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Mediation is not necessary unless the two parties involved disagree with one another, Gal 3:19.
This is our relationship with God before we come to Christ Jesus.
The law was added because Israel was so sinful, Gal 3:19.
It was added until faith was revealed in them, Gal 3:23.
The true Israel is the Body of Christ, Rm 2:28-29 and Gal 6:16.
It was added to lead them to make a sacrifice to obtain forgiveness for sins. Under the New Covenant Jesus is that sacrifice.
The law was added to restrain or guard God’s sinful people, and lead them to faith, Gal 3:23-24. Under the New Covenant Christ’s Law performs the same function, 1 Cor 9:21.
The law leads a person to recognize the fact that lawlessness is sin (1 Jn 3:4) and when they sin they need to act on their faith by appealing to God through the required sacrifice to be forgiven.
Keep in mind here that whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (Rm 14:23), and sin is lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4).
We see that the law is not for lawful people but for lawbreakers (1 Tim 1:8-9) because a sinful (lawless) person is not exhibiting faith and is subject to the laws correction, Gal 3:24. They can only be forgiven by submitting to the law.
They must comply with the law through a sacrifice to be forgiven.
Jesus was born under the law, Gal 4:4.
Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17), and He did.
He is our example and we are to do things the way He did if we want to call ourselves Christians, 1 Jn 2:6.
If Jesus fulfilled the law then we are to do the same.
There are differences however between the law Jesus fulfilled (Law of Moses) and the law we are to fulfill (Law of Christ), 1 Cor 9:21 and Heb 7:12.
Jesus commandment is to love one another, Jn 13:34. The Apostle Paul told us to fulfill the law of Christ by bearing the burdens of others (Gal 6:2), essentially to love others as we love ourselves, Matt 22:39.
The law under the Old Covenant made nothing perfect, Heb 7:19 and Heb 10:4. Under the New Covenant the law will be put in our minds and written on out hearts, Heb 8:10.
One of the changes to the law has to do with the sacrifice required to obtain forgiveness. The Old Covenant stipulated a sacrifice in order for a sinner to be forgiven, Heb 9:22. The New Covenant mediated by Jesus (Heb 9:15) involved Jesus blood being shed, and now we confess the sin to Him (the Perfect sacrifice) to receive forgiveness, 1 Jn 1:9.
The law has changed, however it has not been abolished, Heb 7:12 and Matt 5:17.
Hebrews 10:8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9. Then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second
The system of animal sacrifice has been abolished.
It should be clarified that the law is not of faith, Gal 3:12. Faith is the only conduit through which we receive the grace of God, Eph 2:8. The law leads a person to Christ where they can be justified by faith. The law was instituted because of sin Gal 3:19, and is the tutor that is essential to lead a sinful person to Christ.
To my knowledge conformity to the law is the only method mentioned in the Bible which will lead sinful people to Christ, Gal 3:24.
Since this is the Biblical method to lead people to Christ it is unfortunate that the doctrine of the law has been obscured by traditional beliefs.
To eliminate possible disputes with reference to the idea of the Law leading to Christ in Gal 3:24 consider that the Greek word (Strong’s 1519) translated “bring unto” etc, literally means “into” and not “until”.
This means that to translate the verse – the law was instituted “until Christ” is incorrect. The correct wording is “the law leads into Christ”.
In John 6:44-45 we are told that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. The Biblical method used by the Father to draw a person to Jesus is seen in Gal 3:24. Through complying with the law a person is led to Christ.
The law was added because of transgressions Gal 3:19, which tends to fit our situation since all men have sinned and fallen short (Rm 3:23).
The law and prophets are fulfilled when we love God and our neighbor, Matt 22:37-40 and Rm 13:10.
This means that if we love God and our neighbor whether or not we understand the types and shadows in the Bible, we fulfill the law.
As an example of the law being fulfilled when we love refer to Rm 2:26. The circumcision so often argued about by the Jews and Gentiles is a shadow of “keeping the law”, or circumcision of the heart (Deut 30:6).
Circumcision of the flesh (removal of the flesh) was one of the “works or deeds of the law” (Rm 3:20) required of a person under the Old Covenant in order for them to be in right standing before God. A person cannot be justified before God through these type works, Rm 3:28 and Gal 2:15-16.
So the person loving God and removing the fleshly tendencies (sinful nature) from the heart is keeping the Biblical commandment (shadow) of circumcision.
This is also one example of Jesus breaking down the middle wall of partition (Eph 2:14-15) between the Jews and the Gentiles.
It is clear from these verses and the following study on tongues, that the Old Covenant will no longer divide the two groups.
Circumcision of the flesh was one example of how the law divided Israel and the Gentile nations.
