Comments on: The Fork in the Road: A Question About Galatians http://oneinjesus.info/2010/05/the-fork-in-the-road-a-question-about-galatians/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:41:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alexander Bansar http://oneinjesus.info/2010/05/the-fork-in-the-road-a-question-about-galatians/#comment-15149 Alexander Bansar Mon, 03 May 2010 03:21:08 +0000 http://oneinjesus.info/?p=10284#comment-15149 Being transformed by the Spirit in order to become able to keep the Law is not the same as oeying "automatically/naturally" because of our new birth. We could not keep the Law because of the weakness of our flesh and our hardened hearts. But we still have to deal with our flesh (to crucify it on a daily basis), and our hearts can become hardened again because we give in into the old ways. So our Christian life is rightfully described as striving to enter the Kingdom, striving to obey and become saved in the end, because it does not happen automatically since the old nature is still present and active within us. God's will - as revealed in His Law - has not changed either. The way he put it into words has changed, or better: The full meaning of the Law has been revealed through Christ so we may proceed from the letter to the Spirit. This means, that we are to live by an even higher standard that the Israelites. This includes - if we really need the terms - the ceremonial laws as well as the moral laws. Being priests, serving in God's temple can only be understood by a spiritual understanding of the (ceremonial) Law, as well as the Sermon on the Mount shows the spiritual understanding of the (moral) Law. We cannot skip either of both, but we must not take them literally but spiritually. The whole discussion in Romans and Galatians has to do with Judaizers, who did not want to proceed from the letter to the Spirit. That's the point. Paul's point is not to say, that we don't have to do good works or live obediently in order to become saved in the end. This we have to do - as he says - with fear and trembling in the power of the Spirit (Phil 2:12-16) in Christ Alexander Being transformed by the Spirit in order to become able to keep the Law is not the same as oeying "automatically/naturally" because of our new birth.

We could not keep the Law because of the weakness of our flesh and our hardened hearts.

But we still have to deal with our flesh (to crucify it on a daily basis), and our hearts can become hardened again because we give in into the old ways.

So our Christian life is rightfully described as striving to enter the Kingdom, striving to obey and become saved in the end, because it does not happen automatically since the old nature is still present and active within us.

God's will – as revealed in His Law – has not changed either. The way he put it into words has changed, or better: The full meaning of the Law has been revealed through Christ so we may proceed from the letter to the Spirit. This means, that we are to live by an even higher standard that the Israelites.

This includes – if we really need the terms – the ceremonial laws as well as the moral laws. Being priests, serving in God's temple can only be understood by a spiritual understanding of the (ceremonial) Law, as well as the Sermon on the Mount shows the spiritual understanding of the (moral) Law. We cannot skip either of both, but we must not take them literally but spiritually.

The whole discussion in Romans and Galatians has to do with Judaizers, who did not want to proceed from the letter to the Spirit. That's the point. Paul's point is not to say, that we don't have to do good works or live obediently in order to become saved in the end. This we have to do – as he says – with fear and trembling in the power of the Spirit (Phil 2:12-16)

in Christ
Alexander

]]> By: Richard Kruse http://oneinjesus.info/2010/05/the-fork-in-the-road-a-question-about-galatians/#comment-15148 Richard Kruse Sun, 02 May 2010 07:46:34 +0000 http://oneinjesus.info/?p=10284#comment-15148 Is not the law of love worth more than the love of law? Are there not two basic freedoms: the false, where people freely do only what they like; the true, were people freely do what they know they ought.? Is not the law of love worth more than the love of law?

Are there not two basic freedoms: the false, where people freely do only what they like; the true, were people freely do what they know they ought.?

]]> By: Jim Haugland http://oneinjesus.info/2010/05/the-fork-in-the-road-a-question-about-galatians/#comment-15147 Jim Haugland Sat, 01 May 2010 20:11:35 +0000 http://oneinjesus.info/?p=10284#comment-15147 The Law, (God's life rules given to Moses), defined what sin was, and demonstrated that man, because he has a heart/nature ruled by the flesh, is incapable and powerless to overcome the rule/law of sin he sees in his own life (Rom 7:7-25). Well intentioned grit cannot accomplish what God's sanctifying grace provides through the power of the indwelling Spirit. (Rom 8). The spiritual birth (Jn 3:5-8; Jn 4:10-14 & Jn 7:37-39) forgives (regenerates) and prepares man's heart for the Spirit's greatest work - transformation to the likeness of Christ. "As you come to him, the living stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him- you are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (2 Pt 2:4-5). " But now that you have been set free from sin (regeneration) and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness (sanctification) and the result is eternal life" (glorification, Rom 6:22). The Law, (God's life rules given to Moses), defined what sin was, and demonstrated that man, because he has a heart/nature ruled by the flesh, is incapable and powerless to overcome the rule/law of sin he sees in his own life (Rom 7:7-25). Well intentioned grit cannot accomplish what God's sanctifying grace provides through the power of the indwelling Spirit. (Rom 8). The spiritual birth (Jn 3:5-8; Jn 4:10-14 & Jn 7:37-39) forgives (regenerates) and prepares man's heart for the Spirit's greatest work – transformation to the likeness of Christ. "As you come to him, the living stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him- you are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (2 Pt 2:4-5). " But now that you have been set free from sin (regeneration) and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness (sanctification) and the result is eternal life" (glorification, Rom 6:22).

]]> By: Ellen Williams http://oneinjesus.info/2010/05/the-fork-in-the-road-a-question-about-galatians/#comment-15146 Ellen Williams Sat, 01 May 2010 15:34:22 +0000 http://oneinjesus.info/?p=10284#comment-15146 This is so important for everyone to understand. Not just people of Church of Christ backgrounds. This is so important for everyone to understand. Not just people of Church of Christ backgrounds.

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