Are Christians Still Under the Condemnation of Law? Part 1

Good day Saints of the Living God,

Today I would love to answer two questions that most people ask in religious circles. May I say at the offset, if you have any questions, please email me and I will take out some time as I am doing today to answer your question in my devotionals. Today I will look at the first question on Galatians chapter 3, and next week, I shall take a look at the second question on Colossians 2:16. Note these two devotionals will be a longer read than normal , and I do welcome your comments.

Please understand, in writing the next two devotionals. They are only written to the many questions people have sent on these texts to Garden Ministry Devotionals from around the world. If anyone takes these next two devotionals the wrong way, I am sorry. 

May I say as chaplain, "Some of the best, and devote Christians I have ever found in the world, worship God on Sundays and not on the Saturday, the Sabbath day of the Bible." On the other hand, God has other children who are blessed and Highly Favored by Him who don't attend any church on any day of the week. All these wonderful Christians with their leaders, and those faithful once who worship Him at home, in the woods, or some place on earth. Are some of the fineness saints on earth. These Brothers and sisters are some of my best friends, and we work together as Brethren. With that said, I am called regularly to speak in many churches of different denomination and they always ask me to come back. lastly on this point. I am the first to be offended when people speak down on my Brothers and Sisters of different denominations. So understand, these two devotionals will be a longer read than normal, and I do welcome your comments. 

The Devotional for the Day:

The other day when I was driving my car, I came to a red light telling me it was time to stop. But somehow the people behind me gave me the horn, and pulled their car around me, and kept on going. But before they made it across the intersection, they found themselves in front of a police car coming from the other direction. If you think this was funny, the man jumped out of his car and told the officer to move his car, because he was there first. The officer kindly got out of his car and respectfully reminded him of the law of the land that governs all men and gave him a ticket.

It is said, “Today's opponents can be your allies tomorrow. And today's allies can be tomorrow's opponents,” because they are built on customs and tradition. But principles and standards stand forever!

For years opponents of the Seventh-day Sabbath often pointed to verses on the law which talk about it as a schoolmaster that was to “bring us to Christ”, and many teach that the law was a “yoke of bondage” and that this “system of law” ceased or was abolished at the coming of Christ.  They believe that those who think that the law is still in effect today “desire to be under the law” and are putting themselves in “bondage”.

Many early Christians referred to the law in Galatians as the ceremonial law, and many of them still do today. But what does the Bible say on this subject? Let us examination the Bible concerning the subject of the schoolmaster and what it means to be “under the law”.

Galatians 3:23-25  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Before faith we were under the law.  After faith we are no longer under the law.  What does it mean?

What Law is the Schoolmaster? The Ceremonial Law?  The Moral Law?  Or Both?

“The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). In this scripture, the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law. The law reveals sin to us, and causes us to feel our need of Christ and to flee unto Him for pardon and peace by exercising repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What does it mean to be Under the Law?

Many believe that to be “under the law” means that we are under a “system of law” and that this “system of law” ceased at the cross, and we therefore were under obligation to keep the law up until the cross.  Then the law was abolished.  They tell us that Paul is teaching us that we are no longer under the obligation to keep the law, and anyone teaching this is teaching “another gospel” or that they are “legalists” and in “bondage to the law”.

But what does the Bible say to these things? In Isaiah 8:20 the Bible says, “To the law and the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them”.  If it means we are no longer “under obligation” to keep the law, then someone is wrong here in saying that we are under obligation to keep it.

“The Lord Jesus gave these commandments from the pillar of cloud and Moses repeated them to the children of Israel and wrote them in a book, that they might not depart from righteousness...We are under obligation to fulfill these specifications; for in so doing, we fulfill the specifications of the law of God.”

 “There is full assurance of hope in believing every word of Christ, believing in Him, being united to Him by living faith. When this is our experience, the human being is no longer under the law, for the law no longer condemns our course of action.”

The law that condemns us is the moral law.  When the law no longer condemns our course of action, we are no longer under it.  In other words we are no longer “under the condemnation of the law”, but yet, we are still “under obligation” to keep it.  To be no longer under the law is to mean, “we now walk in harmony with it by faith.”

“The law of God, spoken in awful grandeur from Sinai, is the utterance of condemnation to the sinner. It is the province of the law to condemn, but there is in it no power to pardon or to redeem. It is ordained to life; those who walk in harmony with its precepts will receive the reward of obedience. But it brings bondage and death to those who remain under its condemnation.

