What is the purpose of "doing" the Law. Is it as Paul said in Romans that the "doers of the law shall be justified." Or is it an ongoing process of staying out of trouble? Perhaps a way or reconciling to God after sin? Something else? Is there an end purpose?
Your thoughts and insight please.
Paul isnt really saying that the only way to be justified is by the mosiac law.
He speaks of people of the nations who do not know the mosaic law, yet who actually live by that law 'naturally'
Romans 2:14
*For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law, these people, although not having law, are a law to themselves. 15*They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts
The law of God is 'righteousness, justice, love'....many people live by these principles naturally. They dont have to have a written law telling them to pay their debts or be honest or give to the poor because they have a righteously inclined heart which motivates them to do such things.
God wants us to live by his righteousness. The written law doesnt justify anyone...it condemns because no one can fully carry it out perfectly. Paul states this in Vs 12 when he says
"... all those who sinned under law will be judged by law"
The law condemns anyone who fails in any one aspect of it therefore no one is justifed by the Law.
19*
Now we know that all the things the Law says it addresses to those under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become liable to God for punishment. 20Therefore by works of law no flesh will be declared righteous before him, for by law is the accurate knowledge of sin
All the world here includes even those who attempt to live by the mosiac law. The fact is that no imperfect person can fully comply with the law...thats why Paul says in Vs20 that no one can be justified by law
The only way to reconcile to God is through faith in Christ Jesus as Paul goes onto say in Vs 21 that Gods righteousness has been shown to us and those who adhere to his righteousness are justified:
But now apart from law God’s righteousness has been made manifest, as it is borne witness to by the Law and the Prophets; 22*yes, God’s righteousness through the faith in Jesus Christ, for all those having faith. For there is no distinction. 23*For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24*and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus