Commandments should not be followed ...

[Cling2Cross]

A huge point which further contrasts the law with grace.

Correct—because the law is from God, it is good; however, Christ (grace) is soooooooo much better—that’s the message of the writer to the Hebrews.

In a covenant of works, the condition is perfect obedience—or doing what the Law requires, i.e., works—to receive the blessings offered.

In the covenant of grace, OTOH, the sole condition is faith in Christ, apart from works (Rom. 3:28). “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom. 4:5).

Not only are the conditions different (works vs. faith), but the conditions have different functions relating to the blessings.

The condition (works) is the legal ground for obtaining the blessings offered in the Covenant of works.

The condition (faith), in the Covenant of grace, is merely a means by which the blessings are received. Faith is not the ground on which God bestows the blessings of the covenant of grace upon us, though faith is necessary. The legal ground for the bestowal of the blessings is the perfect obedience and merit of Christ—not our faith, which is nothing in itself.

Faith functions as the means or instrument by which the blessings earned by Christ are appropriated and received (Eph 2:8). Faith is not a work, but a gift (Eph 2:8); faith is the empty hand by which the believer receives all that Christ has earned for him as a gift.

I think that believers must also demonstrate that their faith is genuine by producing good works as the fruit of faith, as Paul says, good works are the result of salvation, not a condition of salvation. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus "unto good works," not by good works (Eph. 2:10).

So the good news (and it is good news indeed), is that we are not saved by what we do, but by what Christ has done for us, and nothing else—grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone,
that the glory would be to God alone.
Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.

— Mark Twain​

​

 

[Cling2Cross]

When Paul speaks of the Law in the book of Romans, it is clear from the context that he is speaking of all of the law and not only the ceremonial and judicial laws…the best passage that exemplifies this…

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:1-4 KJV)

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Romans 7:7 KJV)

The last of the commandments in the decalogue!

We are dead to the law in that we are dead to its penalty and our “flesh” is dead…we are no longer trying to justify our own selves by keeping the law “in the flesh”…BUT, after the new birth, we are now indwelt by the Spirit so that we can LOVE…God and man through the Spirit and not in the flesh. For all the law hangs on loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind - and loving your neighbor as yourself - by the Spirit.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for** by the law is the knowledge of sin**. (Romans 3:20 KJV)

The decalogue, as Mr. Sandusky has helped us see…is to reveal our sin first, so that we fall on our knees before Christ as our Lord and Savior and Treasure.

C2C

Knowing 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 manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:9-10 KJV)

 

[guanophore]

Knowing 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 manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:9-10 KJV)

Is this why, when person calling himself a Christian commits these sins, you consider that he was never saved in the first place?

 

[Pax]

The contention by the non-Catholics on this thread that we are saved “by faith alone” has become a mantra. It is a repeated contention without foundation.

Paul never says that we are saved by faith alone.

Paul uses the word “faith” more than 200 times, and he happens to use the word “alone” more than any other NT writer. Nevertheless, Paul never uses the term “faith alone.”
Paul simply does not use the terms together, and he certainly would have done so had his teaching been what you claim it is. Paul was a well educated and thoughful apostle. Paul would never have stated his teachings the way he did if he meant to say that we are saved by “faith alone.” Paul would have simply made the statement.

It seems rather odd that the proponents of the “faith alone” doctrine would attempt to make the NT’s most prolific author say something that he clearly does not say, and then insist that it be so. This becomes even more egregious when we have another inspired author, James, that did use the words “faith” and “alone” together. This inspired author said that a "man is saved by faith and works, and not by “faith alone.”

The entire argument of “sola fide” is simply a non-scriptural man made doctrine.

 

[Pax]

When Paul speaks of the Law in the book of Romans, it is clear from the context that he is speaking of all of the law and not only the ceremonial and judicial laws…the best passage that exemplifies this…

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:1-4 KJV)

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Romans 7:7 KJV)

The last of the commandments in the decalogue!

