Is the law too difficult to keep?

[sk0rpi0n]

Christians like to believe they are freed from the law that Jesus commanded his followes to keep, because of verses that teach that the law was "nailed to the cross" and the notion that "nobody can keep the law perfectly", DESPITE verses like...

if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
-Deuteronomy 30:10-11

He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD
-Ezekial 18:9
(So if the law was too difficult to keep, why would God equate keeping the laws with righteousness, knowing fully well that people would find it too diffuclt.)

For the commandment is a lamp; And the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life.
-Proverbs 6:23
(Again, proves that the law is a guide for people to live their lives by)

All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.
-Psalms 18:20-26
(If the law was indeed too difficult to keep, was the author of this psalm making this up?)


5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
Luke 1:5-6
(Another example, this time in the new testament that teaches that righteousness was synonymous with following the law.)

And then we have Jesus...
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
-Matthew 5:19


So on what basis do christians believe that they are excused from keeping the law when Jesus himself commanded them to do so.
Discuss.

 

[Strangelove]

Christians like to believe they are freed from the law that Jesus commanded his followes to keep, because of verses that teach that the law was "nailed to the cross" and the notion that "nobody can keep the law perfectly", DESPITE verses like...

if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
-Deuteronomy 30:10-11

That word 'difficult' also means 'hidden' and indeed that is the translation that the KJV translaters deemed appropriate.

30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD
-Ezekial 18:9
(So if the law was too difficult to keep, why would God equate keeping the laws with righteousness, knowing fully well that people would find it too diffuclt.)

Because He encouraged His people to follow the written laws in the Old Testament times to show them that it was impossible to keep His perfect standards, and to show them their need for a Saviour.

3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.​

Tell me, do you keep ALL Old Testament written laws to God's perfect standard?

For the commandment is a lamp; And the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life.
-Proverbs 6:23
(Again, proves that the law is a guide for people to live their lives by)

But it can NEVER be kept to His standard. Only Christ did that.

All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.
-Psalms 18:20-26
(If the law was indeed too difficult to keep, was the author of this psalm making this up?)

1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his
word is not in us.

You can approach that contradiction as you will. I will go with New Testament every single time.​

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
Luke 1:5-6
(Another example, this time in the new testament that teaches that righteousness was synonymous with following the law.)

Because following the law was righteous in that time for the Hebrews. Now we have the two commandments of Christ which writes the laws on our hearts. We don't need to read written law anymore because the moral laws will be fulfilled in us as a natural fruit of our faith.

And then we have Jesus...
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
-Matthew 5:19

Jesus was countering the Pharisees corruption of Moses and the prophets AS USUAL. They had set themselves up as authorities over the Law, and had even taken to deciding which of God's laws were worthy, tossing some that weren't and adding others that were. They were guilty of teaching people it was okay to break some commandments. it's a entirely different context from not living up to Moses (which we can not do):

Mathhew 5
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For 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. 19Whosoever 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.

20For 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible describes it with minimum fuss>>>

Whosoever therefore shall break - Shall violate or disobey.
One of these least commandments - The Pharisees, it is probable, divided the precepts of the law into lesser and greater, teaching that they who violated the former were guilty of a trivial offence only. See Matthew 23:23. Christ teaches that in his kingdom they who make this distinction, or who taught that any laws of God might be violated with impunity, should be called least; while they should be held in high regard who observed all the laws of God without distinction.

Shall be called least - That is, shall be least. See Matthew 5:9. The meaning of this passage seems to be this: in the kingdom of heaven, that is, in the kingdom of the Messiah, or in the church which he is about to establish (see the notes at Matthew 3:2), he that breaks the least of these commandments shall be in no esteem, or shall not be regarded as a proper religious teacher. The Pharisees, by dividing the law into greater and lesser precepts, made no small part of it void by their traditions and divisions, Matthew 23:23; Matthew 15:3-6. Jesus says that in his kingdom all this vain division and tradition would cease. Such divisions and distinctions would be a small matter. He that attempted it should be the least of all. People would be engaged in yielding obedience to all the law of God without any such vain distinctions.

Shall be called great - He that teaches that all the law of God is binding, and that the whole of it should be obeyed, without attempting to specify what is most important, shall be a teacher worthy of his office, and shall be called great.

So on what basis do christians believe that they are excused from keeping the law when Jesus himself commanded them to do so.
Discuss.

**Sigh**.............We have Christ. Keep the law if you want but you bring the wrath of God on you for condemning us for not.

We are Justified by FAITH ALONE apart from the works of the law.

