Are Gentiles under Jewish Law?

[David777]

Hello all.

On reading Deuteronomy one is aware of the fact that the law of Moses
was given to the nation of Israel. It was intended to regulate the Jews life
and conduct before God and to provide a place of forgiveness through the
Levitical sacrificial system when they transgressed the law.

As B-A-C has asked, how does a Gentile know what sin is ?

The primary theme of Old Testament history had to do with the Hebrew nation
in view of their role in preparing the world for the coming of the Messiah (John 4:22).
Nonetheless, God's interest in Gentiles is underscored many times in the body of Old Testament
literature.

That the Gentile world was religiously and morally culpable before the Creator is
most obvious from the testimony of both Old and New Testaments. In the literature of
the Old Testament, the idolatry of the pagans is condemned repeatedly, and judgments
from God were visited upon these peoples.

(1) Gentile idolatry is condemned as sin by the prophets of God
(see Exodus 20:3-5; 32:35; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 5:7-9; 6:4, etc.).
The captivity of the southern kingdom of Judah was attributed directly to the
worship of the false gods of the Gentiles (2 Kings 22:17).

(2) Gentile immorality was exposed and rebuked by the Old Testament writers.
For example, in Amos 1:3 – 2:3, the prophet denounced Damascus, Gaza, Tyre,
and Edom for their brutality toward their neighbors.

(3) In his epistle to the Christians in Rome, Paul describes the moral condition of the Roman world.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error ( Romans 1:24-27 ).

There is no doubt that outside of the domain of Jewish law,
Gentiles were just as accountable as the Jews.

All people have a conscious which accuses or defends, regardless
of the knowledge of the law system.

Human history and human behavior is testament to the
nature of man.

All societies manufacture civil codes of their own, without
the enforcement of civil law society cannot exist.

Sinful behavior ultimately is the proof for the necessity
of Christ's atonement. All have sinned and fallen way short.

 

[jiggyfly]

No-where does state that the law died. Jesus said that so long as heaven and earth remain, so will the law.

You left out "till all be fulfilled". Did Christ fulfill the law?

 

[B-A-C]

You left out "till all be fulfilled". Did Christ fulfill the law?

I view salvation much like money in the bank.

We owed a huge debt, one we could never repay on our own.
Someone put billions of dollars in the bank for us.

All we have to do is believe it's there and go get it.

I am reminded of a story of an African man who won the lotto, he "donated" the money to his village. Many people never took any of the money because they were too lazy to get it, they didn't believe it was really there, they thought there were conditions placed on the money, probably many other reasons as well. But some people went and took their part of the money.

Knowing the money is there is good, but it doesn't help you until you go get it.
Salvation is there, it's free and unconditional, but we have to believe in it and accept it.
It is a conscious choice we make, a personal decision we make, it isn't something that happens to the whole world reguardless of what they believe.

 

[B-A-C]

By design all sin unless sin has been done away with.
Romans 11:32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

You post this verse quite often, but I don't think it really means what you think. First of all, this isn't present tense, it's past.

Rom 11:30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
Rom 11:31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
(NASB)

Rom 11:30 In the past, you disobeyed God. But now God has been merciful to you because of the disobedience of the Jewish people.
Rom 11:31 In the same way, the Jewish people have also disobeyed so that God may be merciful to them as he was to you.
Rom 11:32 God has placed all people into the prison of their own disobedience so that he could be merciful to all people.
(GW)

Rom 11:30 There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you.
Rom 11:31 Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in.
Rom 11:32 In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.
(The Message)

Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
(KJV)

 

[brakelite]

You left out "till all be fulfilled". Did Christ fulfill the law?

I drove through town the other day on the way to church. I indicated at every turn, I didn't speed, follow traffic too closely, talk on a cell phone while driving,I stopped when required, gave way when necessary, in other words, fulfilled the law. That doesn't mean that the law was therefore able to be done away with.
Jesus also filled all the requirements of the law. But not only through obedience, but also by paying the price of our transgression of it. If I had been caught speeding and received a ticket, though I paid the fine in full, I couldn't be said to have fulfilled the law, because I had disobeyed one of the laws regarding speeding. Jesus accomplished both on our behalf. However, that doesn't mean that the law was therefore cancelled. Does God now cease to have any law governing His creation?

