The law, the commandments, and Christians.

Xeno.of.athens said:

The Law, as revealed by God and fulfilled in Christ, serves as a moral compass and pedagogical guide for the Christian faithful. It includes the Mosaic Law, especially the Decalogue, and finds its perfection in the New Law of the Gospel. “The Law has become our tutor unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24), and its enduring moral precepts are reaffirmed by the Church as binding. The Catechism teaches that “the Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel” and “remains necessary for man” as it “denounces and discloses sin” (CCC §1963–1964).

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Sinai (Exodus 20:1–17), are “fundamentally immutable” and “engraved by God in the human heart” (CCC §2072). They express the natural law and are reaffirmed by Christ, who deepens their meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5–7). The Commandments are not abolished but fulfilled in charity: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). They are the foundation of Christian moral life, guiding the faithful in their duties toward God and neighbour.

For the Christian in this world, the Law and Commandments are not burdens but paths to freedom and holiness. Grace enables their fulfilment, and the Spirit writes them anew on the heart (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; CCC §1965–1966). The faithful are called to interiorise the Law, living it not merely by external observance but through love: “Love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). Thus, the Commandments remain essential, not as relics of legalism, but as living expressions of divine wisdom and the way of life in Christ.

Click to expand...

It is the Spirit of God who is our internal moral compass. He directly influences us away from the lusts of the flesh by expressing to us His desires for what we should think and do (Gal 5:17). Walking as He infuences us to walk is the only way to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (Gal 5:16).

When we received God's Spirit by faith, His entry into our hearts created a new being (a spiriual being) that did not exist before. That new creature is truly righteous and holy (Eph 4:24) because it is joined to the Lord and is one spirit with Him (1 Cor 6:17). It is because of His presence and our oneness with Him that we love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves. His presence and our oneness with Him is the reason that all the law's requirements for righteousness are fulfilled (Rom 8:4).

Now that we have become new creatures in Christ with new hearts, and now that we have Him as our internal leader and guide, we do not look to the law the same way we did when we were lost. When we were lost, the law condemed us to hell. It taught us that everyone is a sinner (Rom 3:23) and that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). It convinced us that every sin counts against us (Gal 3:10) and that breaking one commandment makes us guilty of all (Jas 2:10). The law could only condemn us because it had no way to bring life (Gal 3:21) and it had no way to bring about righteousness (Ga 2:21).

Thankfully, God did the thing for us that the law could not do. He sent His Son to die for our sins, and through our faith in Him we gained life (His life) and righteousness (His righteousness) through union with Him...

anyone who causes offences to the gospel we have received should have this done to them. ( look who they are bringing with them in these law topics in verse 20)


Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Xeno.of.athens said:

The Law, as revealed by God and fulfilled in Christ, serves as a moral compass and pedagogical guide for the Christian faithful. It includes the Mosaic Law, especially the Decalogue, and finds its perfection in the New Law of the Gospel. “The Law has become our tutor unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24), and its enduring moral precepts are reaffirmed by the Church as binding. The Catechism teaches that “the Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel” and “remains necessary for man” as it “denounces and discloses sin” (CCC §1963–1964).

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Sinai (Exodus 20:1–17), are “fundamentally immutable” and “engraved by God in the human heart” (CCC §2072). They express the natural law and are reaffirmed by Christ, who deepens their meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5–7). The Commandments are not abolished but fulfilled in charity: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). They are the foundation of Christian moral life, guiding the faithful in their duties toward God and neighbour.

For the Christian in this world, the Law and Commandments are not burdens but paths to freedom and holiness. Grace enables their fulfilment, and the Spirit writes them anew on the heart (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; CCC §1965–1966). The faithful are called to interiorise the Law, living it not merely by external observance but through love: “Love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). Thus, the Commandments remain essential, not as relics of legalism, but as living expressions of divine wisdom and the way of life in Christ.

Click to expand...

AND immutable you SAY. !!

