Convergence and the Myth of Law-lessness

Before reading this article, start by answering the 'Law Concepts Questionnaire' at the end.

C hristianity today is Law-less, and proud of it. There are few theological issues so jealously guarded and defended as our 'freedom from law'. But have we misinterpreted this awesome instrument of God? Do we understand the real character and purpose of the Law? And if not, what deficiencies and unfulfilled potential are we currently suffering from? Laying aside tradition, preconceptions, culture and sentiment, let's look at this issue of Law. Gaining a clear insight into the truth will not only bring correction in doctrine, but more importantly, will illuminate the activities required for the next (and probably final) step in God's purposes for his church. This brief article, will highlight five 'forces' that seem to show conclusively that the church holds a position on the Law that is not supportable and should be changed. The nature of this error is not so much as diabolical, as it is 'protective'. Using human development as an analogy , this error 'veil' is similar to the veil a child has towards sexuality. God and society 'encapsulates' children in a veil of innocence, until they reach a certain level of maturity. It appears God has allowed the same for the church. The analogy is literally the same for Law. Both children and the church are 'exempt' from the full requirements of the Law until the age of accountability. They both have been extended a 'womb' of grace in which to grow to adulthood. The church has perceived its temporary state of Grace as permanent. But the full privileges of adulthood (marriage, etc.) cannot be extended until the full responsibilities are accepted.

The (and there are probably many more) forces of change will act to cause a 'convergence' of the two essential dynamics of mature character, Law and Grace. An explosive mixture for an explosive church in the 'Day of the Lord'.

Listed below are short arguments and conclusions describing the errors perceived by the church. The conclusion of which could be stated in a basic premise as:

Law and Grace are not conflicting forces in redemption, but rather complimentary and necessary to attain the complete maturity, provided and desired by God.

Christianity has erroneously taught the unbalanced truth, that Grace alone can shape it's final form. The church is not 'under law' in regards to righteousness, but it is and always has been a willing 'servant of the Law' in regards to knowledge, instruction and accountability.

The church requires a voluntary, penitent, Spirit led journey to 'Sini' to embrace the essential elements of the Law, including Sabbath worship, reestablishing it's ceremonial year around the Feasts of the Lord, and a new acknowledgment of, and identity with, the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.

EXAMPLE:

The most powerful testimony of one's beliefs is one's actions. Jesus, the perfect man, Peter, James, John and all the original Apostles, Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, Jewish believers, all but Jesus lived and died as part of the church, still living according to the Law. Paul, the perceived anti-law crusader, lost his life attempting to correct Jewish misunderstandings about his position on Law. They had the same misconceptions the Gentiles have today, that Paul was teaching to turn away from Moses and obedience to the Law. He was not, as he sought to defend himself of the charges. There are no examples of NT life outside the Law. There are no admonishments to do so. Gentiles, (like children) are temporarily released from the full requirements of Law. There was two reasons for this. One, Paul did teach zealously that, BEING BORN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD IS NOT BASED UPON MY LAW-FULNESS. And secondly, THE LAW IS POWERLESS TO PRODUCE A LAW-FUL LIFE. And thirdly, largely ignorant of Law, the Gentiles were in a 'catch-22' situation. How could they ever learn to live by the Law if they were excluded from the Jewish Law culture (homes, synagogues, temple, etc.). At the Jerusalem Council', the Apostles including Paul, themselves living according to the Law, and conceiving of no alternative lifestyle, admonished the Gentiles:

For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath." Acts 15:21

A paraphrased version might be, "we place no entrance requirements on you, but in your search to know and please God, as you participate and fellowship with Jewish believers in the Synagogues, homes, etc., you too, will learn and embrace the Law (Moses). We trust the Spirit of God to lead and nurture you for his purposes and glory".

The Perfect 10?

I am the eternal your God

do not make idols

do not blaspheme

sanctify the Sabbath

honor your father and mother

do not kill

do not commit adultery

do not steal

do not lie

do not envy your neighbor

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

 

Love your neighbor as yourself

The 10 Commandments represent the consummate expression of moral law. As written here, just 39 words, a model of beauty in simplicity. Quite in contrast to some of man's legislative endeavors.

