God has kept His covenant and will continue to do so. That covenant, as promised, was for Israel, which for those who are in Christ includes them, to have land and descendants living on it. The new Earth will happen. God is not displeased with His promises to give us a future and a hope. You really do need some serious instruction on the character of God, and the nature of His promises.

 

[CharismaticLady]

To “Earn” a place in Heaven , one must keep the entire Law , all 613 Commandments 24/7 from the time you are Born until the time you die— in other words, you would have to be just like Jesus. That, of course , is an impossibility .That was the point I was trying to make. Justification via the Law is an impossibility . I have been “ imputed” with the Righteousness Of Christ because I REST in the Gospel Of Grace....That would be Paul’s Gospel ( That is correct— google it ) found in 1 Cor 15:1-4......

Seeing as we are not under the law, meaning the 613 commandments, doesn't mean that we can break God's laws either. Grace is not a license to sin, or a pass as some think when they define grace as unmerited favor. That is not the meaning of the grace of God. Grace is His divine power inside us that He places there when our nature is born again. Righteousness is not merely imputed to us as a covering, but rather His power in us makes us act righteously, and when we act righteously, we ARE righteous. We do not sin any longer, breaking His laws. We are free from sin. John 8:34-36

2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

[justbyfaith]

God was displeased with His own covenant? Displeased with His own promises?

Yes, He found fault with the Old Covenant, Hebrews 8:8.

 

[quietthinker]

Yes, He found fault with the Old Covenant, Hebrews 8:8.

You tell me jbf, why he found fault?

 

[justbyfaith]

Seeing as we are not under the law, meaning the 613 commandments, doesn't mean that we can break God's laws either. Grace is not a license to sin, or a pass as some think when they define grace as unmerited favor. That is not the meaning of the grace of God. Grace is His divine power inside us that He places there when our nature is born again. Righteousness is not merely imputed to us as a covering, but rather His power in us makes us act righteously, and when we act righteously, we ARE righteous. We do not sin any longer, breaking His laws. We are free from sin. John 8:34-36

2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

One of the reasons why we have power over sin is because we are no longer under the law, and because we have Christ's righteousness imputed to us.

Sin utilizes the law to bring about all manner of concupiscence (Romans 7:8) and also,the motions of sins, that bring about all manner of fruits unto death, are by the law (Romans 7:5).

So, when we are delivered from the law and its condemnation, we are no longer conscious of sins (to borrow from @Behold (and from Hebrews 10:2); because not everything that he says is bad) and because of this we begin to have the victory over sin.

It is because we aren't focusing on our sins that we begin to walk in victory; but the law makes us focus on our sins.

It is like telling someone not to think about a pink elephant. What did you just think of? a pink elephant, very likely. The law tells you not to do something, and immediately your mind goes to focusing on that thing because you are told not to think about it.

Without the law sin is dead (Romans 7:8).

 

[justbyfaith]

You tell me jbf, why he found fault?

Because that covenant was imperfect.

 

[Brakelite]

Seeing as we are not under the law, meaning the 613 commandments, doesn't mean that we can break God's laws either. Grace is not a license to sin, or a pass as some think when they define grace as unmerited favor. That is not the meaning of the grace of God. Grace is His divine power inside us that He places there when our nature is born again. Righteousness is not merely imputed to us as a covering, but rather His power in us makes us act righteously, and when we act righteously, we ARE righteous. We do not sin any longer, breaking His laws. We are free from sin. John 8:34-36

2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Agreed. The born again experience changes our hearts... Our minds... Gives us the mind of Christ which is a mind of willing and loving obedience. That obedience doesn't come to us through the law, but it does make us fulfill the law.
KJV Romans 3
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

But we must be willing. God doesn't give what we don't want.

 

[Brakelite]

Yes, He found fault with the Old Covenant, Hebrews 8:8.

Hey bro, you quoted Hebrews 8:8. You need to read it again. What did he find fault with???

