Why the "NT-only, grace-only" theology is off the mark

[Keren]

“I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Gal. 2:21

Did Jesus die needlessly

 

[cfultz3]

“I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Gal. 2:21

Did Jesus die needlessly

That definitely adds to the list.....

 

[ServantStrike]

That definitely adds to the list.....

Don't forget Romans 2:28!

 

[Keren]

The Judaizer is a lie on it's face as posted by the OP. Judaism is following all the man made law that was added to the Creator's law, and those pushing circumcision. Anyone following the law of Messiah is not a judaizer. they are obedient. The lawless hates them.

The Law of Messiah? Are you saying Jesus was Moses? You are a Judaizer. You use all the tricks they used.
Why was the Law brought in? Who was the Mediator?
Was that Law brought to it's Fulfillment or not. Did it have an end or not? The Bible is very clear. Do you know what it says? Do you know what Jesus said to John? You are not righteous. No matter what you do, you are never good enough.
You do not keep Mosaic Law. You can not, since it is fulfilled in Christ. You are an imposter.

 

[cfultz3]

Don't forget Romans 2:28!

Rom 2:28 seeing that one is not a Jew who is one outwardly. Neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh.


Excellent reverence. We are not a Jew by outward circumstances, neither are we a Jew by fleshly circumcision. And if we would look at the next verse we would see who is a Jew: one who is one inwardly and his circumcision is of the heart, not by the letter. I guess that would mean that no amount of Law keeping will make us a true Jew in God's eyes.

P.S. Before anyone says anything, I love God's Law, I just cannot be a true Jew by it.

 

[ServantStrike]

Rom 2:28 seeing that one is not a Jew who is one outwardly. Neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh.


Excellent reverence. We are not a Jew by outward circumstances, neither are we a Jew by fleshly circumcision. And if we would look at the next verse we would see who is a Jew: one who is one inwardly and his circumcision is of the heart, not by the letter. I guess that would mean that no amount of Law keeping will make us a true Jew in God's eyes.

P.S. Before anyone says anything, I love God's Law, I just cannot be a true Jew by it.

Right, we are grafted into the vine brother .

 

[Historicist]

WomanLovesTX,

I would like to know what you use as contextual evidence for defining "Gentiles," especially as applied to Christians in Romans.

Historicist

 

[cfultz3]

If you do not believe in being lawless, then why do you have paragraph after paragraph trashing the law? You bring up things of God that are good things, and use the good things to say they trash the law. The law has nothing to do with "bondage of fear", that bondage is living without Christ. "Light shine in darkness", and I don't see how God's light that shines in darkness is part of law trashing. "fulfilled by love" and yes, the law is all about love. "Follow Jesus", and yes, Jesus said if you love me you will obey. You bring up that Paul got permission to go to gentiles without needing to preach the rituals. So what does that have to do with the law?

Then you end with that people say to follow law! After you spend all that time trashing law.

Seeing that you are busy in other threads, have you ended our conversation here on this note or can I look forward to your reply as concerning what I said in response to this post of yours?

 

[Historicist]

Rom 2:28 seeing that one is not a Jew who is one outwardly. Neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh.


Excellent reverence. We are not a Jew by outward circumstances, neither are we a Jew by fleshly circumcision. And if we would look at the next verse we would see who is a Jew: one who is one inwardly and his circumcision is of the heart, not by the letter. I guess that would mean that no amount of Law keeping will make us a true Jew in God's eyes.

P.S. Before anyone says anything, I love God's Law, I just cannot be a true Jew by it.

Please read the pertinent verses in their entirety. Romans 2:28-29 is telling us that it is not fleshly (literal) circumcision only, but spiritual (i.e., in the heart, in the mind) circumcision also which makes one a real Jew. Jesus, in this context, was a real Jew, the Pharisees were not. A purpose of the New Covenant was to make its signatories circumcised in the heart, in the spirit also. Example:

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days saith the Lord; I I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their
sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:16-17

​

Read the entirety of Hebrews 10 for a better understanding of what it is to be a real Jew (i.e., to have God's laws in one's heart and mind). Better yet, read the whole book and learn that the New Covenant, that which was promised to, and made with, "the house of Israel and the house of Judah," is, in effect.

 

[vic1980]

This is as simple as it can get.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.


God Bless

 

[cfultz3]

Please read the pertinent verses in their entirety. Romans 2:28-29 is telling us that it is not fleshly (literal) circumcision only, but spiritual (i.e., in the heart, in the mind) circumcision also which makes one a real Jew. Jesus, in this context, was a real Jew, the Pharisees were not. A purpose of the New Covenant was to make its signatories circumcised in the heart, in the spirit also. Example:

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days saith the Lord; I I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their
sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:16-17

​

Read the entirety of Hebrews 10 for a better understanding of what it is to be a real Jew (i.e., to have God's laws in one's heart and mind). Better yet, read the whole book and learn that the New Covenant, that which was promised to, and made with, "the house of Israel and the house of Judah," is, in effect.

