Function of the Law in Salvation

[Pilgrim7]

The Ten Commandments were called the 'Testimony of God', because He had spoken them directly to His people before writing them with His own finger.

Ex 31:18

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai,

two tables of testimony

, tables of stone, written with the

finger of God

.

Deut 10:1

At that time the LORD said to me,

hew two tables of stone like the first,

and come up to me into the mount, and make an ark of wood.

10:2

And

I will write on the tables the words

that were in the

first tables which you broke,

and

you shall put them in the ark.

10:3

And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

10:4

And

He

(God)

wrote on the tables,

according to the first writing,

the Ten Commandments,

which the

LORD spoke

to you in the mount out of the

midst of the fire in the day of the assembly

:

and the LORD gave them to me.

10:5

And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and

put the tables in the ark

which I had made; and there they are, as the LORD commanded me.

Here we have God Himself according special significance to the 'Tables of Testimony' for they had a special purpose and function in His plan of 'saving His people' from sin. They were called the 'Words of the Covenant' between God and His people. Thus they were distinguished from the 'commandments, judgments and statutes' of the 'Book of Moses'.

The Ark was a symbol of the 'Throne of God', God dwelt above the Ark on the 'Mercy seat' from which He dispensed 'forgiveness' for the 'transgression of His Holy Law', which was in the Ark. When you look at the contents of the Ark, another study for another time, you see only three things contained therein, 'Aaron's rod that budded', the 'Pot of Manna' and the 'Tables of Testimony', all significant of the 'character' and 'person' of God. Aaron's Rod signifying the Work of the Spirit in giving Life to that which is dead, the 'Pot of Manna' representing Jesus the 'bread of Life', and 'God's Holy Law, representing His 'Justice'. All three, an integral part of the essence of God, which is 'Love'.

The 'Book of the Law', which was kept in a pocket outside the Ark, contained the 'commandments, statutes and judgments' which would govern their behavior and the way they approached God and received either forgiveness or judgment from Him.

Now a look at What God thinks about His Law:

Psa 19:7

The

law

of the LORD

is perfect

,

converting

the soul:

the

Testimony

of the LORD is

sure

,

making wise

the simple

(ignorant).

19:8

The

statutes

of the LORD are

right

, rejoicing the heart:

the

commandment

of the LORD is

pure

, enlightening the eyes.

19:9

The

fear

of the LORD is

clean

,

enduring for ever

:

the

judgments

of the LORD are

true

and

righteous

altogether.

Now lets see what the New Testament has to say:

Rom 7:12

Wherefore the

law is

holy

,

and the

commandment

holy

,

just

,

and

good

[Pilgrim7]

Now lets recap what God has told us about His Law, the Ten Commandments:

• 
  
• First and most important is no works or obedience save one from their lost and sinful condition of hatred of God, never have and never will.
  
• The 'Ten Commandments' point out or identify the main sins of the 'carnal, unsaved' man who is not subject to the law of God.
  
• The 'Testimony', the 'Ten Commandments' have always been distinguished from the 'Laws of Moses', in the way they were given and in the way they were 'kept, stored', in the 'Ark of the Testimony'.
  
• When one comes to Christ, he repents or turns from his sin, the breaking of God's Commandments.
  
• Next, those who are saved from their disobedience or transgression, cease from breaking His law, for now they have 'awakened to righteousness' which includes obedience to God's 'Ten Commandments'.
  
• God's laws, especially the 'Ten Commandments', are Spiritual, Holy, Just and Good.
  
• Thus Spiritual, Holy, Just and Good men, those who have been recreated in the 'Image of God' would do that which is Spiritual, Holy, Just and Good.
  

When we understand the true function of the Law according to Scripture, then the words of Jesus make sense and don't need to be twisted or ignored to fit our theology.

