We establish the Law...but how?

[just-me]

The focus of Romans 3:31 is using the law of circumcision as an example of establishing the law.

Genesis 17:10-11
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep , between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

This law did not begin with Moses even though the law (in its entirety) is related to him by the words of Jesus.

John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

The law mentioned (right before the verse in question) began with Abraham, and we are involved with his seed, along with the covenant established with him. Therefore Paul is exhorting gentiles how to observe the proper way to see understand the law in it's entirety, and how to live accordingly using circumcision as an example.

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Proving that gentiles are included I need to also quote verse 29 of Romans chapter 3. "Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:"

So the question of the OP is how are we to establish the law? Continuing, and including verse 31 incorporating God's gift of faith with the law we read .............

Romans 3:30-31
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid : yea, we establish the law.

This law is established when it is written on our hearts. It's established when we desire to understand the spiritual intentions of the law from the beginning, even as far back as Abraham. So I quote the law that God gave to Moses concerning the covenant with Abraham and how God desires us to understand His intentions by the law given.

Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

The correct outlook of this one thing (using circumcision as an example) is to intentionally incorporate this truth of the law, intentionally, and earnestly establishing its principles in our hearts by God's gift of faith.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

So the law of circumcision (as an example to begin with) is established by purposefully shunning argument, contention, along with an egotistical character recognized by the heart of the faithful. So if the law is used to develop a good character in Christ it is faith that gives the incentive to do so henceforth being established in our character, and seen by others, glorifying God and representing Him in truth.

 

[Elin]

The focus of Romans 3:31 is using the law of circumcision as an example of establishing the law.

Not as long as words, grammar and context have meaning.

 

[crossnote]

We see earlier in Romans 3 that ALL (circumcised and uncircumcised) have been shut up as guilty under the law.v19

And that no one will be justified by the law. v.20

Now, a Righteousness has been revealed which is APART from the Law and is received by faith in Jesus. vss 21-22.

Whom God has put forth as a wrath bearer (propitiation) and forgiver of our sins.v25

He is thus just and the justifier of those who trust in Him v.26

WE THUS LIFT UP THE LAW/ESTABLISH IT, AS WE LIFT UP JESUS WHO IS THE PERFECT LAW KEEPER...AND OUR PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS.

(Just noticed...post # 10,000)

 

[RedTent]

Of course those under the old covenant had to also obey from the heart- but the old covenant was a physical covenant- they had to stone people to death, they had to sacrifice a physical lamb without blemish, David fought physical battles for the the Lord. But the new covenant is spiritual ...

Ephesians 6...

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvationand the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

You are not hearing one word the Lord is saying in the Old Testament, but reading it blindly. You are also reading it without once thinking of the world as it was when it was given. The Ancient Hebrew language first used didn't have words for feelings without acts, that wasn't the way people of those days lived like they do today. They didn't have prisons and jails like we do today. Yet, with the way you reason in 2014 is used to read the spirit and truth written in the way people lived thousands of years ago.

In the Old Testament, Christ was there. Christ was at the beginning, read about it in the gospel of John. You are accusing Christ of being a God who would tell us to stone others as a heartless and mean act!! You had better read this all again and see the truth of the Lord who is directing people who lived with such cruel governments that if you stole an apple because you were hungry they would cut off your hand.

Perhaps you, with your mind that does not connect your acts with your heart can wish you had that new car instead of your neighbors, but thousands of years ago the Hebrews couldn't. They connected their acts with their hearts and if they were transported into our world today where people say they love and act in a different way they would be shocked at our world that would seem absolutely cruel to them.

 

[WomanLovesTX]

The purpose of the Law is to define what sin is, so that we will avoid it. A person’s faith in the sacrifice of Christ is what justifies him. Such a one would be in a repentant state and would strive to turn away from sin as a way of life, in order to be under grace (unmerited pardon) and become justified (made right with God). That is why God gives the Holy Spirit to those who strive to, in the human sense, obey Him (Acts 5:32). Now, if one were theoretically capable of perfect obedience to the Law, that person would not be justified without faith in the sacrifice of Christ. With this understanding, we can see why Romans 2:13 (“the doers of the law are justified”) does not contradict Romans 3:28 (“a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law”). Even Romans 3:31, “we establish the law,” is rendered by the Moffatt translation as “we uphold the Law.” Faith does not preempt obedience—it complements it.

 

[crossnote]

Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)

Paul's point as he goes on to show is that there are NO DOERS of the law...ALL have fallen short...

Romans 3:10-12, 23 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

[JesusIsAll]

Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)

Paul's point as he goes on to show is that there are NO DOERS of the law...ALL have fallen short...

Romans 3:10-12, 23 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

None that even seek God, much less keep the law perfectly. If there were any law that would effect salvation, or even impress a Holy God, holiness and righteousness meaning justice, consequences demanded for even one sin, there would have been no need for Jesus Christ's work and sacrifice. If we can't keep all the law, as our Lord Jesus did, we have kept none of it (James 2:10). This is the folly of legalism, and an utter self righteous arrogance that we're doing something that impresses our God whose vantage point is one sin, and you're out of the Garden! So you keep some sabbath, well, that hateful thought this morning was like murder: maybe a lot better to work on having the mind of Christ, than playing holy Joe on Saturdays?

