Many people point to Colossians 2:14 to argue that Christ nailed God's law to the cross, claiming that the handwriting of requirements refers to the law that was against us and that Christ abolished it. However, a careful examination reveals that Paul is not referring to the law itself but to the record of our transgressions—our sins. In the context of verses 11-13, Paul discusses our justification through Christ, explaining that through repentance and baptism, our sins are forgiven, and we are made alive with Him. The phrase "handwriting of requirements," translated from the Greek "cheirographon tois dogmasin," refers to a note of debt or guilt we owed due to our sins, stemming from a past way of life governed by worldly standards. By His death, Christ wiped out this debt, taking it out of the way and nailing it to the cross, as symbolized by His body bearing our sins. Far from abolishing God's law, Paul emphasizes in Romans 7:12 that the law is holy, just, and good, and David in Psalm 19:11 highlights its value as a warning and a source of great reward. Thus, Colossians 2:14 affirms the profound truth of justification, showing that our Savior paid the debt of our sins, allowing us to live a new life of righteousness and service to Him.

As Western values decay, particularly in the United States, society witnesses a heartbreaking attack on law and order, with a refusal to submit to any code derived from the Bible, leading to disorder and lawlessness as described in Isaiah 59:14, where justice is turned back and righteousness stands afar off. The backbone of justice in any healthy society rests on concepts of law and order based on wisdom and truth, yet in our present society, law is either neglected or attacked. My concern is how we, as God's people, regard God's law in our growth toward eternal life in His kingdom as priests and kings under Jesus Christ. Many adherents of Christianity today believe that God's law was done away with at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, replaced by God's grace, requiring only faith in Jesus for salvation. This idea allows believers to remain unchanged in their worship, dismissing any need to qualify for salvation. However, an ideology known as Gnosticism, which views the physical universe as evil and the spiritual as pure, undermines the process God established for salvation. Gnosticism promotes the rejection of God's law, a concept known as antinomianism, meaning against law, and has influenced many Protestant organizations, making it crucial for us as God's people to prove that God's laws are upheld throughout Scripture. Jesus Christ Himself affirms the enduring nature of God's law in Matthew 5:17-19, stating that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill them, and that not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law until all is fulfilled. He further declares that whoever breaks even the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, while those who keep and teach them will be called great. In Matthew 19:16-19, Jesus instructs a young man seeking eternal life to keep the commandments, listing several of the Ten Commandments as requirements for entering into life. The Apostle Paul, in II Timothy 3:15-16, emphasizes that the holy scriptures, which at the time were what is now called the Old Testament, are able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and that all scripture is inspired by God, profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Jesus Himself used scriptures from the Old Testament to defeat satan in the Judean desert, demonstrating their enduring power and relevance. The Book of Revelation 14:12 further confirms that the patience of the saints is shown by those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. God's law remains the guide to our progress throughout all of the Bible, and it is not done away with. We must continue to appeal to our Father and our Head, Jesus Christ, for help to obey His law, despite our failures, as we strive to take our intended place in our Father's kingdom.

God's law expresses the expectations for the moral and spiritual conduct of Israel and the church. It embodies the commands God has given to enable His people to live as He created us to live. God's law is not temporary but is in every way a permanent, perpetual, and eternal law. Various terms such as testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances, ways, and word describe the law, highlighting its comprehensive nature. These terms assume that God provides the law in a form that allows people to order their lives by it. The law comes from God, is intended for human benefit, serves as a reliable guide to living, and illuminates one's mind and understanding. It is a delight to live by, bringing joy and serving as a counselor, a song, an object of love, and a lamp to guide one's path. Obeying God's law is like walking down a path that guards a person's life. God's laws retain practical and spiritual application to this day and will forever. They remain necessary and useful for living the Christian life, reflecting the image of God, and knowing Him. Jesus Christ confirms the full authority of the law, stating that not even the smallest component will lose its vitality or authority until heaven and earth pass away. The law is eternal and perpetual, with no nullifying or amending; it abides forever in its righteous judgments. Christ declares that He did not come to abolish the law but to explain and show how to keep it, affirming its continued relevance. Through faith, the law is established in our hearts and minds as the only way to live. Christ amplified the law's spiritual character, showing that it reaches inward to thoughts, desires, and imagination, demanding subjection to God's will. His teachings, such as on the Sabbath, clarified its true purpose, emphasizing acts of mercy and necessity as honoring God, without altering the command itself. Jesus embodied the law in His life, living in perfect conformity to it, demonstrating that it was not a burden but His natural way of life. His obedience and ultimate sacrifice bore the penalty for humanity's transgressions, vindicating the law's perfection and uncompromised nature. God's law, if kept, produces a peaceful and happy society, though no human has kept it perfectly due to sin. The law defines sin for all time, revealing our deviations from righteousness and showing how far we fall short of God's glory. It serves to demonstrate that salvation cannot come by works but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Altering or abolishing the law diminishes its power to convict and convert, leaving no true standard for morality. God's law stands fast forever, fulfilled in Christ, who lived it perfectly as our example and representative, enabling us through faith to strive toward conformity to His will.