Here are some of Jesus' teachings on the Law and He ought to know why He gave it:

Here Jesus connects the keeping and teaching of the Ten Commandments with

[nanasimmons]

The law, (ministration of death and condemnation, written and engraved in stone, by God's own finger) was to be temporary as shown by the glory that faded from Moses' face....It was ADDED later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise.

Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2Co 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

2Co 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

2Co 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

2Co 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

2Co 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

[Pilgrim7]

Nana,

Thank you for your reply. The changing of Covenants does not do away with the Ten Commandments that identify sin. The New Covenant writes God's laws in the heart, which would include the Ten Commandments which are part of the 'Two Great Commandments' and dependent on them .

The law, (ministration of death and condemnation, written and engraved in stone, by God's own finger) was to be temporary as shown by the glory that faded from Moses' face....It was ADDED later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise.

Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

The Law still ministers death to the transgressor. It will until Judgment Day. It still shows us if we sin, so that we can repent from that sin. Yes to 'love one another' is one of Jesus Commandments, but not the only one. There are 'two great Commandments' upon which all the others depend, are a part of. 'Loving one another' does not leave us free to ignore and transgress the others. The 'ministration of the Law' which was to condemn was to keep the people of God in line, away from sin, through fear, until Jesus would come and 'write God's Laws, thus Jesus' Laws' in the heart of the believer . Now He would would be 'kept from transgression' because he 'loved the will of God' for it was written in his heart. The result is better, thus the 'New Covenant' is a better Covenant for it results in righteousness, the doing of the will of God through love, which is always better than fear.

Here is what Scripture says of the New Covenant. Notice that what this Covenant does, and who this 'New Covenant was with, which is another study for another time:

Jer 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that

I will make a

New Covenant

with the

house of Israel

, and with the house of Judah:

31:32

Not according to the

(old)

covenant

that I made with

their fathers

in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;

which covenant

they broke

,

although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

31:33

But

this shall be the covenant

that

I will make

with the

house of Israel;

After those days, saith the LORD,

I will put

my law

(whose Laws? God's Laws)

in their

inward parts

,

and

write

it in their

hearts

(instead of Tables of stone)

;

and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The New Testament quotes this verse twice:

Heb 8:6

But now has he obtained a

more excellent ministry,

by how much also he is the

mediator of a

better covenant

,

which was

established upon better promises

(in the New Covenant, it is God who promises to write His Laws in our heart, definitely better promises).

8:7

For

if

that

first covenant had been

faultless

,

then should

no place have been sought for the second.

8:8

For

finding fault with them

(not fault with the laws, but fault with the promises of the Old Covenant. In it the

people promised to obey

, but didn't),

he said, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when

I will make a new covenant

with the

house of Israel

and with the

house of Judah:

8:9

Not according

to the

covenant

that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt;

because they continued not in my covenant,

and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

8:10

For

this is the covenant

that

I will make

with the

house of Israel

after those days, saith the Lord;

I will put

my laws

into their mind

,

and

write them in their hearts :

and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Now just in case we didn't get it the first time, it is repeated:

Heb 10:15

Whereof the

Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:

for after that he had said before,

10:16

This is

the covenant

that

I will make with them

after those days, saith the Lord,

I will put my laws into their hearts,

and

in their minds will I write them;

Thus the 'New Covenant' doesn't do away with sin or the law, but just changes where the Law is written. When God's will is written within the heart of the 'believer' he delights to do God's will, for it has been written in His heart. Thus we have the 'New Creation' in which 'all old things' have passed away, and all has been made new. A 'christianity' that does not make one a 'New Creation', obedient to the 'will of God, and write God's laws in the heart of the 'believer' is not 'New Covenant Christianity'.

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

What this says is that the 'Old Covenant' from Sinai did not annul the Covenant or promise made with Abraham. Abraham was saved by grace through faith just as all 'believers' have been saved from the 'beginning of sin'. The inheritance was never of the Law, for by the law was the definition of sin and will be until Judgment day. Thus we have Abraham, a 'sinner saved by grace through faith', who kept the will of God, as defined in His 'laws, statutes and judgments', 430 years before the 'Law was written in Tables of Stone.

