Until the Law, sin was in the world; but sin was not imputed (as being done, possessed by someone) when there was no Law (Rom 5:13). If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin (John 9:40,41/15:22); likewise, the law exposed the sin that’s in us. For when the Gentiles (the believing fold), which have not the law, do by nature (the new nature) the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts (the new covenant – Heb 10:16), their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another (Rom 2:14,15). For, there is no respect of persons with God. For, as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law (Heb 2:3)(fail of the grace of God/fall from grace – Heb 12:15/Gal 5:4): and as many as, have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law (Rom 2:11,12). For the law was their (Israelites’) schoolmaster to bring them unto Christ – Gal 3:24. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Rom 1:20).
Gosh, see what a mess we were in! Even though we all got depraved through Adam, sin was not imputed upon, until the inception of the law. You see the Law, which was meant for our good brought upon a curse instead (Gal 3:10-13). God’s intention was, only to bring down the transgression rate by imposing the law upon Mankind until the seed (Christ) comes (1Tim 1:9,10/Gal 3:18-19); but, like a boomerang, it knocked down the entire spiritual and moral realm (Rom 7:7-11). It dealt with an iron fist. The first dictator, so to speak, which not only failed to make anything perfect (Heb 10:1,2), but also, wiped out a staggering proportion of Mankind from the face of this earth. The Law rained havoc upon its transgressors. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses (Heb 10:28), because, the law worked wrath (Rom 4:15); and the only option that was available for the transgressors to escape its fury was, to make atonement (covering of sins by blood)(Heb 9:13/Lev 4:35). The law of Moses could not make anything perfect, neither could it give life and justify any (Heb 7:18,19/Gal 3:21/2:16-21). Therefore, Change (transformation, redesigning, amendment) of the law was necessary (Heb 7:12). Christ, the seed of Abraham came and took away (decommissioned) the first, and established the second (Heb 10:9/Eph 2:15).
We now are not without any law, but with a better and amended one. Now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant (seal, law, promises), which was established upon better promises; for if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he says, Behold, the day comes, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel* (the ten tribes given to Jeroboam –1Kings 11:26-36 – because Solomon turned away his heart after other gods, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father; God let his kingdom be rent and the ten tribes was given to Jeroboam his servant –1Kings 11– The nation of Ephraim which constitutes the northern ten of the twelve tribes of Israel –1Chronicles 5:1,2) *and with the house of Judah.
[Judaea – a separate kingdom from Israel – the most powerful of the twelve tribes of Israel)(Heb 8:6-8 – from which our Lord sprang out – Heb 7:14/Matt 2:5,6/Hosea 5:14 – of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood – Heb 7:14 – Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David – Rev 5:5 – and through Christ, a remnant from the twelve tribes of Israel will be saved – Rev 7:4-8/Rom 9:27/11:5 – This Ephraim-Israel’s spiritual restoration at the second coming of Christ/in the millennial reign of Christ precedes her physical reunion with Judah – Zech 12:10/Ezek 36:35/Isaiah 2:2-4 – And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven – Matt 8:11– (Paul stated that he was a Jew, a Judean (Acts 22:3). Paul also stated that he was of the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5). A Jew, or Judean, could have been from any tribe – Judea first became a separate and independent kingdom after Solomon’s death – In addition to those of the tribe of Judah, Judeans also included people of the tribe of Benjamin (1Kings 12:21/2Chronicles 11:1,10,12/2Chronicles 14:8 etc…), Levites (2Chronicles 11:13-14 etc.), strangers out of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon (2Chronicles 15:9), and selected others out of all the tribes of Israel (2Chronicles 11:16) – After the kingdom of Israel split up after Solomon’s death, Judea and the northern kingdom of Israel were two completely separate and independent kingdoms. Judea and the northern kingdom of Israel never did yet get completely back together again. With no kingdom of Judea left in existence after the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D, children born throughout the entire world after 70 A.D. had a different nationality other than “Judean” – David Wozney].
