Subject: Why ask Why? Why ask Where? |
Bible Note: Sorry, Theo... I'm can't seem to find where you explained from scripture that the "law is gone." Please forgive me if you gave the scripture to support this before. If so would you mind siting those passages again? From what I understand from scripture the type or shadow of a thing eventually becomes replaced with the real thing (1 Cor 13:10). Thus, the sacrifice of a lamb was a type of Christ (Rev 13:8). Thus, when Christ became our sacrifice, the sacrifice of lambs -- though in the past it was not fully efficacious -- became unnecessary (Heb 9:23). (This is all carefully explained in Hebrews.) Theologians distinguish between the "ceremonial law" and the "moral law." The ceremonial law is all the dietary, holy days, and sacrificial stuff. The moral law are things like the Decalog. The moral law is still important, for these things represent the utterly pure, righteous, and holy nature of God (Mat 5:48 and Lev 20:7). Christ substitutionary death satisfies the demands of the law for the believer (1 John 4:10). (Our death was required by the law because we are of the seed of Adam (Rom 5:12) and because we have committed sin (Isaiah 53:6).) Christ fulfilled the law to the letter (1 Peter 2:22), and God imputes this (His righteousness) to us (Rom 4:6-8) -- just as though we had done it! As if this weren't enough, God gives us another gift by granting us power over sin (Rom 8:3-4). Thus, we are able to say yes or no to sin... not just yes all the time! Sin consists in breaking the moral law (Romans 7:7), in violating the holy will of God (Psalm 51:4), and behaving in a way that takes His Name (as Christians) in vain. If there were no law, there would be no sin (Romans 7:7). Now, day by day, when I do fail, His mercies are renewed morning by morning (2 Cor 4:16). I am reminded each time I fall down that I still need a Savior! Sorry for continuing this conversation if everyone is tired of it... (By the way, Theo, it must be exciting to be studying theology! If I had my life to do over again -- I'm afraid I'm too old now! -- I'd have gone to get my doctorate in systematic theology. God bless you in your studies!) |