OKAY? Have you read what I have been saying? Do you purpose that I have not read Scripture, but whatever thought comes which seems good, I write it? By saying 'entirety' you are either implying that I just read what I want out of Scripture or I am misleading and you caught me by implying that a better understanding can be had if I just read the whole chapter.

To be a Jew does not mean that I am to have the Law and Jesus leading me at the same time. Don't come off telling me 'better yet, read the whole book' when it is you telling me that I need to live under a covenant which the Lord Jesus came to fulfill for me. Either Christ fulfilled that Law for me so that I can be under His covenant or it is you who is saying that Christ is not enough for me. Guess what, buddy, He is enough for me. What about you?

If you want to communicate like this, please don't bother me.

 

[WomanLovesTX]

WomanLovesTX,

I would like to know what you use as contextual evidence for defining "Gentiles," especially as applied to Christians in Romans.

Historicist

1Pe 1:1 From: Kefa, an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah To: God's chosen people, living as aliens in the Diaspora — in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bythinia —
1Pe 1:2 chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obeying Yeshua the Messiah and for sprinkling with his blood: Grace and shalom be yours in full measure.

James 1:1 From: Ya`akov (James), a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah To: The Twelve Tribes in the Diaspora: Shalom!

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles [SUP]G1484[/SUP], and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

G1484
ἔθνος
ethnos
eth'-nos
Probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
​

Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 11:25 is directly tied to Genesis 48:19...

Gen 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he (Manasseh) also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother (Eprhraim) shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

MULTITUDE[SUP] H4393[/SUP] OF NATIONS [SUP]H1471[/SUP] = Melo Goy = FULNESS OF THE GENTILES

H4393
מלו מלוא מלא
melô' melô' melô
mel-o', mel-o', mel-o'
From H4390; fulness (literally or figuratively): - X all along, X all that is (there-) in, fill, (X that whereof . . . was) full, fulness, [hand-] full, multitude.

H1471
גּי גּוי
gôy gôy
go'ee, go'-ee
Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

One Kingdom becomes Two Kingdoms - Southern Kingdom and Northern Kingdom
House of Israel/Ephraim/Ten Tribes and House of Judah/Tribe of Judah, Benjamin and 1/2 Levites

Pay attention to the scriptures after the division of the kingdom takes place as referenced in 1 Kings 11:31. Every time thereafter that the House of Israel is mentioned, now means the Ten Tribes (which God divorced and said they would one day be again "His People".

1Ki 11:31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:

God is very very specific about the people He speaks about throughout Old Testament and New Testament. If you think at this point House of Israel or Ephraim means Jews, you are totally missing the correct interpretations. Jews can only be (1) Of the House of Judah (ie tribe of Judah, Benjamin and Levites) or 2) someone who is living in Judea can also be referred to as a Jew.

The Ten Tribes (Lost sheep) are either referenced as House of Israel and also can be represented by Ephraim.

Gen 41:52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

I highlight "fruitful in the land of my affliction" because we are also in "the land of my affliction". We are not of this world, but for now, we are in the world as strangers passing through. God has promised His People salvation, protection and provisions.

OK. Do we know who some of the Gentiles are now? They are the Ten Tribes in the Diaspora. But Jesus said He has other sheep.

The other sheep is just like when the Israelites exodus from Egypt, Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

While in the wilderness for 40 years, how was this "mixed multitude" to be treated?

(Exodus 12:49) One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

(Numbers 15:16) One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

(Numbers 15:29) Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.

Now, let's quickly talk about Christ's sacrifice.

Lev 4:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

Lev 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

Lev 4:22 When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;

Lev 4:27 And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty;

Lev 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

(John 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

(John 14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

(John 15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Now I have seen what seems to be many on the forum who are opting that Christ only gave two commandments. Those two are however, not all Christ commanded. Christ also commanded that we are to do what is spoken in Moses' seat. That covers the entire Torah (first five books of the Old Testament.)

Recap: Gentiles are both the Ten Lost Tribes (lost sheep) of the House of Israel/Ephraim in the Diaspora and Gentiles are non-Jewish and non-Israelite people.

The gospel is to all people of all races and nations. You just have to want to become part of Israel, the Kingdom that Christ is restoring.

 

[phil112]

WomanLovesTX,

I would like to know what you use as contextual evidence for defining "Gentiles," especially as applied to Christians in Romans.

