LAWS OF GOD EXPLAINED

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                                                                                                                                                                                                 July 2024

LAWS OF GOD ARE GOOD

 

 

Since the beginning there has been a false grace teaching where people can do what they want or do what is right in their own eyes.  Just like in the time of Moses so it is in the time of Christ.  Is today any different?  There are some leaders who have blatantly ignored Jesus’ teaching on the law of God.  Jesus rebuked those in the early church who were led astray by the Nicolaitans and those who like Balaam put a stumbling block before the Children of God (Rev. 2-3).  Even the characterization of the laws into Dietary, Moral, Judicial & Ceremonial may seem helpful, but this isn’t scriptural.

 

It is the intention of this article to demonstrate from Jesus’ own words and other scripture that the Law of God is good and is still to be kept today; and that the Old Covenant that has been done away with does not include the laws of God.  In short, the Old Covenant is how to get rid of sin and connecting with God (temple, sacrifices, feasts - Heb. 9:1). The only way to get to participate in the Old Covenant was through circumcision.  It is not the laws of commandments that state what sin is.  Sin is still sin and that hasn’t changed.  

 

Jesus said: “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” (Matt. 5:17-18)….."Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice law-less-ness!' (Matt. 7:21-23).

 

“Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD (Ezek. 11:19-21).

 

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. (1 Cor. 7:19)

 

The Law mainly comprises of primarily 2 parts? Commandments and Ordinances (Luke 1:6)

 

 

 

 

Why do so many Christians forsake the Law of God?

 

Is it because of Galatians 3?  Did Galatians 3 really do away with the law or is it only talking about justification by the law (circumcision, sacrifices & temple)?  Some people ignore Jesus’ words in order to follow Paul’s words, thinking that Paul contradicts Jesus (he didn’t).  Some believe Paul spoke from a New Covenant but Jesus did not.  They ignore Jesus words when He says after His resurrection, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20).  Why? It is the deception of Satan to keep the people of God bound in their sin?  Getting people to be free to do whatever they want vs. whatever God wants (Deut. 12:8; 13:18) – Isn’t that the pure definition of pride and how Lucifer fell (Isa 14:12-15)? 

All the great men of God tried to keep God’s commandments and when they fell they instantly repented, didn’t debate.  God said of David, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22).  Notice God didn’t say He will always do My will” but “do all My Will”.   Nor did God say David would not sin.  David still received the consequences for his sin, like God killing David’s child.  David accepted the consequence as a result of his disobedience.  He wasn’t angry with God but with himself, and appealed to God’s Mercy through fasting (2 Sam. 12:15-23).  His primary focus was not doing whatever he wanted but whatever God wanted, no wonder he was a man after God’s heart.

New Covenant isn’t any different except instead of us trying on our own, God has given us Himself to help us live righteously.  Jesus makes us righteous but we walk out His righteousness. “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who PRACTICES righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7).  John had the same issue in his day.   Look at the word “practice.” It is works but the works are a result of a saved life (Eph. 2:10). The works show our heart and our love for Him (1 John 5:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:19; John 15:10).  Jesus Himself also raised the standard of the law to our thought life, the motivation for our actions. He never lowered it!!  The Good news is that  He gave us Holy Spirit.  Therefore, keeping God’s commandments is done automatically through a surrendered heart to Holy Spirit, it is the base expectation (Ezek. 36:26-27).  And our assignment is to spread the good news that God sent Jesus to reconcile people to Him. 

 

30 Questions to improve understanding of God’s Law

Paul said, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom 2:14). But no one is able to keep it 100% therefore no-one is justified. But we should not rebel against the Law of God. Paul acknowledged that "I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom 7:22-24).

For those who want to understand the law of God in the New Testament, here are 20 questions to ponder on.