And Romans 6:14 says , FOR sin will NOT //. OV. and the Greek word OV , is a DISJUNCATIVE PARTICLE NEGATIVE , which

means. , sin will rule over you for you are NOT. // OU. is a DISJUNCATIVE PARTICLE NEGATIVE , and these means you will

NEVER , UNDER THE LAWWWW EVER RRRR. but UNDER GRACE !!

And there were NO CHRISTAINS under Law until Acts 11;26. where it translated FOLLOWERS. and that is what

the word Christian , means , FOLLOWER. and since we are NOT UNDER THE Law , that. means NO more Priests either !!

dan p

Xeno.of.athens said:

The Law, as revealed by God and fulfilled in Christ, serves as a moral compass and pedagogical guide for the Christian faithful.

Click to expand...

We obey Jesus. We keep His commandments under the new covenant, not the commandments of the law of moses.



"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

"by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments" (1 John 2:3)

Xeno.of.athens said:

The Law, as revealed by God and fulfilled in Christ, serves as a moral compass and pedagogical guide for the Christian faithful. It includes the Mosaic Law, especially the Decalogue, and finds its perfection in the New Law of the Gospel. “The Law has become our tutor unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24), and its enduring moral precepts are reaffirmed by the Church as binding. The Catechism teaches that “the Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel” and “remains necessary for man” as it “denounces and discloses sin” (CCC §1963–1964).

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Sinai (Exodus 20:1–17), are “fundamentally immutable” and “engraved by God in the human heart” (CCC §2072). They express the natural law and are reaffirmed by Christ, who deepens their meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5–7). The Commandments are not abolished but fulfilled in charity: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). They are the foundation of Christian moral life, guiding the faithful in their duties toward God and neighbour.

For the Christian in this world, the Law and Commandments are not burdens but paths to freedom and holiness. Grace enables their fulfilment, and the Spirit writes them anew on the heart (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; CCC §1965–1966). The faithful are called to interiorise the Law, living it not merely by external observance but through love: “Love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). Thus, the Commandments remain essential, not as relics of legalism, but as living expressions of divine wisdom and the way of life in Christ.

Click to expand...

We also must not forget the Decalogue is entirely Christological prophecy, according to Luke ch. 24.

Additionally I am rather tired of people demanding that we observe the Law in a specific way that contradicts the practices of the early church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, the Church of the East and the traditional Protestants such as Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians et al, while at the same time attacking us for the weekly celebration of the Eucharist or our belief in the Real Presence of the Eucharist either as a physical reality in the case of Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Assyrians and High Church Anglicans and other Protestants such as our friend @Jipsah or in the case of more low church Anglicans and other Protestants of a non-Zwinglian interpetation, a spiritual presence.

Dan Perez said:

And there were NO CHRISTAINS under Law until Acts 11;26. where it translated FOLLOWERS. and that is what

the word Christian , means , FOLLOWER. and since we are NOT UNDER THE Law , that. means NO more Priests either !!

dan p

Click to expand...

Heb 5:1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. RSVCE

Heb 8:1-3 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tentn which is set up not by man but by the Lord. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. RSVCE

Rom 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.[a] RSVCE

James 5:14-15 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.[c] RSVCE

If it weren't for the Decalogue we wouldn't know what right and wrong were.

Christ fulfilled the law in the sense of taking the penalty for transgressions - but those basic moral commandments still stand.

Valletta said:

Heb 5:1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. RSVCE

Heb 8:1-3 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tentn which is set up not by man but by the Lord. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. RSVCE

Rom 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.[a] RSVCE

James 5:14-15 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.[c] RSVCE

Click to expand...

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Bob Crowley said:

If it weren't for the Decalogue we wouldn't know what right and wrong were.

Christ fulfilled the law in the sense of taking the penalty for transgressions - but those basic moral commandments still stand.

Click to expand...

Nothing basic stands, we look not here but up to Christ..


Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Xeno.of.athens said:

Some Protestants are more interested in opposing Catholicism than they are in almost anything else. One must learn not to take their critiques too seriously.

Click to expand...

