The law

[WhiteWings]

In the western mind law always carries condemnation, negativity.
Not so in the Hebrew mind. For them the law is a teacher on how to live in a good relationship with both God and man.

Matt 5:19 Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The curse of the law isn't the law itself but misusing the law to oppress people with zillions of regulations that take away live's joy.

1Tim 1
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for murderers,

The law teaches how to serve God:
Ps 19:7-9 (AKJV)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Acts 18:13-14 (AKJV)
13 Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O you Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
The law teaches how to live in harmony with fellow men.
Lev 19:18 (AKJV)
18 You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Gal 5:14 (AKJV)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Gal 6:2 (AKJV)
2 Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The law teaches how to be happy.

Josh 1:8 (AKJV)
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

Ps 1:1-3 (AKJV)
1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Luke 12:32 (AKJV)
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The law measures/compares man's action to sound doctrine.

1Tim 1:8-10 (AKJV)
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for murderers,
10 For fornicators, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for enslavers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

2Tim 2:5 (AKJV)
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Rom 2:12 (AKJV)
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Rev 20:12-13 (AKJV)
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.


The law is a teacher leading to Jesus.

Gal 3:21-24 (AKJV)
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Why the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Rom 3:19 (AKJV)
19 Now we know that what things soever the law said, it said to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.


The law teaches about sin.

Rom 3:20 (AKJV)
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Rom 7:7-8 (AKJV)
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Luke 20:47 (AKJV)
47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.


The law reveals the holy, perfect and good nature of God.

Rom 2:17-18 (AKJV)
17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast of God,
18 And know his will, and approve the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

Rom 7:12 (AKJV)
12 Why the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

2Pet 1:14 (AKJV)
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has showed me.


The law is accomplished through faith.

Rom 3:27-31 (AKJV)
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? No: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yes, we establish the law.


Law is written on hearts.

Rom 7:6-25 (AKJV)
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be to death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Why the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent to the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

[eaglesway]

excellente

[VineBranch]

It might be of interest to note that he word TORAH actually doesn't mean law, it means instructions.  Laws can be useful as instruction, but the primary function of TORAH is to instruct. (We in the west tend to use the word teach in this context.)

[rosered]

 :thumbsup:      good post WW!!
 

[WhiteWings]

It might be of interest to note that he word TORAH actually doesn't mean law, it means instructions.  Laws can be useful as instruction, but the primary function of TORAH is to instruct. (We in the west tend to use the word teach in this context.)

http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Torah.html#.Ui6t4tLcD8k

Interesting short article.