"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" Galatians 5:18.
To be under the law or to live by the law is to be under a curse, Galatians 3:10. Yet many continue to live according to rules, laws and religion. Why is that? The Pharisees were the first ones to live by laws, rules and religion. This is why they were in constant conflict with Jesus.
The purpose of the law, (which I believe to be the nature and character of God) is to convict people of their lost condition and bring them to Christ, Galatians 3:24. Another purpose of the law is that it reveals the holy, just nature of God. One does not have to read much of the Bible to discover that their righteousness falls short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. When they discover that the natural and normal thing to do is to call on Christ to save them, Romans 10:13.
Unfortunately, not all see it that way. Many continue to live according to rules, laws and religion, hoping that God will honor their effort to be righteous by keeping the law. Because God is holy he must judge sin where ever he finds it. If you come into the judgment in your own righteousness you will disappear in a puff of smoke. The only ones that will pass in the judgment are those that are found to be "In Christ".
What does it mean to be "In Christ?" It means that you are trusting in the righteousness of Christ for your salvation and not in your own righteousness, Philippians 3:9. It also means that you believe that Jesus has atoned for your sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. To be "In Christ" means that you resting in what he has accomplished in your name and on your behalf, Hebrews 4:10. Those that have entered into his rest are those that have ceased from their own works (religion) and are resting and trusting in his work for their salvation.
Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. It cannot be earned, deserved or imposed. It is available to all that want to be saved. All that come to Christ to be saved by him are given the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that produces the Christian life and good works, Ephesians 2:10. It is all of God and is NOT of the law.
The law produces wrath, judgment and condemnation. This is why Paul said to the Galatians, "Tell me that you desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?" Galatians 4:21. The law is not our friend. The law will damn us to hell if we are found to be under it. This is why Jesus nailed the law to his cross. It was contrary to us, no one could keep it or do it.
In the Gospel we are justified by faith. We are justified by faith because we are justified by Christ. Jesus is God's justifier, Romans 3:26. Jesus is the one that justifies the ungodly, Romans 4:5. Jesus is the one that reconciles us and the world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19. All that Jesus is and all that Jesus did is ours by faith. This is why Paul said, "You are complete in him" Colossians 2:10.
To be under the law or to live by the law is to be under a curse, Galatians 3:10. Yet many continue to live according to rules, laws and religion. Why is that? The Pharisees were the first ones to live by laws, rules and religion. This is why they were in constant conflict with Jesus.
The purpose of the law, (which I believe to be the nature and character of God) is to convict people of their lost condition and bring them to Christ, Galatians 3:24. Another purpose of the law is that it reveals the holy, just nature of God. One does not have to read much of the Bible to discover that their righteousness falls short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. When they discover that the natural and normal thing to do is to call on Christ to save them, Romans 10:13.
Unfortunately, not all see it that way. Many continue to live according to rules, laws and religion, hoping that God will honor their effort to be righteous by keeping the law. Because God is holy he must judge sin where ever he finds it. If you come into the judgment in your own righteousness you will disappear in a puff of smoke. The only ones that will pass in the judgment are those that are found to be "In Christ".
What does it mean to be "In Christ?" It means that you are trusting in the righteousness of Christ for your salvation and not in your own righteousness, Philippians 3:9. It also means that you believe that Jesus has atoned for your sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. To be "In Christ" means that you resting in what he has accomplished in your name and on your behalf, Hebrews 4:10. Those that have entered into his rest are those that have ceased from their own works (religion) and are resting and trusting in his work for their salvation.
Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. It cannot be earned, deserved or imposed. It is available to all that want to be saved. All that come to Christ to be saved by him are given the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that produces the Christian life and good works, Ephesians 2:10. It is all of God and is NOT of the law.
The law produces wrath, judgment and condemnation. This is why Paul said to the Galatians, "Tell me that you desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?" Galatians 4:21. The law is not our friend. The law will damn us to hell if we are found to be under it. This is why Jesus nailed the law to his cross. It was contrary to us, no one could keep it or do it.
In the Gospel we are justified by faith. We are justified by faith because we are justified by Christ. Jesus is God's justifier, Romans 3:26. Jesus is the one that justifies the ungodly, Romans 4:5. Jesus is the one that reconciles us and the world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19. All that Jesus is and all that Jesus did is ours by faith. This is why Paul said, "You are complete in him" Colossians 2:10.