The Law of God - who is it meant for and why?
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The law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Galatians 3:25
Christ is the end of the Law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4
Therefore there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Galatians 3:25
Christ is the end of the Law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4
Therefore there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
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It seems there is no end to your ignorance. Just tossing out insults is childish.
If you know some facts concerning what Calvin taught and what is not calvinism today, then enlighten us.
Actually before Protestantism and before all the other isms there were those doctrines of grace, so called "calvinism".
I do not find conflict on any verse in the bible, because us "calvinists' study scripture line by line, verse by verse, chapter by chapter and book by book. We don't have to scripture pick to "prove" anything
You will not find ONE stalwart of the faith that was anything but "calvinist".
If you know some facts concerning what Calvin taught and what is not calvinism today, then enlighten us.
Actually before Protestantism and before all the other isms there were those doctrines of grace, so called "calvinism".
I do not find conflict on any verse in the bible, because us "calvinists' study scripture line by line, verse by verse, chapter by chapter and book by book. We don't have to scripture pick to "prove" anything
You will not find ONE stalwart of the faith that was anything but "calvinist".
Hello brothers and sisters, I posted this short article about certain "purposes" for the Law of God in the middle of someone else's thread today, but I thought that it might be interesting to continue to discuss it in a thread of its own.
So here you go
What do you think of the different "purposes" or "uses" for the Law of God that are mentioned in the article and/or what do you think of Dr. Sproul's short commentary about all of it and why
Thanks
~Deut
p.s. - some of the ideas that are found in the following passage were brought up a couple of times in the other thread (that I mentioned above), so I'll post it here because chances are good that it will be brought up again. Unbelievers are the ones principally in view here, just FYI.
So here you go
What do you think of the different "purposes" or "uses" for the Law of God that are mentioned in the article and/or what do you think of Dr. Sproul's short commentary about all of it and why
THE THREEFOLD USE OF THE LAW
Every Christian wrestles with the question, how does the Old Testament law relate to my life? Is the Old Testament law irrelevant to Christians or is there some sense in which we are still bound by portions of it? As the heresy of antinomianism becomes ever more pervasive in our culture, the need to answer these questions grows increasingly urgent.
The Reformation was founded on grace and not upon law. Yet the law of God was not repudiated by the Reformers. John Calvin, for example, wrote what has become known as the “Threefold Use of the Law” in order to show the importance of the law for the Christian life.
The first purpose of the law is to be a mirror. On the one hand, the law of God reflects and mirrors the perfect righteousness of God. The law tells us much about who God is. Perhaps more important, the law illumines human sinfulness. Augustine wrote, “The law orders, that we, after attempting to do what is ordered, and so feeling our weakness under the law, may learn to implore the help of grace.”2 The law highlights our weakness so that we might seek the strength found in Christ. Here the law acts as a severe schoolmaster who drives us to Christ (Galatians 3:24-25).
A second purpose for the law is the restraint of evil. The law, in and of itself, cannot change human hearts. It can, however, serve to protect the righteous from the unjust. Calvin says this purpose is “by means of its fearful denunciations and the consequent dread of punishment, to curb those who, unless forced, have no regard for rectitude and justice.”3 The law allows for a limited measure of justice on this earth, until the last judgment is realized.
The third purpose of the law is to reveal what is pleasing to God. As born-again children of God, the law enlightens us as to what is pleasing to our Father, whom we seek to serve. The Christian delights in the law as God Himself delights in it. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is the highest function of the law, to serve as an instrument for the people of God to give Him honor and glory.
By studying or meditating on the law of God, we attend the school of righteousness. We learn what pleases God and what offends Him. The moral law that God reveals in Scripture is always binding upon us. Our redemption is from the curse of God’s law, not from our duty to obey it. We are justified, not because of our obedience to the law, but in order that we may become obedient to God’s law. To love Christ is to keep His commandments. To love God is to obey His law.
Summary
1. The church today has been invaded by antinomianism, which weakens, rejects, or distorts the law of God.
2. The law of God is a mirror of God’s holiness and our unrighteousness. It serves to reveal to us our need of a savior.
3. The law of God is a restraint against sin.
4. The law of God reveals what is pleasing and what is offensive to God.
5. The Christian is to love the law of God and to obey the moral law of God.
Biblical passages for reflection:
~Excerpt from Essential Truths Of The Christian Faith by R. C. Sproul © (Tyndale 1992)
Thanks
~Deut
p.s. - some of the ideas that are found in the following passage were brought up a couple of times in the other thread (that I mentioned above), so I'll post it here because chances are good that it will be brought up again. Unbelievers are the ones principally in view here, just FYI.
Romans 2
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,
15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Gods Law and the 10 commandments are not the same law.
