OVERVIEW OF QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON LAW, FAITH & LIBERTY

By Dennis Schmidt 8/2011

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This paper answers questions on the law, faith & liberty. Discussed are: what does a Christian do with the law, what does a Christian do with liberty and how does faith fit into God's plan. See also my papers: "Faith" & "What Does God Really Want?" for additional information on these subjects. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: WHY IS THE LAW EMPHASIZED IF THE LAW WAS ESTABLISHED AFTER FAITH?:

Man is a law structured being. Man is taught (from youth) law, such as what to do and not do. God puts the law into the hearts of unbeliever/Gentile (Romans 2:12-16). By faith God made everything (Hebrews 11:3). Faith is God's spiritual principals which counters the natural ways of man. It is a gift of God (Romans 12:3, 10:17 & Ephesians 4:7), but not everyone is given faith (Thessalonians 3:2)

Law given 430 years after faith promise & cannot disannul faith God first gave a law to Adam & Eve of not eating of the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam did not need faith since God walked with him daily. Adam did need faith after he sinned since he was looking for the Messiah (Genesis 3:15). Noah also had law in building the ark. He also exercised faith in that no boat was needed before this time. When the law is mention, it usually deals with the Ten Commandments. When faith is mention, in the Old Testament, it usually is Abraham's faith that is discussed. The Ten Commandments came 430 years after Abraham's faith promises.

Galatians 3:17-18  The law did not change God's original plan of faith.

Galatians 3:29  The faith promise.

PURPOSE: WHAT IS THE LAW'S PURPOSE?:

The law shows God's perfect standard which man can not live-up-to.

The standard lets man knows when he is doing wrong. If a man does less than the law and feels justified to the new self standard then he has become a law unto self. God standard is correct. The man should look for another answer to living to the law (faith).

"All the world may become guilty before God"

Since no one can keep the law, everyone will be found guilty.

Romans 3:19

"By the law is the knowledge of sin"

The law is in out hearts and on paper/stone. We know when we sin.

Romans 3:20  By trying to keep the law, we are not justified by God.

"Is the law sin? Nay, not known sin, but by the law"

God did not produce the law for people to sin, but to show our sin.

Romans 7:7

"Law worketh wrath..where no law is, there is no transgression"

Romans 4:15  Sin = missing the mark and transgression = going past or over the limit. Law is mark/limit.

KEY VERSE:

Romans 3:20  By trying to keep the law, we are not justified by God.

Romans 10:4

Galatians 3:24  Law teachers

WHO: God mainly by Bible authors Matthew, John, Peter, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: THE LAW IS IN PLACE UNTIL CHRIST'S RESURRECTION:

Once Jesus came and fulfilled the law, the standard is faith in the completed work of Jesus. Jesus lived as a Jew under the Jewish law.

"Christ is the end of the law for righteousness"

Romans 10:4

"The law..added..till the seed should come"

The seed is Jesus.

Galatians 3:19  Once Jesus came the law was done away & replaced by faith

"Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ"

Once we trust Jesus to be justified, we are not under the law.

Galatians 3:24  Law teachers

"After faith is come, we are no longer under schoolmaster" (law)

The Christian is in a faith walk not putting his attention to law.

Galatians 3:25

WHY: WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAW?: No one but Jesus could do it.

"Law is spiritual: but I am carnal"

Romans 7:14 40  God is spiritual & man is carnal/fleshly.

"Law could not do..it was weak through the flesh"

Man is to weak to keep the law. God as a man, Jesus, fulfilled it.

Romans 8:3

DOES THE LAW'S EXISTENCE PRODUCE DEATH?:

If some people are told by their pastor not to see a movie, they will go. The law, plus the temptations of Satan, is enough to move the person to sin.

"By the law..our members bring forth fruit unto death"

Romans 7:5  The law showed us what we knew in our heart was wrong.

"Cursed is every one that continueth..in all..law"

To try and follow the law will cause man to take their eyes off Jesus as their only way to please God.

Galatians 3:10  Once we attempt to follow law we must do it all.

"Every man..circumcised..debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect..ye are fallen from grace"

If a person requires himself and all others to be circumcised as the way to please God, they must do all that the law requires. A person can be circumcised if he wants to, depending on motivation.

Galatians 5:3-4   Not only this, but food, days, etc.