 

[justbyfaith]

Hey bro, you quoted Hebrews 8:8. You need to read it again. What did he find fault with???

The first covenant, Hebrews 8:7.

 

[Brakelite]

It is because we aren't focusing on our sins that we begin to walk in victory; but the law makes us focus on our sins.

Like others, you have some good stuff to offer, but then you wander off a little. Yes, we are to focus on Christ. Absolutely. Through Him we become victorious over our sin, habits, addictions. But the law is still there... It hasn't gone away. And God can and does still use it to remind us of our failures and shortcomings, and if where He wants us to be. Then, when He points out where we need deliverance or His redeeming grace, on a certain point, say we still have a hidden habit eg lust, then we run to Him for help. The law can't help us, but He can and does. Now you may imagine as many do that you don't need the law because "you have the Spirit". Tell me, would the Spirit disagree with the law?

 

[Brakelite]

The first covenant, Hebrews 8:7.

Read the two verses together and get the context... There is nothing wrong with God's promises. That is the nature of God. So you need to rethink your whole perspective of understanding that passage of Hebrews.

 

[Brakelite]

And when you rethink it, you are not doing any damage to the scripture narrative.

 

[BloodBought 1953]

First of all, I think you are confused about the reason for sacrifices. When Israel first came out of Israel, before they rebelled, there was no need for animal sacrifices.

Jeremiah 7:22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Got that? If Israel had obeyed the Voice of God, all would have been well for them without any animal sacrifices being required. Do not say God asked the impossible. Do you think Satan is so powerful it is impossible for men to obey God? Are men nothing except puppets of Satan -- perhaps they are if they hearken to the voice of the serpent, but must men listen to the serpent?

The people of Israel later got the wrong idea about animal sacrifices, perhaps the same idea you hold. God was not pleased.

Isaiah 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

You seem to believe God is unreasonable, asking the impossible from people. Was it possible to keep the law perfectly? It seems that perhaps it was.

Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

God was not joking when He spoke to Abraham:

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

And what of Job?

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

It is up to each of us whether we hear every word that comes from the mouth of God and then obey -- or whether we "hearken to the serpent." God gave us that choice. Do not say it's not possible. With God all things are possible.

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Do not say it is impossible to choose life.

What “ I” say is as insignificant as what “you” say...... Got That?

Let’s see what God’s Word says about your Precious Law.....
I may have posted this before......regardless , some need to read it again....



Many Christians give lip service to the fact they live in the New Covenant.

The truth however is that because they fail to realise they are no longer under the law they are really still living in an Old Covenant reality.

Here are 37 scriptures that prove that Christians are not under the law!

Acts
The law is an unbearable yoke. (Acts 15:10)

Romans
The law reveals sin but cannot fix it. (Romans 3:20)

If the law worked then faith would be irrelevant. (Romans 4:14)

The law brings wrath upon those who follow it. (Romans 4:15)

The purpose of the law was to increase sin. (Romans 5:20)

Christians are not under the law. (Romans 6:14)

Christians have been delivered from the law. (Romans 7:1-6)

The law is good, perfect and holy but cannot help you be good, perfect or holy. (Romans 7:7-12)

The law which promises life only brings death through sin. (Romans 7:10)

The law makes you sinful beyond measure. (Romans 7:13)

The law is weak. (Romans 8:2-3)

1 Corinthians
The strength of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56)

2 Corinthians
The law is a ministry of death. (2 Corinthians 3:7)

The law is a ministry of condemnation. (2 Corinthians 3:9)

The law has no glory at all in comparison with the New Covenant. (2 Corinthians 3:10)

The law is fading away. (2 Corinthians 3:11)

Anywhere the law is preached it produces a mind-hardening and a heart-hardening veil. (2 Corinthians 3:14-15)

Galatians
The law justifies nobody. (Galatians 2:16)

Christians are dead to the law. (Galatians 2:19)

The law frustrates grace. (Galatians 2:21)

To go back to the law after embracing faith is “stupid”. (Galatians 3:1)

The law curses all who practice it and fail to do it perfectly. (Galatians 3:10)

The law has nothing to do with faith. (Galatians 3:11-12)

The law was a curse that Christ redeemed us from. (Galatians 3:13)

The law functioned in God’s purpose as a temporary covenant from Moses till John the Baptist announced Christ. (Galatians 3:16 & 19, also see… Matthew 11:12-13, Luke 16:16)

If the law worked God would have used it to save us. (Galatians 3:21)

The law was our prison. (Galatians 3:23)

The law makes you a slave like Hagar. (Galatians 4:24)

Ephesians
Christ has abolished the law which was a wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:15)

Philippians
Paul considered everything the law gained him as “skybalon” which is Greek for “poop”. (Philippians 3:4-8)

1 Timothy
The law is only good if used in the right context. (1 Timothy 1:8) (see next verse for the context)

It was made for the unrighteous but not for the righteous. (1 Timothy 1:9-10)

Hebrews
The law is weak, useless and makes nothing perfect. (Hebrews 7:18-19)

God has found fault with it and created a better covenant, enacted on better promises. (Hebrews 8:7-8)

It is obsolete, growing old and ready to vanish. (Hebrews 8:13)

It is only a shadow of good things to come and will never make someone perfect. (Hebrews 10:1)

 

[justbyfaith]

Read the two verses together and get the context... There is nothing wrong with God's promises. That is the nature of God. So you need to rethink your whole perspective of understanding that passage of Hebrews.

I don't see what you are talking about.

 

[Brakelite]

I don't see what you are talking about.

KJV Hebrews 8
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
( Now remember, there is nothing wrong with God's promises, so the fault doesn't lie within the covenant itself, and Paul affirms this when he says....)
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

 

[justbyfaith]

Like others, you have some good stuff to offer, but then you wander off a little. Yes, we are to focus on Christ. Absolutely. Through Him we become victorious over our sin, habits, addictions. But the law is still there... It hasn't gone away. And God can and does still use it to remind us of our failures and shortcomings, and if where He wants us to be. Then, when He points out where we need deliverance or His redeeming grace, on a certain point, say we still have a hidden habit eg lust, then we run to Him for help. The law can't help us, but He can and does. Now you may imagine as many do that you don't need the law because "you have the Spirit". Tell me, would the Spirit disagree with the law?

I believe that as born again Christians, we rely on the Holy Spirit to pinpoint our sins to us. And He often uses the law to do this. But once our sins are confessed, there is no use in focusing on that sin and the fact that the law defines it as a sin. That sin is under the blood.

The law is a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). God uses the law to show us that we are sinners in need of a Saviour (Romans 3:20). And the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul (Psalms 19:7 (kjv)).

One thing that many people don't realize about the law, is that sin takes advantage of it to produce in us all manner of concupiscence (Romans 7:8). And also, the motions of sins, that bring forth fruit unto death, are by the law (Romans 7:5).

This means that the enemy uses the law to bring us into temptation. It is the "forbidden fruit principle" or, as I like to call it, the Wet Paint Principle.

Wet Paint Principle (Freedom)

 

[Brakelite]

KJV Hebrews 8
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
( Now remember, there is nothing wrong with God's promises, so the fault doesn't lie within the covenant itself, and Paul affirms this when he says....)
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

So, how do we explain this...
KJV Hebrews 8
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

If God's promises were faultless, then whose promises did he find fault with which necessitated a new covenant based on better promises?

 

[justbyfaith]

KJV Hebrews 8
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
( Now remember, there is nothing wrong with God's promises, so the fault doesn't lie within the covenant itself, and Paul affirms this when he says....)
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Wow, didn't see that before. He found fault with Israel, didn't He?