The doctrine of the Law

[macuser]

• 

 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse ; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident ; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
- Galatians 3:10-11

Some doctrines from false teachings about the law:

1. Anarchism = No law; denial of all law, authority and government

2. Dispensationalism (out of control) = The law does not apply today; it only pertained to the dispensation of Old Testament Israel

3. Antinomianism = No binding law for the believer; the Christian is totally free from the law due to Christ's fulfillment of it

4. Neonomianism = God has receded from the demands of the Moral Law, and given up its original obligations—and that the Gospel is a New Law

5. Self-meriting Justification = The earning of personal justification through obedience to the law

6. Perfectionism = The believer's ability to perfectly keep the law; to live without sin

7. Legalism = The addition of man-made laws, interpretations, and customs to God's law

[Theodore A. Jones]

• 

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse ; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident ; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
- Galatians 3:10-11

Some doctrines from false teachings about the law:

1. Anarchism = No law; denial of all law, authority and government

2. Dispensationalism (out of control) = The law does not apply today; it only pertained to the dispensation of Old Testament Israel

3. Antinomianism = No binding law for the believer; the Christian is totally free from the law due to Christ's fulfillment of it

4. Neonomianism = God has receded from the demands of the Moral Law, and given up its original obligations—and that the Gospel is a New Law

5. Self-meriting Justification = The earning of personal justification through obedience to the law

6. Perfectionism = The believer's ability to perfectly keep the law; to live without sin

7. Legalism = The addition of man-made laws, interpretations, and customs to God's law

"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13
I guess it is your opinion that he is referring to some man made law?

[Zant Law]

• 

"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13
I guess it is your opinion that he is referring to some man made law?

Man you just spam this board with Romans 2:13 didn't you.
Not once in the entire Law of Moses does it say that it was the means for people earning eternal salvation or a ticket to heaven. There is no salvation in the Law.

[Jack Koons]

• 

Hello everyone,

I think that sometimes the teachings of "Dispensationalism" can be misunderstood.  For example, many believe (as dis Scofield) that during the period we call "The Law" (the 1500 years from Sinai to Christ), people were saved with a combination of "faith and obedience to the Law". This is not true. The written Law (613 shalts and shalt nots) were given for the purpose of identifying sin, to show the need of the Saviour.

The Law did not "produce" sin; it identified sin as sin. A speed limit sign doesn't make speeders, it identifies speeders.

Before salvation, we are under the condemning power of the Law because we are only unrighteous. After salvation we are no longer under the condemning power of the Law, because we now have the righteousness of Christ (that is our legal standing before God). However, while the Law has no more condemning power, it is our guide to identify sin in our lives, for the purpose of glorifying our God.  For example, is it now legal for Christians to steal, commit adultery, or murder? No. The Law still identifies sin, but after being saved; it has no power to condemn.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Jack

[macuser]

• 

Hello everyone,

I think that sometimes the teachings of "Dispensationalism" can be misunderstood.  For example, many believe (as dis Scofield) that during the period we call "The Law" (the 1500 years from Sinai to Christ), people were saved with a combination of "faith and obedience to the Law". This is not true. The written Law (613 shalts and shalt nots) were given for the purpose of identifying sin, to show the need of the Saviour.

The Law did not "produce" sin; it identified sin as sin. A speed limit sign doesn't make speeders, it identifies speeders.

Before salvation, we are under the condemning power of the Law because we are only unrighteous. After salvation we are no longer under the condemning power of the Law, because we now have the righteousness of Christ (that is our legal standing before God). However, while the Law has no more condemning power, it is our guide to identify sin in our lives, for the purpose of glorifying our God.  For example, is it now legal for Christians to steal, commit adultery, or murder? No. The Law still identifies sin, but after being saved; it has no power to condemn.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Jack

The trouble with any of these doctrines people head in all different kinds of directions with their own ideas on how to interpret them. This is one reason we have so many Christian denominations.