We are dead to the law in that we are dead to its penalty and our “flesh” is dead…we are no longer trying to justify our own selves by keeping the law “in the flesh”…BUT, after the new birth, we are now indwelt by the Spirit so that we can LOVE…God and man through the Spirit and not in the flesh. For all the law hangs on loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind - and loving your neighbor as yourself - by the Spirit.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for** by the law is the knowledge of sin**. (Romans 3:20 KJV)

The decalogue, as Mr. Sandusky has helped us see…is to reveal our sin first, so that we fall on our knees before Christ as our Lord and Savior and Treasure.

C2C

Knowing 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 manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:9-10 KJV)

Works done in the system of the OT law and works done in the gentile systems of belief are of no value. They are based on the individual and the individual’s own achievement and are to be understood in terms of a wage.

Works done in the Christian system of grace are of value. These works come from God’s work of grace within us. We are as Eph 2:10 says, “created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand.” In grace we are adopted sons and daughters and are members of the household.

The difference between the Christian system of grace and that of the old law as well as that of the gentile systems is one of “relationship.” In the old law and gentile systems the works are of no value because the relationship is that of man as a wage earner before God. There is no relationship of God as Father. Under grace we cry “Abba” Father. Under the system of grace everything is by way of mercy and God’s gifts. Under grace our works have value because they are from the Father and they give glory and honor to God.

As Christians we are under the law of Christ. As Christians we are led by the Spirit. As Christians we live by the Spirit. The Christian system of faith and works is completely different from the OT system of the law and the gentile systems of works. Paul clearly states that these latter two systems do not justify or save us. Paul never discounts the role of works within the Christian system of grace. Instead, Paul clearly states the necessity of Christian love and obedience under grace.

 

[pneuma07]

Rom 4:15 "for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violationThe believer is not under law.

You fail to understand Romans six. The believer is “freed from sin.” He has died with Christ “to sin” and is now in the resurrected Christ. “The wages of sin is death.” Our sins were imputed to Christ and as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin, He died “to sin” once for all. And Paul says of the believer, we died with Him. He was raised to new life, and we were raised to new life with Him: “But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That is, in the resurrected Christ. Every true believe is now in the resurrected Christ, the “Last Adam.”

The believer does not have to “avoid sin” TO GET eternal life. It is gifted by God being now “in Christ” resurrected. His new life is our life. It is life eternal. That’s GRACE.Rom 6:15 ¶ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!

Yes, I understand this to be the Catholic gospel.

Dear moondweller,

  you say  "the believer is not under law", and  "law and grace don't mix" .

We have to understand which law we’re speaking about.

See again Galatians: 6 :2-9, please.

*Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself.
Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else;
for each will bear his own load.

One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor.
Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows,
because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.

Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. *

Now you can say that all of that is the “catholic Gospel”. Yes, it is. , if you mean it is part of the Good News of our Lord, as taught by the Church.
And it is Paul’s teaching.

Can’t then we see that we have the law of Christ, “this side of the cross” ? Or shall we believe that grace cannot mix with any law ?

Consider again 1 Cor 9:

20(AB) To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To(AC) those outside the law I became(AD) as one outside the law (τοις ανομοις ως ανομος) (not being outside the law of God but(AE) under the law of Christ (εννομος χριστω) ) that I might win those outside the law.

Corinthians 9:20 makes clear that “being (or being not) under the law” in Paul means within or outside Judaism.
Paul is NOT ανομος ( without law) , but εννομος, εννομος χριστω, ie in the law of Christ. ! The believer, being in Christ, is , as Paul litterally says: “in the law of Christ”. Isn’t that the law of Love, the commandment of Love ?

And isn’t that an overall moral demand, implying and fulfilling the Decalogue ?

Christians have to follow the Decalogue. Not because they’re “under the law”, ie have to accept ipso facto the whole of jewish rules, since, as we agree, we are not under that law.
But because the believer is εννομος χριστω, and therefore his behavior is (name removed by moderator)ired by the law of love.

On another note, and in order to properly understand Romans 6:
what do you mean stating that the believer is “freed from sin” ?

 

[moondweller]

On another note, and in order to properly understand Romans 6: what do you mean stating that the believer is “freed from sin” ?

I explained it right there in that same post. :tiphat:

 

[moondweller]

[SIGN]I’ll second that!!![/SIGN]

 

[Filius99993]

A huge point which further contrasts the law with grace.