 

  1. Can a Christian make idols, take the name of God in vain, participate in incest, or have sex with animals – as these are not found in the New Testament books and why? No because the commandments define what sin is from the beginning.
  2. Should we ignore some of the things Yeshua taught His disciples? No. Yeshua said, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” (Matt. 23:1-3). And Yeshua says, “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:20).
  3. What is the definition of sin so that we know what to repent for? “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law… Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” (1 John 3:4, 6).
  4. What does it mean “no longer under the law”? We no longer face the consequences of breaking the law, that is, separation from God. We are not under the law but under Christ. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
  5. Does this mean because we are not under the Law we can sin and ignore the law of God? Paul said, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (Rom 6:15). Is there any stronger warning from Paul that is not correct? “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:18).
  6. Should we ignore the law of God because Yeshua destroyed it or replaced it? Yeshua said, “Think not 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” (Matt. 5:17-18). Yeshua puts an expiry on the law of God, “until heaven and earth pass away” which is after Yeshua’s 1000 year reign. The commandments of God are still in effect.
  7. What happens to those who continue to break the commandments of God and teach others so? “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19).
  8. If one operates in the power of God does this mean that they are holy? Paul said, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Rom 11:29). Yeshua said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice law-less-ness!'” (Matt. 7:21-23)?
  9. What would Jesus’ disciples have considered law-less-ness to mean? One who continues in sin as defined by the law of God. “For by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Rom. 7:12).
  10. What’s one of the reasons the love of many grow cold? “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness (torah less ness) will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:11-12).
  11. The law of God is not in letter but written on the hearts of His people – what law? (Jer. 31:33) “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31:33).
  12. If Paul, as a believer, didn’t know that coveting was sin (Rom. 7:7), and he did it ignorantly, would he be sinning? “And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity” (Lev. 5:17). “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: 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 Cor. 6:9-10).
  13. Can we confess our sins without knowing what they are? No. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).
  14. What law did Yeshua replace? The consequences for sin (wrath of God, stoning etc.) and how to get rid of sin through the law of ordinances (Tabernacle/Temple, sacrifices, festival, high days (annual sabbaths), high priests). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb 9:11-14).
  15. Is there condemnation for those believers who walk according to their flesh and not after the spirit? Yes, there is condemnation so that they repent, but no condemnation for those who walk according to the spirit. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).
  16. What does walking after the spirit look like? “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. (Ezek. 11:19-21).
  17. Why is a carnal mind an enemy of God? “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7).
  18. What scripture would Paul be referring to when he said, “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)? OT scripture, specifically the law of God. This is an example of how Paul used it, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” (1 Cor. 14:34).
  19. Isn’t Paul in Galatians 3 saying we are not to follow God’s law? No. If that were the case, he says in Galatians 5 that those who follow the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God. These items are listed in the law of God. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul is saying we are not JUSTIFIED by the law of God.
  20. What does it mean trying to be justified by the law of God? In Galatians 16 Times the Greek word for circumcision is used in the epistle to the Galatians (Gal. 2:3, 7, 8, 9, 12; 5:2, 3, 6, 11; 6:12, 13, 15), why did the Galatians want circumcision? They wanted to participate in those things that have been replaced by Christ, such as sacrifices, festivals, going to the Temple for their sin. Circumcision was the entry point, as no man can participate unless circumcised (Exo. 12:48). Thus Paul said, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Gal. 3:1). His crucifixion is the sacrifice for sins and the only way we get the Spirit so why do they want to be circumcised to participate in sacrifices for sin. They are going backwards. Paul says “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God” (1 Cor. 7:19).
  21. What is the difference between the law of Commandments and Ordinances (Luke 1:6)? Commandments show what is good and acceptable to God, identifying sin (Rom. 3:20; 1 John 3:4). These have existed since the tree of good and evil. It was inherent that people knew them – even a non-believer, Abimelech, in the time of Abraham knew that adultery was wrong and a sin (Gen. 20:6-9). Ordinances bring people into covenant with God (Circumcision – Exo. 12:48), show how to connect with God (through priests, Feasts), provide payment for sin (Eph. 2:15), and remove sin (Sacrifices – Gal. 3:1). Basically, everything related to the Temple. This was a temporary method until God reconciled mankind to Him – thus establishing a new covenant through the Messiah (Deut. 18:18-19).
  22. How did Noah know what were clean and unclean animals if the law was given much later to Moses? Noah heard the law orally from his fathers, and Moses delivered it to the Children of Israel, who had forgotten it while assimilating many Egyptian laws. "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female" (Gen. 7:2). Similarly, Abraham, who preceded Moses, obeyed God’s voice, keeping His charge, commandments, statutes, and laws (Gen. 26:5).
  23. All the commandments were given to Israel; should we follow them? Yes, Yeshua spoke to Israelites too and we listen to Him: "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20). One of the commandments Yeshua said that were greater than all others was given to the Israelites too: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31).
  24. As Christians, are we only to follow these two commandments Mark 12:30-31? The two commandments summarize all of God's commandments. They are not independent of the others. Consider how Paul condemned homosexuality using those two commandments (Mark 12:29-31): because the homosexual can love God, love themselves, and love others? Yet Paul said, "wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves" (Rom. 1:24). "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: 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 Cor. 6:9-10).
  25. Does grace give us the freedom to do our own thing, are we not under the law of liberty? Paul said, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid" (Rom. 6:15). "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:18). "Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25). The law of liberty is freedom from sin through the sacrifice of Yeshua and grateful living. It is not freedom to live in sin but the power of God to overcome sin.
  26. If we break one law, are we not guilty so why bother "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law" (James 2:10-12)? James is not saying to forsake the law but, on the contrary, to let God work through you. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:19-24).
  27. Why was the early church only given four laws to follow, yet no mention was made about keeping other laws like honoring Parents, no idolatry? Because they knew the law given through Moses (Acts 15:21), but other requirements would have been difficult to discern or verify, as not clearly defined in the law: "abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well" (Acts 15:29). Yet they were not required to observe the law of purification (Acts 15:9). These were ceremonial practices found in the law, and access to these was only through circumcision (Exo. 12:48).
  28. Why were three of the four laws about eating (Acts 15:29) when Jesus said, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man" (Matt. 15:11), or Paul seems to say those who are mature are free to eat things offered to idols (1 Cor. 8:7-13) – isn't this a contradiction? No, based on the context Yeshua is not saying you can eat anything; that would contradict many things. Yeshua says that the stomach cleanses food, so there is no need to worry about washing hands. Not washing hands does not defile a person. Paul in 1 Cor 8 is saying if you are eating food and then find out it was offered to an idol, stop eating it and do not condemn yourself as if you are now polluted. Notice, they were not to continue eating it. If Paul meant they could eat things offered to idols, he would contradict the very message he was asked to deliver to Christians (Acts 19:29) and Yeshua’s words given to Thyatira, “I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Rev. 2:20).
  29. Isn’t keeping the commandments of God burdensome? Absolutely not, "for this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).
  30. Is it neutral, good, or evil to be a friend of the world? Evil, for “whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

