3rdAngel wrote: Are christians now free to sin (break God's Law)? I do not believe the scriptures teach this.
Your response...
A few folks asked Paul the same question about being free to sin. I defer to his answer in Romans chapters 6 and 7. I think they are plain enough.
This did not answer the question asked of you here and Romans 6 and Romans 7 do not say Christians are free to sin. In fact if you add all three chapters and include Romans 8 it says Christians have died to sin (breaking God's Commandments) and have been raised to newness of life to walk in the Spirit *ROMANS 8:1-4; 13. This only supports what I was sharing with you earlier in regards to God's new covenant promise to love by a new heart by faith through the operation of God to those who believe and follow his Word *HEBREWS 8:10-12; 1 JOHN 3:6-10. According to the scriptures sin (knowingly and habbitually breaking any one of God's 10 commandments) is the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil *1 JOHN 3:6-10.
I'll answer this with the caveat that I'm not 100% sure what you mean by shadow laws. I looked it up in a concordance and didn't see any verses that mention such things, but maybe I've just not heard that term before. Hebrews 10:1 is speaking specifically to the sacrifices and feasts of Israel. However it is quite possible that, by the figure of speech metonomy, it is speaking to the whole law. In any case, I don't see how anything I said goes against that either.
Thanks for being honest Rob. I have spent a little time here so will share with you my understanding from one brother to another..
Most of the old covenant laws (including circumcision) from the Mosaic book of the covenant *
EXODUS 24:7 for remission of sin are shadow laws pointed to JESUS as the coming Messiah and the new covenant of God's LAW being written on the heart through faith in God's Word by the operation of God *
JEREMIAH 31:31-34;
COLOSSIANS 2:12. The shadow laws of the old covenant include the laws for remission of sin such as animal sacrifices for sin offerings; the Sanctuary ceremionial laws, the Levitical Priesthood which are all fulfilled in Christ.
You can read about the shadow laws in more detail in
HEBREWS 7; HEBERWS 8;
HEBREWS 9 and
HEBREWS 10 and specifically here...
HEBREWS 8:1-5
[1], Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
[2], A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. [3], For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: why it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
[4], For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
[5], WHO SERVE TO THE EXAMPLE AND
SHADOW OF HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, said he, that you make all things according to the pattern showed to you in the mount.
Many laws from the MOSAIC book of the old covenant according to the scriptures are shadows of heavenly things in the new covenant. Here it is talking about the earthly Sanctuary being a copy of the heavenly and the work of Christ as our true high Priest.
HEBREWS 9:1-12
[1], THEN TRULY THE FIRST COVENANT HAD ALSO ORDINANCES OF DIVINE SERVICE, AND A WORLDLY SANCTUARY.
[2], For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread; which is called the sanctuary.
[3], And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
[4], Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
[5], And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
[6], Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
[7], But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
[8], The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
[9], WHICH WAS A FIGURE FOR THE TIME THEN PRESENT, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
[10], Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
[11], But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
[12], NEITHER BY THE BLOOD OF GOATS AND CALVES, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US.
This is speaking specifically of the SHADOWS LAWS FOR REMISSION OF SIN FROM THE MOSIAC BOOK OF THE OLD COVENANT *
EXODUS 24:7 here…
HEBREWS 10:1-7
[1], FOR THE LAW HAVING A
SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME, and not the very image of the things, can never WITH THOSE SACRIFICES which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
[2], For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
[3], But in THOSE SACRIFICES there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
[4], FOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS.
[5], Why when he comes into the world, he said, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared me:
[6], In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure.
[7], THEN SAID I, SEE, I COME
IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME, TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.
This is all part of God's new covenant promise first given in JEREMIAH 31:31-34 and repeated by PAUL in HEBREWS 8:10-12. This is why I believe we are in the new covnenant now. Read HEBREWS chapters 7-10 this is a good study. I hope you get a blessing spending some time in the books of HEBREWS as I have.
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