A friend of mine has brought up time and time again how it is that almost all preachers and teachers say that it was impossible for Israel to keep the law, but now that God has given us His Spirit, we CAN keep the law! My friend’s very strong opinion is that Israel could keep the law, even without the Holy Spirit. Then he provides a very strong reason why they could.
If it were impossible for Israel to "keep the law", then why did God punish them so severely for failing to do something that they could not do anyway? I would add to his contention that IF we now have received the Holy Spirit, how is it that we still don’t keep the law?
I think there is a great misconception about "the Law". Remember the law was added . Gal. 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. THE LAW hasn’t always been here. But sin has always been wrong. Sin has always brought death. Righteousness has always been of God!
Israel could have kept the law, and did so at times. Yes, the people sinned, but within that Law was the opportunity to have forgiveness of sin through various sacrifices. Every year at Atonement sacrifice was made for the whole nation, and they were reconciled to God ..... justified from their sins. (They were reconciled, or justified in order that they could continue coming to the temple, or tabernacle, before God to worship Him). In my opinion, THIS WAS KEEPING THE LAW! This was living under the Old Covenant! God Himself set up these provisions to cover the sins of the people. Israel was to "live by these laws". Provision was made under the law to cover the sins that were bound to happen.
God promised to bless them if they kept the covenant and lived by the law. Where they got in trouble with God was not in violating the one of the laws, and then offering a sacrifice to cover their sin. there were not punished for sinning, repenting, and sacrificing. This was what was directed by THE LAW! where they got in trouble was totally leaving the Sabbath, and going into idolatry. At one point, at least, they completely lost the Book of the Law, and were living in rank paganism! Israel was under the Law by covenant, but they did not "live by them" for very long. They COULD have, but didn’t, and that is why they were punished. Never did God expect them to have no sin, because He knows the frailty of humanity. If we can attain perfection and righteousness in our present state, then what need is there for a "change"?
JUST WHAT IS "THE LAW"?
It is my belief that the "Law", is the total of what is in the Old Testament. Yes ...... including the 10 commandments! The Law was ADDED! Now in the past we have gone through all kinds of "spiritual" gyrations to try to point out what "part" of the Law was "added", and what part has always been there. We have pointed out that this part if the "moral Law", and this other part is the "ritual Law". We have tended to avoid the book of Galatians, and parts of Romans as we did our "picking and choosing" and formed our teachings and beliefs. (Actually I think this is true of all church groups, when it comes to "picking and choosing"). Having said that the 10 commandments were added, sin HAS always been wrong, and sin has always been in man since the creation of Adam. The Law ---- including the 10 commandments ----- spelled out for man what sin is and how we fail in perfectness and righteousness. But law keeping could NEVER save anyone! Law keeping today cannot save anyone! What is the Law then? Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The NRSV translates it this way: Gal 3:24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith.
Israel had a covenant with God to live by that law ----- the WHOLE Law ------ sacrifices, 10 commandments, judgments, etc. until Christ would come that we might be justified by faith and no longer by law! The Law was a teacher, a disciplinarian, a physical guide. The Law is still a good teacher and guide, and Paul says it is holy. Rom 7:12 (KJV) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
There is a righteousness that is of the Law. Israel was to live by that law and covenant.
Rom 10:5 (KJV) For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. The WHOLE Law which was spelled out specifically, in many cases, and generally/specifically in all areas of life. This was the righteousness to which they could attain ...... the righteousness of the law, which included those sacrifices which were given for their sins! Israel could have kept that Law!
The problem we have in saying once cannot keep the Law is that we mean one must not sin, but must live perfectly. God never expected man to live perfectly. He made mankind and knew what his shortcomings were. Gal 3:22 (KJV) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Jesus was "sacrificed from the foundation of the world", as a part of God’s plan to redeem mankind. Only Jesus was perfect and without sin. Jesus was born under the Law, but did not need the Law. 1 Tim 1:9 (KJV) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, Jesus did not need the Law for His righteousness.
DID JESUS COME TO KEEP THE LAW?