Historicist

I don't know what her answer will include, but here is the actual meaning of gentile: non-jewish

1484 NT - Greek[eqnoV]
ethnos eth'-nosprobably from [eqw] - etho 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

 

[Karraster]

The Law of Messiah? Are you saying Jesus was Moses? You are a Judaizer. You use all the tricks they used.
Why was the Law brought in? Who was the Mediator?
Was that Law brought to it's Fulfillment or not. Did it have an end or not? The Bible is very clear. Do you know what it says? Do you know what Jesus said to John? You are not righteous. No matter what you do, you are never good enough.
You do not keep Mosaic Law. You can not, since it is fulfilled in Christ. You are an imposter.

I think we have had this conversation before. At least I'm using the same name.

 

[cfultz3]

Seeing that you are busy in other threads, have you ended our conversation here on this note or can I look forward to your reply as concerning what I said in response to this post of yours?

You left this conversation in the middle, I am left dangling here. Are you telling me to move on?

 

[BeanieD]

Don't you think that teaching us the way we should live has anything to do with salvation? He can teach us all about being good, but that comes to nothing if we are not saved, and if we are not saved, then there will be no future kingdom to inherit. Jesus said "I have not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through me might be saved."

 

[WomanLovesTX]

This post is in response to the original post. I would of quoted it but it was too long to post it and my post. Please refer to: http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/83286-why-nt-only-grace-only-theology-off-mark.html


2)"Grace-only theology is off the mark" is also offensive.
The bible defines grace as being unmerited or undeserved favor in respect to salvation. Christians do believe this and it is taught in scripture. Yet WomanLovesTX claims Grace is not enough.

We are all falling short and are sinners. We have the Ten Commandments to reveal this to us. Yes, only Christ's blood is sufficient to wipe the slate clean of PAST SINS. There is nothing else that will do that. I have accepted God's grace, the gift of Yeshua and his death, burial and resurrection. I have received the Holy Spirit and the law is written on my heart. Do I stop my life in Christ right here at this point of accepting the gift and being baptized and being filled with the Holy Spirit? No, of course not. Now, as one who has been conceived and is in the womb, I must grow until I am begotten or birthed into His presence. Salvation occurs after the catching away. Until then, we are instructed to live good works. Our faith is dead without works. So, in our goal to serve in the Kingdom to come, what do we do in the meantime? We live a life showing we have wisdom and understanding of God's Word. And Torah is the gift of God that we may do just that.

Mainstream Christian believers insists "Jesus" preached the Gospel - the Good News about the Messiah's death, burial, and resurrection - which is all Christians tend to focus on. But Scripture, read in context, reveals He did NOT preach those things at all; rather, He preached the Kingdom of YHWH (Yahweh)!

So, while His death, burial, and resurrection are an important part of the Good News, it's not the whole story! God isn't just in the business of "saving" people. As Creator and law giver, He is in the business of teaching us how to be good subjects in His Kingdom to come! If "Jesus abolished Torah at the cross" then why was EVERY believer completely Torah observant for one hundred years afterYeshua's death, including the Apostle Paul who was "caught" being Torah observant 29 years afterYeshua's death (Acts 21:23-24)! Was Paul a hypocrite, saying one thing and doing another; or were his teachings, perhaps, misunderstood?

Yeshua came to proclaim the Kingdom of YHWH and to do everything His Father commanded. He tore down the fences of man's legalism. Neither He nor His Apostles ever advocated against Torah!

Christian claims that, in order to "be saved" one has to do nothing besides "believe in Jesus." While this is true to a certain extent because Yeshua was the Final SIN Sacrifice, there is more to "having a personal relationship with God" - a whole new world, as a matter of fact! Yeshua (YHWH-Come-in-the-Flesh) even said He did not come to replace His Father or to abolish His Father's Divine Instructions (Torah - without which mankind would have no blueprint for moral, holy living (1 John 3:4)!).

And think about this: If you abolish Torah, you have to abolish the Ten Commandments right along with it. You can't pick and choose what parts of Torah are still valid - especially since YHWH gave us several "forever" commands above and beyond "the Ten Commandments"! But yet, Christianity - borne out of Catholicism and NOT the original teachings of Messiah - insists that "Jesus came to do away with the law" and they've decided the "forever" commands don't pertain to them. Somehow, they cannot seem to understand that Yeshua came to proclaim the Kingdom of YHWH and then to martyr Himself so that we could have everlasting life with YHWH (see also John 17:1-3).

1 John 2:3-6: The way we can be sure we know Him is if we are obeying His commands. Anyone who says, "I know Him," but isn't obeying His commands is a liar - the truth is not in him. But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with Him. A person who claims to be continuing in union with Him ought to conduct his life the way He did.

