Why The Law?

[WordSword]

Would it not serve to be unfair in sending souls into the battlefield short of informing them of how to identify the enemy?  For the Christian, all opposition derives itself from three foundations of source; self (old self), Satan and society. I also believe this accounting is in the proper order of priority.

Yes, “the enemy within” (old man) is the greatest danger, for not only is it where accountability is incurred but I’m convinced the other two enemies must enter through this passage (old self or sinful nature) to reach the saint. Regardless of the evil which God reveals in and to the believer concerning the sinful nature, we must always be mindful that “the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom 5:20). “That the offence might abound” or shows us to learn the depths of our sin source, in order to continue to learn the heights of God holiness. “Grace did much more abound” is where faith in Christ’s expiation is progressively tested, resulting only towards maturity.

 

Why The Law?

We might consider the question, “What is the proof of the law?” If God meant to give the inheritance by promise, why bring in the law? If you examine the dealings of God with His people in the early days, He promised them a blessing, and they took it without looking at themselves to see whether they deserved it or not. This unquestioning confidence is all very blessed; but it is not for a man’s good not to know what he is. It is of great moment that I should learn what my condition really is*.

Now the object of the law was to bring out the sinner’s true condition of soul; not at all to bring him into blessing, but to bring out the fearful ruin into which man had got by sin*. The law was not meant to be the rule of life; indeed, it is rather the rule of death (Gal 3:10 – NC). If a man had no such thing as sin, it might be the rule of life; but he being a sinner*, it is an absurd misnomer to call it the rule of life.

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgression” (Gal 3:19). It is not said, “because of sins.” God never would do anything to make one a sinner—but “it was added because of transgressions.” What’s the difference? Sin is in every child of Adam; sin was in man before the law, as much as after. When the whole world was corrupt—when all flesh became so violent that God was obliged to judge it by the flood, it is too clear that they were all sinners. After He gave the law to Israel, they were no longer merely sinners, but became transgressors (which would have been the same for any people, as evidenced by the world’s ways since Christ). Rebels against God’s authority, they became actual violators of His law*.

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners” (1Tim 1:9). Whoever was made righteous by the law? Is he an honest man who merely refrains from taking your watch for fear of being locked up? The only really honest person is he who has the fear of God before his eyes. The law has the effect of punishing those that break it, but it is not what makes a man honest even in a human sense, much less in the divine. Through the faith of Christ one becomes a new man, the possessor of a new life which is dependent and obedient, loving to do the will of the Father because He wishes it, and not merely through dread of going to hell*.

If you take the law as well as the Lord Jesus, you become at least half a Jew. Actually, you become a spiritual adulterer (Rom 7:1-4). We are called to look at the Lord Jesus, and Him only—He being the source of our life (Col 3:4; 2Cor 3:18). He is the one who creates, and fashions, and constitutes every particle of righteousness and life that the believer possess. So the apostle Paul prays that they might be more and more “filled with the fruits of righteousness.” The natural man would allow the need of the works of righteousness which are demanded by the law*; but he knows nothing of those “fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:11). The law was the rule of death for the sinner; the Lord Jesus Christ is the rule of life for the saint.

“Wherefore then serveth the law?” The law “was added because of transgressions, till the seed (Christ) should come to whom the promise was made”* (Gal 3:19). God was pleased to use this platform negatively for a time (Acts 17:30 - NC); but now the Seed is come, and the platform is gone concerning the Christian—the believer has died to it*. It is all-important for convicting the sinner, the standard of what a sinful man ought to do for God. But it is neither the reflection of God nor the pattern for the saints; the Lord Jesus is both, and He only.

- Wm Kelly

 

Poster’s Notes:

*”learn what my condition really is”: It’s not for the believer to only be aware of the indwelling sin nature (old man) but to own up to it while the Spirit of God opposes it in us, which is in accordance to our “yielding to God” (Gal 5:17; Rom 6:13, 19); which nature was manifested even prior to the “transgression” (Gen 3:6; Rom 5:14; 1Tim 2:14).

It is interesting to note the consistency of Scripture by seeing how Genesis 3:6 and 1John 2:16 directly collate:

“The woman saw that the tree was good for food” / “the lust of the flesh.”

“It was pleasant to the eyes” / “the lust of the eyes.”

“A tree to be desired to make one wise” / “the pride of life.”

 

*”got by sin”: since the law reveals the offence, “the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Rom 4:15). Learning the wrong incurs accountability, hence Christ’s statement, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.” And, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin” (John 15:22, 24). I believe this is why many would rather not know the wrong they do, because “It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life” (2Pet 2:21 NLT).