Many teach that Christ came to keep the Law perfectly for us so that we don’t have to keep it. But they err in this concept. The bible doesn’t say He "kept" the law, but that He fulfilled it. The scriptures tell us that He was without sin and blameless. He did not violate that spiritual law of the ten commandments, but as far as "living by them" ....... why did He need to "live by them" IF he had no sin? 1Tim. 1:9 tells us the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless, disobedient, ungoldly, etc. Jesus WAS a righteous man, and had NO sin. The Law was added because of transgressions, and sin is defined as the transgression of the Law, but Jesus was perfect and had no transgressions. Then Law then, defines for us what sin is because we are unrighteous, but Jesus was righteous God in the flesh.
Jesus didn’t come "to keep the Law", but to witness to the world and lay down His eternal life as the perfect sacrifice to cover the sins of the world, that is "shut up under sin". He came to demonstrate the amazing love the Father and He have for humanity.
A BETTER COVENANT?
The scriptures tell us we are inheritors of a better covenant. We are under grace ..... not under the law. But sin is still wrong! Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Many say we now have the Holy Spirit which enables us to keep the Law. But is that the goal that God has set out for His children ...... to get them to "keep the Law" perfectly? Is that the goal? The bible speaks repeatedly of the "righteous of faith". Abraham believed and it was counted to him for righteousness. If it is by works, then it is no more by grace or faith. all this should be obvious and plain from the scriptures. But .... we have "died to sin" and should not live any longer therin.
The covenant we are privileged to be a part of is better because it contains salvation and eternal life. It was made on better promises. Rather than having a schoolmaster or tutor, it provides actual and real change in our lives, described as a "new creature", (2Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:5) Under this covenant we are to grow (Eph 4:13) "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" This can only be accomplished by Jesus living in us, and not by any set of laws.
UNDER GRACE?
Today we understand we are under grace as specifically shown in the scriptures over and over. But do we really understand and believe this fact? Just what does it mean to be "under grace", and not to be "under the Law"? What does it mean in practical terms of living? Can we truly keep the law now that we have come under grace and have received the Holy Spirit? That is not the question that needs to be answered, because we are not under the law, but are under something better ..... we are under the favor, mercy, the grace of God! He has chosen us to bring eternal salvation to us by His choice!
The Father has given us His Holy Spirit, a down payment of his very nature. We are not under sin, or the penalty of sin, or governed by the works of the Law, because we have been forgiven and declared cleansed of all that by the very blood of Jesus Christ --- our Passover. Eph 2:8 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: our righteousness is now to be by faith, not by the Law. Rom 4:8 (KJV) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Faith means believing that God has chosen us and will bring us into his Kingdom. Faith is believing God has saved us and delivered us from sin, (not from the Law).
Are we free to live anyway we choose then? Are we free from the Law? Of course not! Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? What is the purpose of the Law for us today then, since we are not "under the Law"?
Rom 3:20 (KJV) 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.
Again we are not under the Law, nor are we to live by the works of the Law. Galatians chapter four describes vividly the two "women" --- the bondwoman and the free woman, Mount Sinai, and Jerusalem which is above. Verse 31 tells us that we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Jesus told the woman at the well that the day would come when people would no longer worship the Father in Jerusalem, or in that mountain, (both by works of law), but would worship the Father in spirit and truth. Notice this passage: John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
This comes under the new covenant. This is living under grace and by faith ...... worshipping in spirit and truth. John 1:17 (KJV) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the way, the only door. No works of any law, including God’s Law, can fulfill the "better promises" of the new covenant. So ...... how are we to live under this grace and new covenant since works of law cannot get the job done? Eph 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Just what are these good works ..... before ordained that we should walk in them? It seems to me that so often in the cogs it goes right back into the letter of the Law, or performing "certain" chosen parts of the Law of Moses. In the past whatever was decided was backed up by the authority of the "government of God", which was the most important doctrine preached. One thing is ABSOLUTELY certain, and that is that sin is NOT a part of those good works before ordained. Remember, God is the same yesterday and today, and He is still not endorsing sin!