God's law embodies a profound beauty that often goes unrecognized by the worldly, who view it as a curse rather than a blessing. This beauty lies in its harmony, purpose, and the wonderful outcomes it produces when followed. It is not merely a set of rules but encompasses the whole counsel of God, reflecting the breadth and depth of His truth. Many, however, harbor a natural antagonism and conditioned aversion toward God's law, seeing it as obsolete and harsh, a relic from a distant past. This hostility stems from human nature, which is inherently set against God's instructions, making it impossible for the unconverted to subject themselves to His law. They reject it, preferring a theology that demands nothing of them and offers rewards without obedience, ignoring the abundant evidence of its goodness and benefit. Yet, God's law is holy, just, and good, a tool provided by Him to guide us toward righteousness. It defines sin without causing it, revealing what is good and what is evil. When followed with the aid of His Spirit, it leads to life through sanctification, whereas to the unconverted, it brings death due to their own carnality. The law's beauty is in its capacity to produce communal harmony, benefiting not just the individual but everyone around them, fostering trust, peace, and stability in relationships and society. Moreover, keeping God's law results in abundant blessings and His favor, promising a life enriched with both physical and spiritual benefits. It provides insight into our own nature, illuminating the path forward, offering guidance, revival, strength, encouragement, hope, delight, liberty, good judgment, knowledge, and understanding. The law of God is an expression of His very mind, surpassing description in its perfection and beauty, holding the words of eternal life that draw us closer to Him.

God's holy spiritual law, the Torah, encompasses not only the Pentateuch or the Ten Commandments but the entire instruction and counsel of God, referred to in Psalm 119 as His precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, ordinances, testimonies, and words. God the Father deemed His holy and spiritual law so vital that He sent His Son to pay for the penalties we have accrued against it, providing a model for keeping the law and granting us His Holy Spirit to empower us to observe it both in letter and spirit, leading to spiritual growth and the development of godly character. As God's Holy Spirit displaces our carnality, we receive the foundation of our new spiritual bodies at our resurrection. All the problems in the world stem from breaking God's laws, which include not only spiritual principles but also the laws governing aerodynamics, thermodynamics, music, and nuclear physics. These eternal principles, established by God before the foundation of the earth, are discovered by humanity, not invented, and we must conform to them. God's holy Torah possesses a compactness and expansiveness, derived from eternal principles applicable to every conceivable situation in life, as Jesus Christ explained when identifying the greatest commandment. In contrast, man's laws are obtuse, complicated, and numerous, fostering a hatred for law when the spirit of the law is ignored. As God's called-out ones, we must not embrace anarchy or lawlessness, and if a man-made law conflicts with God's law, we are to obey God rather than men. We are to embrace and internalize God's holy law, making it an integral part of us. This law, once an external code on stone tablets, is now an inner code, illuminated from within by God's Holy Spirit, guiding us through the storms of false doctrine and misinformation to the safety of God's Kingdom, as we follow the lead of our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ.

