Delivered From the Law

[Soyeong]

It seems though, you are turning faith into a work

We can do works that express faith, such as with all of the examples of faith listed in Hebrews 11 or with James 2:18 saying that he would show his faith by his works. So the significance of our works has nothing to do with trying to earn our righteousness as the result, but rather the significance is that it is the way to have faith and it is by that faith alone that we are declared righteous.

God is trustworthy, therefore His instructions are also trustworthy (Psalms 19:7), so the way to trust God is by obediently trusting in His instructions, which is why the Bible frequently connects our belief in God with our obedience to His instructions. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus said that faith is one of the weightier matters of the law. In Romans 1:5, we have received grace in order to bring about the obedience of faith. In Romans 3:31, our faith upholds God's law. In John 3:36, believing in Jesus is equated with obeying him. In Psalms 119:30, he chose the way of faith by setting God's law before him. In Revelation 14:12, those who kept faith Jesus are the same as those who kept God's commandments. In Hebrews 3:18-19, it equates unbelief with disobedience. In Numbers 5:6, it describes disobedience as breaking faith, and so forth.

The reason why there are many verses that say that the way to have eternal life is by believing in Jesus and many verses that say that the way to have eternal life is by obeying God's commandments is because God's commandments are His instructions for how to believe in Jesus, or in other words, God's word is His instructions for how to believe in God's word made flesh.

The way to believe in God is by being in His likeness through being a doer of His character traits. For example, by being a doer of good works in obedience to God's law we are testifying about God's goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16), and by testifying about God's goodness we are also expressing the belief that God is good. Likewise, the way to believe that God is a doer of justice is by being in His likeness through being a doer of justice in obedience to His law, the way to believe that God is holy is by being a doer of His instructions for how to be holy as He is holy, and so forth. This is exactly the same as the way to believe in the Son, who is the radiance of God's glory and the exact likeness of His character (Hebrews 1:3), which he expressed through his works by setting a sinless example for us to follow of how to walk in obedience to God's law.

Why not say, "The only way for someone to attain a character trait is through the new birth"?
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

That would be equivalent. In 1 John 2:6, those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way that he walked, so verses that refer to those who are in Christ are only referring to people who are following his example of walking in obedience to God's law. What it means for someone to become born again is for them to be in God's likeness through being a doer of His character traits in obedience to His law. This is why those who are not doers of righteousness in obedience to God's law are not children of God (1 John 3:4-10) and why Paul contrasted those who are born of the Spirit with those who have minds set on the flesh who are enemies of God who refuse to submit to His law (1 John 3:4). This is also why Jesus said in John 8:39 that if they were children of Abraham, then they would be doing the same works as him.

Try this…
Matthew 5:18 NKJV
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
How was the law fulfilled?You?Me? Hope not.

According to Galatians 5:14, anyone who has ever loved their neighbor has fulfilled the entire law, so it does not refer to something unique that only Jesus did, but rather it refers to something that countless people have done including both of us.

many people in the Bible are also called good, but…
Matthew 19:17 NKJV
So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

“Good” is the ultimate goal at which all things aim. For example, a square is a plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles and a plane figure is a good square to the degree that it is aimed at being in the likeness of a square. A square drawn freehand is not as good of a square as one drawn using a ruler and protractor. To say that God is good is not just to say that He is a doer of good works, but that all works are good to the degree that they are aimed at being in the likeness of God’s character and that all good works testify about His goodness, which is why our good works bring glory to Him (Matthew 5:16) and why “sin” is missing the mark.

Are you telling me you have never sinned, or are you still trying to reach perfection through the law?

No and no. The only reason why someone would need to have perfect obedience is if they are going to give themselves to pay for the sins of the world, so the rest of us can thankfully have our sins forgiven.

Without a Leviticus priesthood and a Temple etc., perfection through the law is a pipe dream.

The Israelites were given a number of laws that have the condition "when you enter the land..." while they were still wandering the wilderness for 40 years, so there is nothing wrong with not following a law that can't currently be followed. Likewise, when the Israelites were exiled the Babylon, then the condition for their return to the land was to first return to obedience to God's law, which contains instructions in regard to Temple practice that could no longer be followed because the Temple had just been destroyed, so when there a laws that we can't obey, then we should nevertheless be faithful to obey the laws that we can obey.