Galatians 4:4-7  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  (6)  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  (7)  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Should those who are not under the law be particular to understand the law?  

Yes!

“But how particular we should be to understand the law of God, so that we may not be under condemnation as law-breakers.  It is the willing and obedient that God will bless. If we are desirous of understanding the law of earthly Governments, how much more should we desire to know what God requires of us. If we are anxious to understand our duty, he will not leave us to be enshrouded in darkness, but will enlighten our understanding so that we shall know for ourselves what is truth.”

God only gives understanding to those who will be desirous to understand their duty.  The Bible teaches that Law-breakers are under the condemnation of the law. But those who walk after the Spirit are not under the condemnation of the law.

“Here is held out the very thing for which we are to labor: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love.” If we have the love of Christ in our souls, it will be a natural consequence for us to have all the other graces,—joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance;” and “against such there is no law.” The law of God does not condemn and hold in bondage those who have these graces; because they are obeying the requirements of the law of God. They are law-keepers, and therefore they are not under the bondage of the law.

It is only when you do not walk in harmony with the law of God that you are brought in bondage to it and under it.  When you or I walk contrary to the Spirit of God, then and only then do we find ourselves back under the condemnation of the Law.

What does Gal 5:18 mean? “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

This verse clearly is not referring to any particular time period after the cross alone, but to all time, and since the beginning of time, even back to the time of Cain and Abel.   If you are not led of the Spirit, you are under the law.   Before faith came, you were under the law. Before grace came, you were under the law. But after faith is come, you are not under the schoolmaster.  Many before the cross were under grace and not under the law.   Paul is speaking to Galatians here, several years after the cross.   Those that have not received the Spirit of adoption still need redemption from under the bondage and condemnation of the law.  Therefore to be under the law was not referring to a system that ceased at the cross. (Gal 4:4-6)  But something that ceases when faith is come.(Gal 3:23-25, Heb 11).

The Moral Law Governs the Everyday Life as Long as Time Should Last

Some are proposing that the law given at Sinai was only to govern until the cross and now “we are no longer under the government of the law”, but at the time of the cross the law was abolished or would pass away.   What does Ellen White say about this?

“In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to ***govern*** the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the ***death of Christ***. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last.

The passage above tells us that the law was repeated at Sinai. Those who teach it was nailed to the cross normally believe it wasn’t even given until Mount Sinai, let alone repeated.  This passage also tells us that the law will govern as long as time should last.   And that it did not pass away at the death of Christ.  Neither did the statutes that explain the moral law.   Though our penalty and our condemnation for breaking the law was nailed to the cross.  None of the moral law, or statutes were nailed to the cross.

“When the mind is drawn to the cross of Calvary, Christ by imperfect sight is discerned on the shameful cross. Why did He die? In consequence of sin. What is sin? The transgression of the law. Then the eyes are open to see the character of sin. The law is broken but cannot pardon the transgressor. It is our schoolmaster, condemning to punishment. Where is the remedy? The law drives us to Christ, who was hanged upon the cross that He might be able to impart His righteousness to fallen, sinful man and thus present men to His Father in His righteous character.” 

Is it delusion to think we are no longer “governed by the law”?

Let no one foster the delusion that the Lord God of heaven and earth has no law by which to control and govern His subjects…We are under obligation to be governed by His will, to acknowledge Him as our supreme ruler….”

The Apostle Paul had much to say on this subject, but let us look at a few of his teachings.

Romans 6:14-15  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  (15)  What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

In other words, we are no longer under the condemnation of the law, but under grace.  You cannot be under grace and under the law at the same time. The covenant of grace was given to Adam and Eve to redeem them from under the condemnation of the law.   Though Christ was not crucified until 31AD, they were fully forgiven back then.  We are told that Christ is the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)

Do we then sin or break the law?  “God forbid” Paul says.   And the law that told him what sin is was clearly the moral law which was our schoolmaster, this law condemned us, but it also brought us to Christ who took upon himself our condemnation so that we are now able to stand in liberty, free from the bondage of sin and law breaking all by the power of the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Those who walk after the Spirit are no longer under the condemnation of the law.  And they have received that Spirit of adoption.  They walk after the Spirit. (Gal 4:4-7). They have been “the born of spirit”, or in other words “born again”.

Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Brothers and Sisters, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, may I ask, what is the Great Standard of Righteousness?

