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Well readers....it seems that Mark54 may not know the answer....so I present the question to you....
God's words, through the writings of Paul, tells us that one of His laws HAD to be changed.
Do you know which specific law it was that required a change and why was this change needed?
Readers.....answering this question proves a point that I have presented time and time again; that Paul speaks of TWO sets of laws throughout his writings.
For if it was a specific law and not ALL of God's laws that needed change, then that would mean there is another set of laws that did NOT need to be changed; thus Paul would have been, at times, speaking about TWO different set of laws in his writings.
Again.....Do you know which specific law it was that HAD to be changed and why?
.
God's words, through the writings of Paul, tells us that one of His laws HAD to be changed.
Do you know which specific law it was that required a change and why was this change needed?
Readers.....answering this question proves a point that I have presented time and time again; that Paul speaks of TWO sets of laws throughout his writings.
For if it was a specific law and not ALL of God's laws that needed change, then that would mean there is another set of laws that did NOT need to be changed; thus Paul would have been, at times, speaking about TWO different set of laws in his writings.
Again.....Do you know which specific law it was that HAD to be changed and why?
.
Mark54 can no longer be both
ered to keep discussing this with you, for you are intent on having a righteousness of your own according to the law(self righteousness), I will leave you to it
BTW
Why don't you just go to the opening page of this debate and paste your own answer to this question again, rather than asking others.
ered to keep discussing this with you, for you are intent on having a righteousness of your own according to the law(self righteousness), I will leave you to it
BTW
Why don't you just go to the opening page of this debate and paste your own answer to this question again, rather than asking others.
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We know that God's law by which I mean the Ten Commandments and those Jesus gave us are eternal, so I am wondering if you mean the fourth set of laws beginning at the bottom of page one and onto the second page?
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
I think you will find that Paul died to the law at his conversion. Here is a look at what he wrote to the Galatians who were troubled by Jews saying they needed to keep to the Old law. Here is Paul's reply in a nutshell.
“Paul's theme in Galatians is captivity and freedom. He hated to see people who had been liberated through the gospel slip back into the bondage of legalism — trusting in religious law-keeping to justify them. He wanted them to live out the freedom that comes from knowing that only though the death of Jesus can people find their true liberty.
Deep and strong in our nature is the sense that we must somehow do something terrible and hard to find acceptance with God. A religion that does not tell us to walk on fire, eat no meat, pierce ourselves with nails or make a vow to the Virgin to pray a thousand rosaries each year feels somewhat easy and cheap.
Paul's converts in what were probably the southern cities of Galatia in Asia Minor must have felt like this. Some Jewish Christians came to tell them that the gospel they received from Paul was a bit too relaxed in its requirements. These 'trouble-makers', as he called them, had been urging circumcision and the observance of special days and months and years (1:7; 2:3-4; 4:10). Their influence was such that even Peter, recognized leader in the Jerusalem church, feared to stand out against them (2:12-13).
The problem to Paul was partly that Jewish laws and customs were being imposed on non-Jews, a mistake that is repeated in our own day when Western nations impose their cultures and even their own brand of Christianity on other peoples. But more deeply at stake was the integrity of the gospel of grace, the precious idea that 'a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires' (2:16). To go back to feast days and dietary rules is to fall out of line with the truth of the gospel (2:14). It is to slip into a legalism that brings us back to spiritual infancy (3:23-25; 4:1-2), or to the forced obedience of a slave (4:3,8). But in fact we are right with God only through Christ's death. To believe this is to be free and not captive (5:1), a child of God and not a slave (4:4-7).
Now that Christ has come, freedom and the power of the Spirit can be had by believing, the same basis on which Abraham was given the promise of blessing (3:6-9). The true sons of Abraham, Paul argues, are those who have received the Spirit by hearing and believing and have become heirs by belonging to Christ (3:2,29).