Galatians 3:11 NKJV
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Romans 4:5 NKJV
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Even if someone managed to live in sinless obedience to God's law, then they still wouldn't earn their justification as the result because God's law was never given as a way of earning our justification, so that has always been a fundamental misunderstanding of the goal of why we should obey the law.

Are you Roman Catholic?

No.

 

[Eleanor]

While the only way for someone to attain a character trait is through faith, what it means for them to attain a character trait is for them to become a doer of that trait. For example, the only way for someone to become courageous is through faith apart from being required to have first done enough courageous works in order to earn it as the result, but it would be contradictory for someone to become courageous apart from becoming a doer of courageous works, and the same is true for righteousness and every other character trait. This is why the same faith by which we are declared righteous apart from works does not abolish our need to be a doer of righteous works in obedience to God's law, but rather our faith upholds it (Romans 3:28-31). In other words, everyone who has faith will be declared righteous and everyone who has faith is a doer of God's law, which is how Paul can deny in Romans 4:1-5 that we can earn our righteousness as the result of our works while also affirming in Romans 2:13 that only the doers of the law will be declared righteous.

That is an out-of-context quote demonstrating that no one is righteous by the Law,
for the Law was not given to make righteous, but rather to reveal sin (Ro 3:20).
Righteousness has always been by faith in the promise (Ge 15:5-6, Seed, Jesus Christ, Gal 3:16). (Ro 3:22)

 

[Josheb]

I wish I'd seen this op earlier.

Delivered From the Law


"We are delivered from the law": This means that believers are no longer under the condemning power or penalty of God’s law. The law, which demands perfect obedience and pronounces judgment on sinners (Galatians 3:10), no longer holds its curse over those who are in Christ.

"Not by its abrogation": This clarifies that the law is not nullified, repealed, or dismissed. God did not simply set aside His righteous demands or ignore His holy standard. The law remains a reflection of His perfect character and justice (Romans 7:12). (emphasis Josh's)

"But by its execution through Christ": Instead of abolishing the law, God fulfilled its demands in Christ. Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to the law (Matthew 5:17) and satisfied its requirements on behalf of sinners. Additionally, Christ bore the penalty of the law for our transgressions, taking upon Himself the judgment that the law demands for sin (Isaiah 53:5-6).

"Who bore our sins in His own body on the tree": This refers to Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). The "tree" is a reference to the cross, where Jesus carried the sins of His people. He endured the curse and wrath of God that was rightfully ours, satisfying divine justice completely (Galatians 3:13).

In short, believers are freed from the law’s condemnation, not because God ignored or dismissed the law, but because Christ perfectly obeyed it and fully endured its penalty in our place. His life and death uphold the law’s justice while making salvation by grace possible. In Christ, the law’s demands are met, and its curse is removed, allowing us to stand justified before God.

Delivered From the Law | Monergism

"We are delivered from the law, not by its abrogation, but by its execution through Christ, who bore our sins in His own body on the tree." - Charles Hodge"We

www.monergism.com

That's a good article. I particularly like the inclusion of the Law's remains. Over my many years as a Christian hearing the debate about the Law's relevance to the Christian I have noticed to very prominent points of neglect. The first is that when Paul (Romans 2-3 and Galatians 3) and James (to a lesser extent; James 2) write about the Law they do so in a very specific, specified context. That context is the Law as a means of attaining righteousness and justification. It is within that specified context the Law no longer condemns. Christ is now the regenerate believer's means of obtaining righteousness and justification. The second commonly occurring point of neglect is the fairly simply and obvious fact Paul and every single one of the New Testament writers used the Law and applied it to their Christian readers. The quoted it, they referenced it, they alluded to it and they expected their readers to recognize their doing so and understand its relevance and import to their lives - just not as a means of attaining righteousness or justification.