The significance of God's law stands as a central point of divergence between the faithful churches of God and nominal Christianity. Many in the world harbor a deep-seated enmity toward God's law, reflecting a resistance to submit to what God commands, whether it be directives to act or prohibitions to refrain. This hostility stems from human nature, which, without God's Spirit or calling, seeks to avoid subjection to His will. Contrary to interpretations that suggest God's law has been abolished, it remains a vital guide for Christian living. The notion that Christ nailed the law to the cross is a misreading; rather, what was nailed there was the record of our sins, the handwriting of requirements that documented our transgressions. God's law continues to define sin, serving as a hedge and a guide to help us avoid wrongdoing and pursue righteousness. Without this standard, determining what is right becomes impossible, leading to subjective morality where individuals decide for themselves what is good. God's law is not merely a set of rules but a reflection of His holy and righteous character, pointing us toward the goal of living as Christ lived. It acts as boundary markers, ensuring we do not stray from the path toward righteousness. The Feast of Unleavened Bread reinforces this annually, reminding us to purge sin and embrace sincerity and truth, emphasizing that the law has not been done away with, even under the New Covenant. God desires His law to be in our mouths and hearts, meaning we internalize it through study and application, so it shapes our speech, actions, and conduct. This intimate connection with His Word unites us with Him, aligning our thoughts and behaviors with His will as we strive toward the image of Christ. The law, therefore, is integral to the process of becoming His people, a perpetual reminder through holy days like the Feast of Unleavened Bread to reject corruption and live out His pure and truthful standards.

Across all nations and peoples, there is a universal appreciation for some of God's laws, regardless of whether they are followed. From Ethiopians to Russians, South Africans to Chinese, and across all beliefs—Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, and even Atheists—mankind acknowledges certain laws of God as valuable. Every country and religion incorporates some of these laws into their own codes, selectively embracing those they find agreeable. One such law, widely accepted, prohibits murder. This commandment resonates with the innate desire to preserve life, as no sane person wishes to be killed. The pain and suffering caused by murder are universally recognized, leading every society to establish laws and penalties against it. Similarly, the law against stealing is upheld globally. Nations have created their own rules, distinguishing between petty and grand larceny, with varying penalties, reflecting a shared agreement with God's command not to steal, as no one desires to lose their possessions. However, mankind often picks and chooses among God's laws. The law against adultery is liked when it protects personal relationships, yet many disregard it when opportunity arises, especially since human laws often lack strict penalties for this transgression. This selective adherence brings grief, destroys families, and spreads disease. In contrast, laws like keeping the Sabbath holy are largely rejected by mankind, who view one day as good as another and dismiss this commandment as irrelevant. The first three commandments—having no other gods, not making graven images, and not taking God's name in vain—are also frequently ignored or misunderstood, with mankind showing little regard for them in legal or personal practice. From the beginning, God's laws were known. Adam and Eve, along with their descendants like Cain, understood these laws. Cain's reaction to his wrongdoing—his anger and fallen countenance—demonstrates his awareness of breaking God's law and the impending consequences. Mankind did not originate these laws; they stem from God, yet humans adapt them, adding or subtracting based on preference. Most human laws trace their origins to God's laws, but they are altered to suit human desires, often doing what is right in their own eyes. For God's people, the expectation is different. They are called to live by every word that proceeds from God's mouth, not selectively choosing which laws to follow. God does not accept a mixture of worship or partial obedience. Disregarding God's laws, whether inside or outside His church, brings penalties. These consequences may not be immediate, but they manifest over time, affecting lives profoundly. God's warnings against foolishness, drunkenness, and improper child discipline highlight the need for control and adherence to His words. His laws cover all aspects of life and worship, and while some are harder to follow than others, the call remains to strive daily to keep them at the forefront of thought and action. God pleads with His people to live by all His words, knowing what is best for them as their Father. He promises blessings for obedience and warns of the decline seen in nations moving away from His laws. As examples to mankind, God's people must not conform to human ways but instead read, study, and live by every word of God, making decisions aligned with His will. This path leads to a joyful, exciting life and a bright future, fulfilling the great purpose for which God has called them.

