Why this thread has so few responses in quite a long time, because it is a sensitive thread for the law keepers.

Add this list below to 2 Corinthians 3 and judge by yourself the truth in it.

1. The law (functions) ends in Christ (Romans 10:4), and when you are “in Christ” (by faith), the law is no longer for you, as you are now justified by faith where the law is powerless to do because what the law can do is only revealing the SIN in you and made it alive.

2. We are dead to the law “in Christ”, that we might belong to Christ (for when we belongs to SIN and controlled by SIN, the law only aroused in us our sinful passions that bore fruits (acts of the flesh) unto death), and bear fruits of the Spirit (by living after the Spirit) - Romans 7:4,5.

3. By dying to SIN that once bounds him (when he was a law keeper), a believer was released from the law to live by the Spirit and no more by the law (Romans 7:6).

4. The law was put in charge to lead the law keepers to Christ that they might be justified by faith (what they failed through keeping the law), and when faith comes, they are no longer under the supervision of the law (Galatians 3:24,25).

5. Through the law a law keeper was killed and since the law takes him as a death man, he was released from the law (authority) in order he might live for God and lives by faith (Galatians 2:19,20).

6. Get rid from the law that only put us into slavery of SIN (Galatians 4:21-30).

7. Christ abolished the law with it commandments and regulations in His flesh, to create in Him a “one new man” (a justified believer) and in this new man (Christ in him) reconciled him with God through the work of the Spirit (Ephesians 2:15,16).

8. Nailing the law to His cross and made it of no effect, in order it will be no longer against us and stood opposed to us (Colossians 2:14). (How could he reconcile us with God if the law is in effect that will only condemns us and provokes the SIN in us that is not subjected to the law of God?)

9. The law is no longer for a righteous man (by faith in Christ), but for the law-breakers and sinful etc. (1 Timothy 1:8-11).

10. The law was set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope was introduced (living by the Spirit through faith), that we might draw near to God (reconciled with God) – Hebrew 7:19.

The era before Christ was the era of the law and condemnation, all was under the law and the whole world become guilty before God (Romans 3:19). But since the cross, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). And “God saved us not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ, so that, having been justified by His grace (through faith), we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” – Titus 3:4-7. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE AND FOR ALL” (Hebrew 10:10), “since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because BY ONE SACRIFICE HE HAS MADE PERFECT FOREVER THOSE WHO ARE BEING MADE HOLY” (Hebrew 10:13).

“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come – one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there MUST ALSO BE A CHANGE OF THE LAW” – Hebrew 7:11,12.

“For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another” – Hebrew 8:7.

But God found fault with the people under the first covenant, so He made a new covenant for the believers in Christ. If the first one is the covenant of Law and obedience (that lead to condemnation and death), the second is the covenant of grace (justified by faith and live by faith under the leading of the Holy Spirit) that lead to a holy and righteous life for eternal life.

Luke told us the same thing:

The law was in effect only till John (Christ death), and since then the gospel of to live by faith is preached (Luke 16:16).

James told us the same thing: To keep the royal law, which is “Love your neighbor as your self”. What he meant here was to keep the spirit of the law (not the letter) as he understood that it could only be fulfilled by the Spirit through faith (James 2:8,18,26). But if a believer commit murder, he became a law-breaker (breaks the spirit of the law – love). He stressed his meaning by saying: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (James 2:12), a repetition of James 1:25. Surely he knew that the written law (10 commandments) is not the law that gives freedom, as in fact it keeps all law keepers under curse and prisoner of SIN.

Since Peter didn’t write anything concerning the law (to keep the 10 Commandments), I might say that he too understood the gospel of Christ: “The just shall live by faith” as can be seen in 2 Peter 1:3-8; 3:11 where he based his writings on the Divine power of God (the Holy Spirit) that will led Christ believers to a holy and righteous life through sanctification (1 Peter 1:2) and have a sincere love for the brothers (1 Peter 1:22). A fact that he has the same perception with Paul, was his warning about Paul’s letters that was hard to understand that will be destructive for those who are ignorant and unstable (2 Peter 3:16).

