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Three functions of the Law #185083
09/03/17 01:24 AM
09/03/17 01:24 AM
dedication  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,411
Canada
The question of the role of God's law in salvation is an ongoing controversy.

Because people do not understand the three functions of the law, they usually end up falling into one of the two main heresies prevalent in religion today.

1. antinomianism -- which teaches freedom from law
2. legalism -- which teaches salvation by the law

The Reformation was founded on grace and strongly emphasized that salvation did not come by the law.
Yet the law of God was not repudiated by the Reformers.

In 1537 when a certain follower of Luther, named Johann Agricola, began preaching sermons that were opposed to God's law as having any place in Christianity. Luther responded to set him straight. In turn, Agricola wrote Luther accusing him of teaching two types of "justification" one by grace, the other by law. Luther wrote several disputations against the antinomians while yet upholding his stand on justification by faith without the law.

Yet now people tend to accuse Luther of being an antinomian!

The debates are fired by a lack of understand the three uses of the law.

What are they?

1. The Law is a mirror
The law of God reflects and mirrors the perfect and awesome righteousness of God.
When that same mirror is reflecting us, it illumines human sinfulness. When seeing a view of the awful majesty of holiness, they see their own utter unworthiness, in contrast with the purity and exalted perfection of the Infinite One.
The law highlights our weakness, sinfulness, so that we might seek the redemption and strength found in Christ. Here the law acts as a severe schoolmaster who drives us to Christ.

The law cannot cleanse. The law cannot forgive. The law cannot save the sinner.
We are justified without the law. But the law points out our great need for a Savior and for justification and drives us to Christ.

2. A second purpose for the law is the restraint of evil. The law, in and of itself, cannot change human hearts. It can, however, serve to protect the righteous from the unjust.
The law allows for a limited measure of justice on this earth, until the last judgment is realized.
This purpose of the law does not save, nor does it cleanse -- but it does offer limited protection.

3. The third purpose of the law is to reveal what is pleasing to God. As born-again children of God, justified by His grace, cleansed by His righteousness, we now live as representatives of Him. The law enlightens us as to what is pleasing to our Father, whom we seek to serve. The Christian delights in the law as God Himself delights in it, because it is good and holy and based upon the highest levels of love. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is the highest function of the law, to serve as an instrument for the people of God to give Him honor and glory.


Re: Three functions of the Law [Re: dedication] #185195
09/30/17 12:42 AM
09/30/17 12:42 AM
Daryl  Offline

Site Administrator
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,118
Nova Scotia, Canada
I am surprised by the number of people in the different denominations who think that the law was done away with at the Cross of Calvary.


In His Love, Mercy & Grace,

Daryl smile

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

http://www.christians-discuss.com/forum/index.php
Re: Three functions of the Law [Re: dedication] #185330
10/22/17 06:56 AM
10/22/17 06:56 AM
dedication  Offline OP
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It's called the "Protestant Dilemma".
They don't really believe its OK to break nine of the commandments.

BUT --

The ten commandments ask us to "remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy" -- "for in six days God made the heavens and the earth...and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

How then can they uphold the commandments while knowingly treading on the day God made holy? So they "nail the ten commandments to the cross".

Re: Three functions of the Law [Re: dedication] #185333
10/23/17 03:17 AM
10/23/17 03:17 AM
APL  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
As Adventists, many believe that the issue in the last days is the Sabbath. In reality, it is the whole Law of God that is under attack. Consider the following story on an under-cover FBI agent working with al Qaeda.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-al-qaeda-living-and-working-with-terrorists/

Many will cheer the work of this man. Lying is acceptable violation of God's Law in order to get the "bad guys". In order to outwit the liars, he lies; to catch the thieves, he steals; and to end the murderous reign of the killers, he's willing to kill. But most would say, that it is "lawful" to do these things, the end justifies the means. Does it? God NEVER works this way. The 10C are a transcript of the Character of God and God will NEVER violate His Law. And yet many will say, God is God, He can do what He wants, yes, even kill. But our mission as Adventists is to preach the 3 Angels Messages. The first of which is to proclaim the everlasting Good News. It is everlasting, ever true. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

The Law points out sin. And even many Adventists want to do away with part of the Law.


Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
Re: Three functions of the Law [Re: dedication] #185334
10/23/17 06:50 AM
10/23/17 06:50 AM
dedication  Offline OP
Global Moderator
Supporting Member 2022

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Canada
No, God never violates His law.

But people have only a limited, finite understanding of God's law and His absolute holiness, which is His Character.
They THINK they know and are keeping God's commandments when in fact they are not, for the commandments encompass far more than a mere check list of concrete objectives that are easily checked off.

When it comes to God's law, we are like a six year old that has the capability to understand concrete things, but can't fathom abstract thoughts.



Many interpret God's law in their own finite minds and try to impose their concept of that law on others -- some even demand that God Himself must abide by their definition of the law.
Thus they place themselves as a definer of the law, above God Himself.



How important it is to pray the prayer

"Search me O God and know my heart, see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps. 139:23,24

For only God knows the fullness of the righteousness in His law and character, and He will lead those who are willing in the paths of righteousness, for His name sake.

Yes, God's whole law is under attack, for it requires submission to God, and total dependence upon God, while human nature wants to define a version of law that suits their ideas.

Re: Three functions of the Law [Re: APL] #185476
11/11/17 06:13 AM
11/11/17 06:13 AM
A
Alchemy  Offline
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Active Member 2018

Most Dedicated Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,264
Asia
Originally Posted By: APL
As Adventists, many believe that the issue in the last days is the Sabbath. In reality, it is the whole Law of God that is under attack. Consider the following story on an under-cover FBI agent working with al Qaeda.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-al-qaeda-living-and-working-with-terrorists/

Many will cheer the work of this man. Lying is acceptable violation of God's Law in order to get the "bad guys". In order to outwit the liars, he lies; to catch the thieves, he steals; and to end the murderous reign of the killers, he's willing to kill. But most would say, that it is "lawful" to do these things, the end justifies the means. Does it? God NEVER works this way. The 10C are a transcript of the Character of God and God will NEVER violate His Law. And yet many will say, God is God, He can do what He wants, yes, even kill. But our mission as Adventists is to preach the 3 Angels Messages. The first of which is to proclaim the everlasting Good News. It is everlasting, ever true. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

The Law points out sin. And even many Adventists want to do away with part of the Law.


Excellent post APL. But, the Sabbath will be the global test for lack of a better term.

Re: Three functions of the Law [Re: dedication] #185482
11/12/17 01:58 AM
11/12/17 01:58 AM
dedication  Offline OP
Global Moderator
Supporting Member 2022

5500+ Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,411
Canada
Romans five gives an insight concerning the law.

5:21 sin hath reigned unto death,
5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.


It has been said (hopefully not here) but I believe it was Lucifer's charge in his rebellion, that if only God didn't have a law there would be more freedom and everything would be better!

Prior to Moses we don't find any well defined "law of God". Though it was there all the time, it wasn't particularly spelled out and written down.

So Paul is asking -- why were these people all dying? Violent death made it's appearance rather quickly after the fall, with Cain murdering his own brother. Death reigned from Adam all the way to Moses, even though God had not written out His law and given it to them.
It wasn't God's law that was causing this --
But living outside of that law brings chaos and death.

5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.

So God wrote out His law and gave it to Moses.
Now sin was spelled out, written in stone, unchangeable, authoritive. Now the law had been there all the time (and people prior to Moses, who were in tune with God knew the law for it was in their hearts, like Joseph who knew it was a sin to take another's wife) but now at the time of Moses it was spelled out and written down so people could know how abundantly they were sinning.

The law was given as a MIRROR to show their utter sinfulness and need of a Savior.

The ceremonial law was added to teach the people the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, Who would bear our sins to death, so that He could offer us His life and salvation.


5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.










Moderator  dedication, Rick H 

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