Wow, I got a few posts in and fell fast asleep. Guess I was more tuckered than I thought.
What strikes me about all of these posts - is that they are either for Christ or for Law. The dichotomy is striking, and bears out the truth in this passage:
4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 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. (from Rom. 7)
We need to understand that we need to die to the Law SO THAT we may be joined to, belong to another, Who is Christ, IN ORDER that we may bear Fruit for God. If we DON'T die to the Law, the opposite is true - we cannot be joined to Christ, and we won't be able to bear Fruit for God! Why? Because -
18 The former regulation [not just the priesthood] is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (from Heb. 7)
Which is why Romans 7 says we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Because in Christ, we died - we were crucified with Him - and were raised into New Life and gifted the righteousness of God that is apart from the Law (Gal. 2, Rom. 3).
That's why we're told,
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (from Col. 2)
It doesn't say, so walk in Torah Law, established in the commandments. No, and 2 Cor. 3 tells us that the commandments, as good and holy as they are, in comparison to the New Covenant in Christ are a ministry of death:
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?
9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.
16 But when one turns to the Lord,the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (from 2 Cor. 3)
Driving over here today I listened to lots of praise and worship music, and a this song really ministered to my spirit - we'll all bow down - to Christ the King, not to a set of codified laws, but to a Living, Breathing Saviour Who died and then rose from the dead for us \o/! It really is the most amazing thing that He did, and that He continues to do as our Perfect, Permanent, High Priest! And He invites whosoever will into this glorious New Covenant by faith. And I am thankful \o/!
[video=youtube;JfO1t6jSHHA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfO1t6jSHHA[/video]
Good night, All,
-JGIG