"So the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good" (Rom. 7:12, CEV).
"All those who rely on the works of the Law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone is cursed who does not keep on doing all the things that have been written in the scroll of the Law" (Gal. 3:10, CEV).
"Blessed condition, freed from the Law, now I can sin all I want and still have remission!" (Old antinomian ditty.) [We are free to obey the Spirit of the Law, not to disobey.]
"We know that the law is good when used correctly" (1 Tim. 1:8, NLT).
Does the Law serve a purpose? Yes, if one uses it lawfully! Don't desire to be a teacher of the Law or to lord it over others by putting them under the Law (cf. 1 Tim. 1:6-8). The main usage of the Law is to make us realize we don't keep it, and to convict us of sin, for "by the Law is the knowledge of sin" (cf. Rom. 3:20). The Phillips renders it: "...indeed it is the straightedge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are." It was "for freedom that Christ set us free," and we are not to be entangled in a yoke of bondage again (cf. Gal. 5:12). Israel had promised to keep the Law (cf. Ex. 24:3), when God expected them to beg for mercy and realize they could never keep it.
Scholars, including Martin Luther, have mentioned that the Law is a whip to drive us to Christ, a mirror to show us our real self, and a hammer to smash our self-righteousness. The Law's Ten Commandments, known as the Decalogue, as the guide of moral principle has not been rescinded; because morality is not relative, but absolute, and doesn't change with respect to time or dispensation; murder is always wrong with all its implications--character assassination, anger, bullying, pushing your weight around, et cetera.
There are many misuses of the Law: Judaizers added law to grace and works to faith (Romanists follow suit today). We are not saved by the works of the Law (cf. Rom. 3:28), but saved so that we can keep the Spirit of it; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (cf. 2 Cor. 3:16); we are not under any obligation to keep the Sabbath day holy as Christians, though the principle of periodic rest from our labors still stands and for regular spiritual renewal. The Sabbath was merely a sign for Israel (cf. Ezek. 20:9-12, 20; 31:13-17; Neh. 9:12-15).
We don't judge by this precept: see Col. 2:16; Romans 14:5! Where in the NT is the believer told to keep the Law? For the New Covenant means that the Law is written in our hearts and we know right from wrong (cf. Heb. 10:16). Even the pagan has the Law in his heart as a conscience (cf. Rom. 2:15). One could argue for the keeping of the Decalogue but note that the only precept not repeated in the NT is the Fourth or the Sabbath.
The Law is merely a shadow of things to come (cf. Col. 2:17) and looks forward to being guided by the Spirit in our hearts because Christianity is not performance-based, but relationship-based. Paul said repeatedly (cf. Rom. 13:8, 10; Gal. 5:14) that love is the fulfillment of the Law or that the Law can be summed up in love. The Law was merely our schoolmaster/tutor to show us the way and to lead us to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:23-24)--but as adults, we no longer need one and are emancipated, as it were.
We weren't given the Law to keep, but to break (cf. Rom. 5:20), for it made sin worse and aroused sin in us; people always have a tendency to violate prohibitions and to give in to temptation, not to keep regulations and rules. As believers, we are dead to the Law and it has no power over us (cf. Rom. 6:14). "If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law" (cf. Gal. 5:18)--in fact, there's nothing more musical in God's ears than to hear a sinner realize he cannot keep God's law and to beg for mercy, because he realizes the futility of saving himself and needs God's grace. The Law wasn't given to show us how to get saved or that we were good enough to be saved, but that we needed to be saved and couldn't save ourselves.
And so you are slaves to the one you choose to obey (cf. Rom. 6:16); the Law has no power over you (cf. Rom. 6:14) as believers set free in the Spirit of the Law. But we still thank God for the Law, since it gave us the knowledge of sin and made us realize we are sinners. Its purpose is not to give us the impression we're good enough to be saved, but bad enough to need salvation! The Law was never intended to be a guide or way of salvation, but only to show us the need for salvation. "Now we know that the Law is good if used appropriately. We understand this: the Law isn't established for a righteous person but for people who live without laws and without obeying any authority. They are the ungodly and the sinners. They are people who are not spiritual and nothing is sacred to them..." (1 Tim. 1:8-9, CEV).
As believers, we are no longer under the yoke of the Law, but under the yoke of God's will; Jesus said that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (cf. Matt. 11:30). "For Christ is the goal of the Law, which leads to righteousness for all who have faith in God" (Romans 10:4, CEV). In other words, Christ is the end of the Law for believers.
We are not under the Law, are we lawless? "Sin is lawlessness." No, we keep the Law in the Spirit. Jesus bemoaned the fact of the Pharisees being entangled in the Law legalistically, and were neglecting the "heavier matters of the Law," which were "justice, mercy, and faith" (cf. Matt. 23:23, NLT). The immediate purpose of the Law was to put a restraint on sin, and to convict of sin--a diagnosis of sin, not its antiseptic or panacea! The Law was never meant to be the way of salvation, but to show us our need for it!
In contrast: the Law lays down what we must do; the gospel what God has done! We show that we know Him by obeying His commandment; "This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us" (1 John 3:23, CEV. We are bad, indeed. But not too bad to be saved! Rejoice that Christ kept the Law on our behalf, living for us!
In summation, Christians live by a higher law, the law of love and this law's requirements can never be fulfilled; one can meet the demands of a law, but never pay back, earn, nor deserve the demands of love (we hold a debt of gratitude forever!)--Christ raised the bar! "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is good for you. You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is beneficial'" (1 Cor. 10:23, NLT). "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is good for you. And even though 'I am allowed to do anything,' I must not become a slave to anything" (1 Cor. 6:12, NLT). Soli Deo Gloria!
