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Not My Nature

"Indeed, when Gentiles not the Law having by nature, the things of the Law practice, these the Law not having to themselves are a law, who show the work of the law written in the hearts of them..."1

Whether one believes that we are released from the Law under the new covenant or not, such seems to be irrelevant to the Gentile, who was never under the Law to begin with. Paul writes that the Law by nature is not of the Gentiles. Of course this makes sense as the people "called out" by God under the old covenant was the Jew, and yes, there were proselytes. The Law was given to the Jew, and the sign of the covenant being the circumcision of the flesh. Jesus brought justification and life to all men.
"Therefore, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men."
By an act of righteousness of one man, Jesus, justification and life was brought to all men. Therefore, "You for freedom were called, brothers, only not the freedom for an opportunity to the flesh, rather through love serve one another. For the entire Law is fulfilled in one word in this; love your neighbor as yourself."14 We see that through the greater commandments of love we can rule over sin; Cain by hatred of his brother brought the first murder. We see this principle that sin takes opportunity through the flesh to abound. Therefore, not through the Law, the following of rules and regulations, will we rule over sin but through the Law of Liberty.

Love is the litmus test of ruling over sin. What was the solution for Cain to rule over sin? was it not to love his brother? Cain, where is your brother? Am I my brother's keeper? Cain replies. This word for keeper means to keep within bounds, restrain. Cain could have restrained sin through loving his brother. The Law pointed to such, to love God and others, but sin takes opportunity through the flesh to abound. Because of Cain not loving his brother, sin took opportunity to abound, breaking God's commandment, through the flesh. We can see why God wrote the ten commandants in stone, to make plain his requirements, however as the sinful nature dictates they still sinned.

Paul writes that for those outside the law, the Gentiles, he became outside the law and under the Law of Christ, that he might win those outside the law.5 Now, there is an under and a not under, Jew or Gentile. Does this mean the Mosaic Law is still in place? If the Law was in place for Paul, a Jew, would not he have been subject to the Law? surely so, under the Law there is no distinction of persons. So to go outside the Law would mean that he could in Christ. But he went under the law for their salvation. Now, is the Law still in effect? Paul also writes he became as those of the law so to win those of the law. But is this not irrelevant to the Gentile? are we grafted into Israel, or the seed of Israel, Christ? in whom is the promises fulfilled? but in Christ and since the Law is not the nature of the Gentile we are not under the Mosaic covenant but under a new covenant. We were outside the Law to begin with, but now are under the Law of Christ. So is Israel of the flesh, under the old covenant? such would require more study. 

"Indeed, the end of the law, Christ, for righteousness to everyone believing."9 For those who believe Jew or Gentile it is the end of the law. This word for end is telos, properly, consummation (the end-goal, purpose.) The Law is fulfilled. Telos means an ultimate object or aim, we see we set our eyes on Jesus, "looking to the author of faith and perfecter Jesus..." This word for perfecter is teleiótés, properly, a consummator, bringing a process to its finish. You see? Jesus is the One bringing a consummation or fulfillment, He is the consummator who brings to a finish.

"Jesus spoke, it is finished and having bowed His head He gave up the Spirit."10 This word for spoke here means I speak, I command, with a meaning of "laying an argument to rest," And this word, tetelestai, is derived from télos, "consummation, completion." We can say that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. And we can say that He has already finished, completed the end goal, the salvation of our souls. We love Him we do not see (having this hope within us) inexpressible joy and glory, "receiving the end-goal (telos) of the faith of you, the salvation of our souls."6 Now, we are born from above by the Spirit of God and Paul writes, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Indeed, God is working in you both to will and to work..."11 Spirit and Truth is working what is in our inner being into an outward believing through faith. This word for "work out" literally means "work down to the end-point." So you see we are working out the end-point, the finished.

It is finished. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, "so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."7 So the standard is fulfilled in us who serve in a new living way. And what is this standard, if not a banner of Love? surely so, Jesus who became flesh, in fullness of Grace and Truth, held out the righteous standard of the Father, it was a standard of Love, "For God so loved the world..." it is called Grace. The Law of Christ is fulfilled by my love for others. Jesus said, "Think not that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets but I have come to fulfill."7 Yes, it is not abolished but it is finished, completed, brought to a fulfillment. You see? we fulfill it through the Law of Christ.

"Which he dedicated for us a new way and living through the veil, that is the flesh of Him."8 Of course, how can we preach the gospel to the world when we do not love? I can not unless I change the gospel into something it is not. We see the hypocrisy of the Pharisee, of following rules and regulations for righteousness, and we see why our standard is love. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, so "that the requirement of the law should be fulfilled in us not according to the flesh walking but according to the Spirit."9

The fruit of the Spirit is reflective in love, in the Law of Christ. "Bear one another's burdens and you shall fulfill the Law of Christ."6 We also see other terms like the Greater Commandments, Law of Liberty, Royal Law, Law of the Spirit, the Golden Standard. which all point to such. To love one another was an old commandment given as a new one, by such the standard of God is fulfilled. My banner is love, it is my New Nature.

Call It Grace




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