In Galatians, Paul addresses the significance of God's law within the context of the Old and New Covenants. He questions whether the law, which David cherished as more precious than thousands of shekels of gold and silver, and which Paul himself described as spiritual, holy, just, and good, is no longer to be obeyed. Paul explains that the law was added because of transgressions until the Seed, to whom the promise was made, should come. He describes the law as a tutor to bring us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith, and states that after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. He emphasizes that the Old Covenant, synonymous with the law, was temporary and meant to preserve the knowledge of God's laws in Israel to prepare them for the coming of Christ. Paul clarifies that God's laws have been in full force since Creation and remain vital. He asserts that the purpose of the Old Covenant was to guard Israel from sinful, pagan cultures until Christ came, protecting them as a separate nation. Now that Christ has come, enabling us to keep His laws in their spiritual intent through His Holy Spirit, we must be even more motivated to overcome, grow, and diligently keep those laws, which are more desirable than much fine gold.

Jesus strongly warns us to beware of false prophets and false christs who will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. As prophecy moves toward the return of Jesus Christ, false ministers and false teaching will intensify, making it difficult to hold onto the truth. Subtle deceptions have already weakened the understanding and faith of many in the church, leading some to agree to break laws found in the Ten Commandments, even without the aid of signs and wonders. The true God is not a man that He should lie, nor does He change. His faithfulness and reliability are the foundation of our faith. He declares, "For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." Jesus Himself upheld the law, stating of tithing, "These you ought to have done," and admonished all, "But if you will enter into life, keep the commandments." God's law, primarily the Ten Commandments, has always been the standard by which He judges men's lives, and His purpose and plan remain unchanged.

God's Law is a profound mystery hidden in plain sight within the Scriptures, often overlooked due to preconceived notions. Many fail to see the truth, as their eyes have not been opened to the whole counsel of God. Yet, by comparing Scripture with Scripture, we can uncover the full truth of God's Word and grow in understanding over time, as His Spirit reveals these hidden realities to us. We must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, seeking the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and then put it into practice. In the letter to the Colossians, Paul admonishes the church to keep God's Law, though it is subtly woven into his writing. Many have missed these instructions, misusing the text to support a no-works religion. Paul avoids direct references to the law in the early chapters, focusing instead on the greatness of Christ, but he transitions to practical Christian living in later chapters. In Colossians 2:11-17, he speaks of spiritual realities like the circumcision of the heart, indicating the New Covenant, which binds us to follow God's dictates in our worship throughout our lives. He confirms the law indirectly by addressing sin and trespasses, showing that it remains in force since sin still exists and needs forgiveness. Christ did not nail the law to the cross but rather the record of our sins, wiping out the certificate of debt that accused us and bearing our trespasses away. In Colossians 3, Paul transitions to practical application, urging believers to seek and think on things above, orienting all aspects of life toward godly goals. Though he avoids explicit mention of law or commandments, the Ten Commandments are present, hidden in plain sight, as he addresses sins that break these laws. Eight of the commandments are referenced in this chapter alone, underscoring their relevance. Paul also encourages letting the word of Christ dwell richly within us, pointing to teachings that endorse God's Law as vital for Christian life. Finally, in Colossians 4:17, Paul calls each believer to fulfill their God-given ministry, a purpose to be transformed into Christ's image amidst a world of godlessness. We must take heed to this purpose, filtering out anti-God influences and setting our minds on heavenly things to complete the work God has entrusted to us.