*”being a sinner”: the value of a work consists not in the doing as much as it does within its intent (Heb 4:12; Mat 12:35). Therefore the new nature (new man) by the Spirit of God is what causes believers to bring forth works always with good intention, which is more significant than the outcome of the work, which may not necessarily be correct due to the effect of the old nature.

*”violators of His law”:  God’s revelation to Israel (who were a type-representative of mankind) concerning their guilt was too show their need for Him, through revealing not only their condemnation but also redemption from it.

*”dread of going to hell”: though many initially seek God to avoid hell, which is a show of belief in God and in His Word concerning hell, they eventually learn that it is, “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Rom 2:4), and it is in His “goodness” that He teaches us His love! It’s obvious that those who do not seek God do not believe in hell, otherwise there would no doubt be a different outcome for most. One never stumbles onto truth, for it must be sought to be found (Mat 7:7), thus condemnation is “inexcusable” apart from Christ.

*”works of righteousness which are demanded by the law”: which are required by God, not to man but to Christ, which is manifest in His “propitiation,” and which can only be performed by One who is without a sin nature, thereby amplifying the strength of our faith in His atonement alone for receiving and retaining our salvation.

*”the believer has died to it”: how could one who was never under the law die to it? For the Gentile it refers to the moral law of God (Gen 2:16, 17), which all have always been under.  The Gentiles were those “that are without law” e.g. Moses’ Law of God, but were never “without law to God” (1Cor 9:21) e.g. were always accountable to God for morality towards one another. Godliness traverses beyond morality, in that it is the conduct of man towards man, rather than conduct of man towards God.

 

Edited May 19, 2016 by Word-Sword
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[Willa]

I so agree that even our good works that are born of the Holy Spirit are not perfect because a measure of self and the old nature are continually present.  We may be unaware of the imperfection, but God is continually conforming us to the likeness of Christ and refining us of the dross.

It is the temptation of many to think it is Christ plus obedience to the law that saves us.  That is the trap I fell into after I was saved.  But salvation is a gift.  Faith is a gift.  Righteousness is a gift.  Forgiveness is a gift.  And these gifts aren not earned.  God had mercy on us because we are unable to help ourselves or to in any way meet His expectations of perfection.  Grace is unmerited favor.  Righteousness in conferred upon us through the faith He has given us in Christ's resurrection.  This way only God gets the glory for all He has done on our behalf.

[Ezra]

1 hour ago, Word-Sword said:

Wherefore then serveth the law?” The law “was added because of transgressions, till the seed (Christ) should come to whom the promise was made”*

The Law pronounces each one of us as "Guilty!"

God justified sinners through faith in Christ and says "Righteous".

[Murphy]

There are thee laws to concern yourself with, man's law, Pharisaical law, Torah or God's Law, or instruction.

Do you realize that Torah, instruction, came out of the Garden?

Here-

Genesis 26:5

5Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

 

That which people commonly refer to as Mosaic Law is actually the Ketubah or marital contract.

Yahovah/God married Israel on Mt Sinai.

 

 

Learn to discern between which laws are being spoken of.

 

 

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Word-Sword said:

2 minutes ago, Murphy said:

There are thee laws to concern yourself with, man's law, Pharisaical law, Torah or God's Law, or instruction.

Do you realize that Torah, instruction, came out of the Garden?

Here-

Genesis 26:5

5Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

 

That which people commonly refer to as Mosaic Law is actually the Ketubah or marital contract.

Yahovah/God married Israel on Mt Sinai.

 

 

Learn to discern between which laws are being spoken of.

 

 

 

Would it not serve to be unfair in sending souls into the battlefield short of informing them of how to identify the enemy?  For the Christian, all opposition derives itself from three foundations of source; self (old self), Satan and society. I also believe this accounting is in the proper order of priority.

 

 

 

Yes, “the enemy within” (old man) is the greatest danger, for not only is it where accountability is incurred but I’m convinced the other two enemies must enter through this passage (old self or sinful nature) to reach the saint. Regardless of the evil which God reveals in and to the believer concerning the sinful nature, we must always be mindful that “the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom 5:20). “That the offence might abound” or shows us to learn the depths of our sin source, in order to continue to learn the heights of God holiness. “Grace did much more abound” is where faith in Christ’s expiation is progressively tested, resulting only towards maturity.

 

 

 

Why The Law?