Correct—because the law is from God, it is good; however, Christ (grace) is soooooooo much better—that’s the message of the writer to the Hebrews.

In a covenant of works, the condition is perfect obedience—or doing what the Law requires, i.e., works—to receive the blessings offered.

In the covenant of grace, OTOH, the sole condition is faith in Christ, apart from works (Rom. 3:28). “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom. 4:5).

Not only are the conditions different (works vs. faith), but the conditions have different functions relating to the blessings.

The condition (works) is the legal ground for obtaining the blessings offered in the Covenant of works.

The condition (faith), in the Covenant of grace, is merely a means by which the blessings are received. Faith is not the ground on which God bestows the blessings of the covenant of grace upon us, though faith is necessary. The legal ground for the bestowal of the blessings is the perfect obedience and merit of Christ—not our faith, which is nothing in itself.

Faith functions as the means or instrument by which the blessings earned by Christ are appropriated and received (Eph 2:8). Faith is not a work, but a gift (Eph 2:8); faith is the empty hand by which the believer receives all that Christ has earned for him as a gift.

I think that believers must also demonstrate that their faith is genuine by producing good works as the fruit of faith, as Paul says, good works are the result of salvation, not a condition of salvation. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus "unto good works," not by good works (Eph. 2:10).

So the good news (and it is good news indeed), is that we are not saved by what we do, but by what Christ has done for us, and nothing else—grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone,
that the glory would be to God alone.
Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.

— Mark Twain​

​

Jesus never said that we’re saved by faith alone. I think he knows better than you do.

BTW, Mark Twain was an atheist…

 

[Philthy]

Faith functions as the means or instrument by which the blessings earned by Christ are appropriated and received (Eph 2:8). Faith is not a work, but a gift (Eph 2:8);

It’s not a work of the law, but as a matter of fact - and a very inconvenient one for some, apparently - Christ says it is a work (John 6:29)

faith is the empty hand by which the believer receives all that Christ has earned for him as a gift.

 

[mikeledes]

Not the full revelation of God in Christ, but what was accomplished by His death on the cross. The Gospel accounts end with that historical event, the Epistles explain what took place there.Heb 9:15 "And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were {committed} under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."Christ has taken the place of Moses, the mediator of the “old” covenant. Yet Catholics, and some Protestants, still say that when Christ was on earth He re-affirmed the Ten Commandments and they’re under the erroneous persuasion that God is requiring righteousness of them.

What seems to completely fly over their heads is that a death has taken place to bring in a new covenant of which the resurrected Christ is Mediator. The reference point is the death that has taken place. Christ’s mediatorship dates AFTER His death, not to His life and preaching. The gospel Paul preached to Jews and Gentiles begins with Christ’s DEATH, not His virgin birth, nor His spotless life under the Law.1 Cor 15:3-4 "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"Heb. 9:15 presents Christ as Mediator of a new covenant in view of the fact that, a death having taken place, those who believe (“the called”) may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Take special note, guanphore, that those who believe have this relationship to the NEW covenant (not the old), and its conditions have been fulfilled, and that on the basis of His death the new covenant is in operation. The resurrected Christ being its Mediator.1 Tim 2:5 "For there is one God, {and} one mediator also between God and men, {the} man Christ Jesus,We don’t have two mediators: Moses and Jesus. Only one, and He is a mediator of a NEW covenant making the old obsolete.

The doctrines of grace, found only in the Epistles, explain (reveal) to us the believer’s new standing before God according to this new covenant enacted upon better promises.Heb 8:6 "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises."These promises could have only been explained after His death took place, and that’s why we have the Epistles in the N.T.

Luther had it right:“Christ is no Moses! Take heed lest thou set Christ upon a rainbow, with a stern countenance, as of judge.” See Jn. 12:47.No, believers are not called under a legal covenant with God, that if they will do this and be such, He will save them at last. Believers are the full beneficiaries of an eternal covenant, of which the conditions of it have been fulfilled. “It is finished” Jesus said on the cross, and God raised Him from the dead in view of that covenant.

“…for you are not under law but under grace.”, Paul said.

So how were all the Old Testament saints saved?