Is all fulfilled? What is all? It must mean more than just the law because Jesus Himself qualified His statement by including the most distant horizon man could fathom...the end of the world. So all, in that context, must extend beyond Christ's earthly life, and reach ahead of even where we are today to the consummation of literally all things...when sin and sinners are no more and peace and righteousness reign throughout God's universe. Then, and only then, may the law, as a written code to guide and convict, be done away because all, without exception, will love as God loves, and thus fulfill the law.

 

[brakelite]

I view salvation much like money in the bank.

We owed a huge debt, one we could never repay on our own.
Someone put billions of dollars in the bank for us.

All we have to do is believe it's there and go get it.

Reminds of the wicked servant who owed that huge debt and was utterly forgiven. He was saved and released from the burden...free. He lost that wonderful privilege however when he refused to do the same for a fellow servant.

Tells me that salvation is not unconditional. In fact, there are several conditions I can think of. Obedience, (John 16:15; Matt. 7:21; 1 John 2:3-5), forsaking the world, (1 John 2:15), forgiving others, (Matt. 18:23-35) ,letting love rule our lives, (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 John 2:11; 4:20), making wise use of all that God has given us (Matt. 25:14-30).....

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

You post this verse quite often, but I don't think it really means what you think. First of all, this isn't present tense, it's past.

Indeed I believe this to be a key verse in understanding of foundational things.

Rom 11:30 In the past, you disobeyed God. But now God has been merciful to you because of the disobedience of the Jewish people.
Rom 11:31 In the same way, the Jewish people have also disobeyed so that God may be merciful to them as he was to you.
Rom 11:32 God has placed all people into the prison of their own disobedience so that he could be merciful to all people.

11:31 tells me the same foundational principle that disobedience is actually required to receive mercy.It's only past tense if you have received the mercy spoken of.
So it was not obedience to the law that was required for Israel to receive mercy it was disobedience.
11:32 tells me that it was God who bound,imprisoned or concluded both Jew and Gentile to disobedience.

this verse shows the same principle that it's all part of a glorious plan
Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

 

[B-A-C]

Indeed I believe this to be a key verse in understanding of foundational things.

Rom 11:30 In the past, you disobeyed God. But now God has been merciful to you because of the disobedience of the Jewish people.
Rom 11:31 In the same way, the Jewish people have also disobeyed so that God may be merciful to them as he was to you.
Rom 11:32 God has placed all people into the prison of their own disobedience so that he could be merciful to all people.

11:31 tells me the same foundational principle that disobedience is actually required to receive mercy.It's only past tense if you have received the mercy spoken of.
So it was not obedience to the law that was required for Israel to receive mercy it was disobedience.
11:32 tells me that it was God who bound,imprisoned or concluded both Jew and Gentile to disobedience.

this verse shows the same principle that it's all part of a glorious plan
Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

The danger here is then we can blame all sin we do on God. However the Bible says.

Jas 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

Also God does want us to continue to sin, just so that he can give us grace.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
Rom 6:2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

When you build a doctrine from a single verse, it has to line up with the other verses that talk about the same subject.

What this verse is really talking about is... someone asked why God created man, if he knew we were going to fail and sin. Ever since Adam, the curse of sin has been passed down from generation to generation.

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

What this verse is really doing is, answering the question as to why God allowed sin to "taint" the human race.

Rom 11:30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
Rom 11:31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

So that he can show mercy to us. (Mercy from our disobedience)

He doesn't make us sin, he doesn't want us to continue to sin, yet we were all born into sin. But because of his love for us, he shows us mercy, if we never sinned, there would be no need for him to show us mercy. If it was his fault we were sinning, why would he punish us for doing it? The good news is, after we accept Christ, he no longer holds our disobedience against us. (showing us mercy).

Disobedience didn't create mercy.
Mercy was required because we were disobedient. God could have just said, forget you guys and let us all burn.
Jesus didn't have to die on the cross, it was his choice. (Matt 26:39) He could stopped it if he wanted to. (Matt 26:53)

Some believe, the garden, there was so much power in Jesus' name the soldiers fell down backwards. (John 18:6)

 

[B-A-C]

Tells me that salvation is not unconditional. In fact, there are several conditions I can think of. Obedience, (John 16:15; Matt. 7:21; 1 John 2:3-5), forsaking the world, (1 John 2:15), forgiving others, (Matt. 18:23-35) ,letting love rule our lives, (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 John 2:11; 4:20), making wise use of all that God has given us (Matt. 25:14-30).....