"Where words are many, sin is not lacking", Prov 10:19.

Behind these 10, unseen to all but God, are the motivations for keeping them. Jesus identified the 2 motivations, and expressed them in just 24 words, It might be good to imagine them written on the back of these stone tablets.

The Law is for the unlearned and the law-breaker. For those that conduct themselves perfectly there is no law. But until that happens, how will we recognize, how will we learn, what perfect conduct looks like? Keeping the 2 motivations in mind, we can begin by studying the 10 commandments.

As Christians, we acknowledge the 10 Commandments as the foundation of moral law. All 10? Few would argue about nine. They could apply equally to both Jews and Gentiles, but one seems out of place? The fourth one, 'sanctify the Sabbath'. Some might say, there are nine Commandments and one Ceremonial Option. Strange of God to do that, don't you think? Nine is not very pretty, it would not look very balanced on our stone tablet. Maybe God wasn't anticipating the 'inclusion' of Gentiles, and Sunday worship, when he gave the 10 to Israel on Mt. Sini. God didn't have to stress the seventh day, repeatedly, or pronounce the seventh day holy, even since the first week of creation. Couldn't he have commanded to 'sanctify a day of rest' That would have nicely bridged both OT and NT. Maybe God could have thought of another Commandment to make an even 10. Perhaps a modern one like, 'deem all mankind equally'. That sounds like a good commandment, not an option. Maybe it could replace the 'Sabbath' one. Man could get very creative 'improving' on God's 'almost' 'perfect 10'. Like sand in our shoe, it will just keep on aggregating until we change IT - or IT changes us.

What Shall We Do With The Sabbath?

HISTORY:

The NT church was unquestionably OT grounded. Early Christianity was simply an enlightened, and 'visited' Judaism. The Apostles used the OT as authoritative for every act or argument.. There was no New Testament, the Apostles must not have seen the need for one. They died leaving a few written historical accounts and epistles. It was some 300 hundred years after the Apostles died, after much dispute, that the Council of Carthage, in 397, declared the canon of the NT with the 27 books as we know it today. Those who imagine that the NT has somehow supplanted the OT and that the OT is now passé are ignorant both of the Scriptures, of church history. The NT add nothing 'new', nothing not already anticipated by the OT, to the plan and purposes of God. The Christianity we see today is not the Christianity of our early history, it would not be recognized by the first generation. The change from Saturday worship to Sunday was done by Constantine in 321 A.D.. What does the predominantly Gentile church possess, that will enable us to attain, without the Law, something that our Jewish spiritual fathers apparently felt they could attain only with the Law? As long as the founding Apostles and their disciples were alive, the Law was zealously followed.

SABBATH:

If there is any vestige of the Law that Christianity accepts, it's the 10 Commandments. Stuck in among them is one, seemingly out of place, command. By man's reckoning, what day we rest and worship, does not compare in moral magnitude with the other nine. 'I am the eternal your God', 'do not kill', these are absolutes, clearly of a different nature, than 'sanctify the Sabbath'. How can the day that I rest have any great moral significance? Unlike the other nine, which we can accept literally, for this one we'll apply a 'deeper' spiritual interpretation to see the 'real' meaning God intended. Any 'day of rest' will do, it's my attitude that counts. And it certainly must please God if we honor the day his son, Jesus, was resurrected. No, there was no justification for changing it, and no justification for it to remain Sunday. God did not make one optional. Recognition of the Sabbath transcends even the Law. It was proclaimed holy on the first week of creation. The 6 and 1 pattern is established, emphasized, repeated, and re-emphasized throughout Scripture. It does not appear to be a light or optional matter with God. Moses struck a rock, and didn't get to enter the promised land. God is serious about his symbols, the Law would teach us that. There are times for mans creative self expression, the fourth Commandment is NOT one of them. (See The Perfect 10?).

