Hello Brothers,

I am a newcomer to the site & have just started to learn about "YAIY". I just received 2 DVD's of the Dec Sabbath Services here in India. Elder David's message on "Law & Legalism" was wonderful! I though have a few questions :-

1. What does Paul mean when he says :-

"Christ is the end of the Law, so that everyone exercising faith may have righteuoness" - to which "Law" is being referred to ? Also compare Galatians 4: 9-11, Ephesians 2: 13-16

Further, Col 2:31-16 says "God kindly forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us .. Therefore let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in the respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath" - Does this mean that sabbath keeping is not a requirement ? Please clarify this.

2. Romans 7:6, 7: "Now we have been discharged from the Law...." - again from which Law are being discharged from ? Here Paul cites an example an talkes about "You must not covet" - So is paul indicating that the Ten Commandments from which "You must not covet" comes is not longer applicable ?

I need more clarity on this - "Doing away of the Law" - what law ?

Thanks

Joe

Greetings and welcome to the forum,

1. Rom 10:4 uses the same word (Grk: telos) as is found in 1 Pet 1:9. It means goal or aim, not end. 1 Pet 1:9 is not saying "faith" is "done away with" or that this is the "end" of "faith". Yahshua is, in a sense, the "aim" or "goal" of the law since He walked perfectly according to it, Heb 4:15. The Spirit, along with His submission to the Spirit, gave Him the ability to do so. Knowing this about Yahshua, now read Romans 10:5.  

Galatians 4:8-11 is addressing pagan worship:  

8 "slaves to those which by nature are no elohim (mighty ones)"

9 "the weak and elemental things"

http://www.yaiy.org/literature/DaysMonths.html

Colossians chapter two is speaking of man's laws, specifically Gnostic teachings. The following also addresses Ephesians chapter 2:13-16: http://www.yaiy.org/literature/Colioss2.html

Yahweh's Sabbath instructions/law remain, Heb 4:9, 11.

2. It looks like the Old Covenant (Old-ness of letter) and New Covenant (New-ness of Spirit) are being spoken of by Paul in verse 6. He clarifies in verses, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 22 that the law is good and working within him via the Spirit of Yahweh, verse 25.  "Now we have been discharged from the law" has to be read with "so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit" to be understood. He's speaking of a change from mind-to-heart from flesh-to-Spirit. The Spirit is not against the teachings of the law, but Yahweh is working in the New Covenant with people differently than in the Old Covenant. In the OC (Literally: 1st Agreement) Yahweh expected the people to get the law on their minds first, then into their heart. Since Pentecost the Spirit is now being given within the heart and one then will proceed to get it (the law) on their mind, Heb 10:16.

One is still required to have some basic/fundamental understanding of Yahweh's instructions to be able to repent and receive the Spirit in the first place, Acts 5:32. Therefore, the law remains. Which ones though? Those laws morally and physically applicable to us today.  There were, of course, civil laws, ceremonial laws, sacrificial laws, etc. They must be viewed in light of our civil law today and the fact there is no longer a standing Temple, along with the fact there is a change in the law concerning blood sacrifices for those in the Messiah, Yahshua. The Spirit is here to help us move in the right direction, as it is literally moving within us and letting us know when we are getting off track to the right or to the left. The letter and the Spirit will not be out of sync with one another, Ps 119:105; Ezek 36:26-27.

Blessings,
David

Hi

Thank you Elder David Brett  for your reply regarding the questions of the Law.

Could you please enlighten me on what Galatians 3 is taking about ? From my reading what I gather is that "Faith" is more important than Observance of the "Law".  The chapter finally says  "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law" (Gal 3: 25).

I would greatly appreciate if you could shed some light on this scripture passage.

Thanks!

Welcome back. Let's give the chapter and the overall book of Galatians some thought. Just like in Acts 15 there were those saying you must be physically circumcised, but isn't being "justified" in Messiah more important than having a blood token of the first covenant? (Gen 17:11)

What law was added? What did Yahweh clothe Adam and Eve with? What atones for sin? Blood was shed, right? (Gal 3:19a; Heb 9:22) Over and over again sacrifices were made (Gal 3:3:24a), but they never really took away the sin (Heb 10:4, 11) nor cleansed the heart, Heb 10:1-2,  9:14, 10:8-10.  They didn't, but Yahshua's sacrifice does! After baptism, we're then to maintain a clear conscience by being obedient to Yahweh through Yahshua, Matt 12:49-50; 1 Tim 1:5, 15, 3:9.

Sacrificial laws were a "schoolmaster (tutor)" and people sought "justification" through the sacrifices. Faith in Yahshua in indeed more important than observance of those laws.

Blessings,
David