Christians, I am curious what is so hard about the law?

Question

I routinely hear how hard it is or even references to it being a curse or a mirror to show how bad we are. Have any of you even looked at them? It is really not that difficult?

And if you do slip up then you acknowledge it, say your sorry and try not to do it again. What is so difficult?

John S

What are you talking about? If you slip up you acknowledge it, say you are sorry and try not to do it again. What book are you reading?

mark185

Ok so basically instead of describing what you do you call it repenting and that changes what? it is the same thing I described above.

Answer 1

I believe that Christians get this belief from a misunderstanding of Paul's letters. Paul himself says that when he lived by the Torah, he was blameless in his keeping of it. He may have meant that if he did mess up, that he offered the appropriate sacrifices for atonement or whatever. But either way, he himself says he was blameless in keeping it - he did what the law required. So clearly, it is possible according to Paul.

What I think Paul wanted to say was that Gentiles do not have to keep the whole Law. This, Jews even today would agree with. To Paul, the ethical laws are always valid. But those laws which made Jews distinctive as a people, he did not consider necessary for Gentiles. He even discouraged Gentiles from keeping those types of laws - such as circumcision, kosher laws, holidays, etc. But Paul did demand strictly ethical behavior from his congregations. Paul does not seem to think that it was too hard to accomplish those ethical laws.

And if you think about it - which laws are the Christians claiming are too hard? I'll bet that it's not the ritual laws! But the ethical ones! Because really, how hard is it to make sure that you circumcise your baby boys on the 8th day? or keep kosher? or observe the holidays? Sure, you might inadvertently make a mistake, but as you say, the Law makes allowance for this, and there are means to remedy it.

But on the ethical issues - they can actually be more difficult. It's harder in my opinion to refrain from lashon hara (gossip, etc) in your life, than to refrain from pork. But Paul wants his congregations to refrain from gossip -- but he does not require that they refrain from pork!

The issue for Paul was always this: The Law is not a bad thing. But it could not "justify" you before God. It is not that it was a bad thing or an impossible thing - it's just that, to Paul, no amount of keeping it could make you right before God. Only faith through grace could do that, in his opinion.

So Paul was not against the Law - but against people thinking that it could save them.

In my own opinion, there is nothing wrong with keeping the Torah - and in fact, I find it beautiful. It is a worthy way to live, where every action you perform is like an offering to God in a way. Each mitzvah is like worshiping God. So it sanctifies life, and lifts the mundane up to the level of spirituality. Even if it was hard, it's worth it to live such a life devoted to God.

What gets me, is that SOME Christians don't even try. They think that since it can't "save" you it's not worth doing at all. But I don't follow that line of reasoning at all. Why not do something if it makes you remember God better? For example, when I was a Christian, and I learned about the mezuzah, I longed to have one. I thought, "What a wonderful way to remember God every time you walk in the door!" What could be wrong with that? Don't many Christians place crucifixes or the like in their homes for the same reason of remembering?

And what could be wrong with celebrating something like Purim, where the biblical story of Esther is recalled? Or Passover, where the exodus is remembered? I just don't get why more Christians are not interested in these things, because they are excellent opportunities to remember the biblical stories, and what God has done for His people.

Answer 2

You're referring to the Mosaic Law? Yes, I've read them all many times. There is nothing wrong with these laws. In fact, the Messianic Jewish and Christian understanding is that the Law is necessary in order to show unbelievers exactly what sin is.

This is a fairly complex subject, but there's a Messianic Jewish evangelist who preaches on this very subject; his name is Ray Comfort. Please read what he has to say:

http://www.livingwaters.com/helps/HellsBestKeptSecret.pdf

If you read this, you'll probably have a better understanding of this issue than many Christians do.

Answer 3

Jesus came and fulfilled the Law, showing us that sin is more than just the deed, but the thoughts before the deed. For example, lust may be the same as adultery.

Rom. 3:23 tells us that we are all sinners. We are all worthy of hell and eternal torment. Yet, it is what Christ did for us on the cross that we have hope, a future, and can be saved. Christ paid our price, but only those who place their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are justified before God the Father. Faith is what saves us. It also changes our lives.

Faith means you simply do not acknowledge your sin, but repent! You choose not to sin out of profound gratitude to Jesus for saving you.

Faith is counter to our secular society...practicing faith brings persecution. Yes, faith is difficult...but worth it!

Answer 4

FOLLOWING the law, and seeking correction after breaking it are two different things.

The law is tough to follow, especially if you are trying to apply the entire load of the Old Testament laws in our world today. Things like not mixing different kinds of materials in one garment are tough to deal with in a society where even our cotton socks have nylon in them. No fires on the Sabbath, and our cars run on fires?

What you are describing is BREAKING the law, getting it forgiven, then breaking it again- not the same thing at all.

Answer 5

It's not the law that is the problem. It is the individual's heart that is the problem - not wanting to do what's right in a specific situation, but wanting to do what they feel like doing. The law just gets the blame.

Answer 6

even at our very best we don't do things with totally pure motives, we often do things that make ourselves look good to others

God looks on the heart, the motives

and if you slip up... yes God is merciful... but sin still needs to be atoned for
....and truthfully most people did a few things they really regret and wish they could do over

Answer 7

If you depend on the law for salvation, you can not even break one tiny law. If you are guilty of just one, then you are guilty of all. In other words the tinniest law will send you to hell just as fast as the worst law. This is what the Bible tells us. So, that is why we would rather accept Jesus as savior. I have already broken the law-how about you?

Answer 8

justification through the law as entrance to heaven leaves Heaven empty. Only one has made it blamelessly and then He died so He could save us all. Justification through the grace of God is the way because of Him and the cross.

Answer 9

Can you keep them all, in thought and deed? no, no one can, the law was given to show us that we are agianst God, and that we need is salvation, the salvation that is only given through the death and resuriction of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

I think Christians just try to avoid anything that says that they cannot continue to live as they have been living.

The thing is this. Christians can be bad and just say they are trying.

The rest of us actually have to show improvement.

A wise philosopher once said "There is no such thing as trying. Either you are or you aren't."

That wise man was Bruce Lee.