How can Christians reconciled the Difficulties with the Torah observance.?
1) By Theology. - This was the traditional way of dealing with this question. But the Torah observance as a way of gaining a right standing with God is out. This has been replaced by "Faith in Christ" Romans 5:1. This reads the Old testament poorly; as though the O.T. says that law Keeping was a means of grace. Read Psalms 19 and 119. They did not think so.
2) In Paul's Understanding, the Role of the Spirit is the Solution.
The Empowering experience of the promised Eschatological Spirit, not righteousness by faith forms the core of Paul's argument in the Galatians. This is the one Epistle devoted primarily to this question.
3) - Christ's death brought and end to the Curse of the law - i.e. that one had to live by 'doing the law' and not by faith.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
Gal 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Gal 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Gal 3:12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
Gal 3:14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Gal 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Gal 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Gal 3:12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
Gal 3:14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
- the Gift of the Holy Spirit makes Torah Observance obsolete for the identification of the people of God.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
They that are ' led by the Spirit of God'; are not under the Law.
For those in whom the Fruit of the Spirit are growing, "There is no law". Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
The Fruit of the Spirit marks the Effective end of the Law .
Rom 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Herein lies the discontinuity and the Continuity.
Discontinuity lies in the area of Torah Observance; i.e. keeping the Law was a way of Identifying the people of God or even to establish one's relationship with God. This break was absolute and resolute.
1Co 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Torah observance counts for nothing and must not be imposed on the gentiles either.
Continuity lies in the Spirit's "fulfilling" Torah by leading God's people in the Paths of God, to live in such a way, so as to express the original intent of the Law. to create a People for God's name, who bear God's Likeness in their character, as it is seen in their behaviour.
The Fruit of the Spirit, is the Righteousness produced by the Spirit - showing God's Character.
In this in-between times existence it points us to the righteousness of God which the Spirit produces in our lives. see Ch 9. The nature of Christian Ethics. 1Co 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Torah observance counts for nothing and must not be imposed on the gentiles either.
Righteousness is not an optional Role of Torah but is God's own righteousness reflected in God's people.
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