LOL - well, getting saved is easy, staying saved.. might be another story. This is where we have to stop this particular tangent because it is getting dangerously close to "once saved - always saved", and we already have at least a dozen threads about that here on TJ...

 

[Boanerges]

I am coming into this thread late and have not had time to read it's entirety but I thought I might share my "take" on this topic.

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.



The day the Law was given 3000 people died (Exo 32:28), the day grace was first preached 3000 people were saved (Act 2:41). We my friends are not under the Law (Rom 6:14, Rom 6:15) but under grace.

The old covenant man ( the servant) was led by rules and regulations,
the new covenant man is led of the Spirit of God in all he does. It is his greatest pleasure to please his Father and do His will and walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16) is his delight.

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Many blessings and much love in Christ,
your brother Larry.

Psa 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

What this verse is really doing is, answering the question as to why God allowed sin to "taint" the human race.

I won't address the statements before this because you have basically come to the same conclusions that I have in this statement.

There are other possibilities of but it's lengthy to discuss in this thread(maybe in the Lamb's book thread).

He doesn't make us sin, he doesn't want us to continue to sin, yet we were all born into sin.

If you had no control or say in being here then it puts it all back on God.
The manufacturer retains liability.Unless it's not about escaping eternal punishment.

 

[David777]

Hello all.

The heresy of legalism involves telling people that there are certain
things that they must do to “maintain” their rightness with God or
to achieve victory in the Christian life!

"You must do this, you must obey that, etc."

Paul correctly states,

“After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your
goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:3).

The true Christian life is a gift established by allowing the Holy Spirit to
live through us by faith in Jesus Christ.

True Spiritual life is sourced by the Holy Spirit, it is not a product of the flesh.

Hence, the law of Moses is obsolete as it applies strictly to the flesh.

 

[jiggyfly]

I drove through town the other day on the way to church. I indicated at every turn, I didn't speed, follow traffic too closely, talk on a cell phone while driving,I stopped when required, gave way when necessary, in other words, fulfilled the law. That doesn't mean that the law was therefore able to be done away with.
Jesus also filled all the requirements of the law. But not only through obedience, but also by paying the price of our transgression of it. If I had been caught speeding and received a ticket, though I paid the fine in full, I couldn't be said to have fulfilled the law, because I had disobeyed one of the laws regarding speeding. Jesus accomplished both on our behalf. However, that doesn't mean that the law was therefore cancelled. Does God now cease to have any law governing His creation?

Is all fulfilled? What is all? It must mean more than just the law because Jesus Himself qualified His statement by including the most distant horizon man could fathom...the end of the world. So all, in that context, must extend beyond Christ's earthly life, and reach ahead of even where we are today to the consummation of literally all things...when sin and sinners are no more and peace and righteousness reign throughout God's universe. Then, and only then, may the law, as a written code to guide and convict, be done away because all, without exception, will love as God loves, and thus fulfill the law.

OK then don't misqoute what Christ said.

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matt 5:17-19 (NLT)

Are you aware of the importance of context? Do you understand the purpose of the law and why it was given?

16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children, ” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ.17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise.18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.
Gal 3:16-20 (NLT)

1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
Gal 3:1-4 (NLT)

Do you know why HolySpirit was sent here?

5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
John 16:5-15 (NLT)

You would have better understanding if you kept things within their context instead of selectively taking verses out of context in order to fit and support your paradigm.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
This can apply to the laws of physics,that would make Jesus a singularity which will birth many singularities.

 

[brakelite]

OK then don't misqoute what Christ said.

17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matt 5:17-19 (NLT)

Are you aware of the importance of context? Do you understand the purpose of the law and why it was given?

16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children, ” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ.17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise.18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.
Gal 3:16-20 (NLT)

1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
Gal 3:1-4 (NLT)

Do you know why HolySpirit was sent here?

5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
John 16:5-15 (NLT)

You would have better understanding if you kept things within their context instead of selectively taking verses out of context in order to fit and support your paradigm.