The supposed NT basis for the switch to Sunday worship turns out to be misinterpreted. Acts 20:7 and I Cor. 16:2, which state 'on the first day of the week' are referring to the Hebrew tradition of closing the Sabbath with prayer and a meal. In the Jewish New Testament it uses the proper term "On Motza'ei-Shabbat" (immediately after the Sabbath, Saturday night). There is NO record of Sunday worship, but many references that indicate the keeping of the Jewish Sabbath, including participation by Gentiles. Christianity's unfounded and unauthorized 'improvement' (a 1 and 6 week) on the clear revelation of God's will, is not acceptable.

FEASTS OF THE LORD:

The royal calendar of heaven. For our early Gentile fathers to forsake these seven crown jewels of the sacred year has to indicate their extreme prejudice towards Judaism. Until we fully uncover and restore these Holy Convocations to their rightful place of prominence, the church will not, can not, know or fully participate in the purposes of God. They are pregnant with the treasures and delights the Father has reserved for this very day. One of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead will be to learn how to express these Feasts. Searching out their mysteries will be en eternal task, but here are a few highlights.

We are introduced to the Feasts in Leviticus 23. Like the Temple, they are NOT firstly Jewish. They transcend Israel's expression of them in time and scope. They originate in heaven. The Jewish Torah refers to them as the 'fixed times of the Lord'. They are God's 'calendar of events' from the time of creation. They segment the year with the beautiful pattern of three and seven. They are prophetic in nature, eternally glorifying a God who, after giving man and devils free reign and possession of earth, time and history can impose, predict, upon They should be the most powerful apologetically (evangelical) tool God has given to the church. All major Jewish foundation focus They So much can be said

PAUL:

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ahave churca 'coming of age' d We e the This erroneous position has likly been part of God's glorious plan from the beginning. The change examine sthe evidence, which appeares to be conclusive.

After 2000 years of church history overwh

Is the Spirit prompting the church to break camp, to move on into the green pastures of promise and provision. The burden of many Christians is for

Except for some of the 'neighbor' laws, do not kill, steal, etc., isn't the Law a vestige of time past, necessary to get us to where we are today? It may seem to makes sense, and it feels right. But isn't all this a little too convenient, a little too comfortable. Maybe we are reading what we want to read into the Word. As we look around at Christianity, and into out own lives, do we see the manifestations, the impact, the beauty of Christ. If yes, or yes, as much as I expect to see, than the rest of this article is mainly academic, if that. But if you have a sense that the 'painting' is not complete and that it's not just a matter of a little more time, but of some fundamental changes, the intervention of some major new dynamic into the process, than the contentions and conclusions of this article may not be so difficult, hopefully for many, thrilling.

Law and Grace

It is impossible to talk about Law with a Christian without the contrast of Grace being raised. Christian culture is unquestionably anti-law. Contrast that, with Jewish culture, which is pro-law. The Jews love, honor and cherish the law. Ever wonder why that is? Is is something in the Jews, or is it something in the Law, that make it so attractive to them? It seems that Law and Grace at war with each other incompatible and antagonistic. A winner take all scenario. Is this true? Was that the Fathers intention from the beginning? As Gentile Christians, should we celebrate our freedom at the expense of the Law? Christianity has embraced Grace, and who wouldn't, Grace is an obviously attractive lady. On her behalf, we point out the Law's ugliness, it's one glaring failure - in all it's pretense, it is powerless to make one righteous. Yes, that's true enough, but powerlessness does not equate to worthlessness. But Grace's unattractive sister, Law, was certainly no mistake. God doesn't make mistakes. There is a purpose in all of this sibling rivalry. We know that the Apostle Paul seemed to have some pretty harsh things to say about the law, have we really seen it's real character. Spiritual, perfect, the embodiment of knowledge and truth, are some of the superlatives used to describe it in the NT. We should find that attractive. And James says:
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25

The Law gives freedom, not limits freedom, not quite the general perception? And there is so much more. Lets take another look at the Law.

But before we continue, there is one very important point to make clear. ACCEPTANCE INTO GOD'S FAMILY IS NOT BASED UPON MY LAW-FULNESS. In that regard, I am absolutely 'free from Law'. There is a birthing process, completely apart from the Law, from which I receive the gift of eternal life. This whole discussion has little to do with birth, but rather adulthood, maturity, marriage. The issues important at birth are not the same ones important to adults. So, with this forever settled, let us go on. "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity...". Heb 6:1.