Nobody can deny dispensationalism, but people have to realize the ages are all related to each other. It's like the life of a person you go through many stages, and infant, and adolescent, an adult and in the senior. You're still one person going through one life it just takes place in many stages. Christ can be found in all most every chapter in the Bible, he is the beginning and the end. It is God's plan, His one plan, for our salvation.

 The law has its purpose even today, and many people will be reminded of the law at the time of judgment.

[calluna]

• 

There are two types of moral law; perhaps three. There is natural law, with which we are all born. We soon feel hunger, pain and discomfort. This long ago developed into recognition of the crimes of theft and violence that form the basis of all civil and criminal law, everywhere. It was the law that Abram recognised when he moved from Ur.  It was the law that he had in mind when he refused to make improper gain of wealth. It was the law that forced his nephew Lot's escape from Sodom, and the law that destroyed that city. It was the law that Joseph's brothers were conscious of when they were stirred to anger by the rape of their sister Dinah. It was the law that Joseph's brothers were conscious of when they prepared to leave him in a pit. So there was no original absence of law. These moral events and millions more took place before Moses was even born.

It was the law that, by his faith, Abram obeyed, and it is the law that the sons of Abraham obey now. The law that faithful Sarah obeyed is the law that the daughters of Sarah obey now.

What did Jesus say about that law?

'"Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning."' Mt 19:8 NIV

Now leniency was not just for marriages, it was for everything in the law of Moses; which is the second kind of law. The Mosaic commandment said, 'Do not murder.' But Jesus said, "Do not even hate." The Mosaic commandment said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But Jesus said, "Do not even lust." And his firmly Mosaic disciples wondered if this was all too much.

So natural law, if observed by the tender conscience, is more searching, and more effective than Mosaic law, because it scrutinises motives. "Is my motive to love, or not?" That is the question that every human mind should ask, many times, every day; but Satan will certainly try to persuade that the Law of Moses, or even no law at all, is easier, and acceptable.

For those who, through faith, possess the mind of Christ, natural law is 'extended', prompted by the love of Christ, and by gratitude for the forgiveness that is obtained by his sacrifice. So, because of atonement, Paul could write:

'Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' Eph 4:31-32 NIV

[Hal]

• 

There are two types of moral law; perhaps three. There is natural law, with which we are all born. We soon feel hunger, pain and discomfort. This long ago developed into recognition of the crimes of theft and violence that form the basis of all civil and criminal law, everywhere. It was the law that Abram recognised when he moved from Ur.  It was the law that he had in mind when he refused to make improper gain of wealth. It was the law that forced his nephew Lot's escape from Sodom, and the law that destroyed that city. It was the law that Joseph's brothers were conscious of when they were stirred to anger by the rape of their sister Dinah. It was the law that Joseph's brothers were conscious of when they prepared to leave him in a pit. So there was no original absence of law. These moral events and millions more took place before Moses was even born.

It was the law that, by his faith, Abram obeyed, and it is the law that the sons of Abraham obey now. The law that faithful Sarah obeyed is the law that the daughters of Sarah obey now.

What did Jesus say about that law?

'"Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning."' Mt 19:8 NIV

Now leniency was not just for marriages, it was for everything in the law of Moses; which is the second kind of law. The Mosaic commandment said, 'Do not murder.' But Jesus said, "Do not even hate." The Mosaic commandment said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But Jesus said, "Do not even lust." And his firmly Mosaic disciples wondered if this was all too much.

So natural law, if observed by the tender conscience, is more searching, and more effective than Mosaic law, because it scrutinises motives. "Is my motive to love, or not?" That is the question that every human mind should ask, many times, every day; but Satan will certainly try to persuade that the Law of Moses, or even no law at all, is easier, and acceptable.

For those who, through faith, possess the mind of Christ, natural law is 'extended', prompted by the love of Christ, and by gratitude for the forgiveness that is obtained by his sacrifice. So, because of atonement, Paul could write:

'Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' Eph 4:31-32 NIV

So how does a person know the deference between God's will (law) and the desires of the flesh? If there was no laws concerning marriage how would you know what was God's desire?

