Moment of Truth: Casting Down Lies #36

“There is no law because we are too flawed to follow it.”

When the Apostle Paul spoke saying, “There is no law,” he was referencing the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death is following the law with our minds, but without conviction of the flesh. We find out in Romans chapter 8 that the law of sin and death causes us to walk in the flesh because it was without the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul explained,

[14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] 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. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [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. ~Romans 7:14-25 KJV

Remember, the entire sixteen chapters in the book of Romans is one letter. Therefore, this is not the end of Paul’s statement. He informs us how to avoid being under the law of sin and death:

[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. ~Romans 8:1-9 KJV

So, the law on tablets could not fix the law of sin and death because the mind was convicted, but the flesh wasn’t1See Romans chapter 7 Therefore, God provided His Spirit through the baptism of Christ to convict the flesh— not just the mind. Remember, the prophets are saved by faith, and they observed the law with their mind, but they did not have the baptism of Christ to convict the flesh. Therefore, what the law could not do, their faith saved them2 Read James chapter 2 for more on faith without works.. What God did for us is put the law inside of us by Christ. How much more perfect shall we be then, having Him and His law convicting our mind and our flesh by His Spirit?

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ~Galatians 5:22-25 KJV

Jesus told us that He has not come to destroy the law:

[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [19] 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. [20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 5:17-20 KJV

Jesus told the multitude of Jews and Gentiles that we should still observe the law like the Pharisees and their scribes, but don’t just say— do.

[1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, [2] Saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” ~Matthew 23:1-3 KJV

Jesus updates parts of the law to fulfill it in Matthew chapter 5 and says,

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. ~Matthew 5:48 KJV

Through His updates, we find out that all of God’s law is observed through loving God and our neighbor.

[29] And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is , ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And 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. [31] And the second is like, namely this, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ There is none other commandment greater than these.” [32] And the scribe said unto Him, “Well, Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He: [33] And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” And no man after that durst ask Him any question. ~ Mark 12:29-34 KJV

Take note of the original ten commandments. Jesus knows the two above complete the ten:

[2] I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

LOVE GOD WITH ALL

[3] Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

[4] Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

[5] Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; [6] And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.

[7] Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

[8] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is , and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

LOVE NEIGHBOR AS SELF

[12] Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

[13] Thou shalt not kill.

[14] Thou shalt not commit adultery. [15] Thou shalt not steal.

[16] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

[17] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. ~Exodus 20:2-17 KJV

Therefore, the commandments have not been tossed out, rather summarized and placed in us because of our faith in Christ. Moreover, Christ became our circumcision and the Sabbath is about walking in the Holy Spirit.

Also, we keep His commandments; His laws. Moreover, we even have a doctrine.

[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. ~1 John 2:3-5 KJV