WAY: DID THE LAW REPLACE FAITH?: No, Abraham was justified by his faith.

"Man is justified by faith without deeds of the law"

A person is justified if God says he is and only by God's faith plan.

Romans 3:28  Just as if he never sinned.

"Promise..be heir..was not..through the law, but..of faith"

Romans 4:13  The promise is through faith.

WHEREAS: WHAT'S THE CONCLUSION OF Q & A ON LAW, FAITH & LIBERTY?:

"Put my law in their inward parts..write it in their hearts"

God's laws are in our hearts as inner principles to live by.

Jeremiah 31:33  Covenant = N.T.

Hebrews 10:16-18

"Think not that I am not come destroy the law..but to fulfil"

Jesus lived as a Jew, under Jewish law, & completed it perfectly.

Matthew 5:17-18

"Cursed is every one that continueth not in all..written in..law" Law demands perfection. Jesus did the law perfectly & gave His life

Deuteronomy 27:26

Romans 10:5  

Galatians 3:13  Redeemed = purchased back

"Receiving the end of your faith..salvation of your souls"

The Old Testament person under the law searched for what is now ours.  Faith, which is a freedom from the law, is by Jesus death & glory.

1 Peter 1:9-11  Grace = unmerited favor (not earned) to us from God.

"Love..God..all thy heart..love..neighbour as thyself..hang..law"

Matthew 22:37-40

WHERE: Earth

WHEN: All Times

WHILE: THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL & NOT TO THE GENTILES:

Scriptures, from Acts 15, shows the only part of the law that was giving to the gentiles. It does not even contain the ten commandments. The Jew is to keep parts of the law forever, not for salvation, but as God directed the chosen people to do. See my paper: "Feasts of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

"He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes..judgments..Israel"

Deuteronomy 4:8  What nation = Israel (Jacob or Jews)

Psalms 147:19  Statutes and judgments God's laws

Romans 3:2  Oracles of God = God's very words

"Gentiles..abstain from pollutions of idols..from fornication.. from things strangled..from blood"

Acts 15:1-3, 5-11, 19-20

WANT: WHAT DOES THE CHRISTIAN DO WITH THE LAW?:

"He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law"

The Christian is in a love relationship with God first then others.

Romans 13:8  Law fulfilled by us.

Romans 13:10 God fulfilled by perfect love.

"All the law is fulfilled in one word..love neighbour as thyself"

Galatians 5:14

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) WHY IS THE LAW EMPHASIZED IF THE LAW WAS ESTABLISHED AFTER FAITH?:

II) WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAW?:

III) DOES THE LAW'S EXISTENCE PRODUCE DEATH?:

IV) WHAT IS THE LAW'S PURPOSE?:

V) DID THE LAW REPLACE FAITH?:

VI) IF GOD IS PLEASED BY FAITH, THEN WHAT IS THE LAW'S STATUS?:

VII) WHAT DOES FAITH DO WITH THE LAW?:

VIII) THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL & NOT TO THE GENTILES:

IX) WHAT DID THE OLD TESTAMENT JEW DO FOR SALVATION?:

X) THE LAW IS IN PLACE UNTIL CHRIST'S RESURRECTION:

XI) IS THE LAW REMOVED FOR THE CHRISTIAN?:

XII) IS THE LAW REPLACED WITH LIBERTY FOR THE CHRISTIAN?:

XIII) IS THE LAW TO BE BROKEN BY CHRISTIANS UNDER LIBERTY?:

XIV) WHAT DOES THE CHRISTIAN DO WITH THE LAW?:

XV) WHAT'S THE CONCLUSION OF Q & A ON LAW, FAITH & LIBERTY?:

I) WHY IS THE LAW EMPHASIZED IF THE LAW WAS ESTABLISHED AFTER FAITH?:

Man is a law structured being. Man is taught (from youth) law, such as what to do and not do. God puts the law into the hearts of unbeliever/Gentile (Romans 2:12-16). By faith God made everything (Hebrews 11:3). Faith is God's spiritual principals which counters the natural ways of man. It is a gift of God (Romans 12:3, 10:17 & Ephesians 4:7), but not everyone is given faith (Thessalonians 3:2)

Law given 430 years after faith promise & cannot disannul faith God first gave a law to Adam & Eve of not eating of the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam did not need faith since God walked with him daily. Adam did need faith after he sinned since he was looking for the Messiah (Genesis 3:15). Noah also had law in building the ark. He also exercised faith in that no boat was needed before this time. When the law is mention, it usually deals with the Ten Commandments. When faith is mention, in the Old Testament, it usually is Abraham's faith that is discussed. The Ten Commandments came 430 years after Abraham's faith promises.

