muso wrote on Mar 29
th, 2011 at 3:04pm:
My theologian friend would be proud of me. OK, the Old Testament provides the context - the "historical" background for the coming of Jesus Christ and the rationale behind the new contract. It illustrates how people are incapable of being good.
Exactly correct, imo.
Quote:Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law
was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.Note that this is not inconsistent with Matthew 5:17.
Quote:Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
or Matthew 5:18-19
Quote:Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 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.
In other words, they still make it to heaven under the new contract, but they shall be called the least.
A lot of Atheists bring these verses from Matthew (and another from Luke) up ad nauseum, and religious folks never seem to be able to defend it all that well.
Yadda - is that a fair summary?
muso,
Correct.
Except, if we continue to live 'after the flesh', then we are still, under the schoolmaster of the law.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now
no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:5
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.
+++
IMO, the law of Moses [given to Moses, by God] was intended to lead man [specifically the Hebrew nation] into righteousness.
And imo, that, is still its purpose for man, to guide man into right action, before a holy God.
BUT, and it is a big but, the law cannot justify man before God.
The Hebrew nation were intended to be an example, to all of mankind, of how God's laws would lead to merit [but not perfection] in the actions of man, before God.
But the O.T. bible reveals, essentially a condemnation of the nation of Israel and her people.
Jeremiah 31:31
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;
which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
The accounts recorded within the O.T. bible reveals that the nation of Israel and her people
comprehensively failed to adhere to their covenant, with their God.Throughout its pages, the O.T. reveals that the nation of Israel and her people,
were just as corrupt, and just as corruptible, as all other men.
Speaking of Jerusalem [a holy city, for a holy people, meant to be!]...
Isaiah 1:21
How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment;
righteousness lodged in it;
but now murderers.22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
Our God, has got an obsession about righteousness [in the conduct of men].
He he loves it. And, he absolutely declares, that men [of flesh] who are wicked, and unrighteous,
in this life,
HAD BETTER ENJOY THIS LIFE, WHILE IT LASTS, BECAUSE GOD
WILL BRING US TO BOOK FOR OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
I fear God.
But, I also know that my God is absolutely just.
So, i know that whatever judgement comes upon me [personally], i deserve.
So, i cannot complain against God, can i.