The New Covenant replaced the Mosaic Covenant. This too was given to Israel only (Rom 9:4). “Israel” and “Judah” clearly refers to the literal Northern and southern kingdoms. According to the New Testament if he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God (Rom 2:28,29): then the one new man, a blend of born-again Jews and Gentiles, which in Christ was interweaved (Eph 2:12-22), can also be counted among the house of Judah. God hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col 1:13). For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread (1Cor 10:17). He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit (1Cor 6:17). For as many of you as having been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed (the holy line of descent), and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:27-29). Know ye therefore that they, which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham (Gal 3:7,9 – who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham – Rom 4:11,12 –KJV/ESV). For if they, which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect (Rom 4:14).
“It can be seen that these elements of the new covenant pertain to Israel in the kingdom age.” Toussaint
Now those who are in Christ (who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit) are redeemed (judicially) from under the law (of sin and death)(Gal 3:13/5:18/4:4,5/Rom 8:1,14 – KJV). Christ is the end of the Law (Rom 10: 3,4). Listen, He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets: but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17). Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law (not the law itself), being made a curse for us (Gal 3:13). He abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Eph 2:15 – Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation (alteration, amendment, redesigning) – Heb 9:10). By changing the heart of man, and reviving his spirit, God removed the obstacles that prevented man from keeping the laws of God, which alone can save souls (James 1:21). All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2Tim 3:16,17). Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, he took it out of the way and nailed it to His cross (Col 2:14). Now we are not without law to God, but under the law to Christ (1Cor 9:21) – a better law, indeed.
It is now being known as the ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus’, or ‘the law of Faith’, or ‘the perfect law of liberty’, or ‘the Royal law’ (Rom 8:2/3:27/James 1:25/2:8,12).
If you still wish to be justified by the law* (deeds/works of the law of Moses – Rom 3:28/ 9:23/Gal 2:16 – works (rituals) of the Law – works of Torah – in Greek – ergon nomou/ Hebrew – ma-ase ha-Torah – the Rabbinic ‘oral law’ or Halakkah and traditions, its decrees/precepts and extensions of Torah – this, by all means, we must shun – though the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good – Rom 7:12 – it was found deficient – Heb 7:19/8:7,8/9:9/10:1 – and done away – 1Cor 13:10/2Cor 3:7,11,14), *let me remind you that you have fallen from grace (Christ has become of no effect unto you); and a curse rests upon you (Gal 5:4/3:10-13). The “Law of Moses” was their schoolmaster to bring them unto Christ, that they might be justified by (the law of) faith – Gal 3:24 /Rom 3:27 – Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith* (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ –1Cor 9:21– the righteousness of the law gets fulfilled in us when we walk after the Spirit – Rom 8:4 – Genuine faith bring about/engender obedience – works meet for repentance – Acts 26:20/1John 2:4/Luke 6:46/Heb 11:8/Rom 6:17/ James 2:20,26/John 14:21 – keep that in mind. Otherwise, it ain’t faith – Thou believe that there is one God; thou do well: the devils also believe, and tremble – James 2:19 – ergo, obedience or adherence to the word of God corroborates authenticity – the same Abraham who was justified by faith – Rom 4:3,9/Gal 3:6/Heb 11:8,17/James 2:23 – also had to observe the law (which was four hundred and thirty years after) – Gen 17:24/Gal 3:17 – And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised – Rom 4:11 – Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2:21 – his obedience to the faith/ the obedience of faith – Rom 1:5/16:26/ James 2:21/Heb 11:8,17 – was reckoned unto him for righteousness; the same manner it would be imputed unto us also – Rom 4:9-11,23,24 – Study Heb 11 to know what genuine faith would precipitate) *without the deeds/works of the law – Rom 3:28 – yet not by faith alone; but by the works of the law of faith also – James 2:20,26,24. Wilt thou know, O vain man, that, faith without works is dead? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also – James 2:20,26. And the just (them that are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus – Rom 3:24/Eph 1:7/Col 1:14) must live by (the law of) faith – Gal 3:11/Rom 3:27. The Law of Moses could not justify/vindicate us – Acts 13:39. That law made nothing perfect – Heb 7:19. It was found faulty and got replaced with a better one/covenant (Covenant = seal, law/precepts and promises), which is established upon better promises – Heb 8:7,8. What’s the difference? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works/deeds of the law. For, they stumbled at that stumbling-stone – Rom 9:23. He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Gal 3:5 – The law (the ministration of death – 2Cor 3:7 – which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them) – Heb 9:10/Eph 2:15 – Said, observe to do all that I have commanded thee or rot in hell – Deut 28:58,59 – He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses – Heb 10:28 – And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake – Heb 12:21. Because the law worked wrath! – Rom 4:15 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant – Gen 17:14 – Because they continued not in my covenant (despite the imperfections of the old covenant), and I regarded them not, says the Lord – Heb 8:9. The Sabbaths (in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death – Ex 31:15), the sacrifices in the Sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set solemn feasts, by number, according to the order; the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the Sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel – they had to observe days, and months, and times, and years – Gal 4:10 – and they could not endure that which was commanded – Heb 12:20 – Read the book of Leviticus and you will know the gravity of what I am saying. They were under that yoke of bondage – Gal 5:1– Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them – Gal 3:10 – For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all – James 2:10.
Intention: that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may become guilty before God – Rom 3:19 – To bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by (the law of) faith – Gal 3:24/Acts 4:12/Rom 3:27. What is man, that he should be clean? And he, which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? How then can a man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Job 15:14/25:4 If the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked – Jeremiah 17:9 – How can any man ever be able to keep the whole law? Therefore by the deeds (works) of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight – Rom 3:20 – Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone – Rom 9:32 – Not everyone! Multitudes of saints had kept the faith and because they sought it by faith, it was accounted unto them for righteousness – Hebrews 11/Num 32:11,12/Gal 3:6/1Pet 3:20. Had those that stumbled and were destroyed in the wilderness, sought it by faith like Abraham and all the others who had endured unto the end, they too could have come in contact with Christ the spiritual Rock that followed them –1Cor 10/Gal 3:8/Acts 7:35-39 – 13:46 – Luke 19:14. With many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness –1Cor 10:5 – Why? Because unlike others, they sought not to be justified by faith, but as it were by the works of the law – Rom 9:32 – they did not wholly follow the Lord – Num 32:11,12/1Cor 10 – they ignored the circumcision of the heart and relied only upon observances. They weren’t diligent enough and hence missed the mark – 2Pet 1:5,10/3:14/Joshua 22:5/Pro 13:4/22:29/ 2Cor 8:7/Heb 6:11.
According to God’s perspective, a man should have only one wife – Genesis 2:24/Mark 10:8 – Yet many of the God’s chosen in the Old Testament times were polygamists, and they got off scot-free, why? Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge – Heb 13:4. 1Chronicles 3/2Sam 6:23/1Sam 18:14-19 – states that King David had eight wives – Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba and Michal, daughter of Saul – and a slew of concubines. David committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah a loyal soldier of King David. 2Sam 11:14-17/12:7-10 – speaks of David’s plot to murder Uriah as part of an attempted cover-up. According to a law of Torah Deuteronomy 17:17 – which mandates that the king “shall not have many wives.” But if we study 2Sam 12:8 closely we could find that David had no less than 18 wives. Solomon, his son had 700 wives and 300 concubines; and when he was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods (1Kings 11). Ps 38:7 says David even was contracted with some kind of sexually transmitted disease. Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless? Matt 12:3-5 – verse 6-8 clearly says why the LORD God did not condemn them when others who had broken the least of the law were put to death. They had faith in their Messiah. They were slaves to sin – and death reigned over them because of sin (Rom 5:12-19). The Holy Ghost thus signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience – Heb 9:8,9. Carnal ordinances were imposed on them (which they could not endure) until the time of reformation – Heb 9:10/ 12:20. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ – John 1: 17. The law of faith – Rom 3:27 – was not yet come until Jesus Christ – Gal 3:25. We are free because Jesus conquered sin, death, and hell. David was remorseful – 2Sam 12:13. God said I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart – Acts 13:22. Why then under the jurisdiction of law did God condemn many and exonerated others at the same time? Simple! – Those condemned one’s sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law – and hence stumbled – Rom 9:32. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified – Gal 2:16. Those that were exonerated had faith in the spiritual Rock (Christ) that followed them –1Cor 10:1-4 – and were justified by faith. The ‘spiritual Rock’ was that Moses to whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them – Acts 7:37-39/Luke 19:14. But with many of them (who thought it was by the works of the law) God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness –1Cor 10:5. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them – Gal 3:10.
Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may become guilty before God – Rom 3:19. The Law of Moses brought guilt and empowered sin, ergo condemnation – Rom 4:15/7/2Cor 3:9 – But the Law of faith (this yoke and burden of Christ is easy and light – Matt 11:30 – I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them – Ezek 36:27 – that’s the difference – but ye must grow in grace – 2Pet 3:18 – and this grace or the divine influence – Phil 2:13 – will empower you to do/overcome things you once deemed impossible –The Lord says, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities (my frailty), that the power of Christ may rest upon me – 2Cor 12:9 – the weaker you are, richer the grace made available to you – Rom 5:20 – They that are whole need, not a physician; but they that are sick – Luke 5:31 – Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you –1Pet 5:6,7). Even now at this dispensation of grace, people who have begun their journey in the Spirit, are now trying to be made perfect by the flesh (by mere observances – Sunday Christians) – Gal 3:3 – and they omit the indispensable factors like walking/living in the Spirit, keeping of the Word (obedience/doer of the word), Sanctification of the Spirit/Word, etc…
Under the law to Christ – [As much as ever under its moral precepts, “Under the law to Christ” – And in this sense, all Christians will be under the law forever – Wesley]
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;
Rom 3:19 – given to those who were under the law
Transgression of the law of Moses meted out severe punishment even death (out of fear – ministration of death). When one would not abide by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (out of love – ministration of life) out of ignorance, God would chasten us for our profit; but if willingly are disobedient throughout then God would disown you at the end. He wouldn’t care to chasten you as a loving Father (Heb 12:5-11).
A Christian says “I’m not under the law!” Which law are you not under? Adultery? Murder? False witness? God put His law in our hearts. Obey – Ken Raggio
The moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He [Yahushua] did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this. This is a law that can never be broken…Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind and in all ages; as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstances liable to change, but on the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.” John Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol.1, No. 25
If you don’t accept the fact that faith and works (obedience) are two sides of a coin, and that works aren’t counted, then you wouldn’t be qualified to teach anyone that neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – (anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie – Revelation 21:27). No matter what you do, if you have faith you shall inherit, that’s what you say! Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). What’s the point in that? You are deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
Law was given that people would come to realize that their hearts were callous and deceitful, and that’s were restoration needs to be carried out. When God told them not to commit adultery, He was trying to explain how bad they require the Divine assistance to triumph over the Sin to which they were subject to.
There is one lawgiver – James 4:12 – and that is God Almighty. Is the law then become obsolete as many presume? Jesus said, think not that I am come to destroy the law – Matt 5:17. A Christian is dead to the law, because sin hath no hold on him – Gal 2:19/Rom 6:14 – yet, being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ – 1Cor 9:21 – For whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin – 1John 3:8. But the law is still active in the world, not to condemn the righteous but to punish the wicked (he who does wickedness). The law is what balances life on this planet, so to speak. “Lawlessness” is what the kingdom of devil is made up of and his seed the antichrist is titled as the “lawless one”.
We know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully (the law worketh wrath – Rom 4:15); Know this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers, For whore-mongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 1 Timothy 1:8-10