A person could not be made just before God by performing the works the law prescribed under the old covenant. These “works” are referred to as “shadows of what is to come” in Col 2:16-17.
Equally true is the fact that we cannot be justified by adhering to the realities of the law – meaning that we cannot be made just before God by loving, even though this fulfills the law, Matt 22:36-39.
The function of the law is to lead us to God’s prescribed sacrifice for sin (Christ in the New Covenant) where we can be justified before God.
We are only justified before God if we have faith that our reliance upon the sacrifice will avert God’s judgement upon sin.
If a person refuses to place their faith in God’s prescribed sacrifice as the Pharisee’s refused to place their faith in Jesus (Rm 9:30-33, Matt 5:20 and Jn 7:48) their sins will not be forgiven.
This can be seen in Gal 3:23. A Christian should adhere to the law and also recognize that the law can only lead a person to a situation where faith may be exercised.
When a person recognizes that they have sinned they must decide whether or not they will exercise faith in God’s prescribed sacrifice and appeal to God through that sacrifice in order to be forgiven.
This means that when a person appeals to God for the forgiveness of their sins in the manner God prescribes they will be forgiven.
As an example refer to Job, one of the reasons that He sacrificed to God was because He had faith that a sacrifice would move God to forgive sins.
In Gen 4:3-5 Cain also appealed to God, however He was not accepted because He did not do so in the prescribed manner.
In Rm 2:12 there are two types of people mentioned, those “in” the law and those who are “apart from” the law.
Those apart from the law of God will perish and those “in or under the law” will be judged according to the law.
The word “under” infers subjection to something. Jesus subjected Himself to the requirements of the law under the Old Covenant (He was “in” or “under the law”) and did not sin, Gal 4:4.
He completely cooperated with the grace of God which teaches a person not to sin (Titus 2:11-12) and saves them (Eph 2:5) from the wrath of God (Rm 1:18).
Luke 2:40 And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Jesus was in a class by Himself of course, as is the case in Rm 3:23 and 5:12 where “all men” are named as sinners, excepting Jesus.
He is the exception in the case of Gal 4:4 also. Being sinless He was not “under the law” in the same way sinful men were.
It can be seen then that Jesus is the only one to be “under” or subject to the law (as is seen in Matt 5:17) and in complete agreement with the Old Covenant, never having sinned. He never became a partaker of the discipline of the law.
This is the difference between Jesus being under the law and His followers being under the law.
When His followers are disobedient the law chastens them, Heb 10:26-27. Note that the disobedient person must know the truth before they are held responsible and judged by God, 1 Tim 1:13.
If a sinful man or woman wants to partake of the promises God made to Jesus (Gal 3:16), they must subject themselves to the law of God (they have to be under the law). People like this (all Christians) need training under the instruction of the tutor (law).
In our case the law (tutor) leads us to Christ by showing us our transgressions (Rm 7:7) and encouraging us to go to Jesus to be forgiven and receive the promised Holy Spirit, Gal 3:19, Acts 2:33 and Eph 1:13. We progress in Christianity in the following manner-
1. We are born again (express faith), God’s grace can now flow to us (Eph 2:8). Faith is the conduit through which we receive grace.
2. We try not to sin — If we sin we are at that time not expressing faith (Rm 14:23). If God judges us to be a person who understands the truth and the sin was done willfully we can expect judgement, Heb 10:26-27. In the case of willful sin confession must precede forgiveness, as is seen in Job’s case.
3. This judgement is meant to direct a Christian towards a desire to repent, not to condemn them, 1 Cor 11:32.
A person sinning is exhibiting unbelief (Rm 14:23), and as an act of faith (Gal 3:23) they should go to Jesus (the sacrifice) and confess their sinfulness (1 Jn 1:9) to obtain forgiveness.
4. We must comply with the law and demonstrate our faith in God’s prescribed sacrifice, which is Jesus under the New Covenant. God’s grace will then flow to us through the conduit of our faith.
We are under God’s grace at this point and can be taught to deny or overcome ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12. We again try to cooperate with God’s grace, and become more determined to deny and overcome ungodliness.
However, as was the case with Miriam in Numbers 12:14 the judgement resulting from the sin may linger for a time.
5. This process of moving “in” to sin and out of “Grace” continues and repeats itself over and over until we learn not to sin.
6. We are under the tutor (law) until a time appointed by the Father, this time is when God judges us to have faith, Gal 3:25 and Gal 4:2.
7. At this time (when we cooperate with grace and stop sinning) we are termed “not to be children” anymore Gal 4:1-3. We are not under bondage to the elements of the world but are consistently denying and overcoming ungodliness and cooperating with God’s grace, Rm 6:14. We are at this time “not under law but under grace”.