God's Law stands as a cornerstone of divine order and righteousness, not to be dismissed or deemed obsolete. It is holy, just, good, and spiritual, ordained to life rather than death, revealing sin rather than provoking it. God's Law does not stimulate or arouse sin but makes us aware of our wrongdoings, provoking a deeper understanding without inspiring more frequent transgression. The carnal mind, in its enmity against God, often reviles this Law, labeling it a yoke of bondage and claiming it is done away with, yet this reflects a prejudiced position against His standards. God's commandments embody righteousness, and He, as a God of love and concern, legislates with kindness, not unkindness, even if His laws may feel constrictive to human nature. The Law's purpose is not to give life, for life comes from the living; instead, it reveals what sin is, guiding us to recognize our need for correction rather than rebellion. God's Law remains eternal, as Jesus Christ Himself declared that not one jot or tittle would pass from it. Sin, defined as the transgression of this Law, still exists, and thus the Law must endure, for without it, there can be no recognition of sin. Jesus, the Head of the church, laid foundational principles affirming the Law's relevance, specifically referencing commandments that indicate its enduring code. Examples of Christ and His apostles keeping specific laws, such as the Sabbath and holy days, strengthen this understanding. The Sabbath, part of God's eternal, spiritual, moral Law, is holy to the Lord, sanctified by Him from Creation, not merely as a later reminder. Jesus declared the Sabbath was made for man and affirmed His authority as its Lord, keeping it as His custom, instructing us to follow in His steps. The apostles and early church continued observing these laws, showing no antagonism toward them, further confirming their lasting significance. God's overall purpose in creating us in His image underscores the Law's importance. His creation reflects an orderly, law-abiding mind, functioning according to unchanging laws. The Law provides a basic description of His character and way of life, exemplified sinlessly by Jesus when He became man, teaching us to live accordingly. To deny God's Law is to deny God Himself, for through it, He reveals much about His nature and expectations for those being shaped into His image. The Old Covenant's purpose was to lead to Christ, added because of transgressions to guide Israel until His coming. While the Old Covenant is obsolete, its moral laws, including the Ten Commandments, remain in force under the New Covenant, written into hearts and minds. Breaking these laws is sin, while keeping them is righteousness. Even laws that may indirectly apply still carry the spirit and intention of love, aiming to bring us to holiness and the image of God. Obedience to these laws, though it cannot justify or save, embodies the wisdom and love of God, guiding us to live holier lives.

God's law remains a vital standard for alignment and righteousness, even in the context of justification by grace through faith. Justification does not nullify the law but brings us into alignment with it, establishing its importance as a guide for our conduct. As Romans 3:31 declares, faith does not make void the law; rather, it establishes law in general, encompassing God's commandments as the measure against which we are aligned. The law continues to define sin, as seen in Romans 4:15, where it states that the law works wrath, for where there is no law, there is no transgression. If justification by grace through faith were to eliminate the law, sin would cease to exist, rendering Christ's sacrifice meaningless. Yet, sin persists, as evidenced by the ongoing need for repentance and the exhortations of Jesus Christ and the apostles to avoid sin even after forgiveness. Jesus Himself upholds the law, as shown in John 8:10-11, when He tells the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more, affirming that forgiveness does not abolish the law but reinforces the call to obedience. Similarly, in Matthew 5:17-20, He asserts that He has not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, warning that breaking even the least of the commandments and teaching others to do so results in being called least in the kingdom of heaven. God's law serves as a framework for choices, narrowing the path to life, as Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that narrow is the way that leads to life. Deuteronomy 30:15-19 echoes this by presenting the choice between life and death, blessing and cursing, urging obedience to God's commandments while maintaining free moral agency. God's purpose in limiting choices, as illustrated by providing only manna to Israel in the wilderness, is to guide His children toward the right path for their good. The law's administration may differ under the New Covenant, as the church lacks civil authority to enforce penalties like death for sins such as adultery, yet the law itself remains intact. Romans 6:23 still declares that the wages of sin is death, though the penalty is delayed, not removed. Hebrews 10:26-30 delivers a stern warning to Christians not to sin willfully after receiving grace, emphasizing that such rebellion invites severe judgment, affirming the law's enduring relevance. Justification, while a critical step, does not equate to salvation but aligns us with God's law, providing access to Him and the opportunity to receive further grace. It does not grant license to disregard the law, as Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:10 urges obedience to God's commandments precisely because we are justified. The law remains essential as a guide to prevent misalignment and to support our journey toward perfection, underlining that God's work in us continues beyond justification.

God's law holds a central and enduring place in the relationship between God and His people, as seen across the covenants. In Psalm 111, the commandments of God are described as standing fast forever and ever, done in truth and uprightness, indicating their permanence and unmovable nature. This enduring quality is tied to a covenant that lasts forever, suggesting that God's law is not abolished with the introduction of a new covenant. The notion that God's law was done away with alongside the Old Covenant is incorrect; instead, His commandments remain integral to the covenant that endures. The fault with the Old Covenant lay not in God's law, but in the people who failed to keep its terms, as highlighted in Hebrews 8:7-8. The law itself was not the problem, but the weakness of the flesh, the inability of the people to uphold their part, as noted in Romans 8:3. God's law was not too harsh or enslaving; rather, the responsibility rested with the people who would not adhere to the covenant's conditions. Under the New Covenant, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and reiterated in Hebrews 8:10, God's law is to be written in the hearts and minds of His people, addressing the failure of ancient Israel to internalize it. This covenant does not eliminate the law but transforms its application, making it a core part of a personal relationship with God. Jesus Christ Himself affirms this in Matthew 19:16-22, declaring that to enter into life, one must keep the commandments, underscoring their necessity for eternal life within the framework of the New Covenant. Thus, God's law remains a vital component of His covenant with His people, not discarded but internalized and upheld through the better promises and provisions of the New Covenant, ensuring a deeper connection and commitment to His will.