At last, John also said the same thing: “And this is His command, to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another” – 1 John 3:23. John knew, those who obey His command (above) lives in Christ and Christ in him (1 John 3:24), and will bore much fruits of the Spirit (John 15:1-5).

Praise God that has nullified the law for us, Christ believers, in order we might justified by faith and lives by faith.

In His love

James S.

Revelation 14:12.

"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Rev 14:12 NKJV.

The old covenant saints (before Christ) were those who kept the written commandments (Torah including 10 Commandments) with faith, the new covenant saints are those who kept the spirit of the law through faith in Christ.

Both are saints, but the first one were under the law and the later are under grace.

If we say that the saints now are they who kept the 10 Commandments with faith in Christ then there are no difference with the saints of the first covenant time, all were under the law and judge by the law. And that is against what the bible say: “When there is a change of ministry there will be also a change in the law, For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another” – Hebrew 8:7.

The change is: the old covenant saints were under the law, to hear and do what the law says and judge by the law. The new covenant saints are under grace, to live by the Spirit through faith and kept the spirit of the law in heart, forgiven, made holy and perfect ONCE AND FOR ALL through ONE SACRIFICE by Christ death and resurrection that justifies all men in Him. “God will remember their sins and iniquities no more”, and the law could not judge us because we are not under the law (sin is not imputed).

So, it is true what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3: that the law kills but the Spirit gives live.

Romans 6:1,2: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to SIN, how can we live in it any longer?

If we keep the law we keep doing evil, we continue on sinning. Because when we want to keep the law, our will is overruled by the SIN in us which is stronger and dominate us and made us keep doing what we do not want to do, keep doing evil (Romans 7:7-23). Thus the fact that Christ has redeemed us ONCE AND FOR ALL become of no effect or useless, as by the law we must die again and again and Christ can not die again and again day after day to redeem us (Hebrew 7:27).

Hence, the law was put aside to give way for a new ministry, a ministry of the Spirit through faith. By the Spirit Christ believers might kept the spirit of the law in their heart and bears fruit of the Spirit that fulfils all aspects of the law both in written and the spirit. When they sins, their sins is not imputed (because there is no law that judge and condemns tem), their sins will be remember no more! But this privilege is only for those who live by faith and remain in Christ by faith as God “in Christ” has forgiven them once and for all.

If we believe this and accept the new ministry by giving away the law, we will be called the “saints” and His Spirit will lead us to all righteousness and holy life through sanctification DONE by the Spirit Himself (Romans 15:16; 1 Peter 1:2). Otherwise we remain under the law and keep doing evil as we live by SIN (SIN is our master who dominates our will)) and put ourselves out of the reach of the grace of God.

Romans 6:14 “For SIN shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”
Galatians 5:18 ”But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.”

In His love

James S.

James Saptenno wrote:

quote:

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But since the cross, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).

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Since the cross?

How about since the first Adam sinned, since the foundation of the world, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11; Genesis 3:15).

How about those who were saved before Christ died on the cross including the first Adam?
Were they saved by law, or by grace?

It is obvious to me that nobody was saved by the law as those that were saved were all saved by grace.

Adam was saved by grace.

Enoch was saved by grace.

Daniel was saved by grace

All the others were saved by grace in the same way all the disciples, except for Judas, were saved by grace.

Guess what? If Judas had repented for betraying Christ as Peter repented for denying Him, Judas also would have been saved by grace.

The Everlasting Gospel in which "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8,9) took effect when Adam sinned, otherwise, Adam and Eve would have died the second death, however, Christ offered to take their place. This was announced to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15).

Both law and grace were in effect when Adam in Eve sinned.

Both law and grace were in effect when Christ took Adam and Eve's and our place on the tree of Calvary.

The law will always be in effect, however, God's grace will one day come to an end when Christ says, Revelation 22:11 and 12, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

Interesting that His reward shall be given to "every man according as his work shall be."

The only thing that the saved person isn't under is the "condemnation of the law" because his works that follow shows that the saved person is walking in the "spirit of the law" as a result of this saved person being saved by grace.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited December 02, 2001).]