The idea that one does not have to be culturally a Jew to be part of the chosen people of God was so new that Paul was attacked for making up a gospel that is easier and more palatable to people (1:10-11). In reply Paul asserted that his gospel and his authority to preach it were received directly from God and not from any man (1:1,12,15-17). His apostleship was to the Gentiles (2:7-8), which qualified him to be authoritative in so far as the gospel relates to non-Jewish belief and practice. Far from being popular, his message of righteousness apart from the Law brought persecution (6:12).
One shudders at the thought that Christianity as a religion of grace for all peoples had to stand on very thin ground in the early days. Paul was the only one who consistently preached it, a controversial personality, a late-comer, a notorious persecutor of the faith, a man severely attacked as lacking in apostolic credentials. Yet God used him to hold open for us a way of coming to God without the hardness of minute law-keeping or the narrowness of culture-bound expressions of faith. Without this man's tears and persevering struggle, Christianity could have become just another Jewish sect, a minor tribal religion not very different from all the others whose main teachings have to do mostly with what one may and may not do before God.”
The letter to the Galatians shows why Paul insisted so strongly that freedom comes through faith in Christ, not through keeping the Law.
Melba P. Maggay “The Message of the Bible” Published by Lion.
“Paul's theme in Galatians is captivity and freedom. He hated to see people who had been liberated through the gospel slip back into the bondage of legalism — trusting in religious law-keeping to justify them. He wanted them to live out the freedom that comes from knowing that only though the death of Jesus can people find their true liberty.
Deep and strong in our nature is the sense that we must somehow do something terrible and hard to find acceptance with God. A religion that does not tell us to walk on fire, eat no meat, pierce ourselves with nails or make a vow to the Virgin to pray a thousand rosaries each year feels somewhat easy and cheap.
Paul's converts in what were probably the southern cities of Galatia in Asia Minor must have felt like this. Some Jewish Christians came to tell them that the gospel they received from Paul was a bit too relaxed in its requirements. These 'trouble-makers', as he called them, had been urging circumcision and the observance of special days and months and years (1:7; 2:3-4; 4:10). Their influence was such that even Peter, recognized leader in the Jerusalem church, feared to stand out against them (2:12-13).
The problem to Paul was partly that Jewish laws and customs were being imposed on non-Jews, a mistake that is repeated in our own day when Western nations impose their cultures and even their own brand of Christianity on other peoples. But more deeply at stake was the integrity of the gospel of grace, the precious idea that 'a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires' (2:16). To go back to feast days and dietary rules is to fall out of line with the truth of the gospel (2:14). It is to slip into a legalism that brings us back to spiritual infancy (3:23-25; 4:1-2), or to the forced obedience of a slave (4:3,8). But in fact we are right with God only through Christ's death. To believe this is to be free and not captive (5:1), a child of God and not a slave (4:4-7).
Now that Christ has come, freedom and the power of the Spirit can be had by believing, the same basis on which Abraham was given the promise of blessing (3:6-9). The true sons of Abraham, Paul argues, are those who have received the Spirit by hearing and believing and have become heirs by belonging to Christ (3:2,29).
The idea that one does not have to be culturally a Jew to be part of the chosen people of God was so new that Paul was attacked for making up a gospel that is easier and more palatable to people (1:10-11). In reply Paul asserted that his gospel and his authority to preach it were received directly from God and not from any man (1:1,12,15-17). His apostleship was to the Gentiles (2:7-8), which qualified him to be authoritative in so far as the gospel relates to non-Jewish belief and practice. Far from being popular, his message of righteousness apart from the Law brought persecution (6:12).
One shudders at the thought that Christianity as a religion of grace for all peoples had to stand on very thin ground in the early days. Paul was the only one who consistently preached it, a controversial personality, a late-comer, a notorious persecutor of the faith, a man severely attacked as lacking in apostolic credentials. Yet God used him to hold open for us a way of coming to God without the hardness of minute law-keeping or the narrowness of culture-bound expressions of faith. Without this man's tears and persevering struggle, Christianity could have become just another Jewish sect, a minor tribal religion not very different from all the others whose main teachings have to do mostly with what one may and may not do before God.”
The letter to the Galatians shows why Paul insisted so strongly that freedom comes through faith in Christ, not through keeping the Law.