Gen 26:4

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give to your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

26:5

Because

Abraham

obeyed my voice

,

and

kept my charge,

my commandments

, my statutes, and

my laws

.

The 'saved believer', whether Jew or Gentile, is a 'New Creation', one who is in harmony with God and His will, and who keeps that will, whether expressed in Commandments or revelation, out of a heart that 'loves God with all the heart, mind, soul and strength' in loving obedience to God and loving service to His neighbor. Those who do those things will not violate any of God's will or laws. This is the Law of Christ, the minsitration of righteousness in His 'followers', who live the Law of Christ, which is anything He said, or did, for He was the 'living Law', our example of 'godly living', doing the will of God.

God Bless,

Dennis

[Pilgrim7]

Here we have some more things that Jesus said about the Law of God, the 'Ten Commandments'. Jesus knew the function of the Law, for it was His law also, for He is one with God and Had the Law written in His heart and kept it perfectly.

Here Jesus calls those who transgress His Ten Commandments hypocrites and says that their worship is in vain:

Mat 15:3

But he answered and said to them,

Why

do you also

transgress

the

Commandment

(one of the Ten Commandments of God, the fifth)

of God

(notice these are the Commandments of God, not Jewish commandments)

by your

(man-made)

tradition

?

15:4

For

God commanded,

saying,

honor your father and mother:

and, he that curses father or mother,

let him die the death.

15:5

But

you say

,

who ever shall say to his father or his mother,

It is a gift

(for God, instead of helping their parents with their money, they said it was a gift for God and thus they could not give it to their parents, thus breaking the 5th commandment by their man-made traditions and commandments),

by whatsoever you might be profited by me;

15:6

And

honor not

his father or his mother,

he shall be free

(from keeping the Commandment).

Thus you have

made

the

Commandment of God

of

none effect

by

your tradition

(human teaching).

15:7

You hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

15:8

This people

draws near to me with their mouth,

and

honors me with their lips;

but

their heart is far from me.

15:9

But

in vain

they do

worship me

,

teaching for doctrines

the

commandments of men

.

This is a general teaching about the 'Ten Commandments', using the 5th Commandment as an example. The same thing applies to all the Commandments. When one does away with, ignores or changes one of God's Commandments, He turns from the Commandments of God and to the Commandments of man. Thus Jesus, our Savior, says that makes him a hypocrite, one whose religion is primarily talk, and not heart religion which God requires, and thus even his 'worship is in vain'. Think what that is saying, here is a group of people praising and worshiping God, thinking that He is pleased with them and Jesus says that their worship and praise is in vain, or worthless.

Solomon puts it this way:

Pro 28:9

He that

turns away

his ear from

hearing the law

,

even

his prayer

shall be an

abomination

.

Here Jesus identifies a group of 'professing christians', who call Him Lord, but don't do the will of His Father in heaven which includes the 'Ten Commandments' as we have shown:

Mat 7:21

Not every one

that says to me,

Lord, Lord

(who calls themselves a christian, who claims to be a believer),

shall enter

into the

kingdom

of heaven;

but

(only)

he that

does

the

will

of my

Father

which is in heaven.

They have done many wonderful works in the 'Name of Christ', but have not kept the Commandments of His Father:

7:22

Many

will say to me

in that day

(Judgment Day),

Lord, Lord,

have we not

prophesied in your name

?

and

in your name

have

cast out devils

?

and

in your name

done many

wonderful works

?

Then Jesus tells them in the Judgment, to depart from Him, because they are really tares, and their works have not only been in vain, but he terms them 'workers of iniquity:

7:23

And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you

:

depart from me

, you that

work iniquity

.

Now Jesus identifies the 'wheat', those who do what He says, including the 'Will of His Father', which we know has been revealed in the Scriptures, including the 'Ten Commandments'.