 

Bonus Question: Are we supposed to keep the “613 mitzvot/commandments”? There are way more than 613 laws, and for perspective, anyone living in a country and driving keeps over 2000 of man's laws; how much more God’s commandments. Christians keep at least 150 of the 613 laws; the rest are associated with the Temple, Sacrifice, etc.

 

DEFINITION OF CERTAIN WORDS CONCERNING THE “LAW” IN SCRIPTURE?

 

The vast majority of the English words would be correct, however sometimes they interchange the English words. Therefore, leverage the Hebrew and Greek to validate the consistency. 

Below is a brief breakdown with some examples, all summed up in love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  And love thy neighbour as thyself.

 

DEFINITIONS

LOVE GOD

LOVE SELF

LOVE OTHERS

TESTIMONIES (words from God’s mouth & what He has done)

Exodus from Egypt

Christ’s Sacrifice

Personal Encounter/Testimony

Remember first love of God

Family

Friends

Others

COVENANTS (agreement between God & man)

Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Israel, Mosaic, Davidic, Messianic

 

 

LAWS (how to keep)

10% Tithe

Not eating food offered to idols

How to keep Sabbath

Sexual purity

Specific food

No tattoos for the dead

Give to the poor

Help others

Caring for the family

COMMANDMENTS (commands/ knowledge of Sin)

No other Gods

No Idols

Not to take His name in vain

Sabbath

Honour Parents

Adultery

Murder

Steal

False Witness

Covet

ORDINANCES (deal with sin, punishment, connect with God – “under the law”)

Going to the Temple & Priests

Festivals Activities

Offerings

Sacrifices – meat and drink offerings

 

Sacrifices – meat and drink offerings

 

STATUTES (sequence/regular activity)

Daily Prayer

Festivals @ Jerusalem

Sabbath

Baptism water and Holy Spirit

Communion

Prayer

Fasting

Festival Celebrations

Festival Sabbaths

Fellowship

Gathering of Saints

Witness to the world

CHARGE (correct authority structure in place)

Temple/Church

Priests->Levites

Apostles ->Elders -> Deacons

Christ Head of Husband --> Husband/Father --> wife/woman --> children

 

Godly leaders

Employer (master) -> Employee (slave)

JUDGEMENTS (determining consequences for good & evil)

Receiving Mercy

Receiving Grace

Receive and accept rebuke

Repent

 

Payment

Make right

Confess sins

Mercy

Grace

Rebuke

Repentance

Rejection

Payment

Death

Banishment

Only those in bold we are to continue to do today.