I really do think that we are closer to agreement than you realise, although I disagree with your earlier contention that there is no difference between various laws, e.g the ceremonial and moral. I agree that Christ has completely fulfilled the ceremonial system which has done away with the need for sacrifices etc. The holy days, feats etc were met in the Christ, the antitype of all the shadows and pointers that prefigured His final atoning sacrifice.
The moral laws however are of a different order I believe. It is they which are permanent and binding. That said, I agree with you that one cannot attain 'holiness' by striving to obey the law. Nor can one impress God with his own efforts at obedience; man's efforts at self improvement (not withstanding all the hype one hears from the motivational gurus that pass for many modern 'Christian' pastors these days) are doomed to failure.

There are however those awkward little texts that clearly and succinctly tell us that obedience is essential to attain eternal life.

1 John 2:3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
....12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you....14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
The key to the all above, the key to all obedience, Jesus gives us a little earlier, "abide in Me"...."for without Me ye can do nothing".

And the following I believe is a repeat of what you are saying, and with which I agree:

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 ¶ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

The question must be asked however.
"Would the Holy Spirit convict, or not convict us regarding anything in relation to righteousness and holiness that contradicts what He has already been pleased to reveal to His people through His inspired written word?" It could also be asked, "while it is clearly important that we listen to the Spirit, do we do so with the thought of allowing the voice of the Spirit precedence over the written word?"

A prime example of what can happen we allow the Spirit free reign without deference to the written word has resulted in the vast array of canons, decrees, and false dogmas that have been the hallmark of the Catholic Church for the last 1500 years. They claim that the magesterium is reflecting the voice of the Holy Spirit to the church, often, and Rome doesn't deny this, at the expense of what has been written. Yet Jesus Himself said that man is to live by every word of God. God's word doesn't contradict itself.

 

[jiggyfly]

Why not consider Gal. 3:19 instead of avoiding it?

 

[brakelite]

Why not consider Gal. 3:19 instead of avoiding it?

Gal. 3:19 ¶ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.


Okay, what came first? Law, or sin???

 

[jiggyfly]

Gal. 3:19 ¶ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Gal. 3:19 NLT

Isn't this a great piece of scripture.:wink:

 

[David777]

Yes jiggyfly.

It is a marvelous line within an incredible chapter from Galatians.

The only descendant of Abraham who did bring reconciliation to
the world is Jesus (the seed), and the New Testament does provide additional support;

"He (God) saith not, 'And to seeds', but as of one, 'And to thy seed', which is Christ" (Gal. 3:16).

"...the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham,
And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God,
having raised up his son Jesus (i.e. the seed), sent him to bless you, in turning
away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:25,26).

 

[brakelite]

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Gal. 3:19 NLT

Isn't this a great piece of scripture.:wink:

I agree, what a wonderful gracious and merciful God we serve that provided such an all encompassing remedy for the sin problem. All the ceremonial laws of sacrifices and feasts pointing to the Messiah Who came to face the death we all deserve, all now done away in the reality of our now living Saviour. Praise the Lord.

So yes, those laws came after sin, as a remedy to cure the sin problem, culminating in the arrival of He Who came to save us from our sins. The blood sacrifices were to accomplish several things. First, to reveal the utter sinfulness of sin, and the price of redemption.
Second, to discourage the penitent from sinning again; sacrificing ones own lamb which had been brought up in the household was a great sacrifice and was one that most were loathe to repeat. And finally of course, as a shadow or pointer to that one great sacrifice that overshadowed them all. So yes, as the NLT translation has Gal. 3:19... It was given to show people how guilty they are.

But John tells us that sin is transgression of the law, or lawlessness. Without law, sin cannot exist. Thus there was another law in existence before sin appeared. Sin, the scripture tells us, existed way before man existed, for Jesus tells us that Satan was a liar and murderer from the beginning, that is when pride and covetousness motivated him to rebel.

So there are two laws. God's law which is reflective of the character, nature, and holiness of our Creator, setting the moral standard to which His creation must be subject which law cannot be done away, and the law of Moses which was given as a remedy, albeit temporary, for the sin problem, the persistent disobedience to, lowering of or doing away entirely of those standards. The letter to the Hebrews as you would be aware informs us that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin, but the blood of Jesus has indeed taken away sin for all those who believe.

Whilst the ceremonial laws (the ordinances which 'were against us') were fully met in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the laws of God which we are obligated to obey, and which set the standards by which we ought to live, was that law which Jesus said would not be done away until all is fulfilled.

So two laws. One which sin transgressed, and the other which pointed to the remedy for that transgression. One that has existed forever, the other which was introduced because of sin.