Galatians 3:17-18  The law did not change God's original plan of faith.

Galatians 3:29  The faith promise.

II) WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAW?: No one but Jesus could do it.

"Law is spiritual: but I am carnal"

Romans 7:14  God is spiritual & man is carnal/fleshly.

"Law could not do..it was weak through the flesh"

Man is too weak to keep the law. God as a man, Jesus, fulfilled it.

Romans 8:3

III) DOES THE LAW'S EXISTENCE PRODUCE DEATH?:

If some people are told by their pastor not to see a movie, they will go. The law, plus the temptations of Satan, are enough to move the person to sin.

"By the law..our members bring forth fruit unto death"

Romans 7:5  The law showed us what we knew in our heart was wrong.

"Cursed is every one that continueth..in all..law"

To try and follow the law will cause man to take their eyes off Jesus as their only way to please God.

Galatians 3:10  Once we attempt to follow law we must do it all.

"Every man..circumcised..debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect..ye are fallen from grace"

If a person requires himself and all others to be circumcised as the way to please God, they must do all that the law requires. A person can be circumcised if he wants to, depending on motivation.

Galatians 5:3-4  Not only this, but food, days, etc.

IV) WHAT IS THE LAW'S PURPOSE?:

The law shows God's perfect standard which man can not live-up-to.

The standard lets man knows when he is doing wrong. If a man does less than the law and feels justified to the new self standard then he has become a law unto self. God standard is correct. The man should look for another answer to living to the law (faith).

"All the world may become guilty before God"

Since no one can keep the law, everyone will be found guilty.

Romans 3:19

"By the law is the knowledge of sin"

The law is in out hearts and on paper/stone. We know when we sin.

Romans 3:20  By trying to keep the law, we are not justified by God.

"Is the law sin? Nay, not known sin, but by the law"

God did not produce the law for people to sin, but to show our sin.

Romans 7:7  

"Law worketh wrath..where no law is, there is no transgression"

Romans 4:15  Sin = missing the mark and transgression = going past or over the limit. Law is mark/limit.

V) DID THE LAW REPLACE FAITH?:

No, Abraham was justified by his faith.

"Man is justified by faith without deeds of the law"

A person is justified if God says he is. Only by God's faith plan.

Romans 3:28  Just as if he never sinned.

"Promise..be heir..was not..through the law, but..of faith"

Romans 4:13  The promise is through faith.

VI) IF GOD IS PLEASED BY FAITH, THEN WHAT IS THE LAW'S STATUS?:

God is pleased by the faith walk of Christians who walk in the Spirit and follow God's directions. But, the law of God must be fulfilled to satisfy God's justice. Jesus did this on the cross.

"Without faith it is impossible to please..God"

Hebrews 11:6  

"The law is holy..the commandment holy, and just, and good"

The law is perfect and just; but man could not keep it. Jesus did.

Romans 7:12

John 19:30  Jesus completed his work of perfectly doing the law.

VII) WHAT DOES FAITH DO WITH THE LAW?:

"Do we..void the law through faith?..we establish the law"

We fulfill the law by taking of Jesus perfectly fulfilling the law.

Romans 3:31

"Righteousness of law by..not after the flesh walk..after Spirit"

Romans 8:4

VIII) THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL & NOT TO THE GENTILES:

Scriptures, from Acts 15, shows the only part of the law that was giving to the gentiles. It does not even contain the Ten Commandments. The Jew is to keep parts of the law forever, not for salvation, but as God directed the chosen people to do. See my paper: "Feasts of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

"He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes..judgments..Israel"

Deuteronomy 4:8  What nation = Israel (Jacob or Jews)

Psalms 147:19  Statutes and judgments God's laws

Romans 3:2  Oracles of God = God's very words

"Gentiles..abstain from pollutions of idols..from fornication.. from things strangled..from blood"

Acts 15:1-3, 5-11, 19-20

IX) WHAT DID THE OLD TESTAMENT JEW DO FOR SALVATION?:

Abraham was saved the same way New Testament saints are saved, by faith in God. Imputed = God reckon or attribute Him righteousness.

