If all the Law will never change (which I agree with, btw, jots and tittles, ya know), then why aren't you offering sacrifices and going to Jerusalem for the appointed times?
How does what you're doing (keeping only the snippets of the Law that are convenient for you) line up with what you wrote above? If sinning is transgressing the Law and you know that you're doing it, isn't that willful (not ignorant) sin?
Uh oh.
-JGIG
But JGIG, the law didn't change.
We have a high priest who offered sacrifice for sin, who ministers daily in the temple of God as our representative, which is *exactly* what the law prescribed; a payment in blood for sin and a high priest. And as far as going to Jerusalem for the appointed Times; the law enumerates that all able-bodied *men* are to venture to Jerusalem three times a year for the feasts, not women...and that's only if one can make it there. Actually, to be more specific; the law says to venture to the place where "God places his name", which is the Temple. There's no longer a temple (and never will be again imho).
Not all of God's law was meant for *every single person* who was a citizen of Israel. Some were for women...some were for men...some where exclusively for Levites...some where for if/when you're in the land...some where for you regardless of where you are (like The Commandments).
Respectfully, this misunderstanding is what Peter was talking about when he said (2 Peter 3:16)
We must clearly understand the Hebrew scriptures (i.e. today's 1st 5 books of the bible), every jot and tittle to the minutest detail, to make accurate heads or tails of all of what Paul says...and also what Christ says.
You say the Law didn't change and then go on to detail how you say it DID change! You say that Jesus ministering in the Temple of God is the same as what was happening in the Law - NO - not by any means:
1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (from Heb. 10)
For the record, I'm with you on that the Law did not change - not one jot or tittle has passed for those who are not in Christ. The Law is God's perfect standard for righteousness, designed to bring mankind to the end of themselves and to the Grace and Mercy that is offered in Christ Who was righteous on our behalf and gives His Righteousness to us as a gift when we enter into what He's already done by faith (Rom. 5, 2 Cor. 5, Eph. 1,2, Gal. 2,3). When we enter into Christ, we enter into His Death and Resurrection and die to the Law, being severed from it IN ORDER that we may bear fruit unto God (Rom. 7:4-6, Gal. 2:19-21). Note that to bear fruit unto God we must be joined to Christ, Who is the Seed Who gives life (Gal. 3) and dead to the Law, which is impotent and does not bear fruit unto God.
And I do understand that not all of the Law applies to everyone - there are laws for men, women, farmers, priests, merchants, etc. The point about going to Jerusalem for the Appointed times was for the broader audience, not just for RedTent.
You're a male - what say you? Are you going to Jerusalem for the appointed times? You're not in exile and modern travel availability certainly allows for the carrying out of such commands. So what if there is not a Temple or priesthood?
You're required to bring your sacrifices to Jerusalem! Won't you purpose to do all of the Law that you can? Don't you want to be pleasing to God to show Him how much you love Him?
You say we must clearly understand the Torah; I agree. You must have skipped over these parts in Torah and the prophets:
Exodus 23:13
13 “Be careful to do everything I have said to you."
Deuteronomy 5:28-33
28 The Lord heard you when you spoke to me and the Lord said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. 29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
30 “Go, tell them to return to their tents. 31 But you stay here with me so that I may give you all the commands, decrees and laws you are to teach them to follow in the land I am giving them to possess.”
32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Deuteronomy 8:1
Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers.
Deuteronomy 12:27-28
27 Present your burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord your God, both the meat and the blood. The blood of your sacrifices must be poured beside the altar of the Lord your God, but you may eat the meat. 28 Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.
Jeremiah 7:21-26
21 “‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. 25 From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. 26 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.’
Joshua 1:6-9
6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God's standard for Law keeping is absolute perfection: Keep it 100%, 100% of the time to get the blessings; or not, and curses are coming your way. That is the truth of the Law as it is written. Those who advocate Torah 'pursuance' quote Matt. 5:17-19, saying that not one jot or tittle shall pass, yet when it comes to where the rubber meets the road and they have to actually start doing what the Law says, they find all kinds of loopholes and simply toss the jots and tittles which are inconvenient or distasteful.
Back to the intent of the OP: Jesus preached the Law to those under the Law, fulfilled the Law's requirements on our behalf, went to the Cross to swallow up the wrath for our sins, and conquered the Death penalty with His Resurrection. Those who enter into His Work by faith no longer have ANY relationship with the Law. Those who are in Christ are sealed with His Holy Spirit and led by Him. The Scriptures are clear: If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law (Gal. 5:18).
The revelation given to Paul BY CHRIST tells us that is we are led by the Spirit we are not under the Law. He also tells us this:
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. (from Gal. 5)
-JGIG