Melba P. Maggay “The Message of the Bible” Published by Lion.
Good article all I would add is that when Paul was speaking of dying to the law in Rom ch7 he was speaking of the law as a whole, not just a part of it. But Paul was preaching of dying to a righteousness of law keeping, and following after the Holy Spirit, rather than seeking a holiness of striving to obey the literal law, somethig many seem to struggle understanding today.
The law is internal to a Christian if you like, not external
Thanks for the article, I enjoyed reading it
If it says that Paul is speaking of dying to the whole law, so that he may live for Christ, and if it explains that sin used what was good and Holy(one of the Ten Commanndments) to wrought in Paul all manner of concupiscence, and that only therefore by dying to the law where sin enslaved him could Paul live for God, then yes I would love to read it, if it doesn't I would not want to read it
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Romans 7 is saying we have two natures, the carnal nature which is governed by the law and the spiritual nature whereby we need to look to Christ for our salvation. So to be in Christ we need to die to the law and make Christ pre-eminent in our life but the trouble is we are tempted by our carnal nature the same as Adam and Eve were.
Gill says this: (edited by me)
“The law may be said to live when it is in full force, and to be dead when it is abrogated and dis-annulled. While the law lives it has dominion over us and requires obedience and in the case of disobedience can condemn us and inflict punishment on us but when we are dead the law has no more dominion over us and we are free from the law.
The Jews have a saying that "when a man is dead, he becomes free from the law, and from the commands.'’
So this Paul here, and I think the Apostle Paul also is saying we need to die to the law.
This is what the “Message of the Bible” published by Lion says.
The Never-ending Story
Romans 7:15-24
"There are few passages in the Bible that require absolutely no explanation in order to make sense to modern people. But this is one. Paul portrays the never-ending story of conflict within the human soul (or 'heart', as the Bible puts it) between impulse and duty. 'I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate' (verse 15). In other words, I end up doing the very thing I know I shouldn't do.
This is puzzling. Did not Greek philosophy teach me that if I know what the good is, I will necessarily do it? And did it not teach me that if I know what the bad is, I will automatically shun it? But it hasn't worked out that way. I am all in knots.
In fact, 'When I want to do good, evil is right there with me' (verse 21). As we saw earlier, Law increases wrongdoing. This is painful. I am trapped between duty and desire. I feel like a character in a film I once saw, caught on a rope bridge spanning an incredibly deep crevasse, with different adversaries advancing on him from both sides. 'Who will rescue me from this body of death?’
By the way, this passage has been fought over by scholars for many years. Is Paul describing people before they become Christians, or after? Is the conflict between 'ought' and 'want’ a universal experience only until a person comes to Christ? Or does it remain the life story of Christians for ever and ever amen?
Christians of almost every school of thought would say from experience that Romans 7 speaks to them after, as well as before conscious believing begins. There is not one moment when I as a Christian do not still feel caught between the claims of Law and the claims of my will. There are wonderful periods and situations when Law and desire flow together, producing spontaneous action, the 'fruit of the Spirit'. But there are places all along the compass when the two are in conflict. In actual experience I need deliverance 'now' as much as I did 'then'."
Gill says this: (edited by me)
“The law may be said to live when it is in full force, and to be dead when it is abrogated and dis-annulled. While the law lives it has dominion over us and requires obedience and in the case of disobedience can condemn us and inflict punishment on us but when we are dead the law has no more dominion over us and we are free from the law.
The Jews have a saying that "when a man is dead, he becomes free from the law, and from the commands.'’
So this Paul here, and I think the Apostle Paul also is saying we need to die to the law.
This is what the “Message of the Bible” published by Lion says.
The Never-ending Story
Romans 7:15-24
"There are few passages in the Bible that require absolutely no explanation in order to make sense to modern people. But this is one. Paul portrays the never-ending story of conflict within the human soul (or 'heart', as the Bible puts it) between impulse and duty. 'I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate' (verse 15). In other words, I end up doing the very thing I know I shouldn't do.
