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Did The
Crucifixion Abolish God's Laws?
by Lani W. Finley
The vast majority of modern theologians teach
that the Laws of God, which includes the Ten Commandments,
were “nailed to the cross” and abolished by the death of Jesus Christ. Most
mainstream Christians have accepted the belief that God’s free
gift of grace eliminated His laws of love. However, this doctrine is not in
concert with the Word of God, and it creates a serious problem for pastors,
who wish to call sinners to repentance. For if the laws of God were
abolished at the crucifixion, then the foundation for calling people to
repentance has also been eliminated.
Repent of
What?
Anyone who has ever entered the doors of a
church, and that church professes to believe in the Christian way of life,
has most likely experienced the pastor’s call to repentance. Some
clergyman, with tears in their eyes, will try to persuade unconverted
members of the audience to repent of their sins. Others will try to
convince their listeners to repent by speaking frightening words
about the “Fiery Flames of Hell.” In either case, the intention of the
speaker is to entice people to repent of their sins.
However, the plea for repentance of sins
and the belief that God’s laws were nailed to the cross are contrary
to one another, and cannot be reconciled within the scriptures. This can be
proven by searching God’s Word and learning the true definition of sin. The
apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, provides us with God’s definition
of sin.
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the
law:
or sin is the transgression of the law (I Jn 3:4).
And the Apostle Paul teaches us that sin can not
exist, where the law has been abolished.
...for where no law is, there is no transgression
(Rom. 4:15).
Paul goes on to describe the purpose of the laws
of God and explains that the law is not sin.
...: for by the law is the knowledge of
sin" (Rom 3:20). "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God
forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known
lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ...
For without the
law sin was dead" (Rom 7:7-8).
It is important to notice Paul’s answer to his
question “Is the law sin”? Paul quickly dismisses the thought that the law
could somehow be sin, or sinful. He immediately answers this question with
a resounding “God forbid.” Paul was trying to explain that the law simply
tells us what sin is, and shows us when we have committed an unloving act
toward another person. He goes on to help us understand that it is sin,
which can be eliminated by the cross of Jesus, not the law. Paul makes it
perfectly clear that the law is not sin!
These scriptures unquestionably teach that sin is the
violation of God’s laws. They also teach that sin cannot exist if His laws
were eliminated by the crucifixion of Jesus. Therefore, anyone who calls unbelievers to repentance, and also teaches
that the laws have been abolished, is preaching opposing messages? For no one can be found guilty of committing a sinful act - if
the Laws of God are no longer in force. If we are to believe the Holy
Bible’s definition of sin, then we must conclude that sin cannot exist
without the law. The Biblical principle is clear, NO LAWS = NO SIN.
It would be impossible for a person to receive a
ticket for speeding in their automobile, if there were no laws that
prohibiting speeding. Likewise, no transgression (or sin) can exist, where
no law is in force. This makes it impossible for pastors, who profess that
the law has been abolished, to have a Biblical platform upon which to call
people to repentance. For if the laws of God were abolished at the cross,
then there is nothing for a person to repent of, who was born after the
death of Jesus.
Think about it for a moment. If the Ten
Commandments ceased to exist after Christ’s death, then no one born after
His crucifixion can be found guilty of sin. But the Apostle Paul clearly
denies such reasoning in his epistles to the church at Rome.
For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God (Rom 3:23).
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 (Rom 5:12).
How could Paul make such profound statements
about the sinful state of mankind, if no laws exist? Remember what the
Bible has confirmed, NO LAWS = NO SIN.
The Apostle John supports the words of Paul, and
also declares that all humanity is guilty of sin. He goes on to teach that
only those who are willing to confess their sins and accept the blood of
Jesus will receive forgiveness from God.
8 If we say that we
have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we
have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us I Jn 1:8-10.
But again the question is raised, “How can one be
guilty of sin, if the laws are no longer in existence”? The answer becomes
obvious when we believe the scriptures and let them interpret themselves.
These Bible verses make it clear, that pastors who teach a lawless gospel
message, have incorrectly interpreted the Holy Scriptures. The Apostle
Paul never taught that faith in Jesus eliminated the laws of God. But,
he did teach that faith establishes them.
Do we
then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the
law (Rom
3:31).
Maybe it is time for modern Christianity to believe the Word of God,
instead of formulating its own doctrines, which are in opposition to the
true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The following scriptures provide
additional proof that obedience to God's commandments is an
essential part of a Christian's daily walk with God the
Father and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
§
And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me
about what is good? There is {only} One who is good;
but
if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18 He said to Him,
"Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder;
you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you
shall not bear false witness;
19 Honor your father and mother; and you shall love
your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 19:17-19
NAS).
§
Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and
went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--
those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony
of Jesus (Rev 12:17 NIV).
§
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we
keep his commandments. 4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (I
Jn 2:3-4).
§
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord,
did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out
demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you
who practice lawlessness.'
(Matt 7:22-23
NAS)
§
The coming of the lawless one will be in
accordance with the work of Satan
displayed in all kinds
of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, (II Th 2:9
NIV)
§
For this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous
(I Jn 5:3).
§
Here is the patience of the saints:
here
are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus (Rev 14:12).
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