"All those who rely on the works of the Law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone is cursed who does not keep on doing all the things that have been written in the scroll of the Law" (Gal. 3:10, CEV).
"Blessed condition, freed from the Law, now I can sin all I want and still have remission!" (Old antinomian ditty.) [We are free to obey the Spirit of the Law, not to disobey.]
"We know that the law is good when used correctly" (1 Tim. 1:8, NLT).
Does the Law serve a purpose? Yes, if one uses it lawfully! Don't desire to be a teacher of the Law or to lord it over others by putting them under the Law (cf. 1 Tim. 1:6-8). The main usage of the Law is to make us realize we don't keep it, and to convict us of sin, for "by the Law is the knowledge of sin" (cf. Rom. 3:20). The Phillips renders it: "...indeed it is the straightedge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are." It was "for freedom that Christ set us free," and we are not to be entangled in a yoke of bondage again (cf. Gal. 5:12). Israel had promised to keep the Law (cf. Ex. 24:3), when God expected them to beg for mercy and realize they could never keep it.
Scholars, including Martin Luther, have mentioned that the Law is a whip to drive us to Christ, a mirror to show us our real self, and a hammer to smash our self-righteousness. The Law's Ten Commandments, known as the Decalogue, as the guide of moral principle has not been rescinded; because morality is not relative, but absolute, and doesn't change with respect to time or dispensation; murder is always wrong with all its implications--character assassination, anger, bullying, pushing your weight around, et cetera.
There are many misuses of the Law: Judaizers added law to grace and works to faith (Romanists follow suit today). We are not saved by the works of the Law (cf. Rom. 3:28), but saved so that we can keep the Spirit of it; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (cf. 2 Cor. 3:16); we are not under any obligation to keep the Sabbath day holy as Christians, though the principle of periodic rest from our labors still stands and for regular spiritual renewal. The Sabbath was merely a sign for Israel (cf. Ezek. 20:9-12, 20; 31:13-17; Neh. 9:12-15).
We don't judge by this precept: see Col. 2:16; Romans 14:5! Where in the NT is the believer told to keep the Law? For the New Covenant means that the Law is written in our hearts and we know right from wrong (cf. Heb. 10:16). Even the pagan has the Law in his heart as a conscience (cf. Rom. 2:15). One could argue for the keeping of the Decalogue but note that the only precept not repeated in the NT is the Fourth or the Sabbath.
The Law is merely a shadow of things to come (cf. Col. 2:17) and looks forward to being guided by the Spirit in our hearts because Christianity is not performance-based, but relationship-based. Paul said repeatedly (cf. Rom. 13:8, 10; Gal. 5:14) that love is the fulfillment of the Law or that the Law can be summed up in love. The Law was merely our schoolmaster/tutor to show us the way and to lead us to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:23-24)--but as adults, we no longer need one and are emancipated, as it were.
We weren't given the Law to keep, but to break (cf. Rom. 5:20), for it made sin worse and aroused sin in us; people always have a tendency to violate prohibitions and to give in to temptation, not to keep regulations and rules. As believers, we are dead to the Law and it has no power over us (cf. Rom. 6:14). "If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law" (cf. Gal. 5:18)--in fact, there's nothing more musical in God's ears than to hear a sinner realize he cannot keep God's law and to beg for mercy, because he realizes the futility of saving himself and needs God's grace. The Law wasn't given to show us how to get saved or that we were good enough to be saved, but that we needed to be saved and couldn't save ourselves.
And so you are slaves to the one you choose to obey (cf. Rom. 6:16); the Law has no power over you (cf. Rom. 6:14) as believers set free in the Spirit of the Law. But we still thank God for the Law, since it gave us the knowledge of sin and made us realize we are sinners. Its purpose is not to give us the impression we're good enough to be saved, but bad enough to need salvation! The Law was never intended to be a guide or way of salvation, but only to show us the need for salvation. "Now we know that the Law is good if used appropriately. We understand this: the Law isn't established for a righteous person but for people who live without laws and without obeying any authority. They are the ungodly and the sinners. They are people who are not spiritual and nothing is sacred to them..." (1 Tim. 1:8-9, CEV).
As believers, we are no longer under the yoke of the Law, but under the yoke of God's will; Jesus said that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (cf. Matt. 11:30). "For Christ is the goal of the Law, which leads to righteousness for all who have faith in God" (Romans 10:4, CEV). In other words, Christ is the end of the Law for believers.
We are not under the Law, are we lawless? "Sin is lawlessness." No, we keep the Law in the Spirit. Jesus bemoaned the fact of the Pharisees being entangled in the Law legalistically, and were neglecting the "heavier matters of the Law," which were "justice, mercy, and faith" (cf. Matt. 23:23, NLT). The immediate purpose of the Law was to put a restraint on sin, and to convict of sin--a diagnosis of sin, not its antiseptic or panacea! The Law was never meant to be the way of salvation, but to show us our need for it!
In contrast: the Law lays down what we must do; the gospel what God has done! We show that we know Him by obeying His commandment; "This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us" (1 John 3:23, CEV. We are bad, indeed. But not too bad to be saved! Rejoice that Christ kept the Law on our behalf, living for us!
In summation, Christians live by a higher law, the law of love and this law's requirements can never be fulfilled; one can meet the demands of a law, but never pay back, earn, nor deserve the demands of love (we hold a debt of gratitude forever!)--Christ raised the bar! "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is good for you. You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is beneficial'" (1 Cor. 10:23, NLT). "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is good for you. And even though 'I am allowed to do anything,' I must not become a slave to anything" (1 Cor. 6:12, NLT). Soli Deo Gloria!