How do you see the meaning of fulfill? Because the same bible tells us that if we have love we will fulfill the law. Fulfill means to accomplish or bring into fullness. Jesus fulfilling the law means that he brought it to full understanding showing how the law goes beyond just the mere words but even in thoughts one can violate the law.
There is no law, aside from the two great commandments, left to obey. Yes, we fulfill the law by love and yes by love we accomplish what the law set out to show us we can't do.
Jesus fulfilling the law means He did it in our place. That's the whole point of Christ. We, you, myself, everyone else in the world CAN NOT EVER fulfill the law. None of us can EVER obey it. It is impossible. Not just hard, not merely something we need to work at but it is entirely impossible to obey the law. Even the law of love, of which there are only two, is impossible to obey. Anyone aside from Christ Jesus who claims to obey the law is a liar and such a claim proves they do not obey the law of sin and death.
You are correct in saying that "even in thought one can violate the law". You would be even more correct to say "even in our thoughts we constantly violate the law"
These things are not linked. The plan of Salvation was made from the beginning. Before the cross the blood of bulls and goats atoned for sin representing his blood. I don't see the link between Jesus fulfilling the law and him being a propitiation for our sins. Unless you are speaking of the law of ceremonies and ordinances in which case he blotted out by his death on the cross.
Ok... so God blotted out the easy (sacrificing animals and following ceremonial rules) but He left the impossible in place (the law)? Does that even make sense? There's absolutely no logic to that reasoning. What you've just claimed is that Christ was slaughtered by the Father on the cross for the sole purpose of making null and void our need to follow rituals.
I'll agree that the plan of salvation has been from the beginning. That's not even up for discussion. How can you not see the connection between Christ fulfilling the law and being a propitiation?
propitiate: to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of
: appease
By fulfilling the law He regained the favor and goodwill of God for all who would believe. That's the link. If He had no been an atoning sacrifice we would still be under the law (commandments, ceremonial)
You need to read chapter 7 properly. Paul clearly shows that the law of sin and death is different to the law of God.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 7:25 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.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 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.
Actually what it's showing is that as much as Paul wants to do good works through his own strength it is impossible. He even writes and tells readers that he is
a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (Romans 7:23) He then asks who will rescue him-
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? - Romans 7:24
He doesn't ask "who HAS rescued me?", but he asks "who WILL rescue me?" which clearly indicates that Paul is still a prisoner in his own body to sin. Which of course means he does not keep the law. Because if he kept the law he would not be a prisoner to "this body of death"
Follow it correctly. Paul wants to keep the law of God in his mind but the law of sin is warring against him. When he yields to that law of sin, death is the result. When you are made delivered from the law of sin and death you are free to serve the law of God.
Yes Paul wants to keep the law of God and yes the law of sin is warring against him. Again you are correct in saying that yielding to the law of sin results in death and that's exactly why Christ died as the final sacrifice. Because God knows that no man born of human parents can EVER keep from yielding to sin. No matter what we might desire to do in our mind, no matter how much we might wish we could do good works to please God and keep all of his commandments (the law) it will never happen.
The bible says exactly the opposite. You are saying that not only did he come to fulfill but he also destroyed.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
What is the significance of the word 'but'. That shows contrast. Fulfill must then be opposite to destroy. To destroy is to tear down something. So to fulfill must be to build it up. To Fill Full. To boost it up. That is what Jesus did to the law.
Jesus did indeed boost up the law, but NOT the law of sin and death. The law of love. The law of sin and death He abolished BUT... only for those who do not falsely claim to obey it. In other words faith saves, but anyone who says they keep the law then that person is expected to obey the very letter of the law to the utmost. That's why He said
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. - Matthew 5:18
What He's telling us is that if we wish to be under the law that's fine, but we are then expected to obey EVERYTHING 100% of the time (the smallest letter, the least stroke of a pen). Or we can choose grace.