 

 

Commentary on John 8

 

Did Jesus break God’s Law in John 8 because He didn't stone the woman caught in Adultery? Didn't He act contrary to the law because she should have been stoned?! And in the old covenant those people who did the stoning weren't sinless, if they were then no one would have been stoned. So what is Yeshua referring to that they would have understood?

 

Yeshua is not referring to all sin, but the sin with regards to being a witness. They would have known this. Yeshua didn’t disagree with them regarding the consequences of the adultery because one of the ways to get rid of sin is to kill the person. He was calling them out for their hypocrisy of being false witnesses. He challenged them, he who meets the conditions (those who are without sin pertaining to being witnesses), should throw the first stone. If the person who throws the stone is found out to be a false witness, then that false witness would be stoned. For what harm they meant for another would come on them (Deut. 19:16-19). Therefore, the following conditions were to be met before stoning could occur:

 

1) 2 reliable witnesses (Ex 20:16; Deut. 17:6). Did they have 2?

 

2) Did they take a bribe (Deut. 27:25), if not, why did they only bring the woman and not the man? Did the man pay them off? Both parties are responsible and both would need to be put to death (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22).

 

Thus, they were guilty for being false witnesses and would be the ones to be stoned. Therefore, they snuck away quietly so they weren’t accused of being false witnesses. The condition for being a witness is NOT sinless but someone who is a reliable witness, which they weren’t. Yeshua said not one accused her (John 8:10) because they were all false witnesses, therefore she could not be stoned. Yeshua did not break the law, if He had, He would have sinned and we all know that He did not sin (1 Pet. 2:22; 1 Jh 3:4-9).

 

Side Note: The unreliable Critical Text that most modern translations use don’t have the woman caught in adultery in the source text.

 

TRUE DOCTRINE ON THE LAW OF GOD

  1. Adhering to the law of commandments is actually loving God back, and not burdensome, it is love in action (John 15:9-10, 1 John 5:2-3).
  2. Doing the law of ordinance cannot make one righteous (sacrifices, temple, priests, festivals, payment) only Christ does (Gal. 3:1-2). 
  3. The law of God reveals the heart, either it is a slave of sin or slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:15-18).
  4. Keeping the commandments is important (1 Cor. 7:19).
  5. Ignoring that Law of God is self reliance/self-righteousness/rebellion (Rom. 8:7) as it is doing what is right in their own eyes (1 John 3:4-9). 
  6. The law of liberty in Christ (James 1:25) is the ability to keep the law of God automatically through the power of Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:10; Ezek. 11:19-21).
  7. Hatred towards God’s law and calling His law names, resists the Holy Spirit as it is going against Him (Ezek. 36:26-27) and they become enemies of God (Rom. 8:6-10; James 4:4).
  8. Teaching against commandments results in believers being least in the Kingdom of God (Matt. 5:19).
  9. The working of God's Power in a person’s life is second to living God’s laws (Matt. 7:21-23).
  10. Eternal consequences exist for all believers who break the law of God (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:8-10; Matt. 5:19; Luke 12:47-48).

Generally speaking, there are 4 things believers who fear and love God do that other’s don’t: Keep Sabbath on the 7th Day, eat what God says to eat, refrain from participate in demonic activities and eating things sacrificed to idols.

 

 

FALSE STATEMENT

In 1 Tim. 1:8-9, “But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully; 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…” Therefore, we are good because we are believers who don’t need the law of God!

 

Response: Paul used the law many times to point out people’s sin (1 Cor. 14:36; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:8-10 etc.) deeds of the flesh is going against the law and thus going against God (Rom. 7:25-8:7). 1 Tim. 1:8-9 is no different, Paul is pointing out that believers should be doing the law as it is already inside them.  The law is used for correction, reproof, etc (2 Tim. 3:16).  But there are many believers who resist the law of God and thereby act un-righteously (1 Cor. 5:1; 1 John 3:4-9; James 4:4). 

