Can the law grant eternal life?

[Reddogs]

The question of whether the law can give life is a complex theological issue, and different parts of the Bible seem to present various perspectives on this matter.

1. Ezekiel's Justice: In the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ezekiel, there are references to justice associated with obedience to God's statutes and the observance of His rules. However, it is essential to recognize that this justice is within the context of the Mosaic Law. Within this framework, justice could be achieved through the fulfillment of the commandments and regulations of the Law. While it can bring a form of justice, it does not necessarily grant eternal life.

2. Transformation of Job: Although Job was initially considered a righteous man in the Old Testament, his story also illustrates a deeper spiritual journey. He was proud of his self-righteousness, thinking that his obedience to the law made him blameless. But as the story unfolds, he comes to understand that justice is not limited to legalistic obedience but involves a deeper relationship with God. His understanding evolves, and he recognizes his limitations. The law, as seen in Job's case, does not grant life in the ultimate sense.

3. Paul's Perspective: The writings of the Apostle Paul are fundamental to understanding the relationship between justice and the law. He argues that, while there is a form of justice found in the law, it is not sufficient for the salvation and eternal life of all. In passages like Philippians 2:15, 3:6, 3:9, and 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Paul discusses the concept of "blamelessness" in the context of the law. He himself was a zealous Pharisee who believed in the righteousness of the law, as he states in Philippians 3:6. However, he recognizes the limitations of the law and that true justice is found in faith in Christ. In Galatians 2:21, he emphasizes that God's grace would be nullified if justice were entirely achievable through the law, implying that the law, while sufficient to lead some to a form of justice, is imperfect when it comes to bringing all of humanity to perfect righteousness and eternal life.

4. Jesus' Encounter with the Rich Young Ruler: The story of the rich young ruler in the Gospels illustrates the idea that mere observance of the law may not be enough for something beyond eternal life. Jesus challenges the rich young ruler to go beyond legalistic observance of the law and to give up his worldly possessions to follow Him and attain, beyond eternal life through obedience to the law's justice, treasure in heaven. This demonstrates that a higher level of commitment is required than merely following the law to achieve a reward. It suggests that the law, while valuable, cannot, by itself, grant life in its fullest sense.

5. New Covenant: The concept of a New Covenant is also crucial for understanding the shift in perspective. Hebrews 8:7 highlights that the first covenant was not without flaws, leading to the need for a new covenant. The New Covenant, according to Christian theology, is based on faith in the atonement of Christ rather than strict adherence to the Mosaic Law. It signifies a shift away from the idea that the law alone can grant life.

Can the law grant eternal life?

No, it just sets the standard and shows us what sin is, versus the true path of God. Here is something which I posted years ago but is a great illustration on how the Law works...

Jesus used parables to explain things plainly so the people could understand, and I was struck as I worked on my fence one morning, by how the fence was like Gods law, and I thought I would share it. Of all the animals, none have given me more grief than my goats. When I first got them, they were a few weeks old and I put up a fence to keep them safe from the various panthers, bears, bobcats and other wildlife that share the woods with us. The fence was more of a marker for the goats as they soon learned to go under it and wander out in the woods were dangers lurked. They got out and indulged in all their little goat desires and ate lantana and other things which wasnt good for them, then at night they would come home through the front gate and lay on the warm hood of my car or the top, causing me great grief. Then I lost some of them from bloating from what they ate and to wildlife, so I did everything I could to save them from the real dangers in the woods. I put a second fence around them so they were in sight of the house so I could go get them if they got out. I sank the bottom of the fence deeper, but they jumped over it. I made the fence higher, so they stood on top of stumps or logs so they could get over it. I told my wife we would have to get rid of the goats because they would not stay within the fence, so she said to let her try.

She went and sat with them and gave them alfalfa hay to clear out their tummys of the bad stuff they had picked up. She talked to them and rubbed their bellies when they were sick and gave them charcoal for the bloating. Soon the goats stopped jumping the fence and waited for my wife in their pen, and let her hold them and clean their fur or between their horns as that is the one place they cant reach. Now they listen for her voice and come running when she calls and sit with her and listen to her little goat stories she tells them.

Something happened that changed the goats, I couldnt put my finger on it but on one thing I was clear, the fence didnt save them from the dangers. Did it help, yes as far as it delineated the cleared land of the farm and their little goat pen where it was safe. But somehow the goats changed in their little goat desires and behavior and they no longer wanted to jump the fence and leave the farm, but instead to stay within the safety of the fence and share their happiness with someone who loves them......

[Fenris]

The Mosaic Law was never intended to provide a way of salvation.