God bless,
Michael

 

[Teflon93]

So how were all the Old Testament saints saved?

God bless,
Michael

That is a very good question!

Moondweller…?

 

[moondweller]

So how were all the Old Testament saints saved?

God bless,
Michael

Through faith. But those under the Mosaic Law were obligated to abide in it. It was their rule of life before God. No righteous Jew of faith shunned the Law (Rom. 9:30-32).Gal 3:21-24 "Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we (Jews) were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor {to lead us} to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith."Notice Paul says that the Jews were shut up to THE FAITH that was LATER to be revealed. “The faith” he is referring to is FAITH ALONE in Christ ALONE. The gift of eternal life through faith alone was not realized until after the cross. It is connected to the new covenant not the old.“Christ is the end of law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom. 10:4).The end of law - that leaves us with FAITH ALONE. The Law was the Jew’s tutor (child-conductor) to lead them to Christ to be justified by faith alone - not Law. Not faith plus law, but faith (in Christ) alone.

No O.T. saint lived with the confident reality of possessing eternal life. That reality came only after the substitutionary, sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and through “the faith” which is in Him alone.

For this reason all who reject “the faith” (in Christ alone) have no confidence in now possessing the gift (promise) of eternal life. Life which cannot be lost (eternal). Why? Because they refuse to believe in Christ alone. They’re still trying to be justified by a law that says: DO in order to be blessed, rather than BELIEVE and be blessed.

 

[sandusky]

Filius99993:

Jesus never said that we’re saved by faith alone. I think he knows better than you do.

Jesus also never said many things that you, as a Catholic believe; however, He does tell us through the writings of certain of His apostles that one is ultimately and only saved by the gracious will of God.

Filius99993:

BTW, Mark Twain was an atheist…

And in his ardent criticisms of Christianity he “gets” what many so-called Christians don’t.

 

[sandusky]

Philthy:

It’s not a work of the law, but as a matter of fact - and a very inconvenient one for some, apparently - Christ says it is a work (John 6:29)

Read the entire chapter. With respect to belief/faith, Christ says that in order for one to believe, the Father must confer faith upon that one because no one, within himself, has the ability to believe to salvation (Jn 6:44, 64-65).

Philthy:

The only problem with this analogy is that “all that Christ has earned” is not given all at once. We remain in time here on earth. That hand must remain open to continue to recieve all that Christ has earned. “He who perseveres to the end will be saved.” For most, it must re-open when the inconveniences and responsibilities of accepting the gift challenge our selfish desires.

That’s not a problem, Phil. The apostle assures the believer that he is protected by the power of God ”for a salvation ready to be revealed…,” and also that it is through the faith which He has given the believer that God protects him (1 Pet 1:3-5).

Philthy:

You are an extemely intelligent and articulate person. A sentence coming from you is truly surprising. You “THINK” that believers must also demonstrate that their faith is genuine? I would think something so basic should be known by an expert such as your self. To whom do they need to demonstrate their faith? and Why do you “think” that they “must”? and What if they dont?

I deliberately worded it for the benefit of the one to whom I was responding—it seems he agrees.

The why is found in Eph 2:10; the “to whom” is to others—both believers, and non-believers; and, if they don’t, the implication is that they don’t have a genuine faith.

Philthy:

The question still remains: Even though our works dont merit salvation, can we - after opening our empty hand to recieve the gift of salvation - close that hand and merit condemnation through sin.

You know my answer to that is no—I’m a great believer in “pure grace.”

 

[banjo]

When Paul speaks of the Law in the book of Romans, it is clear from the context that he is speaking of all of the law and not only the ceremonial and judicial laws…the best passage that exemplifies this…

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:1-4 KJV)

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Romans 7:7 KJV)

The last of the commandments in the decalogue!

We are dead to the law in that we are dead to its penalty and our “flesh” is dead…we are no longer trying to justify our own selves by keeping the law “in the flesh”…BUT, after the new birth, we are now indwelt by the Spirit so that we can LOVE…God and man through the Spirit and not in the flesh. For all the law hangs on loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind - and loving your neighbor as yourself - by the Spirit.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for** by the law is the knowledge of sin**. (Romans 3:20 KJV)

The decalogue, as Mr. Sandusky has helped us see…is to reveal our sin first, so that we fall on our knees before Christ as our Lord and Savior and Treasure.