 

 

Difference between Law of Commandments & Law of Ordinance?

 

Law of Commandments

Law of Ordinances

From the beginning, from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Repeated/reflected in the law of Moses.

 

Purpose: To identify what sin is and how to walk righteously pleasing God.

 

This includes the 10 commandments (Exo. 40:20) that was put inside the ark and also next to the ark (Deut. 31:26).

 

Scripture References:

 

Rom 5:13-14 For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed (consequence) when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned (consequences of transgression) from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according (how did they know what sin was – by law on their conscience) to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Points in time to deal with the sin, mostly from Moses.

 

Purpose: To cover the sin which is identified by the law of commandments.  This is how to get into covenant with God and commune with Him.  This was the tutor bringing us to Christ.

 

This included everything associated with the tabernacle/temple – sacrifices, festivals, priests and this was put besides the ark (Deut. 31:26), not inside. Only the 10 commandments placed inside.

 

 

Gal. 3:17 this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ.

 

Matt. 19:8 - They said to Jesus, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away? “Jesus said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

 

Points out sin: Rom.7:7 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.  


Rom.3:20 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.

 

Good for Christians to use the law if used correctly.  1Ti 1:7-11 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

 

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

 

2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Added because of sin (sacrifices, tabernacle etc.) Gal. 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions (notice Because of transgressions meaning first transgressions are identified then the law shows how to deal with it), till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

 

 

 

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. (Tit 3:9)

 

Matt. 5:17-22 Jesus empowered and enabled us to keep the law through Him.  He raised the standard of the law and didn’t lower it.

 

1 Cor. 15:56-57 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Rom.7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 

“that through this Man (Jesus) is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Act 13:38-39). 

 

 

 

 

How do we respond?

Live the commandments in Christ!  God is with us!

 

Jesus said, “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” (Mat. 5:17-18)….  Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matt. 7:15-20). "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Mat 7:21-23).

 

 

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

1 John 3:4-6 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.  And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.  Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

 

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

 

Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

1Jn 2:1-6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

 

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Rev14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus

 

Rev22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city

 

Mat 24:12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

 

Jer31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

How do we respond?

Grateful that Jesus made the way and replaced it.

 

The curses for breaking sin.  Col. 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross

 

He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is ,the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Eph 2:14-16)

 

 

 

 

 

Are we to judge others by the law? Yes, but the same measure we use it will be used against us (Matt. 7, Rom. 2)

 

James 2:10-12 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 

 

1Co 6:1-3 And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

 

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

1 Cor 5:1-6 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

Do we judge with the law? No

 

Col. 2:16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: (meat and drink offerings, not the dietary law!  e.g. there is no mention what to drink in the dietary scriptures.  OFFERINGS - Heb. 9:10; Ex 29:41; Joel 2:14.  Also the Sabbath days are referencing the days part of the festivals not the Sabbath)

 

 

Examples of Law of Commandments

 

No Idols, no eating blood, no sexual immorality, no taking Lord’s name in vain, 10 commandments, love God, love self and love others

 

“In the law it is written: WITH MEN OF OTHER TONGUES AND OTHER LIPS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE; AND YET, FOR ALL THAT, THEY WILL NOT HEAR ME," says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. (1 Cor. 14:21-22)

 

Rev. 2:14: I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Why does he call Christians children of Israel and why not only the children of Abraham? Because we are children of Israel too! Eph. 2:12)

 

Act 15:19-21 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath." (they would have heard the law)

 

Act 15:29 If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.  (If you don’t do it, whether a Christian or not, it will not be well with you)

 

Rom 7:7-14 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."…. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

 

1Co 6:9-12 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

 

1Co 6:18-20 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

1Co 7:39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

 

1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.

 

Jas 2:8-12 if you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

 

Eph6:2 "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER," which is the first commandment with promise:

 

1 Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

 

Matt. 5:22 (above Lev. 19:17) But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

 

James 1:27 (above Ex 22:21) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 

1Ti 5:17-18 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN," and, "THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS WAGES."

 

1 Tim 5:13 (Lev. 19:16) And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

 

Act 19:17-19 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

 

Gal. 5:18-21 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Examples of Law of Ordinances

 

Trying to be justified & worship God through: Temple, Sacrifices, getting into Covenant (circumcision), Festivals and the Sabbaths linked to the festivals.

 

Heb 8:4-5 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "SEE THAT YOU MAKE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN."