So, how did Yeshua conduct His life? By obeying and carrying out His Father's Divine Instructions/Commands! Yeshua was completely Torah observant, as were all of His apostles and disciples throughout the entire First Century....so what makes Christians think THEY don't have to be? How did Yeshua's death on the stake negate His Father's Divine Instructions? How did YHWH's Divine Instructions get to be a "curse"? That doesn't even make sense!

That, in itself, reveals there must be more to God and the Bible than just "believing in Jesus" and it's way past time for mankind to realize this. We are in the end times as outlined in the Books of Daniel and Revelation, and it won't be much longer before Yeshua's return. Those who have chosen to ignore God's Torah are NOT worshiping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and will be very surprised to discover they were "left behind" on that fateful day because they were guilty of being "lukewarm." Many of our Christian brethren have already realized this and opted to leave the "milk" of the church in order to pursue a true relationship with their Creator because they've finally understood that Yeshua said He did NOT come to abolish or negate His Father's Commands:

Matthew 5: 17 Don't think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. 18 Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah - not until everything that must happen has happened. 19 Sowhoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot (words/commands) and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and P'rushim, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Has everything happened that must happen? Have heaven and Earth passed away yet? Since when does the word "complete" (or "fulfill) mean "abolished"? Why would God abolish His own original divine teachings which He said were to last forever? Did Jesus come to make a liar out of YHWH, God the Father?

Here's the thing: The "Old Testament" is God's Word; The "New Testament" is about God's Word. One can be "saved" by believing in the Messiah (the "arm of YHWH"), but one cannot possibly understand God until one is firmly rooted in Torah.

 

[vic1980]

This is as simple as it can get.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.


God Bless

Proverbs 3

Trust in the Lord

1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Here is a reminder:

It is God himself Teaching us ,and helping us with His Holyspirit , to even walk according to His ways. King David,Moses,The Prophets of God,Thee Disciples of Jesus Christ all understood this.

Psalm 25

8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
י
9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
כ
10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
ל
11For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
מ
12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
נ
13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
ס
14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

God Bless

 

[danschance]

We are all falling short and are sinners. We have the Ten Commandments to reveal this to us. Yes, only Christ's blood is sufficient to wipe the slate clean of PAST SINS. There is nothing else that will do that. I have accepted God's grace, the gift of Yeshua and his death, burial and resurrection. I have received the Holy Spirit and the law is written on my heart. Do I stop my life in Christ right here at this point of accepting the gift and being baptized and being filled with the Holy Spirit? No, of course not. Now, as one who has been conceived and is in the womb, I must grow until I am begotten or birthed into His presence. Salvation occurs after the catching away. Until then, we are instructed to live good works. Our faith is dead without works. So, in our goal to serve in the Kingdom to come, what do we do in the meantime? We live a life showing we have wisdom and understanding of God's Word. And Torah is the gift of God that we may do just that.

Would you do me a favor and read the verse below and simply tell me what you think it means? It is written by Paul.

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:5

 

[WomanLovesTX]

Would you do me a favor and read the verse below and simply tell me what you think it means? It is written by Paul.

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:5

Here's the thing: The "Old Testament" is God's Word; The "New Testament" is about God's Word. One can be "saved" by believing in the Messiah (the "arm of YHWH"), but one cannot possibly understand God until one is firmly rooted in Torah.

In Context let's look at these verses from Romans 7

Rom 7:1-24 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 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. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

What is Paul talking about here? He is talking about "THE LAW OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE AND REMARRY AND ADULTERY"

Deu 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
Deu 24:2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.
Deu 24:3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;
Deu 24:4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Jeremiah 3:1-23

• They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
• 2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
• 3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
• 4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?
• 5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
• 6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
• 7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
• 8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
• 9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
• 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
• 11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
• 12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
• 13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
• 14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
• 15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
• 16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
• 17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
• 18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
• 19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
• 20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
• 21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.
• 22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
• 23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

And what did Yeshua/Jesus say?

Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. / Psa 78:1 Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Psa 78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. / Amo 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. / Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Mark 4:11-20 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Mar 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
Mar 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mar 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Unless one is rooted in Torah, the Spirit cannot lead you to the wisdom and understanding who is the adulterous and divorced of God. Unless one is rooted in Torah, you would not understand that once God gave the bill of divorcement to the House of Israel, His desire to remarry her, was prohibited by His very own laws. So how was God to resolve this "problem"? Through Paul and his teaching the "Gentiles" (backslidden House of Israel, no longer a people of God) that they can now come back to God through Yeshua/Jesus and once again be called God's people. Paul calls it the "MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL"

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Co 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

TO BE CONTINUED...