Some people twist the apostle Paul's writings to claim that God's law is abolished, often targeting Romans 7:4, where Paul states that a Christian is dead to the law and now married to another. In Romans 6, Paul lays the foundation by explaining that through baptism, we are buried with Christ, our old man of sin is crucified with Him, and we are freed from sin to serve righteousness. In Romans 7:1, Paul clarifies that the law has dominion over a man only as long as he lives, meaning it has the power to condemn us to death for our sins while we are alive, but once we die with Christ, that power ceases. Using the analogy of marriage in verses 2 and 3, he illustrates that just as a woman is bound by the law to her husband until his death, after which the law cannot condemn her for remarrying, so too are we freed from the law's condemnation when our old man of sin dies at baptism. Specifically, Paul references the seventh commandment against adultery, showing that this law remains binding on Christians. In verse 4, he explains that through the body of Christ, we have become dead to the law, no longer subject to its penalty, and are now free to be married to Him who was raised from the dead, bearing fruit to God. In verse 6, Paul concludes that we are delivered from the law's power to condemn us because our old man of sin has died, and with God's Holy Spirit, we serve in the newness of the Spirit, keeping God's laws in their full spiritual intent and purpose. Far from being abolished, God's laws are even more binding on Christians as we live transformed lives through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

By refusing to repent of their apostasy from God's way of life, the Israelites could only expect the coming of God's fearsome punishment. We should never forget that God's punishment falls upon Israel because of disobedience, rebellion, and sin. Metaphorically, when God draws near with the plumb line, He is looking for those people from top to bottom who are living and abiding in His grace and His law. The Israelites' moral standards had degenerated, so their religious profession was not verified by the right kind of works. They were not upright; they failed the test. Through their spiritual harlotry, they abused grace, the free, unmerited gift of God, including His pardon, and rejected His law. Jeroboam turned away from the law of God, causing the people to sin. Amos describes the insecurity, bitterness, and death that result from failing to hold to God's absolute standards. God's law is the primary vehicle He uses to reveal His nature; it defines how He lives. If we want to be in His Kingdom and live as He does, we must obey His law. Grace precedes law, for God revealed Himself to Israel first as Redeemer and then as Lawgiver. He freed His people from their slavery in Egypt before He gave them the standard of His law. The plumb line combines grace and law, and God will test us against both. If either is abused, we will not measure up to the standard. Since God is holy, His law is holy, and if we follow His holy law, we can grow to be holy like our holy God. He expects it will result in obedience to His law, the reflection of His nature, so on occasion, He holds a plumb line against them to check their progress. But when He sees that they have rejected His way of life, He has no choice but to try to guide them to repentance by any means necessary.

Many believe that salvation comes by faith alone, asserting that one's way of life has no bearing on being saved. Yet, the question arises: can we enter God's Kingdom while spurning His laws and ignoring His holy commandments? Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses this by stating that we are justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law, which might seem to suggest that obedience to God contributes nothing to salvation. However, when studied in context, Paul clarifies that it is not the hearers of the law who are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. He emphasizes that the manner in which we conduct our lives greatly impacts whether we will receive eternal life. Paul further explains that all of mankind stands guilty before God, having broken His law and being condemned by it. He asserts that by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight, for the law brings the knowledge of sin. Present obedience cannot wash away past iniquity, indicating that forgiveness of past sins must come through another means if sinners are to have hope of entering God's Kingdom.

Every single word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph written in God's Word, the Holy Bible, is important. Works toward God are to do His will and His work and, yes, to obey His laws. Doing them promotes growth of godly character and provides a shining example of true Christian living. Faith without works is dead. Faith with works is life—eternal life!