Re[2]: Tree of Knowledge

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>Eric:
>In addition to your post if I may I would add Matt 5:17.  Jesus said "Do
>not think that I have come to abolish to Law or the Prophets; I have
>not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."  Also, there seems to
>be a theme of God's grace being bestowed only in New Testament times,
>however, wasn't God's grace present in the Old Testament?  I'm
>thinking of the manna, the quail, the sandles and clothes not
>wearing, the parting of the Red Sea etc...etc...  I would also add
>that the law is now written in our hearts and minds.  The Law hasn't
>gone away, it has a new residing place.  In His Love, Donna
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RESPONSE:

Hi Donna,

Jesus did not abolish the Law, but fulfilled it in us through a means
outside of Law itself.  Ro. 8:3-4 shows how he fulfilled in us what
Law could not but tried to do.

GRACE was NEVER shown to the degree it was in the New Testament in
earlier times.  This GRACE imparted righteousness free of works.  THAT
WAS NEW.

Donna quoted Eric:

>>If we throw out the Law, then you begin to throw out many of the Truths
>>that we as Christians need.  No, I am not sustained day by day by
>>the Law, but it is a basic guide from which I can know if that
>>grace is working in me. 

Law was called the ministration of condemnation and death in 2 Cor. 3.
In fact, the tables of stone written with Ten Commandments were
specifically spoken of in this manner.  Eph. 2:15 calls the Law of
commandments contained in ordinances the ENMITY that kept out the
Gentiles.

How was it death?  Since SIN WAS IN THE FLESH, we try to keep a GOOD
and SPIRITUAL Law, and whereas we believe this will lead to life, we
find we DIE, instead (Ro. 7:8-14).  Especially compare Ro. 7:18 with
8:3-4 to see how the LAW WAS USELESS in making us righteous due to the
presence of SIN in our flesh.

The beauty of it is that sin is still in my flesh, but I OVERRIDE IT
by not exerting law-type works to do good, as if obeying a list of
commandments to get to glory.  I let Christ LIVE THROUGH ME instead.
He is also in me, but not in my flesh.  He is in my spirit.  Strenuos
working uses flesh, thus stirring up sin within it to life.  But Faith
is exerting my spirit, this allowing Christ to live in me.

 Col. 2 says the ORDINANCES of Law were nailed to the
cross.

Paul regarded the keeping of days (sabbath for example) and months and
years as regression away from grace back into Judaism, and he was
afraid of those who did so.  Gal. 4:10-11

I do not abide by the Law daily, but abide IN CHRIST, thus fulfilling
the Law without conscious effort to do so.  My nature is changed so as
to, as it were, naturally keep the law's commandments by the true
definition of Christianity:  Gal 2:20.  I am crucified with Christ.
It is not I  THAT LIVES, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME.

Christ not only is substituted for our deaths on the cross, but also
is to be substituted for our LIVES AFTERWARDS.  ANd most believers are
totally ignorant of this.  You can call it the Gospel for Christians.
 Part Two of the story.

We all beleive Jesus was substituted for our deaths, and we DIED WITH
HIM (past tense).  But He also is now to be substituted for our
living, and THIS is walking in newness of LIFE. (Ro. 6:1-6).

Christ LIVED through Paul.  Paul's victory was not due to exerting
will power (RO. 7:18), but through allowing Christ to live in Him,
substituting Paul's living for Christ's.

This is beyond conscious keeping of LAW!  Law can be used to measure
our progress, but not by the manner of reading its list and then
trying to obey its demands.

In Him,

MBlume