Paul put it this way:

Romans 7:7 (NAS) What shall we say then ? Is the Law sin ? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law ; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."

If the law that is written on your heart conflicts with the scriptures what do you do? Which law do you follow?

Hal

[calluna]

• 

So how does a person know the deference between God's will (law) and the desires of the flesh?

By their outcomes if taken to their conclusions. So it is not enough to stop short at murder, if one is seething with anger, and does not commit murder for fear of breaking divine law (or criminal law, for that matter). Similarly with lust, that leads to actual sexual associations if indulged. And covetousness, if indulged, leads to theft. So Jesus was saying that, while the body may escape punishment, the conscience cannot. So Mosaic Law dealt with obvious bodily sin that led to visible crimes, but the law of Christ 'penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart' (Heb 4:12 NIV). In other words, the life of the Spirit is one of searching out every last motive and exposing it, so that every motive is pure. Sanctification is the process of uncovering all sinful motives, and replacing them with the motives of Christ.

If there was no laws concerning marriage how would you know what was God's desire?

By awareness that adultery is unfaithfulness to, betrayal of, one's spouse. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph had one wife at at one time (leaving aside the trick of Laban), so it may be supposed that they understood this. What needs to be realised is that God's law is based not on damage done to God, but on damage done to people. God acts on behalf of people rather than his own interests.

But the mind of man is clouded by desire. 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can understand it?' So we may tell ourselves that covetousness, jealousy, bitterness and unkindness are ok, whereas, when we see that deity points them out as sinful, we sit up and take due note. Hence Paul's comments, in Romans and in Ephesians.

[Hal]

• 

What needs to be realised is that God's law is based not on damage done to God, but on damage done to people. God acts on behalf of people rather than his own interests.

Biblical reference please.

But the mind of man is clouded by desire. 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can understand it?' So we may tell ourselves that covetousness, jealousy, bitterness and unkindness are ok, whereas, when we see that deity points them out as sinful, we sit up and take due note. Hence Paul's comments, in Romans and in Ephesians.

 Agreed but the problem comes with your natural law that why the question which you did not respond to.

For those who, through faith, possess the mind of Christ, natural law is 'extended', prompted by the love of Christ, and by gratitude for the forgiveness that is obtained by his sacrifice.

If the law that is written on your heart conflicts with the scriptures what do you do? Which law do you follow?

 Maybe I am reading this wrong, maybe you are telling me that because of faith in Christ,  Christ empowers a person with an infallible knowledge of the law that humans can not misunderstand or confuse with the desires of the world?
Does the Holy Ghost impart infallible knowledge of the law?

So natural law, if observed by the tender conscience, is more searching, and more effective than Mosaic law, because it scrutinises motives. "Is my motive to love, or not?" That is the question that every human mind should ask, many times, every day; but Satan will certainly try to persuade that the Law of Moses, or even no law at all, is easier, and acceptable.

In the Sriptures it appears you show your love by keeping God's commandments.

John 14:15 NAS
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 15:10 NAS
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love ; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

Why does God put Himself before you and your neighbor?

luke 10:27 And he answering said , Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

[Jack Koons]

• 

Has anyone considered that the 'law' written on our hearts is the exact same 'law' given to Moses?

When Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that is how they realized their sin. The purpose of the law is to identify sin. Our very conscience is the Law of God written on our hearts. The problem of course is that with 1) false teaching as to what God's Law is or isn't; and 2) the ability of our wicked deceitful hearts to 'excuse' the sin we commit, we have the ability to 'impress' our our will over the law of God.

That is why the same law has been presented to 'all', making is all guilty before God. Whether the law was written on our hearts, or written in stone, or even on paper; it is still the same condemning law.

Jack

[Zant Law]

• 

Has anyone considered that the 'law' written on our hearts is the exact same 'law' given to Moses?

When Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that is how they realized their sin. The purpose of the law is to identify sin. Our very conscience is the Law of God written on our hearts. The problem of course is that with 1) false teaching as to what God's Law is or isn't; and 2) the ability of our wicked deceitful hearts to 'excuse' the sin we commit, we have the ability to 'impress' our our will over the law of God.

That is why the same law has been presented to 'all', making is all guilty before God. Whether the law was written on our hearts, or written in stone, or even on paper; it is still the same condemning law.

Jack

Yes the law was twisted by Satan for Eve, and Satan tried to twist the law when he tempted Christ. Satan likes to try to use logic at man's level to turn God's word for his own purposes. If two interpretations of the law are given, man will usually choose the one that pleases himself. (2 timothy 4)

[Jack Koons]

• 

Zant stated:

"Yes the law was twisted by Satan for Eve, and Satan tried to twist the law when he tempted Christ. Satan likes to try to use logic at man's level to turn God's word for his own purposes. If two interpretations of the law are given, man will usually choose the one that pleases himself. (2 timothy 4)"

Zant, that is the ABSOLUTE TRUTH!

Please consider:

2 Peter 1
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Tim 3
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 138
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

I was a foster child who was richly blessed by having two parents who were both in their late teens, and early twenties during the "great depression". My father believed that a man's word was his bond. In Psalm 138:2b we read, "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name".

Think about the significance of those words! Nothing should be treated with more honor and reverence than the Word of God; because it both is, and contains the Law of God.

Yet, Origin, Constantine, Semler, and Metzger, all used interpretation and "intellectual" logic to twist and tear away the Holy Scriptures. The good news is that irregardless of the hundreds of attempts by Satan (and those he influences to do his work), to destroy God's word, it remains.

Jack

[Zant Law]

• 

Zant stated:

"Yes the law was twisted by Satan for Eve, and Satan tried to twist the law when he tempted Christ. Satan likes to try to use logic at man's level to turn God's word for his own purposes. If two interpretations of the law are given, man will usually choose the one that pleases himself. (2 timothy 4)"

Zant, that is the ABSOLUTE TRUTH!

Please consider:

2 Peter 1
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Tim 3
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 138
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

I was a foster child who was richly blessed by having two parents who were both in their late teens, and early twenties during the "great depression". My father believed that a man's word was his bond. In Psalm 138:2b we read, "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name".

Think about the significance of those words! Nothing should be treated with more honor and reverence than the Word of God; because it both is, and contains the Law of God.

Yet, Origin, Constantine, Semler, and Metzger, all used interpretation and "intellectual" logic to twist and tear away the Holy Scriptures. The good news is that irregardless of the hundreds of attempts by Satan (and those he influences to do his work), to destroy God's word, it remains.

Jack

Remember this post Jack for future reference.

[Jack Koons]

• 

Every major 'denomination' has a particular 'platform of interpretation'. This means that "all" scripture is seen through that 'platform of interpretation' for that 'denomination'. This is where I went "independent". I refused to allow any 'platform of interpretation' cloud what the scriptures state. Rather, I let the scriptures interpret themselves. When one takes this approach, one can see things from a different perspective than one sees when being forced to see from only one location.

That is why four people can see the same accident from one of the four corners of an intersection, and yet not see what really happened. That is why Police officers question all four witnesses, make a composite of the four stories, and get a final truth.

Jack

[Zant Law]

• 

Every major 'denomination' has a particular 'platform of interpretation'. This means that "all" scripture is seen through that 'platform of interpretation' for that 'denomination'. This is where I went "independent". I refused to allow any 'platform of interpretation' cloud what the scriptures state. Rather, I let the scriptures interpret themselves. When one takes this approach, one can see things from a different perspective than one sees when being forced to see from only one location.

That is why four people can see the same accident from one of the four corners of an intersection, and yet not see what really happened. That is why Police officers question all four witnesses, make a composite of the four stories, and get a final truth.

Jack

The denomination of Jack's interpretation. I like it

I also am non-denominational but I find it useful to listen to other views and hold it up against the Scripture.