 

 

 

We might consider the question, “What is the proof of the law?” If God meant to give the inheritance by promise, why bring in the law? If you examine the dealings of God with His people in the early days, He promised them a blessing, and they took it without looking at themselves to see whether they deserved it or not. This unquestioning confidence is all very blessed; but it is not for a man’s good not to know what he is. It is of great moment that I should learn what my condition really is*.

 

 

 

Now the object of the law was to bring out the sinner’s true condition of soul; not at all to bring him into blessing, but to bring out the fearful ruin into which man had got by sin*. The law was not meant to be the rule of life; indeed, it is rather the rule of death (Gal 3:10 – NC). If a man had no such thing as sin, it might be the rule of life; but he being a sinner*, it is an absurd misnomer to call it the rule of life.

 

 

 

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgression” (Gal 3:19). It is not said, “because of sins.” God never would do anything to make one a sinner—but “it was added because of transgressions.” What’s the difference? Sin is in every child of Adam; sin was in man before the law, as much as after. When the whole world was corrupt—when all flesh became so violent that God was obliged to judge it by the flood, it is too clear that they were all sinners. After He gave the law to Israel, they were no longer merely sinners, but became transgressors (which would have been the same for any people, as evidenced by the world’s ways since Christ). Rebels against God’s authority, they became actual violators of His law*.

 

 

 

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners” (1Tim 1:9). Whoever was made righteous by the law? Is he an honest man who merely refrains from taking your watch for fear of being locked up? The only really honest person is he who has the fear of God before his eyes. The law has the effect of punishing those that break it, but it is not what makes a man honest even in a human sense, much less in the divine. Through the faith of Christ one becomes a new man, the possessor of a new life which is dependent and obedient, loving to do the will of the Father because He wishes it, and not merely through dread of going to hell*.

 

 

 

If you take the law as well as the Lord Jesus, you become at least half a Jew. Actually, you become a spiritual adulterer (Rom 7:1-4). We are called to look at the Lord Jesus, and Him only—He being the source of our life (Col 3:4; 2Cor 3:18). He is the one who creates, and fashions, and constitutes every particle of righteousness and life that the believer possess. So the apostle Paul prays that they might be more and more “filled with the fruits of righteousness.” The natural man would allow the need of the works of righteousness which are demanded by the law*; but he knows nothing of those “fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:11). The law was the rule of death for the sinner; the Lord Jesus Christ is the rule of life for the saint.

 

 

 

“Wherefore then serveth the law?” The law “was added because of transgressions, till the seed (Christ) should come to whom the promise was made”* (Gal 3:19). God was pleased to use this platform negatively for a time (Acts 17:30 - NC); but now the Seed is come, and the platform is gone concerning the Christian—the believer has died to it*. It is all-important for convicting the sinner, the standard of what a sinful man ought to do for God. But it is neither the reflection of God nor the pattern for the saints; the Lord Jesus is both, and He only.

 

 

 

- Wm Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster’s Notes:

 

 

 

*”learn what my condition really is”: It’s not for the believer to only be aware of the indwelling sin nature (old man) but to own up to it while the Spirit of God opposes it in us, which is in accordance to our “yielding to God” (Gal 5:17; Rom 6:13, 19); which nature was manifested even prior to the “transgression” (Gen 3:6; Rom 5:14; 1Tim 2:14).

 

 

 

It is interesting to note the consistency of Scripture by seeing how Genesis 3:6 and 1John 2:16 directly collate:

 

“The woman saw that the tree was good for food” / “the lust of the flesh.”

 

“It was pleasant to the eyes” / “the lust of the eyes.”

 

“A tree to be desired to make one wise” / “the pride of life.”

 

 

 

*”got by sin”: since the law reveals the offence, “the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Rom 4:15). Learning the wrong incurs accountability, hence Christ’s statement, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.” And, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin” (John 15:22, 24). I believe this is why many would rather not know the wrong they do, because “It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life” (2Pet 2:21 NLT).

 

 

 

*”being a sinner”: the value of a work consists not in the doing as much as it does within its intent (Heb 4:12; Mat 12:35). Therefore the new nature (new man) by the Spirit of God is what causes believers to bring forth works always with good intention, which is more significant than the outcome of the work, which may not necessarily be correct due to the effect of the old nature.

 

 

 

*”violators of His law”:  God’s revelation to Israel (who were a type-representative of mankind) concerning their guilt was too show their need for Him, through revealing not only their condemnation but also redemption from it.