Rom 8:7 (KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Verse 8 shows that flesh cannot please God, and verse 9 points that we are "in the Spirit". Rom. 7:14 tells us the Law is spiritual. If we are "spiritual", then we are no longer enemies against God’s Laws. Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
This sums it all up. This is how we are to live, with Christ in us and the Spirit leading and guiding us ----- the very nature of Jesus Christ, no longer needing a schoolmaster to direct our steps.
SUMMATION
The Law is holy and good. it was given by God to Israel describing how they should come before Him and worship Him. The Law was composed of a system by which the nation was to worship. Israel was to come before God in a certain manner as commanded by God. When they were righteous, they lived by those physical requirements listed in the Law. Today the purpose of the Law is to show us what sin is. The examples recorded in the OT are to show us how bad things go when living in sin and how good things when obedient to God’s way.
The righteousness of the Law cannot save us, even IF one lives by the Law keeps it. There is NO, (and never was), salvation through the Law. Salvation comes ONLY through Jesus Christ and the GRACE of God. We are under that grace and favor, not under the law. We don’t control or remove sin by the physical sacrifices of animals or any rituals. Our sins have been covered once and for all ....... it’s over ..... there is no more claim or penalty against us. If truly converted, we have God’s very nature in us. We are dead to sin. Sin has no more claim over us, therefore we should not live in sin anymore, because we even now the children of God, and should grow up to be like Christ ----- perfect.
Yes, one could keep "the Law" operating under that system delivered to Israel, but that system is not even available today at all ----- NO TEMPLE, and that old covenant "faded away". People were not sinless then, but could live by and keep the Law.
Today we are not sinless, but don’t have to "keep the law" for righteousness. Righteousness is by faith just as with our father Abraham who believed God. We cannot live sinless today even though we have the Holy Spirit. But because of the blood and life of Jesus Christ, sin is not imputed to us. 1 John 1:8 (KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In my opinion it is incorrect to state that Israel could not keep the Law, but that now with God’s Spirit we can. I believe that what most mean by "keeping the Law" is actually living sinless, and God never expected man to be sinless, because of our frailties even from creation, but God wants us to look to Him, emulate Him, trust and love Him. God’s WORK is shaping and molding us spiritually into the very image of his perfect Son. Christ was sinless, and that is what God is making us into ------ a NEW creature, in the image of a perfect and sinless Christ.
In most cases when the scriptures mention being "not under the Law", it means that old covenant system, NOT giving license to sin or make up our own rules for behavior, because sin is still wrong and has nothing to do with Godliness and holiness. We don’t seek to be under the law for our righteousness, but we seek Jesus Christ for our righteousness. Once we become a new creature, spiritual, then we are in agreement with the laws of God just as the apostle Paul also said. There is only one door --- Jesus --- not the former system of the Law or any other way. We are blessed to be called into this new covenant as firstfruits of the great plan of God. We are to be like Jesus and should no longer serve sin, but should be obedient to the commands of God.
CONCLUSION
Understanding this whole subject is complicated when we try to force someone to live by the Law, or some selected portion. Read the scriptures for what they say and believe those words. Don’t be afraid of Galatians, Romans, Ephesians, etc. Confusion has come from people trying to "wrest" and twist some of these scriptures to fit their own doctrines and opinions. Faith and Law are not at odds with one another. Paul said that we establish the Law through faith ...... not make it void. Do not turn grace into license to sin ------ remember the examples of Israel turning to pagan practices in their "worship" and the resulting punishment. 2 Pet 3:11 (KJV) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.
As Christians, we are not under the Law, but under grace and are to live by faith. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, and this is what needs to be emphasized. We are to be "dead" to sin and live no longer therein. But our focus and understanding must be that our righteousness does not come from the Law, but from Jesus our Savior. Gal 2:21 (KJV) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Gal 3:2 (KJV) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
It is good to live under the Law ......... but it so much better to live by faith through the grace of God with the very righteousness of Jesus applied to us, because THIS leads to salvation and eternal life!
by Samuel N. Jones
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3/17/02