Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Must Christians follow OT Law? | James 2:10 | DocTrinsograce | 171296 | ||
Dear Jeff, You wrote, "I invite other's to redirect my understanding in this area." I'll jump in here, as you've offered the invitation. :-) I believe the gist of what you have written is correct. The relationship of man to the law is an important question. Paul discusses it extensively in Romans and other epistles. Below I've provided for you the historic Baptist position -- which is pretty much the Reformed position. The provides many details into a very compact form. Consequently, it is not so much as a "redirection" as an "augmentation." :-) In a nutshell, what we understand from Scripture is not only are we saved from the penalty of the law (the wrath of God against all unrighteousness), but we are saved unto perfect compliance with the law (we are imputed with the righteousness of Christ). As an instructor, not only does the law teach us about God's holiness, but it also teaches us of our own sinfulness and need. My summations are, however, nowhere near as articulate as those of the old divines. God bless you in your study of the Word. In Him, Doc "1. God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which He bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it. (Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10, 12) "2. The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man. (Romans 2:14, 15; Deuteronomy 10:4) "3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away. (Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians 2:14, 16, 17; Ephesians 2:14, 16) "4. To them also He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of moral use. (1 Corinthians 9:8-10) "5. The moral law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it; neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation. (Romans 13:8-10; James 2:8, 10-12; James 2:10, 11; Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:31) "6. Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of His obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises of it likewise shew them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace. (Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:4; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7, etc; Romans 6:12-14; 1 Peter 3:8-13) "7. Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done. (Galatians 3:21; Ezekiel 36:27)" Chapter 19 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith |
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2 | Must Christians follow OT Law? | James 2:10 | jlhetrick | 171335 | ||
Hi Doc, Thanks for responding and for presenting from the london Baptist Confession of Faith. You wrote: "but we are saved unto perfect compliance with the law (we are imputed with the righteousness of Christ)." I have no disagreement here and Scripture plainly teaches this. But to elaborate for others, "perfect" compliance with the Law is what we strive for, but nothing any of us have attained. I don't believe that your were saying we have attained it; as I go from memory; you are not one who agrees with the teaching or notion of "sinless perfection". Just as well, my understanding of having been imputed with the righteousness of Christ is an issue of my right standing with God; by being identified in Christ as one who has received through Grace the gift of salvation. I am justified in Jesus Christ. I relate this specifically to having been freed from the "penalty" of the Law. Phi 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: The issue of "perfect compliance" with the law, as I understand it, is an ongoing work of Grace. It is something God is working in us, and as we agree, something we can only understand in light of having kowledge of the Law. As Paul puts it: "Phi 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Phi 3:11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Phi 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. So being freed from the penalty of the Law (Justified) the Law no longer has command over us, we are freed from it. As you say, there has not been a change in direction, but rather the law serves a new purpose. Not to condemn, but to guide. Having been justified, and having God's will revealed, we cooperate in the power of His grace to strive for perfection. Phi 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Phi 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Christ's Love, Jeff |
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3 | Must Christians follow OT Law? | James 2:10 | DocTrinsograce | 171348 | ||
Dear Jeff, Yes, that's right. I think you've stated it very well. You've also helped clarify the intention of my own wording. As believers we are perfectly acceptable to God in an eternal sense -- "it is finished." We still sin, but we aren't happy that way. We have a desire for holiness. Day by day we are growing in our sanctification. In Him, Doc |
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4 | Must Christians follow OT Law? | James 2:10 | jlhetrick | 171351 | ||
Hi Doc, "Day by day". Isn't that the truth; and some days are better than others. As I grow in my understanding of this topic, I confess that I truly become smaller and smaller; while all the while, the grace of God and the true reality of the work of Christ moves more and more into the foreground. This may be off topic a bit; but I can't believe how many years I spent as a Christian before gaining a true understanding of God's sovereignty and God's grace. Not the lip service that is often applied, but the reality of it. The truth is, one can't truly revere God with due diligence before beginning to understand His sovereignty and His gracious way of dealing with men. Thanks for taking the time to contribute to this. Through the dialogue, it appears to me that my understanding and Hobb's understanding are both in agreement, just articulated differently. Fortunately, in the end, Scripture is able to make the point. Christ's Love, Jeff |
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5 | Must Christians follow OT Law? | James 2:10 | DocTrinsograce | 171366 | ||
Just imagine what glory will be like! :-) | ||||||
6 | Must Christians follow OT Law? | James 2:10 | jlhetrick | 171371 | ||
I can't imagine though I try. I heard a message this morning on the way to work (Dr. David Jeremiah, Turning Point) "Where do people go when they die". It was part of a current series he is doing on Heaven. Just about the time he had my mind filled with all kinds of wonderful truths, he brought it all to a screaching halt to focus on the most important point. The Lord Jesus will be there. We talk the talk and we work so hard at walking the walk. In the process, He creates a change in us. He is making us new. We are coming to know Him better. But thinnk of it. One day, soon, we will actually see Him. Literally see Him. Talk to Him and hear His audible voice. Will I touch Him? Will He touch me? My best attempts at imagining fall far short I'm sure. God bless, Jeff |
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