Law Review - Perfect Plan, Perfect Man

Law Concepts Questionnaire?

  1. What does the Law include? (check all that apply)
    o The 10 Commandments
    o Temple service & worship
    o The Priesthood
    o The Five books of Moses (Torah)
    o Kosher Living
    o Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement
    o Abrahamic Covenant
    o The Kingdom
  2. The Law is perfect?
    o True o False
  3. The Law demands perfect behavior?
    o True o False
  4. God asked Israel to live up to the Law?
    o True o False
  5. The Law allows inconsequential exceptions?
    o True o False
  6. The Law is the perfect revelation of God?
    o True o False
  7. Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Law?
    o True o False
  8. The Law is the embodiment of knowledge and truth?
    o True o False
  9. The Law is prophetic?
    o True o False
  10. The Law makes one wise?
    o True o False
  11. Gentiles should meditate on the Law night and Day?
    o True o False
  12. Jesus ended living by the Law for :
    o Jews?
    o Gentile?
  13. Today, Gentiles should live according to the Law?
    o True o False
  14. These men lived according to the Law when:
    young end of life
    John the Baptist
    o o
    Jesus
    o o
    Peter o o
    Paul o o
    Timothy o o
  15. One can live by the Law and live by Grace at the same time?
    o True o False
  16. We receive the gift of eternal life by keeping the Law?
    o True o False
  17. The Law, in itself, is powerless to: (most correct)
    o give me eternal life?
    o help me keep the Law?
  18. The Law is not fulfilled yet?
    o True o False
  19. There is a New Testament Law (regulations of conduct) that one must follow to please God?
    o True o False
  20. If there is, check the ones that are included:
    o keep the Sabbath (Saturday)?
    o go to church Sunday?
    o tithe?
    o honor my father and mother?
    o celebrate Passover?
    o make disciples?
  21. Jesus told the Jews that if they love God and love their neighbor, they didn't need to keep the rest of the law?
    o True o False

    It is so easy to misinterpret the NT position on the Law, as it's portrayed by Paul. Let's review the big concepts. Taken broadly, the Law is the definition of a perfect man. The 'extended Law', which includes the Prophets and Psalms, defines the perfect plan to attain that perfect man, or in a corporate sense, the Kingdom. The Law was revealed through Israel as described in the Old Testament. By the birth of John the Baptist, the revelation of the perfect man and the perfect plan was complete. Phase I was over, the words were sealed, in cement, so to speak. It would be 'easier for heaven and earth disappear than for one stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law'. There was only one problem. God had revealed to mankind his ultimate Eden, but mankind was still powerless to attain it. John and Jesus began Phase II, the process of energizing a powerless plan. The Law itself predicted this empowering.

    The LORD is my rock (Law), ... and the horn (power) of my salvation.

    Messiah fulfilled the Law. Fulfilled, not in the sense that he ended or 'now stood in place of' the Law, but that he added to, as the Law had predicted and described, all the means necessary for other men attain to the perfection defined by the Law. He fulfilled his part of the process, a process not yet completed - in us. He was also our model, our example of the perfect man. He greatly clarified what the goal of the Law was. He was the first man to succeed, and is now resting at the right hand of God the Father, waiting for the full harvest of the 'empowered plan' to mature. That is the reason the Law is so important to us today. It's a continuing description of the continuing plan of complete salvation. To discard it, is to frustrate the glorious consummation of our relationship to Him. To diminish it, is to be unprepared for the knowledgeable, and responsive participation he desires from us. Christianity is currently settling for much less than it is destined for. It is largely due to the misappropriation of this plan. We have divine blood in our veins. Deep is calling onto deep. Being daddy's little girl is one thing. Even human societies encapsulate their children in a 'womb' of grace, protecting them 'adult' wonders and evils. God is no different, that is one aspect of his Grace. But we are a prospective bride, preparing herself to marry, about to take on His name in official representation of God. Messiah's Queen of the Universe must have a thorough understanding of the laws of her Kingdom.