7:24

Therefore

whosoever

hears these

sayings of mine

,

and

does them

,

I will liken him unto a

wise man

,

which built his house upon a rock:

These are the teachings of Jesus, the Savior, the one who saves the 'true believer' from sin and transgression and empowers them to 'do the Will of His Father' in heaven. He knows His Father's will, for it is His will also, they do not have different agendas.

God Bless,

Dennis

[Pilgrim7]

With the importance which Jesus attaches to the 'law', the 'Ten Commandments', how could so many of His 'Professed followers', those who 'believe' in Him, who should believe what He said and and have the same attitude He had, have such a 'contrary view' of the 'Matters of God'. Scripture says that the 'born again' believer has the 'mind of Christ', thus He is to think like Christ, and what Jesus said is what He thought and knew as being one with His Father.

1co 2:14

But the

natural

(carnal, sinful, unsaved)

man

receives not

the

things

of the

Spirit of God

(things which are Spiritual, like the 'Ten Commandments' which are spiritual):

for they are

foolishness

to him:

neither can he know them, because they are

spiritually discerned

.

2:15

But he that is

spiritual Judges all things,

yet he himself is judged of no man.

2:16

For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But

we have the mind of Christ

.

Here Jesus reveals some more of His mind in the Gospel. Here Jesus says that the keeping of the Commandments is a necessary part of Salvation, even though they don

[Yahsway]

Dennis, I really have learned more about the commandments of God from this teaching and you teach it so well. Thanks and if ya dont mind can i copy it and use it in a study group i have here at home? Thanks

[Pilgrim7]

Absolutely Yahsway.

I am currently assembling it into a booklet. If you like I could email you a copy when done. Just PM me if interested.

God Bless,

Dennis

[Pilgrim7]

More of the teachings of Jesus:

Now Jesus identifies the

[Pilgrim7]

Now we will look at what Paul has to say about the 'Ten Commandments'. He is the one who most quote to 'prove' that the Law has been done away with.

Here Paul refers to Judgment day:

Rom 2:5

But after

your

hardened

and

impenitent

heart

treasure up

to yourself

wrath

against the

day of wrath

and

revelation

of the

righteous judgment of God;

2:6

Who will

render to

every man

according to

his deeds:

Now Paul differentiates between the Wheat and Tares, the saved and the lost and the ultimate reward of each:

2:7

To those who by

patient continuance

in

well doing seek

(those who believe in and follow Jesus)

for glory and honor and

immortality,

eternal life

:

2:8

But to those that are

contentious

(self seeking, self willed, disobedient),

and

do not obey the

truth

(by patiently continuing in doing good),

but

obey unrighteousness

(disobedience to God's will, which is sin),

indignation and wrath,

2:9

Tribulation

and

anguish,

upon

every soul

of

man

that

does evil,

of the

Jew first

(who have the Law as a people),

and

also of the Gentile

(whether he be lost or believer who continues in sin unrepentant);

2:10

But

glory

,

honor

, and

peace

, to

every man

that

works good

,

to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile

(believer, convert):

Notice the distinction of God has not to do with ethnicity, but obedience to the will of God for God plays no favorites. He loves all the same, deals with all the same:

2:11

For there is

no respect of persons

with God.

Now he goes on to expand upon how all will be judged, whether Jew or Gentile believer or heathen:

2:12

For

as many

as have

sinned

without law shall also

perish without law

(for they are all condemned by that law):

and

as many

as have sinned

in the law

shall be

judged by the law

;

2:13

For

not

the

hearers

of the law

are

just before God,

but the

doers

of the law

shall be

justified

.

(Here Paul is not talking about initial justification which is for past transgressions, but ongoing and final justification of the 'faithful believer' who has come into obedience to the 'will of God'

Now Paul shows the result of 'initial justification' in the Gentile convert, who has been 'saved by grace through faith':

2:14

For when the

Gentiles

(converts)

,

which

have not the law

(were not raised in the law),

do by

nature

(for they have received the