Daryl.

You wrote:

James Saptenno wrote:
quote:

But since the cross, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).

Since the cross?
How about since the first Adam sinned, since the foundation of the world, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11; Genesis 3:15).
How about those who were saved before Christ died on the cross including the first Adam?
Were they saved by law, or by grace?

Unquote.

When did salvation appear to all men? Was it before Christ or after Christ? If Christ didn’t come and die for us, will there be any salvation for mankind? Will there be any grace for mankind?

Here is the answer:

Read Hebrews 11:4-38, and find the answer in Hebrews 11:39,40 “These were all commended for their faith, yet NONE OF THEM RECEIVED WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED. God had planned something better for us so that ONLY TOGETHER WITH US WOULD THEY BE MADE PERFECT.”

Read Titus 3:4 “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

2 Timothy 2:1 :You then, my son, be strong in THE GRACE That IS IN CHRIST JESUS.”

God’s grace that brings salvation is in Christ Jesus; “who reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, that God was reconciling the world to Him “in Christ Jesus”, not counting men’s sins against them.”

Quote:

The Everlasting Gospel in which "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8,9) took effect when Adam sinned, otherwise, Adam and Eve would have died the second death, however, Christ offered to take their place. This was announced to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15).
Both law and grace were in effect when Adam in Eve sinned.
Both law and grace were in effect when Christ took Adam and Eve's and our place on the tree of Calvary.

Unquote.

Was grace in effect since Eden? We have the answer above, it was in effect since the cross because God’s grace that brings salvation to all men is in Christ Jesus.

In His love

James S.

Was the law in effect since Eden? If YES, which one? If NO, which one?
YES, if it is the spirit of the law since LOVE is the principle of the kingdom of God based on His character. NO, if it was the written law, the 10 Commandment that was engraved in stone that brought death, that kills (2 Corinthians 3:6,7).

The written law was given 430 years later after Abraham was called at Sinai, and how many hundreds years after Eden. And since this law was in effect, all men were under the law.

Romans 5:13 “For before the law was given; SIN was in the world. But SIN is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who DID NOT SIN BY BREAKING A COMMAND, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the One to come.”

Before the Torah was given, SIN (self-love) was in the world, it is men’s nature, and it is they. This SIN is the source of all desires of the flesh and produce acts of the flesh. But this SIN and the sins committed IS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT if the Law is not given! Because there is none to judge and condemn men. Nevertheless, death reigned since Adam till Moses even over those who did not break a command. Why, because their SIN was the SIN of falling short, self-love that was against God’s agape love. If there is no grace (through Christ) no one might be saved and live except through keeping the written law that gives life for those who obey (Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12). But since no one could fulfil the demands of the law (the spirit of the law – love), all men were under condemnation and under curse of the law, eternal death as wages of SIN.

Now we know that the PROMISE was based on grace that will come through Christ Jesus after He fulfils His mission. And in Him by faith, this grace that brings salvation was for all men who believe. The law was added to reveal the SIN in us, condemn us and kill us and lead us to Christ to receive God’s grace in Him. And being “in Him” by faith we remain in His grace, the law that kills and only reveals our SIN and made it alive was put asides; came to an end and faded away. But the spirit remains in our hearts, as it is the fruit of the Spirit that lives in us and led our life. The Spirit that was promised for those who believe.

The law that condemns and kills could not work together with grace. That’s why “the former regulation is set aside because it was WEAK and USELESS (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced (the ministry of grace and the promise of the Spirit), by which we draw near (reconciled) to God (in Christ by faith).

How could the law that condemns and kill stand side by side with grace? The law is not based on faith and the deeds of the law are the fruit of SIN in us, comes from SELF- love. On the contrary, to remain in His grace we must have faith in Christ, as the grace of God is IN CHRIST. If you take the one, you would not have the other, you could not have both!

“If you are led by the Spirit (live by faith and remain in His grace) you are not under the law (to hear and do what the law says that put you under it judgment and condemnation).” – Galatians 3:18.