That is correct. The Jewish bible or "OT" is about sanctification, not salvation.

"Salvation" in the Christian sense does not exist in Judaism or the Jewish bible.

[Zachary]

I was written that Jesus said "20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
So what did he mean? Perhaps that they had not faith in him, yet they were after purity. If that is the case then the answer is no, as others have said.

But the law is not diminished but made even more full. The laws which we already know in our hearts, but we might hide them when convenient. And then perhaps we do transgress. That is surely why Jesus told people to follow him while he was there with them, because he knew they would likely transgress at some point. Yet there should also be forgiveness of sin as well, if we repent. Repent for the kingdom is at hand, was the main saying, and it is not diminished.
When we break those laws we face the punishment for them. So we shouldn't break those laws if at all possible. Jesus did teach it.

Matthew 5:20

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

[Reddogs]

I was written that Jesus said "20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
So what did he mean? Perhaps that they had not faith in him, yet they were after purity. If that is the case then the answer is no, as others have said.

But the law is not diminished but made even more full. The laws which we already know in our hearts, but we might hide them when convenient. And then perhaps we do transgress. That is surely why Jesus told people to follow him while he was there with them, because he knew they would likely transgress at some point. Yet there should also be forgiveness of sin as well, if we repent. Repent for the kingdom is at hand, was the main saying, and it is not diminished.
When we break those laws we face the punishment for them. So we shouldn't break those laws if at all possible. Jesus did teach it.

Matthew 5:20

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

We must be perfected to beyond just the literal to the spiritual or holy. What is called the 'Mind of Christ' and we see more directly what is meant in these texts that can clarify the question.

What many call the Old Covenant...
Jeremiah 31:31-33
“31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Now let’s look at what many call the New covenant in Hebrews 8:8-10:
“8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:"

It was always the same, God wants a true change, a real perfection, true righteousness, where we can come boldly before the throne..

[Zachary]

I was written that Jesus said "20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
So what did he mean? Perhaps that they had not faith in him, yet they were after purity. If that is the case then the answer is no, as others have said.

But the law is not diminished but made even more full. The laws which we already know in our hearts, but we might hide them when convenient. And then perhaps we do transgress. That is surely why Jesus told people to follow him while he was there with them, because he knew they would likely transgress at some point. Yet there should also be forgiveness of sin as well, if we repent. Repent for the kingdom is at hand, was the main saying, and it is not diminished.
When we break those laws we face the punishment for them. So we shouldn't break those laws if at all possible. Jesus did teach it.

Matthew 5:20

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

We must be perfected to beyond just the literal to the spiritual or holy. What is called the 'Mind of Christ' and we see more directly what is meant in these texts that can clarify the question.

What many call the Old Covenant...
Jeremiah 31:31-33
“31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Now let’s look at what many call the New covenant in Hebrews 8:8-10:
“8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:"

It was always the same, God wants a true change, a real perfection, true righteousness, where we can come boldly before the throne..

Thanks for your reply,

Yes that is what the Lord had in hopes for Israel and for all. Yet surely, he knew of their ways. And so the word of Jesus must had been made.
Those times do come and go and in regions they do flourish. Just as the cosmos is vast but as far as we can see the Earth has more abundance of life.

[Richard Aberdeen]

This is part of what the New Testament says about the law:

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Messiah.” -- John 1:17.

“...how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." -- Galatians 4:8-11

"Stand fast therefore, in the freedom of which Messiah has made us free and, be not entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"You have become estranged from Messiah, you who try to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." -- Galatians 5:4

"But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law." -- Galatians 5:18

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -- Romans 6:14

". . .having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." -- Colossians 2:14

"Therefore, if you died with Messiah from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?" -- Colossians 2:21-22

“. . .but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. --II Corinthians 3:4-6

[Reddogs]

This is part of what the New Testament says about the law:

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Messiah.” -- John 1:17.

“...how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." -- Galatians 4:8-11

"Stand fast therefore, in the freedom of which Messiah has made us free and, be not entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"You have become estranged from Messiah, you who try to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." -- Galatians 5:4

"But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law." -- Galatians 5:18

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -- Romans 6:14

". . .having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." -- Colossians 2:14

"Therefore, if you died with Messiah from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?" -- Colossians 2:21-22

“. . .but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. --II Corinthians 3:4-6

Gods Law is one of love, for God with all your heart and mind, and your fellowman. Take it out and soon you will find what is meant by "every man did that which was right in his own eyes”, to say nothing of the destruction of society and order....

[Richard Aberdeen]

Only Jesus can grant eternal life. 

Jesus says, "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me." John 5:39

Jesus says, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him who he sent." John 6:29