 

 

 

*”dread of going to hell”: though many initially seek God to avoid hell, which is a show of belief in God and in His Word concerning hell, they eventually learn that it is, “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Rom 2:4), and it is in His “goodness” that He teaches us His love! It’s obvious that those who do not seek God do not believe in hell, otherwise there would no doubt be a different outcome for most. One never stumbles onto truth, for it must be sought to be found (Mat 7:7), thus condemnation is “inexcusable” apart from Christ.

 

 

 

*”works of righteousness which are demanded by the law”: which are required by God, not to man but to Christ, which is manifest in His “propitiation,” and which can only be performed by One who is without a sin nature, thereby amplifying the strength of our faith in His atonement alone for receiving and retaining our salvation.

 

 

 

*”the believer has died to it”: how could one who was never under the law die to it? For the Gentile it refers to the moral law of God (Gen 2:16, 17), which all have always been under.  The Gentiles were those “that are without law” e.g. Moses’ Law of God, but were never “without law to God” (1Cor 9:21) e.g. were always accountable to God for morality towards one another. Godliness traverses beyond morality, in that it is the conduct of man towards man, rather than conduct of man towards God.

 

The law was given because of transgression. The heirs were a CARNAL collective. That is why the law was given. The inheritance was likewise of this world and this life.

It was to serve as a shadow that all in Christ receive. The carnal command has been disannulled. We as Abraham's seed are no longer a carnal collective.

Some just cannot seem to let go of uplifting the carnal.

[Murphy]

3 minutes ago, Joline said:

The law was given because of transgression. The heirs were a CARNAL collective. That is why the law was given. The inheritance was likewise of this world and this life.

It was to serve as a shadow that all in Christ receive. The carnal command has been disannulled. We as Abraham's seed are no longer a carnal collective.

Some just cannot seem to let go of uplifting the carnal.

Well, I disagree, if you are addressing me?

The transgression is that of the harlot, adultery, for which God divorced Israel.

All men are carnal, regardless.

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, Murphy said:

Well, I disagree, if you are addressing me?

The transgression is that of the harlot, adultery, for which God divorced Israel.

All men are carnal, regardless.

We are not HEIRS as Abraham's CARNAL seed. We are a Spiritual collective in Christ AS HEIRS OF THE PROMISE. Abraham's seed of promise in Moses WERE A CARNAL COLLECTIVE.. And were Judged as an  earthly worldly collective. Just like all nations are prophesied of in the law of Moses.

Jos 22:15  And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16  Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
17  Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
18  But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
19  Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD’S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
20  Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
 

[Murphy]

9 minutes ago, Joline said:

We are not HEIRS as Abraham's CARNAL seed. We are a Spiritual collective in Christ AS HEIRS OF THE PROMISE. Abraham's seed of promise in Moses WERE A CARNAL COLLECTIVE.. And were Judged as an  earthly worldly collective. Just like all nations are prophesied of in the law of Moses.

Jos 22:15  And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16  Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
17  Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
18  But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
19  Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD’S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
20  Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
 

This has not yet happened, it will.

The New Covenant is actually described in the Tanakh.

Ezekiel 11

A Promise of Restoration
…16"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone."' 17"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel."' 18"When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.…

 

 

We are still scattered.

 

 

Jeremiah 32:37
"Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety.
 

 

 

In bold......the qualifiers, shows that this has not yet happened.

Edited May 19, 2016 by Murphy

[Guest]

Just now, Murphy said:

This has not yet happened, it will.

The New Covenant is actually described in the Tanakh.

Ezekiel 11

A Promise of Restoration
…16"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone."' 17"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel."' 18"When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.…

 

 

We are still scattered.

You are still seeing the heirs as Carnal. All who are in Christ Jesus are heirs. We are walking by faith in the promises now.

Ge 17:4  As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

The carnal commandment has been disannulled in Christ

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Jews are saved just the same as the Gentiles. The nation of Israel just has not accepted it yet. Only a remnant was saved from the wrath of God, as foretold in the law.

[Guest]

42 minutes ago, Murphy said:

There are thee laws to concern yourself with, man's law, Pharisaical law, Torah or God's Law, or instruction.

Do you realize that Torah, instruction, came out of the Garden?

Here-

Genesis 26:5

5Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

 

That which people commonly refer to as Mosaic Law is actually the Ketubah or marital contract.

Yahovah/God married Israel on Mt Sinai.

 

 

Learn to discern between which laws are being spoken of.

 

 

 

The law of carnal circumcision........................not moses.  But you are in close range concerning marriage.

Ex 4:25  Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

Ex 4:26  So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.