 

[Soyeong]

That is an out-of-context quote demonstrating that no one is righteous by the Law,
for the Law was not given to make righteous, but rather to reveal sin (Ro 3:20).
Righteousness has always been by faith in the promise (Ge 15:5-6, Seed, Jesus Christ, Gal 3:16). (Ro 3:22)

The context supports how I used the quote, such as with Roman 2:6-7 saying that those who persist in doing good will be given eternal life. I spoke in regard to how Romans 2:13 is in accordance with Romans 4:1-5, so please address what I said rather than just repeating my point. The fact that only the doers of the law will be declared righteous is righteous is in accordance with the fact that the one and only way to become righteous is through faith. We become someone who has faith, someone who will be declared righteous, and someone who is a doer of the law all at the same time, anyone who is not one of those is also not the others, but we do not earn our righteousness as the result of our obedience to the law. The law describes the life of someone who is righteous as it describes the life of Christ, but it was not given as a way to become righteous, so the gift of righteousness is the gift of getting to become a doer of the law.

 

[Eleanor]

Why is Jesus the end of the Law for righteousness for those who believe? Think of the implications of that passage alone.
Those who do not believe are still under the Law and will be judged by it. The Law is still the standard. That never changed.

The Law was given to Israel, the people of God, not to the world.
Israel was judged by the Law, the Gentiles by their conscience, which condemned them (Ro 2:12-16), as the Law condemned Israel.

The reason it isn't the standard for believers is because Jesus fulfilled it's requirements for us and became our righteousness, the righteousness of God, and with His atonement, 'In Him' He became our justification.

The law was not given for salvation, for salvation has always been by faith (Ge 15:5-6).
The law was given to reveal sin (Ro 3:20).
Nor could even perfect law-keeping make righteous those to whom Adam's sin had been imputed (Ro 5:17, 18-19, 12-16).
The human race was locked out of righteousness.

Matthew 5:17-17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
this was in the context of obeying the commandments.

 

[Eleanor]

duplicate

 

[Dave]

The Law was given to Israel, the people of God, not to the world.
Israel was judged by the Law, the Gentiles by their conscience, which condemned them (Ro 2:12-16), as the Law condemned Israel.

@Eleanor

And Jesus is the end of the Law for righteousness for those who believe (Romans 10:4). This a message for all NT believers, right?

The law was not given for salvation, for salvation has always been by faith (Ge 15:5-6).

Faith brings us to merits. Jesus's merits. Why did Jesus become sin , our sin, and die to satisfy the Law on our behalf, and suffering it's penalty for us, if the Law doesn't apply today?

The law was given to reveal sin (Ro 3:20).

Yes, and unbelievers will be judged by that same standard. This establishes the Law.

Romans 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

Nor could even perfect law-keeping make righteous those to whom Adam's sin had been imputed (Ro 5:17, 18-19, 12-16).

I'm sure that you agree that Jesus was not imputed with Adams sin.

The human race was locked out of righteousness.

Understood, so what then can man do? What is impossible for man is possible for God. Jesus did for us, what we could not do for ourselves. What He did satisfied Gods justice, and His righteous requirements. This doesn't nullify the Law, it establishes it.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Romans 4:17 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;

Dave

 

[Eleanor]

The context supports how I used the quote, such as with Roman 2:6-7 saying that those who persist in doing good will be given eternal life.

Paul is discussing here the principle of judgment according to deeds, offered only to Adam, not to sinners.

I spoke in regard to how Romans 2:13 is in accordance with Romans 4:1-5, so please address what I said rather than just repeating my point. The fact that only the doers of the law will be declared righteous is righteous is in accordance with the fact that the one and only way to become righteous is through faith.

So there are now two means of righteousness, perfect law keeping and faith?

We become someone who has faith, someone who will be declared righteous, and someone who is a doer of the law all at the same time, anyone who is not one of those is also not the others, but we do not earn our righteousness as the result of our obedience to the law. The law describes the life of someone who is righteous as it describes the life of Christ, but it was not given as a way to become righteous, so the gift of righteousness is the gift of getting to become a doer of the law.

 

[Eleanor]

@Eleanor

And Jesus is the end of the Law for righteousness for those who believe (Romans 10:4). This a message for all NT believers, right?


Faith brings us to merits. Jesus's merits. Why did Jesus become sin , our sin, and die to satisfy the Law on our behalf, and suffering it's penalty for us, if the Law doesn't apply today?


Yes, and unbelievers will be judged by that same standard. This establishes the Law.