“SIN will not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

That is so clear and true that no one could deny except an unbeliever.

In His love

James S.

Daryl wrote:

The law will always be in effect, however, God's grace will one day come to an end when Christ says, Revelation 22:11 and 12, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
Interesting that His reward shall be given to "every man according as his work shall be."
The only thing that the saved person isn't under is the "condemnation of the law" because his works that follow shows that the saved person is walking in the "spirit of the law" as a result of this saved person being saved by grace.

Unquote.

Because this was said to John, it will covers all men since Adam till the last person born in the end of time. Thus, it is true that the rewards would be according to the works. Because there were many who never hear the gospel, who have not the law but Christ died for him too. Their works will be their judge, were they living for themselves or did they have love for their fellowman.

And Christ believers will be judged too according to their works, NOT BASED ON THE LAW but on their FAITH. Were their works based on SELF or were it based on LOVE as fruit of the Spirit.

“By their fruit you will recognize them” – Matthew 7:20.

“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you (a life of the JUST in Christ that lives by faith). No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me AND I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” – John 15:4,5.

How true! Neither can we bear fruit (of the Spirit) unless we remain in Christ and He in us by the Spirit. If we remain in Him (by faith) He will remain in us by the Spirit and we will bear much fruit (of love). Without HIM, we ourselves can do nothing, our works would bear “fruit” which are the acts of the flesh that was produce by SIN in us that dominate us.

Because of our FAITH we remain in Him and He in us, our “works” are His works in us by the Spirit, it is called fruits of the Spirit. If the law is an obligation to keep, SIN will overruled our will, we have no faith in our deeds as the law is not of faith, and the “works” are no less then ‘acts of the flesh” that was based on SELF-LOVE that is the SIN in us.

Is a law keeper, then, Christ faithful believer? NO! Because a believer lives by faith and a law keeper lives by the law; a believer in Christ has the Spirit of Christ in him but a law keeper has SIN in him, dominating his will (that will obey the law) and controls his life bearing “fruits” that are acts of the flesh.

Thus if judge by the “works”; the work of a law keeper is not of faith and everything that does not come from faith comes from SELF that is SIN. But works of a faithful believer are “fruits of the Spirit’, as he has faith in Christ and trust Him that the Spirit in him will lead him to all righteousness and holy life, because it was not his own ‘works” based on SELF, but the “works” of the Spirit that “do the willing and the doing of God in him.”

Whose “works” would be accepted? Choose the right way of living! The bible said: “The just shall live by faith.”

In His love

James S.

Yes, the just shall live by faith.

quote:

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Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

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It says "as it is written."

One old testament reference that says that is:

quote:

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Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

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What then becomes of the law?

quote:

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Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

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The law is established through faith.

Where is this law established?

quote:

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Jeremiah 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 in their inward parts, and write IT in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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"After those days." What days is this referring to?

"I will put MY LAW." What Law is this referring to?

"In their inward parts, and write IT in their hearts." Where is this LAW placed and written? Again,what Law is this?

Here it is again in the New Testament:

quote:

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Hebrews 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:

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Again, what law, when, and where?

Faith, without the resulting works of the LAW placed in the minds and written into the hearts of His faithful people, is dead.

quote:

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James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

---

His faith is revealed by his works which is the resulting obedience to His Holy Law.

No, we are not saved by obedience the Law. We are saved by grace through faith which results in obedience to His Law, not to be saved, but rather, because we are saved through faith in Him.

[quote]
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

That is what Ephesians 2:8,9 tells me.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited December 03, 2001).]

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him(God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,{for if we are Christ's, we are Abraham's seed Gal.3:29}

Heb.11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.[Abrahams faith was counted to him for rightousness.Romans4:3])
2 For by it the elders(fathers of Isreal) obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 ¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him(God: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews is called the faith chapter, and rightly so.
Every name listed there saw the promise, claimed it and it was accounted to them as if they had already received it, and they all lived before the cross.

Faith has always been the way to salvation, works could never earn it.
As James tells us, we show our 'faith by our works',James2:18.

Remember:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Yesterday, today and forever it remains thus.