God’s Spirit can lead us when we remain under grace (refrain from sinning), Gal 5:18.
8. One of the goals a Christian should have is to stop sinning – however we need to access the grace of God to comply with Jesus command to stop sinning in Jn 5:14 and 8:11.
A person is not saved from God’s wrath if they are not cooperating with grace. This is apparent since God’s wrath is directed against ungodliness (Rm 1:18) and grace teaches us to deny and overcome ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
If a Christian is not saved from Gods wrath but experiences it then God has determined that they have understood the truth and that they have rejected and forgotten the knowledge of that truth (Hosea 4:6) and decided to “willfully” sin, Heb 10:26-27.
They experience judgement and are openly rebellious.
They continue to practice the evil that brings God’s judgement and all the while ignore their own shortcomings.
The Christian’s failure to judge Him or Herself according to the standards of the Bible (1 Cor 11:31) has brought God’s judgement, Hosea 4:6. This is similar to Job’s experience.
Even if a Christian initially refuses to accept the truth concerning the sin in an area of their lives God will continue to try to get through to them, as can be seen in the book of Job. However it would have been much easier on Job if He had searched His heart for sin on a regular basis, Lamentations 3:40 and Ps 4:4.
When sin is found in a Christians heart their reaction to this should be “grief or sorrow” over the presence of that sin.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Paul commented on the “sorrow and grief” he experienced over his own sinful nature in Rm 7:12-25. Jesus can make us into a person who overcomes fleshly tendencies.
The law as the “tutor” leads the grieved person to the prescribed sacrifice so that they can be forgiven (Jesus is the sacrifice under the New Covenant). If they have faith in Jesus He forgives them and by cooperating with the grace of God the person is taught to say “NO” to the ungodly behavior in the future.
A Christian should repent quickly when they discover that they fall short in an area of their lives.
The wrath or judgement of God which comes against the Christian who sins is meant for correction not condemnation, 1 Cor 11:32.
A person is said to be under the tutor (law) until faith comes (Gal 3:23-25) and they reach the time appointed by the Father, Gal 4:2.
There are several verses that tell us when we are not under (subject to) the law.
Not being under the law in these cases implies a type of graduation from being under the law of God to being under the grace of God.
The people under grace no longer need a tutor (law) to teach them good from evil. They are consistently denying ungodliness.
These verses tell us that the people who are not under the law (tutor) are “under” grace, Rm 6:14.
Referring to Gal 5:18, those led by the Spirit are also not under the law. They are no longer under the tutor and have learned not to be in bondage to the elements of the world (Gal 4:3).
The so-called “appointed time —- or the coming of faith” (Gal 4:2 and Gal 3:25), is understood to be the time when a person is faithful to God (Matt 25:23) and not sinning.
To move from being under the law to being consistently under grace a person must stop sinning.
A person cooperating with grace denies ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
Now to be clear – A “sinner” can partake of the grace of God by keeping the law, and appealing to God for forgiveness through the sacrifice. This act of faith allows grace to flow to them.
At that time the Christian is under grace and the grace of God is what teaches a person to deny and overcome ungodliness. If they sin in the future however they must then repeat this process.
The “time appointed by the Father” (Gal 4:2) appears to be a time when a person is free from sin and cooperating with grace.
This person is also being led by the Spirit of God not to be in bondage to the elementary things of the world, Gal 4:3. This seems to indicate the point at which spiritual childhood is exchanged for maturity.
When we sin we are not exhibiting faith and must then comply with the law and go to the sacrifice for sin (Jesus).
When we confess our sinfulness to Jesus we are forgiven. Because of this act of our faith in Jesus the grace of God can flow to us and teach us to deny and overcome ungodliness.
It can then be scripturally said that a Christian is not being saved from God’s judgement on sin while they are “willfully” sinning.
Since there is so much confusion about the terms used, the following paragraphs will try to address one of the common misunderstandings in this area.
As far as I know there are only two groups of people who are not “under the guidance of the law”.
One of the ways this idea of “not being under the law” can be used is to describe people who have never chosen to take part in the covenant, Rm 2:12. These people are referred to as being “apart” from the law; they are destined to perish.
The other way the phrase “not under the law” can be used is to describe those who have been directed to Jesus by the law, profess faith in Him and receive grace. They cooperate with grace and deny and overcome ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
These people who deny and overcome ungodliness are “under or in subjection to” the grace of God and are not under the law, Rm 6:14.
It should be noted that if the person “under grace” sins they remove themselves from the influences of Grace.
They are again under the supervision of the law, and need to be led back to faith in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 30:11 `For I am with you,’ declares the Lord, `to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly, And will by no means leave you unpunished.’