Are we under the law- Part 4

So we have searched for understanding in how the Christian uses the law. We have looked as Paul and learnt that there are 3 functions:
1. Deny that the law operates as law (ie rules)
2. Replace the law with the new life
3. Ressaign law as either wisdom or prophecy.

Below is a diagram that Brian Rosner gave that shows Paul in action. Enjoy!

Text	Repudiation	Replacement	Reassign As wisdom	Reassign As prophecy
6:15	believers are “not under the law”	“but under grace”
8:1-4	“you have been set free from the law of sin and death”	“by the law of the Spirit”		“in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us”
4:1-3			Gen. 15:6 quoted, “Abraham believed God …,” to argue that Abraham was justified by faith, in connection with the promise in Gen. 12:1-3, which is now being fulfilled in Christ
5:12-21			Adam as a type of Christ clarifies Christ’s achievement
12:19				Deut. 32:35 quoted, “Vengeance is mine …,” to support the call for non-retaliation

Are we under the law- Part 3

So I have discussed how Christians are no longer under the law.
That's nice (but not very helpful).

So what can we learn from Paul about using the law today?
Brian Rosner believes that has 3 functions for the Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
1. Deny the role of law as law (ie rules) for Christians
2. Replace the law with the new life (the law of Christ)
3. Reassign law as either wisdom or prophecy

So let me run through all of this
1. Deny the role of law as law.
This one is simple. Passages such as Romans 6:14-15 state we are no longer under the law.
Romans 7:1-6 states that we are dead to the law as rules. We are now led by the Spirit.
In Gal 3:6-14 he contrasts living by the law (Lev 18:5) and the life of faith (Gen 12:3, 18:18, 22:18).
The law as rules can only show our sinfulness (Rom 7:7-25)
2. Replace the law with the new life (the law of Christ)
Paul calls for us to fulfill the law (Gal 5:13-14, Rom 13:8-9) and to follow the law of Christ. The change comes with a new age where we are given the Holy Spirit and called to live a new life.

Paul never says that believers in Christ are to walk according to the law. Instead, he recommends walking according to different norms: not as the Gentiles do (1 Cor 3:3; 2 Cor 10:2; Eph 4:17), nor in idleness (1 Thess 4:12), or as enemies of the gospel (Phil 3:18); according to or by the Spirit (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16), apostolic example (Phil 3:17), apostolic teaching (2 Thess 3:6) and the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:14); in Christ (Col 2:6), in love (Rom 14:15; Eph 5:2), in newness of resurrection life (Rom 6:4) and in good works (Eph 2:10); as in the day (Rom 13:13), as children of light (Eph 5:15); by faith (2 Cor 5:7); wisely (Eph 5:15; Col 4:5).

3. Reassign law as either wisdom or prophecy
The law is now evaluated from a different perspective. Viewed from the outside, it can assists us to understand the new life (wisdom) and to help us understand the unfolding plan of God (prophecy).

The law is described as wisdom (Deut. 4:6, Ps 19:7, 119:98, Prov 37:30-31, Prov. 28:7) and used in that way too. Please notice that Ephesians 4-6 outline the new life we have in Christ. Here the law is used to highlight what the wise (new) life looks like (Gen 2:24 for marriage, Deut 5:16 for children. There is also a reference to stealing in 4:28)

The acts as prophecy. Jesus explain his actions by opening the law and the prophets (Luke 24:44-45). Paul explain the kingdom of God and Jesus from the Law of Moses (Acts 28:23).

In fact Romans the law and the prophets testify to righteousness by faith (Gen 15:6, 22; see Rom. 4:1-4); to the partial hardening of Israel that has accompanied the gospel (Gen 21:12; 18:10, 14; 25:23 & Ex 33:19; 9:16, see Rom. 9:6-18; to not all Israelites accepting the gospel (Deut 32:21; see Rom. 10:19; and to Gentiles glorifying God (Deut 32:43; see Rom 15:10).

We don't use the law as rules. We read and reflect on the law to understand more about the new life we have in Christ.

In my next post I'll provide a paradigm from Romans of how Paul uses the law.