Romans 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.


I'm sure that you agree that Jesus was not imputed with Adams sin.


Understood, so what then can man do? What is impossible for man is possible for God. Jesus did for us, what we could not do for ourselves. What He did satisfied Gods justice, and His righteous requirements. This doesn't nullify the Law, it establishes it.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Romans 4:17 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;

Dave

I am speaking in terms of the believer, not in terms of the larger reality.

And I love your posts.

 

[Soyeong]

Paul is discussing here the principle of judgment according to deeds, offered only to Adam, not to sinners.

Paul was discussing judgment according to faith. Those who have faith, those who will be declared righteous, and those who are doers of the law are the same set of people.

So there are now two means of righteousness, perfect law keeping and faith?

I said that the one and only way to become righteous is through faith and I denied that we can earn our righteousness even though perfect obedience, so how does that suggest to you that I am speaking about two means of righteousness, perfect law keeping and faith?

 

[Eleanor]

Paul was discussing judgment according to faith. Those who have faith, those who will be declared righteous, and those who are doers of the law are the same set of people.

Which does not make law-keeping a means of salvation from the wrath of God.

 

[Soyeong]

Which does not make law-keeping a means of salvation from the wrath of God.

In Titus 2:11-13, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and good, and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so doing those works in obedience to God’s law has absolutely nothing to do with trying to earn our salvation as the result, but rather God graciously teaching us to be a doer of those works is part of His gift of salvation. God’s wrath in not poured out on those who repent and His law through faith in accordance with the Gospel, but on those who refuse to submit to His law.

 

[Eleanor]

In Titus 2:11-13, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and good, and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so doing those works in obedience to God’s law has absolutely nothing to do with trying to earn our salvation as the result, but rather God graciously teaching us to be a doer of those works is part of His gift of salvation. God’s wrath in not poured out on those who repent and His law through faith in accordance with the Gospel, but on those who refuse to submit to His law.

God's wrath will be poured out on all mankind, but for those who are in Christ.

 

[Soyeong]

God's wrath will be poured out on all mankind, but for those who are in Christ.

Only those who are following Christ’s example of walking in obedience to God’s law are in Christ (1 John 2:6).

 

[prism]

We can do works that express faith, such as with all of the examples of faith listed in Hebrews 11 or with James 2:18 saying that he would show his faith by his works.

How many works must be done before one's faith is acceptable to God?

 

[Eleanor]

Only those who are following Christ’s example of walking in obedience to God’s law are in Christ (1 John 2:6).

And love of God and neighbor as self is the fulfillment of Christ's law (Ro 13:8, 10).

No one has to tell you what loving yourself means.

 

[Soyeong]

And love of God and neighbor as self is the fulfillment of Christ's law (Ro 13:8, 10).

No one has to tell you what loving yourself means.

Love fulfills the law because the purpose of everything in it is to teach us how to love God and how to love our neighbor, which is why Jesus said in Matthew 22:36-40 that those are the greatest two commandments and that all of the other commandments hang on them, so the position that we should obey the greatest two commandments is also the position that we should obey the commandments that hang on them. For example, if someone thought that they just needed to love God and their neighbor, so they did need to obey God’s other commandments against committing idolatry, murder, adultery, theft, favoritism, kidnapping, rape, and so forth, then they would have an incomplete understanding of what is being commanded by the greatest two commandments. The greatest two commandments are much easier said than done, so thankfully God gave us the rest of His commandments to flesh out what it looks like to correctly obey them. Someone who was correctly following the greatest two commandments would be indistinguishable from someone who was correctly obeying the rest of God’s commandments because they would both be following the same example that Christ set for us to follow, which those who are in Christ are obligated to follow.

 

[Eleanor]

Love fulfills the law because the purpose of everything in it is to teach us how to love God and how to love our neighbor,

We don't have to be taught to love ourselves, which is the standard for loving others.

 

[Soyeong]

We don't have to be taught to love ourselves, which is the standard for loving others.

If you are not doing what God has instructed in His law, then apparently you do have to be taught that.

 

[Soyeong]

How many works must be done before one's faith is acceptable to God?

Doing good works has nothing to do with trying to be good enough to be acceptable to God.