THE WORKS OF THE LAW

CHAPTER FIVE - THE WORKS OF THE LAW

In our endeavor to reveal the truth about grace, we have to also expose the lies that have been fed to the Body of Christ. There has been much confusion concerning the definition and relevance of Grace in the life of born-again believers. The misinterpretation of the following scriptures is one such source.

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The above scriptures, among others, are often used to squash any efforts made by a believer to live a holy life. They surmise that a sinless walk (where one chooses to obey God in all things, at all times) is classified as a “work”, making the venture of a holy walk, unnecessary for the saints of God.

In fact, anyone who ministers that a life of obedience to God in all things is the commandment of God is wrongfully labeled as religious and self-righteous by grace revolutionists. Instead, they purport that righteousness is a declaration that God pronounces over His children. they falsely state that we are righteous in title only, and there is no need to live righteous, because Jesus is already our righteousness. Therefore, we are falsy encouraged to see ourselves through our new found title of righteousness, even if our life does not match the righteousness of God. This is a dangerous teaching.

Additionally, any ministry that continues to demand a holy life from its members is falsely labeled as those who walk after the traditions of men and not after Christ. They falsely claim that we become the followers of the letter or law, and are opposed to grace. However, these statements simply reveal a misunderstanding of

the scriptures, specifically of the law.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

Romans 3:1-2

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

The law of Moses was a list of commandments sent from God. They were oracles, meaning they were divinely inspired instructions (in some cases, written by God Himself), given to govern the children of Israel. The law instructed on righteous character as well as demanded and illustrated certain deeds that had to be accomplished by the people. These deeds that the people were commanded

to do, served as symbols of spiritual concepts that would later manifest via Christ and the Church.

1 Timothy 1:9

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;

and Galatians 3:19, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Here is an important factor. The law was given because of transgression. The people were sinful. They did not have the Holy Ghost dwelling within them. Therefore, to separate His people from others, God gave them oracles that encouraged them to walk in righteousness. When they failed thereafter, there were provisions embedded in the law to keep them in right standing with Him.

Galatians 3:23

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

The sacrifices and offerings outlined in the law, kept the people in communion with God. He would forgive their sins and empty the cup of iniquity yearly. Nevertheless, the scripture above illustrates two dispensations - the dispensation of faith and the dispensation of the law. Before the faith of Jesus Christ came, the Israelites were being kept by the law. How so? They were being kept by sacrifices and offerings.

The question then arises - Why is the law often villainized? when a much different picture is painted by Romans 7:12 -

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Romans 2:13

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 7:7

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.

The law is holy and just. God forbids us to call the law sinful.

However, things can become a bit confusing when we compare this fact with the following scriptures:

Let us take a closer look at 2 Corinthians 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.;

and Galatians 5:4 - Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

One scripture says the law is holy and just, while 2nd Cor. 3:6 says it kills. Romans 2:13 says, the doers of the law are justified, whilst Galatians 5:4 lets us know that if we seek to be justified by the law, we have fallen from the faith. This is where the importance of rightly dividing the word comes into play, because the Word of God does not contradict itself.

There is a difference between the works of the law and the righteousness of the law. The works of the law refer to specific deeds that the children of Israel had to perform under the Old Covenant. If they did not do these deeds, they would have been considered breakers of the Covenant, and their fellowship with God would be broken.

Here are a few examples of some of these deeds:

1. Circumcise the male child on the 8th day from birth. (Genesis 17:10-12)

2. Abstain from certain types of meats. (Leviticus 11)

3. Perform divers washings. (Mark 7:6-9)

4. Do not fellowship with Gentiles. (Acts 10:28)

5. Rest on the 7th day from all labor. (Exodus 20:8- 11)

6. Offer animal sacrifices for sin. (Leviticus 16)

These works were specifically given to the Children of Israel, and they all pertained to the flesh. These works were never given to the children of God so they do not apply to them. The works of the law were given as a schoolmaster to point to Christ. Therefore, these works were fleshy ordinances

serving as symbols to represent spiritual concepts that would come with Christ.