If we all practiced "holding fast to the Head" then "all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments" would grow "with the increase that is from God" (Col 2:19). But you are right that sectarianism has caused many to listen only to those in their sect.

Xeno.of.athens said:

The Law, as revealed by God and fulfilled in Christ, serves as a moral compass and pedagogical guide for the Christian faithful. It includes the Mosaic Law, especially the Decalogue, and finds its perfection in the New Law of the Gospel. “The Law has become our tutor unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24), and its enduring moral precepts are reaffirmed by the Church as binding. The Catechism teaches that “the Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel” and “remains necessary for man” as it “denounces and discloses sin” (CCC §1963–1964).

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Sinai (Exodus 20:1–17), are “fundamentally immutable” and “engraved by God in the human heart” (CCC §2072). They express the natural law and are reaffirmed by Christ, who deepens their meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5–7). The Commandments are not abolished but fulfilled in charity: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). They are the foundation of Christian moral life, guiding the faithful in their duties toward God and neighbour.

For the Christian in this world, the Law and Commandments are not burdens but paths to freedom and holiness. Grace enables their fulfilment, and the Spirit writes them anew on the heart (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; CCC §1965–1966). The faithful are called to interiorise the Law, living it not merely by external observance but through love: “Love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). Thus, the Commandments remain essential, not as relics of legalism, but as living expressions of divine wisdom and the way of life in Christ.

Click to expand...

We strive to keep the law (10 commandments) out of love and for no others reasons.

John 14:15
New International Version
​

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.

Demonstration of Love:

• The phrase isn't just a feeling but a call to action, where keeping Christ's commandments serves as tangible evidence of one's love for Him.
  
  
• • Obedience as a Sign:
    Following His instructions is a way to show and test one's love for Jesus, rather than simply confessing it verbally.
    
  • Intimate Connection:
    The passage also connects keeping commandments to experiencing the presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit, leading to a deeper relationship with Christ.
    
  • Integral to Jesus' Teachings:
    This theme of love expressed through obedience is a recurring idea in the Gospel of John and is central to the New Testament.
    
  • Beyond a List of Rules:
    "Keeping His commands" includes more than just following a set of laws; it involves a complete lifestyle of loving and serving others as Christ demonstrated.

Abraham1st said:

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Click to expand...

2 Cor 2-10 Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, RSVCE

Dan Perez said:

AND immutable you SAY. !!

And Romans 6:14 says , FOR sin will NOT //. OV. and the Greek word OV , is a DISJUNCATIVE PARTICLE NEGATIVE , which

means. , sin will rule over you for you are NOT. // OU. is a DISJUNCATIVE PARTICLE NEGATIVE , and these means you will

NEVER , UNDER THE LAWWWW EVER RRRR. but UNDER GRACE !!

And there were NO CHRISTAINS under Law until Acts 11;26. where it translated FOLLOWERS. and that is what

the word Christian , means , FOLLOWER. and since we are NOT UNDER THE Law , that. means NO more Priests either !!

dan p

Click to expand...

On this point you have fallen victim to an ambiguity in English-language translations of scripture.

If we look at the Greek and Hebrew / Aramaic original texts, we will find that the Jewish priesthood, Kohanim, is a sacerdotal hieratic priesthood, where the word Kohen is equivalent to the Latin word Pontifex (meaning bridge-builder) or the Greek word Hierus, meaning divine, and all Christians are members of a royal hieratic sacerdotal priesthood in that we can appeal directly to God, for example, through the Lord’s Prayer, without making use of an intermediate Kohen.

However, while all Christians are hieratic and under the archierus Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son and Word of God, God Himself incarnate for our salvation, who is both our advocate and our judge, which is good for those of us who believe on him, not all Christians are presbyters (elders) or episkopoi (overseers or bishops). These pastoral roles are clearly delineated, along with that of the Diakonia (Deacons) and the qualifications for them are plainly set out in 1 Timothy (for example a man married to more than one woman, even if divorced or widowed and remarried, is supposed to be disqualified from being a presbyter).