 

[chubbena]

There is no one righteous, not even one - among those who says in his heart "there is no God". If only one understand why Paul said "as it is written" when quoting Psalm 14.
If one acknowledge God, he would not reject any of His Word.

 

[RedTent]

None that even seek God, much less keep the law perfectly. If there were any law that would effect salvation, or even impress a Holy God, holiness and righteousness meaning justice, consequences demanded for even one sin, there would have been no need for Jesus Christ's work and sacrifice. If we can't keep all the law, as our Lord Jesus did, we have kept none of it (James 2:10). This is the folly of legalism, and an utter self righteous arrogance that we're doing something that impresses our God whose vantage point is one sin, and you're out of the Garden! So you keep some sabbath, well, that hateful thought this morning was like murder: maybe a lot better to work on having the mind of Christ, than playing holy Joe on Saturdays?

This is a terrible thing to do to the word of the Lord! You are taking the holy word of God and making it say God is a liar! You are taking legalism that scripture warns us about and making it something it is not. You are taking the truth that we cannot keep the law and if we relied on keeping it for salvation the law would fail us into a direction against the written word to not live within the law all we can. You are taking the holy direction to keep Sabbath to making fun of God saying to keep it is playing holy Joe.

What this post is doing is to play the role of the anti-Christ by using holy words against holy words.

 

[cfultz3]

all the blessings of the Law are for those who keep it.
perfectly.
all the curses of the Law are for those who break it.

so all the blessings are rightfully Christ's, and all the curses, ours.

but God in Christ has given us His righteous, perfect Lawkeeping obedience, er, scorecard, if you will.
just as Christ took all the curses which rightfully belong to us on the cross. (2 Cor 5:21)

we receive that by grace, through faith.
that's what the Law tells us, and better, what the Gospel tells us. ♥

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to psychomom again.

 

[cfultz3]

I guess ADD/ADHD is more rampant than I thought.

SLAPPPPP....hope you feel better now.....

 

[cfultz3]

We see earlier in Romans 3 that ALL (circumcised and uncircumcised) have been shut up as guilty under the law.v19

And that no one will be justified by the law. v.20

Now, a Righteousness has been revealed which is APART from the Law and is received by faith in Jesus. vss 21-22.

Whom God has put forth as a wrath bearer (propitiation) and forgiver of our sins.v25

He is thus just and the justifier of those who trust in Him v.26

WE THUS LIFT UP THE LAW/ESTABLISH IT, AS WE LIFT UP JESUS WHO IS THE PERFECT LAW KEEPER...AND OUR PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS.

(Just noticed...post # 10,000)

What do we do with God's Law, as opposed to the Law of sin and death?

 

[cfultz3]

None that even seek God, much less keep the law perfectly. If there were any law that would effect salvation, or even impress a Holy God, holiness and righteousness meaning justice, consequences demanded for even one sin, there would have been no need for Jesus Christ's work and sacrifice. If we can't keep all the law, as our Lord Jesus did, we have kept none of it (James 2:10). This is the folly of legalism, and an utter self righteous arrogance that we're doing something that impresses our God whose vantage point is one sin, and you're out of the Garden! So you keep some sabbath, well, that hateful thought this morning was like murder: maybe a lot better to work on having the mind of Christ, than playing holy Joe on Saturdays?

What about God's Law, what do we do with it?

 

[JesusIsAll]

What about God's Law, what do we do with it?

How many times should one repeat themselves, over many threads? How many times post the critical scripture verses on the subject, involving the most basic of Christian doctrine?

 

[cfultz3]

How many times should one repeat themselves, over many threads? How many times post the critical scripture verses on the subject, involving the most basic of Christian doctrine?

I suppose as many times as you would reply to other posts, as others have also repeatly posted supporting Scripture.

The question was, without being defensive, what about God's Law? What do we do with that? Do we consider that to be legalism? As to not be kept and thus, to be lawless?

 

[cfultz3]

All of those who are considered lawyers, legalistic, do you keep God's Law or the Law of sin and death? As for myself, I keep God's Law as spoken about in Romans.......

 

[crossnote]

What do we do with God's Law, as opposed to the Law of sin and death?

That's not the topic of the OP.

We have DIED to the law...
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

 

[JesusIsAll]

Okay, here we go still again, and no need to add anything, maybe just take it or leave it this is my entire response, which is not even mine?

Galatians 4:9-11 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Galatians 2:4-5 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Matthew 22:37-40 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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Galatians 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

 

[crossnote]

There is no one righteous, not even one - among those who says in his heart "there is no God". If only one understand why Paul said "as it is written" when quoting Psalm 14.
If one acknowledge God, he would not reject any of His Word.

In context Paul quoted much more than Psalm 14, when showing that the whole world (not just those who say in their heart 'there is no God') stood guilty before God...

Romans 3:9-19 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

 

[cfultz3]

The topic is how do we Christians establish the Law? I am pulling out God's Law from the Law of sin and death as explained here http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/99588-we-establish-law-but-how.html#post1696922

Before we can establish law for a Christian, we have to know what that verse is talking about. Namely, faith does not void law, but faith establish law.

Yes, we have died to that Law of sin and death. But, we are also told that we serve God's Law with the mind, as Paul explained.

That's not the topic of the OP.

We have DIED to the law...
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.