To answer this, we must look at Jesus. Christ gave His life to redeem humanity, and He calls upon men and women to make every sacrifice in their power to glorify God by placing light in contrast with darkness. Christ gave His life as a sacrifice, not to destroy God's law, not to create a lower standard, but to maintain justice, and to give man a second probation. No one can keep God's commandments except in Christ's power. He bore in His body the sins of all mankind, and He imputes His righteousness to every believing child.

Christ is our example in all things. He has magnified the law and made it honorable. By His unwavering obedience He testified to the truth that God's law is the standard of righteousness for all men. God requires of man nothing that is impossible for him to do. He “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Possessing our nature, though unstained by sin, and tempted in all points like as we are, Christ kept the law, proving beyond controversy that man also can keep it.

The fiat has gone forth, “The wages of sin is death.” The sinner must feel his guiltiness, else he will never repent. He has broken the law, and in so doing has placed himself under its condemnation. The law has no power to pardon the transgressor, but it points him to Christ Jesus, who says to him, I will take your sin and bear it myself, if you will accept me as your substitute and surety. Return to your allegiance, and I will impute to you my righteousness. You will be made complete in me. 

Sin is the transgression of the law. God declares, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” Notwithstanding all the profession of lip and voice, if the character is not in harmony with the law of God, those making profession of godliness bear evil fruit.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven,”—the will made known in the ten commandments, given in Eden when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy, and spoken with an audible voice from Sinai. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Many mighty works are done under the inspiration of Satan, and these works will be more and more apparent in the last days.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” 

The mischief done by the professed believers in God who are not doers of the Word, cannot be estimated. Their lawless, unholy principles corrupt many, leading them away from the path of obedience.

A life of conformity to the Christ-life cannot be a life of disobedience to God's commands. The lawyer who questioned Christ concerning the law, in answering his own question, said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” “Thou hast answered right,” Christ said; “this do, and thou shalt live.” Sin cannot reign in the life of the one who loves God supremely. Obedience to God is the fruit borne by love. Christ is not at war with Christ, and love to our neighbor prevents us from working ill to him. “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” The law of God lays its claim upon the whole man. There is no period of time when the law does not make this demand upon every son and daughter of Adam.

Complete obedience is the only condition that meets the requirement of the law. “God is not a man, that He should lie.” God's law is the rule of His government. He says, “This do, and thou shalt live.” But to the disobedient He says, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them.” “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:20

God has given the promise that those who obey His law will be rewarded, not only in the present life, but in the life to come. He declares just as decidedly that those who do not obey His requirements shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on them. By lips that never lie the obedient are blessed, and the disobedient are pronounced guilty.

There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognized in the Judgment,—those who violate God's law, and those who keep His law. Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands. On the other side stands the Prince of darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion.

When the judgment shall sit, and every one shall be judged by the things written in the books, the authority of God's law will be looked upon in a light altogether different from that in which it is now regarded by the Christian world. Satan has blinded their eyes and confused their understanding, as he blinded and confused Adam and Eve, and led them into transgression. The law of Jehovah is great, even as its Author is great. In the Judgment it will be recognized as holy, just, and good in all its requirements. Those who transgress this law will find that they have a serious account to settle with God; for His claims are decisive.

Christ has borne our sins in His own body, and those who accept Him as a personal Saviour are free from the penalty of the law. Jesus has been made the propitiation for our sin, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. “Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. Hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.”

In Conclusion:

To the obedient child of God the commandments are a delight. David declares, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evil-doers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.... I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.” Psalm 119:111-119

Did the contempt shown to the law of God extinguish David's loyalty? Hear his words. He calls upon God to interfere and vindicate His honor, to show that there is a God, that there are limits to His forbearance. “It is time for thee, Lord, to work,” he says, “for they have made void thy law.” Psalm 119:126

David saw the divine precepts thrown aside, and obstinacy and rebellion increasing. But he was not swept away by the prevalence of apostasy. The scorn and contempt cast upon the law did not lead him to refrain from vindicating the law. On the contrary, his reverence for the law of Jehovah increased as he saw the disregard and contempt shown for it by others. “They have made void thy law,” he exclaims. “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128

As man studies and contemplates the precious statutes of the Most High, as he meditates upon them, and realizes their value, he exclaims: “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.... Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:129

Song of the Day: Ed Gungor- The Law Of The Lord Is Perfect (Medley) Songs Of Worship (Hosanna! Music) Psalms 19:7-11

Thank you for your prayers for this ministry, and may the blessings of the Lord rest on you, and your family always.

Blessings, Blessing, Blessings 

Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Kevin Santucci

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