In a quiet cabin by the bayou, I sat with the apostle Paul, surrounded by ancient scrolls, eager to understand his teachings. I asked him about the accusations that he threw out God's law, pointing to Galatians chapter 4 where he warned against observing days, seasons, and years. Paul leaned forward with a half-smile and clarified that he never taught anyone to abandon God's law. He explained he was addressing converted Gentiles, warning them against returning to their old idolatrous ways tied to stars and seasons, not speaking of God's Sabbath. He emphasized that he would never call God's Sabbath weak, citing Acts 24:14 where he affirmed his belief in all things written in the law and the prophets, and Romans 3:31 where he declared that faith establishes the law. I pressed further, referencing Colossians 2:16-17 about not letting anyone judge on Sabbath or festivals as shadows pointing to Christ. Paul confirmed that these observances lead to the reality of Christ Himself, not abolishing them but fulfilling their purpose. He added from Colossians 2:14 that Christ wiped out the record of debt, our sins, nailed to the cross, freeing us from the penalty, not from obedience. He reiterated that from Damascus onward, he taught the difference between human traditions, God's true law showing right from wrong, and the law of death from breaking His commands. When I asked if grace cancels obedience or if he called the law a curse, Paul chuckled and explained that the curse is the penalty for breaking the law, not the law itself. He stressed that God's grace removes the penalty and empowers obedience, citing Romans 7:12 that the law is holy, just, and good, yet in Romans 7:10 it brought death by exposing human weakness. He affirmed in Galatians 3:13 that Christ redeemed us by becoming the curse, bearing the penalty as Deuteronomy 21:23 states, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. I questioned if Christ's removal of the curse allows misuse of grace. Paul's eyes sharpened, quoting Romans 6:1 that we should not continue in sin for grace to abound, clarifying that grace removes condemnation, not responsibility. He explained that serving sin leads to death under the law, while serving God through obedience leads to life, as reflected in Romans 6:3-4 where baptism signifies dying with Christ and rising to new life. Finally, I brought up Romans 14 regarding days and foods, and Paul clarified it was about unity, not abolishing God's law, urging love over judgment. He connected this to Ephesians 2:15, stating Christ abolished antagonism between Jew and Gentile, not the law itself. Summarizing, Paul whispered that the curse of the law is death, which Christ bore to free us from condemnation, empowering obedience through grace, and that God's appointed times were upheld by the apostles, with love and unity guiding fellowship.

Paul, as depicted in the narrative, consistently upheld the law, contrary to misconceptions that he rejected it. He did not teach against circumcision or the laws of Moses, as some falsely claimed. When faced with such accusations in Jerusalem, Paul did not dismiss the law as obsolete but willingly followed James' suggestion to demonstrate his adherence, showing he was not against God's laws. His actions with Timothy further illustrate this, as he had Timothy circumcised as a concession to the Jews, not viewing circumcision as a curse but as a practical consideration for cultural harmony. This act was not a commitment to the entirety of the Old Covenant law but a strategic decision for the sake of Timothy and the Jewish community. Paul's approach reveals a nuanced understanding, balancing theological truths with practical ramifications, indicating he did not consider everything done away. His willingness to circumcise in one context while stating it is not necessary in another shows his discernment and adherence to the spirit of God's law rather than a blanket rejection.

The apostle Paul consistently upheld the importance of God's law in his teachings. In I Corinthians 14, when addressing the conduct during church services, Paul appealed to the law as his authority, demonstrating its relevance to the New Testament church. Similarly, in I Corinthians 9, regarding the remuneration of the ministry, he again grounded his argument in the law, showing that it was written with broader applications in mind, not just for immediate, historical contexts. Far from suggesting that the law was done away, Paul emphasized its enduring role in guiding Christian life and order. Moreover, in Romans 2, Paul clarified that both those ignorant of God's law and those with knowledge of it will be judged by the same standard, as the law defines sin. He underscored that possessing knowledge of the law does not save, but it does place one under stricter judgment, highlighting the responsibility to live according to God's standards. Through these teachings, Paul affirmed that the law remains a vital path for Christians, shaping conduct and preparing them for God's Kingdom.

Paul, in his defense before Felix, the governor, boldly confessed his belief in all things written in the law and the prophets. This statement, made during his trial in AD 58 or 59, came after the books of Romans and Galatians were already written and circulated through the church. Despite these writings, which are often cited as evidence for the law being done away, Paul maintained his steadfast adherence to the law. His position stands in stark contrast to modern views, affirming that he upheld the authority of God's law as revealed in the Old Testament. When discussing sanctification, which pertains to right living and character building, Paul emphasized the value and necessity of keeping the law. He asserted that it must be observed, highlighting its importance in guiding conduct and discipline.