Marlin, I sent this a few days ago, but I don't remember getting a response from you. I am sending it again, hoping that you will respond. I really believe their are some important things for you to see in this idea that the law was the minstration of death. Also, we need to talk about this whole concept of "the letter" and how "the letter kills."
David Miller wrote: >> Don't you agree that the ministration of the letter >> of the law is called the ministration of death by Paul? >> Let's look at more of that passage that I quoted for >> you earlier. >> 2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared >> to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written >> not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; >> not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. >> 2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to >> God-ward: >> 2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think >> any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; >> 2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the >> new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the >> letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. >> 2Co 3:7 But IF THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH, >> WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN IN STONES, was >> glorious ... >> 2Co 3:9 For if the MINISTRATION OF CONDEMNATION >> be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness >> exceed in glory. >> It seems to me that Romans 7 explains very well how the >> letter of the law kills, and how the ministration of the law >> was a ministration of condemnation and a ministration of >> death. Do you agree? Marlin wrote: > I am not sure what the dissagreement seems to be. But OT > law was glorious, and the Spirit even more glorious. NT > shows the spirit of the already glorious OT law. The > "be-attitudes." The judgment is still future. Death has not > passed away yet. The law still applies to us. The law is still in force, but it is for the lawless. Those who have found righteousness in Jesus Christ do not need the law to obtain righteousness. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that THE LAW IS NOT MADE FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN, BUT FOR THE LAWLESS AND DISOBEDIENT, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (1 Timothy 1:5-11) It seems to me that you keep skirting around this subject taught in Scripture concerning how the law brings condemnation and death. Yes, the ministration of it was glorious, but the fruit of it was a ministry of death and condemnation. Consider the following passage in Romans 7 and please comment on it. Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. So the motions of sin which came about because of the law, brought fruit unto death. Now, as Paul explains, if sin was not within us, the law would not have this effect upon us. However, we do have a sin principle within us, so that law by itself, without the Spirit of Christ inhabiting us, only stirs up that sin nature within us and we would find ourselves exceedingly sinful by the law. This leads to a life of condemnation, whereby what you want to do to please God is not what you find yourself doing. So the ministry of the law brings condemnation and death. The letter kills, but the spirit gives life. Romans 7 = life under the law, Romans 8 = life in the Spirit. Again, I am not maligning the law. I am not an antinomian. I believe in the law, I believe the law is good and holy, and I uphold the law fully. What I seek from you is to see you face these passages of Scripture that speak about the law being a ministry of condemnation and death. Do you see this? Do you understand this? The letter kills, but the spirit gives life. Do you understand this concept? This is important for having the right perspective about sabbath keeping and to help us understand the conflict that Jesus had with the sabbath keepers of his day. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida USA ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