This is puzzling. Did not Greek philosophy teach me that if I know what the good is, I will necessarily do it? And did it not teach me that if I know what the bad is, I will automatically shun it? But it hasn't worked out that way. I am all in knots.
In fact, 'When I want to do good, evil is right there with me' (verse 21). As we saw earlier, Law increases wrongdoing. This is painful. I am trapped between duty and desire. I feel like a character in a film I once saw, caught on a rope bridge spanning an incredibly deep crevasse, with different adversaries advancing on him from both sides. 'Who will rescue me from this body of death?’
By the way, this passage has been fought over by scholars for many years. Is Paul describing people before they become Christians, or after? Is the conflict between 'ought' and 'want’ a universal experience only until a person comes to Christ? Or does it remain the life story of Christians for ever and ever amen?
Christians of almost every school of thought would say from experience that Romans 7 speaks to them after, as well as before conscious believing begins. There is not one moment when I as a Christian do not still feel caught between the claims of Law and the claims of my will. There are wonderful periods and situations when Law and desire flow together, producing spontaneous action, the 'fruit of the Spirit'. But there are places all along the compass when the two are in conflict. In actual experience I need deliverance 'now' as much as I did 'then'."
This is the covenant I will make with them after that time declares the Lord
I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds
Then he adds
Their sins and lawless deeds I will remeber no more
Heb 10:16&17
The law is internal to the Christian, not external, which mean s that in a sincere believers heart, they WANT to obey God, they want to live as He would have them live. Their conscience now bears witness to the life God wants them to live.
In this case, it is for the Christiasn to look to Christ and trust him for what their heart desires-an ever closer walk with God. They cannot use this a a licence to sin for the Spirit has ensured for a genuine believer this cannot happen, they have been reborn of the Spirit
The law can only make a Christian conscious of their sin(Rom3:20) In other words make them miserable if they focus on it, they need to look to Christ and cling to him.
Was Paul speaking in Rom7:14-25 of his life pre conversion to Christianity, or after his conversion?
In Rom 6:16 -Paul states:
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him asa slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, whether slaves to sin which leads to death, or to obediance which leads to righteousness
In ch7:14 he states:
We know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin
A Christian who looks to Christ and trusts him(for that is the real battle for the convert) will not be in anguish for their faliures, but rejoice in their salvation, they won't be perfect in the flesh, but like Paul says:
For sin shall not be your master, for you are not under law but under grace
Rom6:14
Problem is, how many Christians ACTUALLY in reality live their lives according to faith in Christ and not their own personal goodness according to law keeping?
If they do not live by faith in Christ, they will always have the anguish Paul wrote of
If they do live by faith in Christ, they are not in anguisgh, despite their imperfections, for they glory in Christ Jesus and have put no confidence in the flesh
Phil3:3
I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds
Then he adds
Their sins and lawless deeds I will remeber no more
Heb 10:16&17
The law is internal to the Christian, not external, which mean s that in a sincere believers heart, they WANT to obey God, they want to live as He would have them live. Their conscience now bears witness to the life God wants them to live.
In this case, it is for the Christiasn to look to Christ and trust him for what their heart desires-an ever closer walk with God. They cannot use this a a licence to sin for the Spirit has ensured for a genuine believer this cannot happen, they have been reborn of the Spirit
The law can only make a Christian conscious of their sin(Rom3:20) In other words make them miserable if they focus on it, they need to look to Christ and cling to him.
Was Paul speaking in Rom7:14-25 of his life pre conversion to Christianity, or after his conversion?
In Rom 6:16 -Paul states:
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him asa slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, whether slaves to sin which leads to death, or to obediance which leads to righteousness
In ch7:14 he states:
We know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin
A Christian who looks to Christ and trusts him(for that is the real battle for the convert) will not be in anguish for their faliures, but rejoice in their salvation, they won't be perfect in the flesh, but like Paul says:
For sin shall not be your master, for you are not under law but under grace
Rom6:14
Problem is, how many Christians ACTUALLY in reality live their lives according to faith in Christ and not their own personal goodness according to law keeping?