IUf no law existed before Sinai, then how could there be sin?
The written law says that "Thou shalt not bear false witness", literaly, You shall not tell a lie, yet Satan is called a liar and the father of it,{John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar , and the father of it.}
if the law did not exist before Sinai, how could he have been a liar from the beginning.
He lied to Eve in the garden, didn't he tell her she shall not surely die? even after God had told them they would.

The decalogue is a written form of the law that has been in effect for eternity, past, present and future.. God's character is reflected in it.
Without law is no sin, so, by this reasoning, God punished our first parents illegaly, since the law did not exist until Sinai..
He also punished Cain without a law, remember, Cain killed Abel, no law, no sin, so, he never broke a law that didn't exist at the time, so, how come God punished him?
There was no law to judge him by, or was there?

------------------
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.Ps.118:8

Daryl wrote:

What then becomes of the law?

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, WE establish the law.
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The law is established through faith.

Unquote.

Do we, then, nullify the law by faith? Not at all! Rather, WE uphold the law” – NIV.

You made a wrong interpretation of this verse. It doesn’t say the law is established through faith, but it says “we” established the law. Who are this “we?” They are sinners justified in Christ, the just and righteous people who have faith in Christ but in them selves were sinners.

“Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not te God of gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised (law keepers) by faith and the uncircumcised (Gentiles sinners) through the same faith” – Romans 3:29,30.

Thus if law keepers (the Jews) were sinners justified by faith, the Gentiles were also sinners justified by faith. Thus, faith could not nullify the law, as it is still necessary to lead many other sinners (Law keepers and unbelievers) to Christ. “We” established the law for “them”, ONLY Christ has the authority to nullify the law as He was the lawgiver, and this dispensation is only in Him for those who believe.

How could faith establish the law, as faith comes from the Spirit that lives in a believer, and the job of the Spirit is to put death to SIN (Romans 8:2-4,13)? Meanwhile keeping the law is done by SIN, produced by SIN, because the law is not of faith and whatever that does not come from faith is SIN or comes from SELF.

That’s why a law keeper (such as Paul the Pharisee) might claim himself blameless against the written code, against the legalistic righteousness of the law, but failed to fulfil the spirit of the law as his sinful nature was SELF LOVE that is the SIN in him, meanwhile the spirit of the law is LOVE that seeks no SELF (agape).

Thus, “we” establish the law for those law keepers, unbelievers, murderers, liars etc. according to 1 Timothy 1:8-11 because these sinners still need Christ and must be led to Christ for their redemption and salvation. But the law is no longer for “us”, the righteous believers in Christ.

In His love

James S.

“Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to CALL people from among all the Gentiles TO THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH” – Romans 1:5.

Is there any OTHER obedience among the Christians? Yes, there is! It is an OBEDIENCE TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW ENGRAVED ON STONE TABLETS THAT KILLS.

Is there any similarity or differences between obedience of faith and obedience to the law? Yes, there are!

The similarity is:

1. Both are God’s commandment.
2. It is a standard of living for His believers.

The differences are:

1. One is in effect and the other one is a past, faded and was taken away.
2. One is for Christ believers that have faith in Him, one is for unbelievers and law breakers.
3. One is for them that are in Christ, the other one is for them that seeks Christ.
4. One comes from the Spirit that works in us (to do the will and the act of God), and the other one comes from SIN (“whatever is not of faith is SIN and the law is not based on faith” .
5. The Spirit gives live but the wages of SIN is death.
6. One bore fruits of the Spirit, the other one acts of the flesh.
7. One is under grace (God will remember their sins and iniquities no more), the other one is UNDER THE LAW JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION.
8. One is IN CHRIST, the other one is UNDER CURSE.
9. One is a FREE MAN, the other one a SLAVE TO SIN.

And maybe some body else might add the list.

Obedience of faith is fruits of the Spirit, the spirit of the law written not by ink but by the Spirit not on stone tablets but on the tablets of heart.

Obedience to the law is act of the flesh, because it could only obey the letter and fails to fulfil the spiritual demands of the law.

In His love

James S.