"A seal of the righteousness of faith..he might be the father of all them that believe..that righteousness might be imputed..them"

Jesus's righteousness to us making us pure, just, holy and clean. This is true of Abraham and all Christians who believe as Abraham.

Romans 4:11

"He believed in the LORD..he counted it to him for righteousness"

Genesis 15:6  Counted = reckon or accounted to us. This does not imply a transfer of moral qualities but credits us with Jesus righteous as our innocent substitute.

Romans 4:3

X) THE LAW IS IN PLACE UNTIL CHRIST'S RESURRECTION:

Once Jesus came and fulfilled the law, the standard is faith in the completed work of Jesus. Jesus lived as a Jew under the Jewish law.

"Christ is the end of the law for righteousness"

Romans 10:4

"The law..added..till the seed should come"

The seed is Jesus.

Galatians 3:19  Once Jesus came the law was done away & replaced by faith

"Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ"

Once we trust Jesus to be justified, we are not under the law.

Galatians 3:24  Law teachers

"After faith is come, we are no longer under schoolmaster" (law)

The Christian is in a faith walk not putting his attention to law.

Galatians 3:25  

XI) IS THE LAW REMOVED FOR THE CHRISTIAN?:

"We are delivered from the law..serve in newness of spirit"

The Law is death which only condemns. It does not produce life.

Romans 7:6  

"All things are lawful..I will not be brought under power of any"

The Christian is free, but he knows in his heart what is right.

1 Corinthians 6:12  Liberty but not to be under bondage

"We were kept under..law..unto the faith..afterwards be reveal"

Galatians 3:23

"Led of the Spirit..not under the law"

Galatians 5:18  

"Blotting out..ordinances..nailing it to his cross"

Jesus death took the law out of the Christian's way.

Colossians 2:14

XII) IS THE LAW REPLACED WITH LIBERTY FOR THE CHRISTIAN?:

1 Corinthians 7:39  The same is with the law.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty"

2 Corinthians 3:17  A faith life has liberty.

Galatians 2:4  Same as today.

"Stand fast..in the liberty..Christ..made us free..not..bondage"

Galatians 5:1  Liberty from the law and its yoke of bondage.

XIII) IS THE LAW TO BE BROKEN BY CHRISTIANS UNDER LIBERTY?:

"Take heed..liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to..weak"

1 Corinthians 8:9  Serve others

Romans 6:1-2   Liberty without sinning.

Romans 6:16  

"Called unto liberty..not liberty for..flesh, but by love serve"

Galatians 5:13  Liberty but not to break God's inner principles.

"Free..not using your liberty for..maliciousness..but..servants" 1 Peter 2:16 "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."

"Whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage"

2 Peter 2:19  Free not to become in bondage again.

Romans 6:16  

XIV) WHAT DOES THE CHRISTIAN DO WITH THE LAW?:

"He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law"

The Christian is in a love relationship with God first then others.

Romans 13:8  Law fulfilled by us.

Romans 13:10  God fulfilled by perfect love.

"All the law is fulfilled in one word..love neighbour as thyself"

Galatians 5:14

XV) WHAT'S THE CONCLUSION OF Q & A ON LAW, FAITH & LIBERTY?:

"Put my law in their inward parts..write it in their hearts"

God's laws are in our hearts as inner principles to live by.

Jeremiah 31:33  Covenant = N.T.

Hebrews 10:16-18

"Think not that I am not come destroy the law..but to fulfil"

Jesus lived as a Jew, under Jewish law, & completed it perfectly.

Matthew 5:17-18

"Cursed is every one that continueth not in all..written in..law" Law demands perfection. Jesus did the law perfectly & gave His life

Deuteronomy 27:26

Romans 10:5

Galatians 3:13  Redeemed = purchased back

"Receiving the end of your faith..salvation of your souls"

The Old Testament person under the law searched for what is now ours. Faith, which is freedom from the law, is by Jesus death & glory.

1 Peter 1:9-11  Grace = unmerited favor (not earned) to us from God.

"Love..God..all thy heart..love..neighbour as thyself..hang..law"

Matthew 22:37-40

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This page is maintained by Dennis Schmidt. Please send your questions or comments to (dennisaschmidt1@gmail.com)