Laws. by Dean Gotcher

Laws.

by
Dean Gotcher

If the law of God can only expose and condemn the law of the flesh (lasciviousness), if man can not even save himself by trying to fulfill or satisfy the law of God himself (legalism), which he can not do, then the only law which can save man from condemnation, from the law of the flesh (from "human nature"), is the law of faith (liberty from the flesh and condemnation by faith in Christ Jesus) alone. Romans 7:14-25

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Ephesians 2:2,3

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:3-7

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8, 9

Dialectic 'reasoning,' i.e. Genesis 3:1-6, is man 'justifying the law of the flesh (lasciviousness) as well as 'justifying' his ability to fulfill or satisfy the law of God (legalism), which is the law of sin, over and against the law of faith in Christ Jesus alone (which is righteousness imputed). Lasciviousness (the law of the flesh) and legalism (man trying to fulfill the law of God) can not be equal to righteousness (to the law of faith in Christ Jesus), since both make man 'righteous' in his own eyes, 'justified' in the flesh and/or 'justified' in works, leaving him subject to the law of sin and death.

"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:" "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:3, 2

It is impossible to please God (our Heavenly Father, who is perfect and demands perfection, i.e. who chastens us that we might partake in His Holiness, Hebrews 12:5-11), without faith in Christ Jesus, the only begotten son of God, alone. Obedience to the Father and faith in Christ Jesus go hand in hand

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

By man making either the law of the flesh the law of the land (lasciviousness) or the law of God the law of the land (legalism) over and against the law of faith (where righteousness can only be imputed by God to those of faith in Christ Jesus alone), faith is negated in the thoughts and actions of men. All of today's personal and social problems begin and end here, i.e. in man choosing the law of the flesh or the law of God as his salvation instead of the law of faith in Christ Jesus. In fact Jesus himself stated: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

Which law are you living by?

"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 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. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 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." Romans 7:14-25