If they do not live by faith in Christ, they will always have the anguish Paul wrote of
If they do live by faith in Christ, they are not in anguisgh, despite their imperfections, for they glory in Christ Jesus and have put no confidence in the flesh
Phil3:3
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E
Readers......do not be deceived.......if you do NOT keep God's laws you will NOT be allowed into His kingdom. This can be proved with just a few scriptures;
Rev.22
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Those that keep God's laws will be rewarded. And what of those that do not? Let's read....
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
How plain is this. God gave us this in the last chapter of the last book in His bible. Even my 12 year old son understands this from the example that I show him; Fathers reward those that obey Him.
But aside from the very plain example given above.......Consider this.......
Why did Jesus have to come to die for us? What was done that required man to need a savior? What was man being saved from?
Isa.53
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
And what are transgressions? To transgress means to break God's LAWS! When you break God's laws you commit sin; "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
So Jesus came to die because of our sins. He came because we broke God's laws and the punishment for breaking God's law is dying the second death. He came to remove the sins of the whole world. But will ALL of the world receive salvation? No! So salvation will NOT be given to everyone. Why? Because God's laws are STILL being broken!
So Jesus came because man broke God's laws. Jesus substituted His blood for the blood of bulls and goats...that was the grace that He gave to the world; His BLOOD!
But now that He gave His blood for the remission of sins......do we go BACK to doing those things that caused us to need a savior in the first place? In other words do we go back to breaking God's laws now that we have received the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins? Let's read what Paul tells us....
Rom.6
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
And how do we die to sin? Let's read....
[12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
[13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
We die to sin by not OBEYING it. Sin is breaking God's laws! So if we are not breaking God's laws....we are doing our best to KEEP His laws. Let's confirm...
[17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
And what was the doctrine that was given to them? All of the OT! Remember.....most, if not ALL, of those that Paul preached to were dead before there was ever the NT to be taught from. Let's confirm this....
2 Tim.3
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
And what was the 'mantra' if you will, of the OT? Keep God's laws.
Will those that have sinned enter into God's kingdom? Of course.....all have sinned. But will those that continue to sin enter there in? No!
So is keeping God's laws needed for salvation? Let's read God's words again.....
Rev.22
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Paul knew this....which is why he taught ALL to keep God's laws.
Let me ask this question......If Adam had NOT sinned, had NOT broken God's law.....would we need a savior?
.
Rev.22
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Those that keep God's laws will be rewarded. And what of those that do not? Let's read....
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
How plain is this. God gave us this in the last chapter of the last book in His bible. Even my 12 year old son understands this from the example that I show him; Fathers reward those that obey Him.
But aside from the very plain example given above.......Consider this.......
Why did Jesus have to come to die for us? What was done that required man to need a savior? What was man being saved from?
Isa.53
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
And what are transgressions? To transgress means to break God's LAWS! When you break God's laws you commit sin; "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
So Jesus came to die because of our sins. He came because we broke God's laws and the punishment for breaking God's law is dying the second death. He came to remove the sins of the whole world. But will ALL of the world receive salvation? No! So salvation will NOT be given to everyone. Why? Because God's laws are STILL being broken!
So Jesus came because man broke God's laws. Jesus substituted His blood for the blood of bulls and goats...that was the grace that He gave to the world; His BLOOD!
But now that He gave His blood for the remission of sins......do we go BACK to doing those things that caused us to need a savior in the first place? In other words do we go back to breaking God's laws now that we have received the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins? Let's read what Paul tells us....
Rom.6
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
And how do we die to sin? Let's read....
[12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
[13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
We die to sin by not OBEYING it. Sin is breaking God's laws! So if we are not breaking God's laws....we are doing our best to KEEP His laws. Let's confirm...
[17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
And what was the doctrine that was given to them? All of the OT! Remember.....most, if not ALL, of those that Paul preached to were dead before there was ever the NT to be taught from. Let's confirm this....
2 Tim.3
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
And what was the 'mantra' if you will, of the OT? Keep God's laws.
Will those that have sinned enter into God's kingdom? Of course.....all have sinned. But will those that continue to sin enter there in? No!
