That does sound familiar
The law being the one to bring us to salvation
What is sad is people want to bring us back to pre-salvation, and not move forward with our walk
I must agree. It is, as if the second the law is mentioned, (notice I didn't say they, and I will work on that), not to be saved,(ok that was just a funny) the automatic assumption is there had been no Grace given, there has been no saving, there is no walking in the Love of God. Yet, when someone is asked about the beginning of their walk with God, being saved, almost always comes first.
Yes, I agree with Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength this is the first commandment.
I think "the definition" of what this means is the problem. For me, doing this with all my heart and soul, and MIND lead me deep into all the words in the Word of God. The study, not just to show myself approved, but the falling in love with the entire Word. Every single word important. Every single law "Israel" was subject to at one time, holds truth and wisdom and knowledge of God. It is for my education. I know the law of Moses is no longer in force and we are under Grace. I read that letter that God wrote to me and the only thing that happens is 3 weeks have gone by and I have done nothing but read and ponder and pray to God and research and pray and many times the moment I thank God for a truth I have received, God takes all that wisdom that has come in here a little there a little in my studies and He opens up my eyes and ears to a new one. Now those moments (or hours, who knows) are a trip. It is His world, His ways, not this one, that become more important and clearer. And I sometimes feel I have no one to talk to because no one else seems to be as OCD as I am.
As I have said before one of the biggest blessings I ever received was when I went from "loving God" and that "personal" relationship I thought I had with Him, to "loving His letter and the wisdom and knowledge in it" that He stuck in my hands and said, "So you think you know me"? (No, not to my flesh ears). And immediately His Word let me know what I thought and what I felt without the words from that letter, was just me doing it my way, not His. I was Cain. I wasn't Able. I wasn't able to know anything about the "truth" of God by my own thoughts and feelings, And I was and have been an OCD captive ever since.
So is it "pre salvation"? No, not for me. If it was I would tell you it was. I think anything that closes or restricts or shuts off ways to Christ, is not good. Lets say someone is searching. And they are told to "have faith believe and walk in love" but they are not feeling it. Do you think them hearing "then you are not saved" leads them to Christ? What if it is God sending them to the OT laws for understanding that they need. Who are we to say "that's wrong" you can't do that or you are not saved. The love of God only comes in this order or this way only. What if they just completely walk away after that. They never get into the Word, never hear the Word, never get the Faith that comes from hearing it. I know and understand where this all comes from now. I didn't have a clue a couple months ago. I do understand that "need" to be sure no matter what, but I just cant find that in the Word. God tells us there is a door that will shut. A day that will be too late. And if you deny Him, you will be denied. We have a duty to God. We have to follow all His ways. We don't get to pick and choose the ones that work for us. Sometimes it takes sacrifice on our part. But there is a spiritual war raging right now. And you know who the prince of the power of the air is. We are warned by God to learn from the mistakes of others. OK I am done. Just felt lead by the spirit.