No, I'm actually trying to get an answer to a crucial question in order to understand what you believe. You are the only one so far who has had the honesty and courage to respond. Certainly you can understand my frustration when people claim to be brothers, yet refuse to answer a simple question.
If I'm misunderstanding your question, forgive me, but.....
Our obedience or disobedience to the commands in the Law have no effect on our salvation whatsoever.
Jesus told His disciples to follow the law and teach others to do so. If they did, they would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. If they didn't follow it, and taught others not to, they would be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Note that both groups are still in the Kingdom, which to me means in regard to salvation.
Because Jesus said this, and because He is God, this statement is 100% no matter what anyone else would ever say. So then Paul comes along and says some pretty controversial stuff, some of which seems to indicate Believer's shouldn't follow the Law. Now if Paul is truly anointed by God (which he was), and ordained to preach to the Gentiles (which he was), and is an authority on the Gospel (which he was), his words are obviously going to line up with the truth Jesus spoke and was.
So if Jesus tell His disciples to follow the Law forever, Paul is going to agree with Him. Which means all of those controversial verses that seem to indicate Paul is speaking against the Law can't be speaking against Jesus' words. So somewhere along the way, Paul has been taken out of context.
My interpretation? Jesus never indicated obedience to the Law affected salvation. That's what Paul was coming against; those who believed it did. That's why you see a "spiritual scizophrenia" of sorts where Paul seems to say "don't follow the Law", yet He does in several places. It's because he was putting obedience to the Law in its proper context: doing it out of love and with the truth and revelation from the Holy Spirit. Not out of obligation or religious ritual, but because we love him and because it should be our response to His love for us. "If you love me, obey my commands".
Many have spoken on here that if His righteous has been placed on us, and we are redeemed by His grace and filled with His Spirit, we will naturally do the things asked of in the Law. Very true. But that doesn't mean we should ignore the physical application of those commands. I can say all day long that I love my neighbor as myself and truly believe it in my heart, but somewhere along the way, I should physically show that love. Similarly, I can say all day long that I love God and want to give my life to Him. Somewhere along the way though, I should physically show Him that I do. Thus the Law comes into play as a means to that end. Not the only means, but a means nonetheless.
My concern is when people say that if you physically do any part of the Law, you are automatically coming against the grace and mercy and salvation of Jesus. Not true. Just because I keep a physical Sabbath or eat kosher or have my sons circumcised, doesn't negate that salvation. It is merely a response to that salvation. I was married 12 years ago in a covenant-based service. My wife and I are legally married. Am I required to was the dishes, take out the trash and buy her presents on our anniversary in order to be married or to maintain that marriage legally? No. Is my doing those things a response to the love that I have for her that was legally established 12 years ago? Of course. (And as any married person will tell you, life is a whole lot better in a marriage when you're willing to do those things
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Now of course there are those in this world who will say that you have to do the Law to be righteous before God and attempt to be justified through that. I completely disagree with that. My caution would be to not put everyone Law-keeper in that box. There are many on here who understand and believe the same stance I've taken.
Do I believe I'm better than those who don't follow the Law? No. Do I believe that God loves me more, or that I have special revelation that others don't? No. I trust that sincere Jesus-followers love God to the best degree that they can. And as the Spirit lays on people's heart to do this or that, or to do this command or not, they will. God still does that with me today, even in regards to the law. I recognize we're all a work in progress, maturing in our relationship with God on a daily basis. That means I'm not going to get upset at myself or others for not knowing everything that should be known or lived out.
So my biggest beef with some of these arguments is the implication that if you do any of the things in the Law, you're anti-Jesus. I could care less if anyone in here ever follows anything in the Law. That shouldn't affect our relationship or the fellowship we can have together. But I want people to know that you can do both, be saved by grace, and walk out the commands of the Law. And I want the passer-by in this forum to know that as well. What they decide from there is their own decision.
Whew...a lot of typing there. Sorry for the length, but I wanted to get that off my chest, and hopefully address at 1 time several of the topics that have been brought up here. My request is that those who read this will pray and ask the Spirit for understanding on what I've said here, and not just assume something.
Peace,
Matt
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