See Psalm 19:7-10 Compare with Hebrews 7:18-19, Romans 8:2-5, 2 Corinthians 3:6-9
This must be difficult to see. But the scriptures become contradictory if you make Gods Law and the 10 commandments the same.
The 10 commandments are what commands a person to follow Gods Law. Gods Law is the work of the Holy Spirit. The 10 commandments are essentially commanding people to do the work of the Holy Spirit.
So the 10 commandments do the first 2 purposes and the Holy Spirit (Gods Law) does the 3rd purpose.
The Holy Spirit is what reveals what is pleasing to God. The 10 commandments only reveal our extreme need for the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence why the law (10 commandments) are described as our tutor to bring us to Christ.
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Its the essence of the New Covenant given first to physical Israel. Which they rejected and then was subsequently given to the whole world.
Romans 11:16-17
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Romans 11:16-17
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
The Law consists of the entire Torah, but particularly Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Within these books the Ten Commandments are reiterated at least twice. So they are indeed a part of the Law of Moses. And when Paul mentions "the Law" he is generally speaking about the Ten Commandments.
Although a large portion of the Law is no longer applicable, the Ten Commandments are still valid for Christians and unbelievers.
Within these books the Ten Commandments are reiterated at least twice. So they are indeed a part of the Law of Moses. And when Paul mentions "the Law" he is generally speaking about the Ten Commandments.
Although a large portion of the Law is no longer applicable, the Ten Commandments are still valid for Christians and unbelievers.
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The way that some see it is that every command, demand, warning, and "do this and or I (God) will..." Is law. Every time God say I will, or have done... Without a condition or command attached is Gospel.
So when God told Abraham that he will make him a great nation that is gospel, the covenant when Abraham was asleep also gospel. Jesus telling people to do this or that is law. I really do suggest reading the 5th article of the formula of Concord: epitome. It explains law and gospel very well.
So when God told Abraham that he will make him a great nation that is gospel, the covenant when Abraham was asleep also gospel. Jesus telling people to do this or that is law. I really do suggest reading the 5th article of the formula of Concord: epitome. It explains law and gospel very well.
We need to understand the relationship that God had with the nation He created from the gentiles and why God created that nation.
Almost all people that God had created did not know Him, they made idols. God created a nation to know Him, and to show God to those who did not know Him. It wasn't that God favored the nation he created, it was that they were to lead others and we are told God blessed them for doing that and asked us to bless them for the same thing. They failed many times, but that does not mean that God failed.
This post takes in many scriptures, please look it up for yourself.
Almost all people that God had created did not know Him, they made idols. God created a nation to know Him, and to show God to those who did not know Him. It wasn't that God favored the nation he created, it was that they were to lead others and we are told God blessed them for doing that and asked us to bless them for the same thing. They failed many times, but that does not mean that God failed.
This post takes in many scriptures, please look it up for yourself.
Scripture does not specify when Paul is speaking of the ten commandments and when he is speaking of the commands he gave to the Israelites to help them understand the basic law of the Lord that is love.
Because there is a question about scripture telling us about what law is valid, I did a search in history of the time Paul wrote to see if I could find the truth. What I found was this. Many people say it is just history and we must not listen, but it could provide the answer.
Just before Christ came, many gentiles were attracted to the one true God and became what was labeled Godfearers. Many of these went back to their old idol worshipping ways when they found their family and friends had such fun parties. They had made Jewish friends, and sometimes took these Jews with them.
Jewish leadership decided to make it tough for gentiles to be included in Jewish worship. Several of the historians like Eusebius tell of them making 18 thinks they must do to enter a synagogue, including circumcision, but not one listed the rules. These rules were called the Law of Moses and the public at that time objected to them.
It was in regard to these rules that Paul met with James about , told of in Acts. Again, scripture does not specify what rules are from these Jewish customs and which from what the Lord wants us to strive to obey.
Because there is a question about scripture telling us about what law is valid, I did a search in history of the time Paul wrote to see if I could find the truth. What I found was this. Many people say it is just history and we must not listen, but it could provide the answer.
Just before Christ came, many gentiles were attracted to the one true God and became what was labeled Godfearers. Many of these went back to their old idol worshipping ways when they found their family and friends had such fun parties. They had made Jewish friends, and sometimes took these Jews with them.
Jewish leadership decided to make it tough for gentiles to be included in Jewish worship. Several of the historians like Eusebius tell of them making 18 thinks they must do to enter a synagogue, including circumcision, but not one listed the rules. These rules were called the Law of Moses and the public at that time objected to them.
It was in regard to these rules that Paul met with James about , told of in Acts. Again, scripture does not specify what rules are from these Jewish customs and which from what the Lord wants us to strive to obey.