 

Act 21:20-22 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.

 

Heb9:1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.

 

Heb 9:9-10 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—  concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

 

Heb 9:19-22 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU." Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

 

Heb 10:1-4 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
 

 

STUMBLING BLOCK FOR MANY - 2 Corinthians 3

 

Moses’s veil was added AFTER the commandments were given to Moses. Moses face shone and he didn’t know it.  The people couldn’t look on the face of Moses, they were too scared because they weren’t holy.  So Moses put a veil on so that people could speak to him and connect with him.  Just like people can’t keep the commandments of God and they realize how bad they are.  So God provided the ordinances to deal with their sin so that they can speak with God and connect with God.  The Veil is the ordinance.  The same concept of the veil is later used in the Temple between the mercy seat (Holy of Holies) and the Holy Place, because they can’t look upon God because of their sin. The High Priest was permitted to go into the Holy of Holies once a year, but not without the Blood (the ordinances).  

 

Now this veil is removed in Christ so we can come boldly to the throne of God.  Sin is still sin regardless, but we have someone to help us deal with the Sin, not to live in the Sin.  If we continue in sin there remains no more sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:26-28).  Repentance is not a “nice to have” but essential to living in the glory. “Be Holy” says the Lord. In other words: walk as He walked and let Him walk through you.  That is why we need to have God with us to help us. The Old Covenant didn’t have God with every individual through Christ to help them. This is the Good News – God is with us forever. 

 

 

Verses

Commentary

2Co 3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

 

2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

 

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

The evidence of the ministry is not written down but is evidenced in their changed lives.  The Law is on their heart no longer on a letter. 

 

As in marriage one can be legally married on paper but they are not married if they are not intimate and surrendered to each other.  The legal document is nothing but the actual act of marriage is the important thing. 

2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

 

2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God

Not to rely on self but on Him.  God with us is the key; without God we have nothing.

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life

Thank God we don’t do everything on our own or else we will all die. Eze 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you (to do what?) to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

2Co 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Sharing the standard 10 Commandments brought an awareness of their depravity, showed them their death.  The meaning of death is “separation from God” like the “Dead” burying the Dead.  Yet the awareness also showed the Glory of God and made them aware of Him, his is a good thing.  Moses’s face shined as a result of the Presence of God but it faded away.  The people couldn’t look on Moses’s face because they were so condemned and unable to listen and do.  Therefore. he covered it.

2Co 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

The work (ministration) of the Spirit enables us to keep the commandments and there is therefore more glory for the Father.  What couldn’t do in our flesh God sent His Spirit.

2Co 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

If ministration of their inadequacy is glorious (showing them how unrighteous they are) how much more the empowerment by the Spirit that enables us to walk righteously (we are righteous because of the Spirit therefore we walk righteously not breaking the commandments)?

2Co 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

For even that which was made glorious (commandments) had no glory because no one could keep the commandments – it was still glorious.

2Co 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

“If that”means what? If the ministration of condemnation v9, the inadequacy, is done away with it is because the spirit who remains gives us this victory.

2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

Because of hope in the Spirit we use plain speech.

2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

We are not to be like Moses who had to put a veil on because they were unable to see the Glory (taste it).  The way to the glory has been abolished; the way was in their own strength but now they have help (Eze 36:26-27).  Now we can through Christ.  The veil was added after the commandments to help them do something and not feel inferior: OT sacrifices, temple, going through Moses vs direct to God (priest), etc.  This is the veil.

2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

Because they couldn’t look into the glory their minds were blinded and they were still trying in their own strength (ordinances because they couldn’t do the commandments). It is repeated in Heb 9-10. 

2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

Now when Moses is read the veil in still on their hearts and they are still trying to keep the commandments in their own strength.  Veil on their heart means trying to do something: sacrifices, temple, etc.

2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away

Now when they turn to the Lord (Christ) and not to themselves then the veil is taken away and they are able to see. This is similar to “only when you lift up the Son of Man (Jesus) you will know” and not before.  He enables us. We can’t say Jesus is Lord except by Holy Spirit.

2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

As Eze 36:26-27 says the Spirit enables them and therefore we have this freedom.  Freedom from what? Freedom from condemnation and sin. We are righteous and not trying to be righteous.  Now because we are righteous we walk righteously (1 John 3:3-8; Rom 3:31).

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.