Do We Have To Keep The Law?
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Ridiculous.
Paul addresses the entire congregation at Galatia where we know that legalizing Judaizers were at work. Finally, he (Paul) effectively divides the church at Galatia into two sections:
1. UNBELIEVING JUDAIZERS: "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Verse 4).
2. TRUE CHRISTIANS: "For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope." (Verse 5).
The church in Galatia had Christians, but it also had Judaizers who were trying to tell the Christians that they needed to keep the law of Moses. Paul then addressed the church as a whole. Undoubtedly, there were true Christians and false Christians within that congregation, and Paul is making the case against the Judaizers who are seeking to bring Christians back under the law. In this they were "severed from Christ" and "fallen from grace," in a socially religious sense, not in an ontological sense. They were truly not regenerate - otherwise they would not be seeking to be made right with God by keeping the Law.
Nothing in Scripture shows that truly called and chosen believers who become part of the Body of Christ can later be lost.
Paul addresses the entire congregation at Galatia where we know that legalizing Judaizers were at work. Finally, he (Paul) effectively divides the church at Galatia into two sections:
1. UNBELIEVING JUDAIZERS: "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Verse 4).
2. TRUE CHRISTIANS: "For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope." (Verse 5).
The church in Galatia had Christians, but it also had Judaizers who were trying to tell the Christians that they needed to keep the law of Moses. Paul then addressed the church as a whole. Undoubtedly, there were true Christians and false Christians within that congregation, and Paul is making the case against the Judaizers who are seeking to bring Christians back under the law. In this they were "severed from Christ" and "fallen from grace," in a socially religious sense, not in an ontological sense. They were truly not regenerate - otherwise they would not be seeking to be made right with God by keeping the Law.
Nothing in Scripture shows that truly called and chosen believers who become part of the Body of Christ can later be lost.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-29).
- Courtesy of Robin A. Brace and Matt Slick.
- Courtesy of Robin A. Brace and Matt Slick.
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Actually they were Christian pharisees from Jerusalem.
And some men came down from Judea [and] began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom [prescribed] by Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1
But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command [them] to observe the law of Moses!” Acts 15:5
But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command [them] to observe the law of Moses!” Acts 15:5
I as an electronics and software engineer used the principle of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). I use it also in studying the Bible. I try to simplify the theology of what it says. I use 2 quotes about keeping the law. One from Jesus and the other from Paul.
Matthew 5:13 to 20 NIV
Jesus saying he came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 7 NIV
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Matthew 5:13 to 20 NIV
Jesus saying he came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 7 NIV
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
I fixed many problems with the old DEC PDP 11 computers by pulling the connector straps between the baseplate sections and plugging them back in. Often the customer had to pay $160 an hour, substance and travel expenses including travel time for me to do that. They would panic at the thought of doing it themselves. My wages at the time was $50 an hour in the 70s.
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There are denominations that teach that you can lose your salvation. There are several views. Here are 2 diametrically opposed viewpoints. Armenians believe you can lose your salvation. Point 5. I am Calvinist in my theology. I will answer any questions you ask about these very short doctrinal statements.
Reformed/Calvinist
TULIP
1. Total depravity
2. Unconditional election
3. Limited atonement
4. Irresistible grace
5. Perserverance of the Saints
Armenianism
1. Free will or Human ability
2. Conditional election
3. Universal Redemption or General Atonement
4. The Holy Spirit can be Effectually Resisted
5. Falling from Grace
Reformed/Calvinist
TULIP
1. Total depravity
2. Unconditional election
3. Limited atonement
4. Irresistible grace
5. Perserverance of the Saints
Armenianism
1. Free will or Human ability
2. Conditional election
3. Universal Redemption or General Atonement
4. The Holy Spirit can be Effectually Resisted
5. Falling from Grace
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Every verse you quoted in your overview to sustain the belief that we do not have to keep the law has an abundance of verses to balance what the bible teaches. Cause what you quote is one side of the medal. I will try to keep my reply as short as possible. The bible teaches 2 things on keeping the law. One side is all that you quoted, and the other side, is the aspect of the value of the law and it's importance to how living a life in God our lives as christians are to be in harmony with the law. So, your not being clear in enough, in that you are giving one sided view of the totality on the topic. In an particular sense WE ARE NOT TO KEEP THE LAW for the purpose of Salvation but for the simple fact that we aren't suppose to live lawless. Through the spirit we live in harmony with the law.
R
They are one and the same group.
That is what you do when you try to be justified by the law: You attempt to keep it perfectly, thus earning God's salvation.
The bottom line is, Paul warned these saved Galatians that if they go back to the slavery of law (trying to be justified by works of the law) they would no longer be heirs in line for the inheritance. Only sons through 'Sarah', the New Covenant, are heirs. So keep trusting in Jesus. Don't go back to trusting in works of the law. You'll lose the inheritance if you do that.
That is what you do when you try to be justified by the law: You attempt to keep it perfectly, thus earning God's salvation.
The bottom line is, Paul warned these saved Galatians that if they go back to the slavery of law (trying to be justified by works of the law) they would no longer be heirs in line for the inheritance. Only sons through 'Sarah', the New Covenant, are heirs. So keep trusting in Jesus. Don't go back to trusting in works of the law. You'll lose the inheritance if you do that.
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The problem is we only know what Gnosticism was is from those fighting against it. One heretical view is God created the universe and then an ain (not sure about the spelling). That ain the created an ain etc. Until one ain created Jesus. Thus Jesus is way below God. Explain how Augustine brought this concept into the church.