C2C

Knowing 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 manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:9-10 KJV)

*“The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rm 13:9-10 *

Isn’t St. Paul saying that we are fulfilling the Decalogue when we love our neighbor as ourselves? If he is saying we are under no law at all, why does he concern himself with its fulfillment?

 

[BRB]

The Law does not bring Life, and I agree, it points to Christ, but He never set aside the Law. In fact, He continued to affirm that the moral standards given had not changed. Our manner of keeping them is enhanced by the HS, who now dwells in us, and empowers us to keep the commandments.

you say that one should not practice charity for the purpose or salvation. I think you say this because your concept of salvation is so narrow. You seem to believe “it is finished” at the beginning. What I think you would call “the instant of faith” and what those adhering to Apostolic doctrine would call baptism. This is what the Church calls a sacrament of initiation, beginning. After baptism, one begins to learn and to practice the obedience of faith.

I agree, we are under the Law of Grace. But that law does not make null the moral standards that God has revealed to us. The reason that love is the fullfillment of the Law is because one who loves does no wrong to a neighbor.

OT law was unable to be fully kept in totality by Jews … thus it could not save man. Paul [and even James] were in agreement on this fact.

OT law was needed to show Hebrews they needed to make sacrifices … to please/make amends to God ---- when they fell short of full obedience (which they always did, even David).

God’s plan from the beginning was to send Christ as ultimate, once for all sacrifice. Per Paul, “Not of works, lest any man boast”

Salvation is always by faith [Paul speaks of]… which thereafter is ‘attested to’ by fruitful works of H.S [which James speaks of].

Christ summaried it all many times in Parables. Faith, followed by Fruits, performed to the end of ones life. No short cuts allowed in making the Kingdom.

However, Christ never discarded the OT law. It is still needed today to show us we are unworthy sinners. He improved on it by adding Beatitudes … these became the New Covenant standard for Christians.

 

[Teflon93]

If circumcision is a work of the Law, and the Law is a curse which binds and damns, why did St Paul have Timothy circumcised in Acts 6?

 

[moondweller]

If circumcision is a work of the Law, and the Law is a curse which binds and damns, why did St Paul have Timothy circumcised in Acts 6?

Circumcision is not a work of the Law. It was seal (sign) of the unconditional Abrahamic covenant made with Abraham and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob, 430 years prior. I covered this in an earlier post. :tiphat: The Law itself was righteous and good. See if you can understand this important differentiation:Gal 3:10 "For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”

 

[mikeledes]

It has been argued that “The Law” = “The Decalogue.” Since the discussion in this thread rests on a proper understanding of the meaning of “The Law”, I would like to touch on this point again. Does “the Law” exclusively refer to the Decalogue? No, it does not. Let’s take a look at Hebrews 7:28:

28For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak …

We’re all familiar with the content of the Decalogue. If “the Law” exclusively refers to the Decalogue, then which of the commandments deals with the appointment of high priests?

Let’s take a look at Hebrews 9:22:

22And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

If “the Law” is exclusively the Decalogue, which one of the commandments deal with the sacrifical system, the atoning value of blood, etc. ?

Or how about Hebrews 7:5

5And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.

If the Law is the Decalogue, which one of the Ten deals with tithing?

And how about:

1 Corinthians 9:9

**9For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING " God is not concerned about oxen, is He? **

Last time I checked, that’s not a quote from the Decalogue.

My point? The same one I’ve been making throughout this thread. That “the Law” is a reference to the Old Covenant, with its ceremonial and moral precepts. “The Law” contains the moral law of God, but the moral law of God prexisted the Old Covenant and continues to be in force:

1 Corinthians 9:20-21

**20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. **

Note that while Paul says he is not under “the Law”, he explicity states that he is not without the law of God. What is the law of God? It’s God’s moral law. By saying that he is not under the Law, but not without the law of God, Paul is making a distinction between the moral law and the “Mosaic Law.” This moral law, however, is now expressed in a postive form, namely, the Law of Christ.

God bless,
Michael