    Role Playing

    The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deu 29:29

    Divine life is a joint venture. Like an earthly father, God is always encouraging participation, by his children, in royal affairs. How else will we learn to administer the Kingdom? There are secret ways of God are beyond our understanding, but he has richly granted us insight into His grand plan. The Law is our portion, our privileged participation in that responsibility. Jesus understood this. The Law, empowered and illuminated by the Spirit, was Jesus' guide. Jesus DID NOT have a 'play it by ear' mission. His mission WAS 'pre-scribed' for him. He studied the Law carefully that he might fulfill all things required of him. The perfect man was not above the Law, but servant to it. ' How can we refuse or desire to do any less.

    The Stumblling Stone

    While being much broader, there is one issue that epitomizes the Law debate like no other. The crux of the issue can rise or fall on one dilemma, one 'stunbling stone' - the Sabbath. What do we do with the Sabbath?

    Now perhaps this scenario conflicts with many thing we have been taught.

    This is simplifying very complex processes and events, but it should help clarify this complex subject. In the NT we are introduced to the gospel of Grace, a way of gaining right-standing before God without actually being righteous. It is not an either/or proposition with Law and Grace, but rather Law and Grace. Law reveals the need of Grace. Law makes Grace desirable. Grace The Law is the goal, Grace makes that goal attainable. Without Law man would have spurned Grace. 1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of powerPsa 18:2 Psa 62:6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

    .We feel we have a supirior 'spirit directed' compass to direct our walk with God. But there was a time , for the first two hundred years or so of the early church, when the Law was zealously followed. There is an inordanate fear of 'comming under the law'. We must re-visit Sini; re-examine the two revelations of Pentecost.

    Jesus, Peter, James, John, Paul, all the other apostles, decons and elders, Jewish believers, gentile believers, all of them, lived and taught their entire lives accourding to the law.

    Why did they remain zealous advocates of the Law?

    What do the Gentile's possess, that will enable us to attain, without the Law, something that our Jewish spiritual fathers apparently felt they could attain only with the Law?

    The beauty and the beast, Grace and Law. Maybe they were meant to go together. Two antagonists, now compatible, indeed, complimentary. Like two chemicals kept apart, until their explosive energy is needed. An end-of-the-age rocket fuel. Power for a largely powerless church.

    The beauty and the beast, Grace and Law. Maybe they were meant to go together. Two antagonists, now compatible, indeed, complimentary. Like two chemicals kept apart, until their explosive energy is needed. An end-of-the-age rocket fuel. Power for a largely powerless church.

    STATEMENTS

    1. The Law is eternal 2,8
    2. The Law is prophetic 1,2,8
    3. The Law defines the love of God, love of neighbor 4
    4. The Law, given, was completed at John 5
    5. The Law, fulfilled, was begun at John, and continuing 5
    6. The Law prophecyed of Jesus, the Kingdom 8,17
    7. The Law is powerless to help one fulfill the Law 31
    8. Messiah provided power to fulfil the Law
    9. The Law is the final judge of the world 15
    10. The Spirit and Grace point us to the Law 18
    11. The Law is not nullified by faith(Grace) 18
    12. We should be slaves of (God's) Law 20
    13. The Law allows exceptions
    14. The Law reveals sin, the need of a Savior 21
    15. The Law is no longer a requirement, but a goal
    16. The Gentiles are a people without understanding because they don't know the Law

    REFERENCES

    1. Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
    2. Mat 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
    3. Mat 19:17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
    4. Mat 22:36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
    5. Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
    6. Luke 16:17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
    7. Luke 24:25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
    8. Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
    9. John 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
    10. John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
    11. John 6:32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
    12. Acts 21:17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. ..... Acts 24:14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked..... I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. ...... Acts 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." ...... Acts 28:17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
    13. Rom 2:13 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.
    14. Rom 2:17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--
    15. Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
    16. Rom 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
    17. Rom 3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
    18. Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
    19. Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
    20. Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
    21. Rom 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
    22. Rom 10:19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."
    23. Rom 13:10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
    24. 1 Cor 9:21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
    25. Gal 3:5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
    26. Gal 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
    27. Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
    28. 1 Tim 1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
    29. 1 Tim 1:9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the
    30. Heb 7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
    31. Heb 7:18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
    32. Heb 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
    33. James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.