Hebrew 9:6-10

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

These works of the law were terms of the covenant that God had with Israel. These terms were never applied to the church. Thus, if a born-again believer turns to these works for justification, they have ignored the reconciliation and restoration that Christ brings. Therefore, when the law is discouraged in the New Testament, it is speaking specifically about the performing of specific works that were listed in the law.

The righteousness of the law is a different concept altogether.

Romans 8:3-4

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This scripture is informing us that the purpose for Jesus’ death was so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in the Church. The word fulfilled means “to carry into effect, or to manifest”. Seeing that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the church, it is revealed that it was never something to be discarded.

What then is the righteousness of the law? The righteousness of the law refers to the character of Christ, which was revealed in the law. The righteousness of the law speaks to our character. The character of righteousness and obedience has always been God’s intent for man. Here are a few examples:

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. You shall not make to thyself any graven thing; nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. You shall not adore them nor serve them.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

According to John 14:15, to love God is to keep His commandments. This love for God and man is the heart of all of the commandments of the law.

Matthew 22:36-40

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW AND THE CHURCH

Now consider how the righteousness of the law applies to the church.

Romans 9:30-32

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.

Consider Paul’s teaching. The Israelites did indeed receive the law of righteousness, however, they could never attain the righteousness they received, because their approach was through the works of the law (sacrifices, offerings, washings, etc.). Through the works of the law no man can be justified, however, justification is found in the righteousness of the law! This righteousness that was

in the law is what the Gentiles attained, not through the works of the law, but through faith or the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Romans 2:13-14

13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.

The Gentiles have attained the righteousness of the law, not through the works of the law but through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost brings forth a change in the nature of an individual.

Romans 2:15

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.

Take note of the transition here, the works of the law refer to the sacrifices and deeds that the Jews were commanded to perform under the Old Covenant. However, these works are now written in the heart. The works of the law are now carried out in the heart, rather than by the flesh. The work of the law written on the heart inspires the soul to offer his body as a living sacrifice rather than an animal. It washes the heart by the word, as opposed to the hands with water. It sanctifies the soul, rather than separating from Gentiles. These works of the law are now manifested spiritually in the heart! These were the spiritual things that the works of the law were sent to symbolize - the works in the heart.

Hebrews 10:16

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.

The works of the law written on the heart now allows the righteousness of the law to be performed naturally. The soul has been placed in the Spirit of God, and is sustained by the Word of God. The conscience is therefore purified and cleansed, and is able to judge freely. Therefore, those who never knew the works of the law, can naturally fulfill the righteousness of the law.

Hebrews 9:9

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

The conscience is the aspect of man that judges the deeds of the soul fulfilled in the flesh. This was the issue. No matter how much the Jews did, the works of the law could not purge their conscience. If the conscience was made pure, their ability to judge their own deeds would be restored, and thus, they would be aware of when they are walking in righteousness or unrighteousness. This purging of the conscience would bring about both the knowledge and strength to obey God. This was the perfection that God desired.

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The purging of the conscience was achieved through Christ. At salvation, He purges the heart and conscience with His own blood - bringing forth the perfection that was unachievable by the works of the law.

Hebrews 10:1-2, 14

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged

should have had no more conscience of sins.…

14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

This reality destroys the concept that the sons of God cannot walk in righteousness. We have been perfected through Christ. Our conscience is holy and able to judge the deeds of the flesh. Indeed, the walk of holiness is not of works, but it is of nature. Holiness springs forth from the nature of God that He has made the new creature. Thus, is the law sin? God forbid. The law is holy and just, however, the time where man was expected to perform the works of the law has ended. Nevertheless, the mandate to perform the righteousness of the law endures. This righteousness is now evident in how we live our lives, and how we honor our conscience. This should not be hard but should come naturally.