10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
​

2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified.
​

2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Justification is by faith. True faith is God's work (John 6:28-29), granted by God (John 1:29), and is concurrent with regeneration (2 Cor. 5:17), which God works in us by his will (John 1:13). This result of this justification and regeneration is that the sinner turns from his sin and towards doing good works. But it is not these works that earn our place with God nor sustain it. Jesus accomplished all that we need to be saved and stay saved on the cross. All that we need, we have in Jesus. All we need to do to be saved, to be justified, is to truly believe in what God has done for us in Jesus on the cross; this is why the Bible says we are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1). This true belief with justification before God and regeneration in the new believer, results in good works

​

 

[Deavonreye]

As per "the OT law", what was to be done to "an adulteress"?

 

[handy]

They were guilty of teaching people it was okay to break some commandments. it's a entirely different context from not living up to Moses (which we can not do):

Excellent point!!!

In order to understand the place of the Law in the life of believers, it's imperative to read through Romans 7:

Romans 7

Believers United to Christ

1Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? 2For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.
3So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
4Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
5For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
6But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
7What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."
8But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
9I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;
10and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;
11for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
12So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.
The Conflict of Two Natures

14For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
16But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
17So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
22For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
23but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
24Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.


Romans 8


Deliverance from Bondage

1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,
4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.


NASB

That is long, I know, but nonetheless it is vital to read through it, read through it again, and then read through it again and study over it.

 

[stovebolts]

As per "the OT law", what was to be done to "an adulteress"?

I can answer that question, but before I do I'd like to know what your view of adultery is, and why do you think the law was harsher on an adulteress than a prostitute?

 

[handy]

As per "the OT law", what was to be done to "an adulteress"?

...and did Jesus break the law when He didn't follow through on it with the woman caught in adultery?

 

[mlqurgw]

The law isn't to difficult it is impossible for any, other than God in Christ, to keep. The law demands perfection from birth to death and will not overlook the slightest slip. Psalm 24:3-4. In myself I have never kept the law and neither has any one else born of Adam. But in Christ I have kept the law perfectly. Rom. 10:4 tells us that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to them that believe. That word "end" connotes termination, object, purpose and fullfillment. Christ is the end of the law in every sense of the word.

 

[theLords]

(NIV)
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Ouch

For you strangelove ;)
KJV
James 2:10
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

 

[Adstar]

As per "the OT law", what was to be done to "an adulteress"?

Leviticus 10
20 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

It is a death penalty.

And Jesus revealed.

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

So looks like all who proclaim they must keep the laws of the OT better go and organise a mass stoning event and invent an auto stoning machine that will stone to death the last stone thrower.

Unless your a homosexual and have never looked with lust upon a member of the [FONT=&quot]Opposite gender? Oh wait a bit..[/FONT]

Leviticus 20
13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

Ok everyone to the stoning machine. Mush, mush. Nope no whinging you have all transgressed the law and must be stoned to death.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[handy]

Ok everyone to the stoning machine. Mush, mush. Nope no whinging you have all transgressed the law and must be stoned to death.

Y'all go on ahead...I opted for the "death by baptism, salvation by grace" plan!

 

[Adstar]

Y'all go on ahead...I opted for the "death by baptism, salvation by grace" plan!

Yeah that's the Way. The only Way.


All Praise The Ancient of Days

 

[Strangelove]

I'm waiting for a huge, colorful, bracket filled post from Elijah to really confuse everyone.

 

[Deavonreye]

Leviticus 10
20 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

It is a death penalty.

And Jesus revealed.

Matthew 5
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

So looks like all who proclaim they must keep the laws of the OT better go and organise a mass stoning event and invent an auto stoning machine that will stone to death the last stone thrower.

Unless your a homosexual and have never looked with lust upon a member of the [FONT=&quot]Opposite gender? Oh wait a bit..[/FONT]

Leviticus 20
13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

Ok everyone to the stoning machine. Mush, mush. Nope no whinging you have all transgressed the law and must be stoned to death.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

So, then it is incorrect to state that the OT law had to be followed. Thanks.

 

[Ashua]

Men such as Josiah, Joshua, and (almost) David kept the law perfectly throughout their lives. It is not impossible. The important thing is your WHY you would keep the law. For your own glory or for his? If you keep the law in gladness after the newness of spirit, then great. More power to you. If you keep it in an ordinal systematic reluctancy, then it is vanity.

 

[Strangelove]

Men such as Josiah, Joshua, and (almost) David kept the law perfectly throughout their lives. It is not impossible.

I'm not saying you're wrong with this statement Ash but could you provide us with scripture that shows this please. Thanks friend.

The important thing is your WHY you would keep the law. For your own glory or for his? If you keep the law in gladness after the newness of spirit, then great. More power to you. If you keep it in an ordinal systematic reluctancy, then it is vanity.