So is keeping God's laws needed for salvation? Let's read God's words again.....
Rev.22
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Paul knew this....which is why he taught ALL to keep God's laws.
Let me ask this question......If Adam had NOT sinned, had NOT broken God's law.....would we need a savior?
.
If Paul did not die to the law, and you are trying to aquaint the law as only referring to the sacrificial system of which we are no longer under, then what was Paul saying here in wishing to be identified as apart from the law?
Philippians 3:1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
I do not see any mention of the sacrificial system here in what he was regarding as dung, but his identification with the law as being a Jew, then a Pharisee, then his zeal for God as a religious Jew, and finally his identification with the righteousness in the law as being blameless.
Paul addressed the futility of being identified with the works of the law again here:
Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Paul identifies the law as more than just the sacrificial system because it is by the law is the knowledge of sin.
......26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
The law is what man cannot do. That is the point of what Paul was meaning in Romans 7th chapter.
Even in a letter to the Galatians, Paul differentiates from his past as a law abiding Jew in relating to believing Gentiles.
Galatians 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
That means no believer in Jesus Christ can make himself good or righteous by keeping the law religiously. To clarify: no believer can make a promise to never sin again for that would be departing from faith & from relying on Him as your Good Shepherd and thus trying to finish by the flesh what was begun in the Spirit.
Believers that have made commitments & promises to Christ are doing the same thing. Believers made promises to be good husbands & good fathers in the Promise Keepers' program which is a movement of man "for Jesus Christ", but if believer can make themselves good husbands & good fathers by simply making & keeping a promise, then Christ has died in vain, but the law was our schoolteacher in showing not only why we need the Saviour, but why we need God as our Good Shepherd.
This is why the just shall live by faith because this is God's turn now; not man's.
So if you are teaching to believers to look to themselves to be serious about following Jesus by keeping the law, then you are putting confidence in man in their religious flesh to follow Him.
You should be teaching believers to look to Jesus Christ in how serious & committed He is in helping us to follow Him as our Good Shepherd. Our eyes are not on us in keeping His commandments, but on Him to help us to do them which His commandments are not grievous.
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Again: what identifies a children of God is by faith in Jesus Christ: not by keeping the law.
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Other people will know we are christians by our love, but in God's eye, we are His children by faith in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
I do not see any mention of the sacrificial system here in what he was regarding as dung, but his identification with the law as being a Jew, then a Pharisee, then his zeal for God as a religious Jew, and finally his identification with the righteousness in the law as being blameless.
Paul addressed the futility of being identified with the works of the law again here:
Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Paul identifies the law as more than just the sacrificial system because it is by the law is the knowledge of sin.
......26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
The law is what man cannot do. That is the point of what Paul was meaning in Romans 7th chapter.
Even in a letter to the Galatians, Paul differentiates from his past as a law abiding Jew in relating to believing Gentiles.
Galatians 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
That means no believer in Jesus Christ can make himself good or righteous by keeping the law religiously. To clarify: no believer can make a promise to never sin again for that would be departing from faith & from relying on Him as your Good Shepherd and thus trying to finish by the flesh what was begun in the Spirit.
Believers that have made commitments & promises to Christ are doing the same thing. Believers made promises to be good husbands & good fathers in the Promise Keepers' program which is a movement of man "for Jesus Christ", but if believer can make themselves good husbands & good fathers by simply making & keeping a promise, then Christ has died in vain, but the law was our schoolteacher in showing not only why we need the Saviour, but why we need God as our Good Shepherd.
This is why the just shall live by faith because this is God's turn now; not man's.
So if you are teaching to believers to look to themselves to be serious about following Jesus by keeping the law, then you are putting confidence in man in their religious flesh to follow Him.
You should be teaching believers to look to Jesus Christ in how serious & committed He is in helping us to follow Him as our Good Shepherd. Our eyes are not on us in keeping His commandments, but on Him to help us to do them which His commandments are not grievous.
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Again: what identifies a children of God is by faith in Jesus Christ: not by keeping the law.
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Other people will know we are christians by our love, but in God's eye, we are His children by faith in Jesus Christ.