Agreed. Infact when you are reborn in the spirit following the moral laws of the Bible are a natural and automatic product of you're regeneration in the love of Jesus Christ. It's not even a concious decision to actually follow the law.

To simply follow the law for the sake of the law is indeed vanity and unrighteous. Christ came and ended the idea that following law = righteousness.

Doc.

 

[Adstar]

So, then it is incorrect to state that the OT law had to be followed. Thanks.

They should have done their best to follow it. Yes.

And today do you see Christians saying that Adultery is good? No. lest i have not seen any preaching that people should commit adultery, have you?

Acknowledging that Adultery is wrong and doing ones best to avoided it today is good.

But my eternal life with God is not finished if i fail in this.

The again what i have said here does not amount to a licence to sin as some have mistakenly claimed.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Ashua]

I'm not saying you're wrong with this statement Ash but could you provide us with scripture that shows this please. Thanks friend.



Agreed. Infact when you are reborn in the spirit following the moral laws of the Bible are a natural and automatic product of you're regeneration in the love of Jesus Christ. It's not even a concious decision to actually follow the law.

To simply follow the law for the sake of the law is indeed vanity and unrighteous. Christ came and ended the idea that following law = righteousness.

Doc.

Doc,

If following the law is the manifestiation or expression of inward righteousness, then it is become a fruit of righteousness. Not every good tree bears the exact same manner of fruit, (a good tree bears apples and another will yield bananas); but adhering to the Holy commandment of the Most High solely to honor God, yielding your very free-will as a "living sacrifice" is a righteous fruit indeed.

I'm very tired now (5 A.M.) so consider this an I.OWE.YOU, but off mind I cannot think of a specific verse that says "Josiah never sinned." Joshua, to my knowledge never had a single sin recorded in the Bible. Neither did Josiah. David was blameless except his dealings with Uriah and Bathsheba. The Bible isn't shy about calling to attention ANYTHING and EVERYTHING a servant of God has done despite unto God Almighty. Moses struck the rock at the waters of strife for instance. You most likely wouldn't consider that a big deal, but the Bible called him out for it. If Josiah or Joshua had sneezed wrong, surely we would know it. I'm sure this isn't going to satisfy you, so I'll get back to you if I can. It's entirely possible I won't find anything either way.

 

[Strangelove]

Doc,

If following the law is the manifestiation or expression of inward righteousness, then it is become a fruit of righteousness. Not every good tree bears the exact same manner of fruit, (a good tree bears apples and another will yield bananas); but adhering to the Holy commandment of the Most High solely to honor God, yielding your very free-will as a "living sacrifice" is a righteous fruit indeed.

Yes, again I agree with you Ashua. Adhering to the commandments of the most high is to love God with all your heart and to love others. Doing this will bear the correct fruit.

I'm very tired now (5 A.M.) so consider this an I.OWE.YOU, but off mind I cannot think of a specific verse that says "Josiah never sinned." Joshua, to my knowledge never had a single sin recorded in the Bible. Neither did Josiah. David was blameless except his dealings with Uriah and Bathsheba. The Bible isn't shy about calling to attention ANYTHING and EVERYTHING a servant of God has done despite unto God Almighty. Moses struck the rock at the waters of strife for instance. You most likely wouldn't consider that a big deal, but the Bible called him out for it. If Josiah or Joshua had sneezed wrong, surely we would know it. I'm sure this isn't going to satisfy you, so I'll get back to you if I can. It's entirely possible I won't find anything either way.

Ok.

 

[Elijah674]

Rev. 12:17 Finds that these Last Day Remnant are IDENTIFIED. (and some post say that these COMMANDMENTS OF GOD ARE NOT SALVATIONAL?? and the serpents poison??)

[15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
[16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

1John.2
[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.



Exod. 32
[33] And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Eccl. 3:14 sounds exactly like Rev.'s last Warning in THE Book!?
[14] I know that, whatsoever God doeth, (or sayeth!) it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

(and these postings say that Obedience to the Law of God is not Salvational!)

Rev. 22
[12] And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
[13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
[16] I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

And 'difficult to keep?' Only if one does not want to! Phil. 4:13 + 2 Cor. 4:2's HAS ALL THE SUPPLIED GRACE FROM THEIR MASTER AS NEEDED!

--Elijah

 

[Strangelove]

I'm waiting for a huge, colorful, bracket filled post from Elijah to really confuse everyone.

There it is.

Works are a natural fruit of faith in Christ.

It's as simple as that.

Works do not equal righteousness. They are simply a possible sign that the imputed righteousness of God's Grace though FAITH ALONE is present in that individual. For if there are no works then there is no faith.

However there can be works without faith. Which won't get you to the Kingdom of God.

Righteousness DOES NOT come through the law. ONLY through faith.

Would you agree Elijah?